Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties’ Economic Health Depends on Undocumented Immigrant Workers

Undocumented immigrants directly contribute approximately $5.8 billion to Ventura and Santa Barbara counties’ GDP, according to a recently released report by California Lutheran University’s Center for Economics of Social Issues.

Titled “Undocumented but Indispensable: Updated Findings on Their Economic Impact in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties,” the 67-page report provides a demographic picture of the workers and underscores how imperative they are to the counties’ successful economies. 

The report also provides a clear-eyed view of the crippling impact of U.S. government policies on undocumented workers and the broader community, including employers and local economies. As a call to action, it concludes with ideas and solutions for making a positive difference in the existing critical circumstances.

“The interest in the economic impact of undocumented immigrants is very high at present,” said Jamshid Damooei, Ph.D., Cal Lutheran economics professor and CESI’s executive director. 

“I think taking it even higher and asking for the creation of a path to citizenship, as President Reagan had done, should be welcomed by all political parties. This call for action has the potential to make a significant impact, and I believe we can further amplify its reach.” 

The 2025 report updates statistics from the CESI 2023 study, “Demographic Profile and Economic Impact of Undocumented Immigrants in California: Separating Myths from Realities.”

Select findings from the 2025 report include:

As of 2021, the latest statistics available, undocumented immigrants accounted for:

• 5.8% of Ventura County’s population 
• 8.8% of Santa Barbara County’s population

Economic Impact:

• 12.3%: Ventura County’s GDP contributed by undocumented workers, when including direct, indirect (supply chain purchases) and induced (income-generated household spending). In Santa Barbara County, it’s nearly 15%.
• An overwhelming majority are working age, meaning they provide a significant economic contribution to the region’s output, labor income generation and job creation. 
• 27,115: Estimated number of additional jobs created in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.
• $1.4 billion: the total amount of taxes paid by employers and employees. Undocumented employees are ineligible for Social Security because of their immigration status. 
  • approximately $809 million in Ventura County
  • around $619 million in Santa Barbara County

Demographic Profile:

Long-term Residents:

• Over 78% have lived in Ventura County for over 10 years; 71% in Santa Barbara County. Over 30% have lived in the region 20-plus years.

Ethnicity

• 91% Hispanic/Latino in Ventura County; 94% in Santa Barbara County 

Burdened by Housing Costs

• Undocumented workers earn among the lowest wages, contributing to significant housing strain. In Ventura County, 73% of renters are financially burdened; 39% are severely burdened (spending more than 50% of income on rent).

As new data became available, CESI researchers decided to re-estimate the economic impact of undocumented immigrants. The resulting report’s updated data provides a well-rounded picture of the current political situation’s impact on the region and inspires residents and lawmakers to act on meaningful solutions.

To view the full report, visit “Undocumented but Indispensable: Updated Findings on Their Economic Impact in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties.