Ballard is a unincorporated community in Santa Barbara County, California. Ballard is the smallest and oldest community in the Santa Ynez Valley. The nearest city is Solvang. The population was 467 at the 2010 census. For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau has defined that community as a census-designated place. Ballard was founded in 1880 and has two buildings from that era: the 1883 Ballard School and the Santa Ynez Valley Presbyterian Church, which was erected in 1889.