California's Santa Barbara County contains the census-designated place of Ballard. The Santa Ynez Valley is made up of various towns, including the town of Ballard. Solvang is the closest city. The CDP, which is comprised of 99.98% land and 0.02% water, has a total area of 1.2 square miles, according to the United States Census Bureau.

A single adult's yearly cost of living in Ballard is $47,834, which is more than the state average of $45,534 and the average cost of living nationwide of $38,433. With a typical home value of $902,500, which is significantly more than the national median of $204,900, housing is a big component. The median family income of $113,125 is eight times the median home value, while approximately 25.60% of homes are rented, which is lower than the national average of 36.2%. With 70.90% of commuters driving to work, below the national average of 85.5%, and an annual transportation expense of $11,398 per person, over the national average of $9,760, there are considerable transportation costs. Ballard's prices for food, health care, and child care are likewise marginally higher than national rates, although the city's taxes, at $8,677 annually, are roughly in line with the statewide average.

According to World Population Review, the population of Ballard, California, which is a census-designated place, was 862 in 2023. Ballard's population is 42.2 years old on average, with men being 48.3 years old and women being 39.5 years old.

Ballard is a mix of a quaint little town and a posh bedroom neighborhood. It is a coveted neighborhood known for its top-notch elementary school. The region's strong and well-regarded wine business is well-known. The Ballard wine region was featured in the Academy Award-nominated movie Sideways.