About New Cuyama CDP, California
New Cuyama is a census-designated place (CDP) in the Cuyama Valley, in Santa Barbara County, California, United States. The population was 1,776 at the 2010 census, up from 1,598 at the 2000 census.
The town of New Cuyama is located in the Cuyama Valley on State Route 166, about halfway between the cities of Santa Maria and Bakersfield. The valley is largely agricultural, with ranching and farming being the primary activities. New Cuyama is home to the Cuyama Buckhorn Saloon & Hotel, which has been in operation since 1884.
New Cuyama was founded in 1882 as a stop on the stagecoach line between Los Angeles and San Francisco. The town was originally called Middletown because it was located midway between the two cities. In 1927, the name was changed to New Cuyama to avoid confusion with other California towns with the same name.
New Cuyama is an unincorporated community, and as such does not have a government of its own. It is served by the Cuyama Joint Unified School District and the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.