Report finds Lompoc faces greater health and economic challenges than rest of Santa Barbara County

LOMPOC, Calif. (KEYT) - A first-of-its-kind report released Wednesday shows the City of Lompoc is facing a number of challenges at a higher level than other communities in Santa Barbara County.

During a one-hour presentation at the Dick DeWees Community and Senior Center, the Lompoc Valley Community Healthcare Organization (LVCHO) shared the results of the 2025 Lompoc Valley Community Needs Assessment (CHNA).

LVCHO spearheaded the study and said it is the first comprehensive assessment focused exclusively on the health and well-being of the Lompoc Valley.

"The data collection was funded by Cottage Population Health," said Ashley Costa, LVCHO Executive Director. "It included a secondary data analysis, so a deep dive into the secondary data, along with focus group conversations in English and in Spanish with Lompoc residents, as well as with service providers in the Lompoc Valley."

The 72-page report lists a number of key findings in four key focus areas, financial stability and affordability, chronic illnesses, behavioral health and healthy lifestyles.

It was determined the median household income in Lompoc is $72,038, an amount that is 27% lower than the rest of Santa Barbara County and 29% of working people have to travel more than 40 miles to their place of employment.

Other findings show a higher percentage of adults in Lompoc and Lompoc Valley experience both housing and food insecurity higher than other county residents.

Another dramatic statistic found life expectancy in Lompoc is four years less than the rest of Santa Barbara County, and fewer adults visit a doctor for routine health checks compared to other county residents.

Moving forward, LVCHO said organizations serving Lompoc can use the findings in the report to inform strategic priorities, strengthen partnerships and develop initiatives that address the community's most pressing needs.

"What comes next is the LVCHO is leaning into a new strategic plan," said Costa. "We're focusing on being a catalyst for change. We've been in Lompoc 27 years and we've done some great work. Maybe you've heard of the Lompoc Community Track and Field or Safe Routes to School? We've conducted healthy eating classes and a lot of other programing. Now we're focusing on what are the root causes for some of these poor health outcomes, and how can we move the needle, particularly by bringing in more financial resources to the community from funders who want to see positive change in Lompoc."