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CITY

Pismo Beach

California · 7,911 residents (2025 est.) · 3.497 sq mi
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Part of the San Luis Obispo metro area
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Notable rankings
#172Oldest by median ageof 6,82655.1#245Most expensive homesof 6,786$1,021,300
The short version

Pismo Beach is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $118,072. Population has declined 6% since 2000. 52% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than tripled since 2000, reaching $1,021,300. With a median age of 55.1, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. It ranks in the top 5% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 55.1
US median: 38.9
More educated
52% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 113%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
8,014
−6%since 2000
from 8,551 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,292 / sq mi
−6%since 2000
from 2,445 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
55.1
+18%since 2000
from 46.8 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:7,911 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
8K8K8K8K9K1990201020202024Pismo Beach
20248K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$118,072
+40%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $46,396 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$78,198
+154%since 2000
from $30,835 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
65.2%
+24.7 ptssince 2009
from 40.5% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
6.9%
−2.1 ptssince 2000
from 9.0% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.458
−10%since 2010
from 0.512 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information13.1%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance7.5%
US avg: 5.9%
Other services6.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing5.1%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction5.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Retail trade4.4%
US avg: 9.9%
Public administration4.2%
US avg: 4.8%
Professional, scientific, technical4%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services3.5%
US avg: 0.9%
Wholesale trade3.1%
US avg: 6.9%
Arts, entertainment, food1.9%
US avg: 1.9%
Transportation & warehousing0.3%
US avg: 2.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$1,021,300
+113%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $262,600 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$2,232
+45%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $845 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
64.6%
+1.9 ptssince 2000
from 62.7% in 2000
35.4% rent
Vacancy rate
32.8%
+4.5 ptssince 2009
from 28.4% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
32.6%
−2.5 ptssince 2009
from 35.1% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
48.7%
−4.8 ptssince 2009
from 53.5% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
8.6
+53%since 2000
from 5.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
70
RELATED:See current rent listings in Pismo Beach on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic87.1%(7,449)
Black0.6%(49)
Hispanic / Latino6.9%(589)
Asian2.9%(244)
Other0%
Diversity Score24.3%(2,080)
2024
White, non-Hispanic79.2%(6,345)
Black0.5%(37)
Hispanic / Latino10.8%(869)
Asian3%(241)
Other6.5%(522)
Diversity Score44.5%(3,568)
Diversity Score
45
+83%since 2000
from 24 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
51.7%
+14.6 ptssince 2000
from 37.1% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
97.6%
+5.7 ptssince 2000
from 91.9% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
22.0%
+8.1 ptssince 2000
from 13.9% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
23.0 min
+66%since 2000
from 13.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
72.4%
−4.4 ptssince 2009
from 76.8% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
6.9%
−2.5 ptssince 2009
from 9.4% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−3.3 ptssince 2009
from 3.3% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
16.7%
+10.6 ptssince 2009
from 6.1% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.1%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 1.4% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.5%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 1.5% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
2.5%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 2.7% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.4%
−1.5 ptssince 2011
from 6.0% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
56.5%
−2.3 ptssince 2011
from 58.8% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
13.7%
−2.9 ptssince 2009
from 16.6% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
51.4%
−14.5 ptssince 2009
from 65.9% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
52.0%
+4.3 ptssince 2009
from 47.7% in 2009
Female
48.0%
−4.3 ptssince 2009
from 52.3% in 2009
Foreign born
5.7%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 5.1% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
8.2%
−38.1 ptssince 2009
from 46.4% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
15.3%
+2.2 ptssince 2012
from 13.1% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
4.0%
−87.3 ptssince 2013
from 91.3% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
94.3%
+9.4 ptssince 2017
from 84.9% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
89.2%
−0.7 ptssince 2016
from 89.9% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
5.4%
+1.1 ptssince 2016
from 4.4% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Pismo Beach to nearby cities

PISMO BEACH VS
Grover Beach
Income$86,458−27%
Home value$727,500−29%
Population12,456+57%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PISMO BEACH VS
Arroyo Grande
Income$102,553−13%
Home value$814,200−20%
Population18,123+129%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PISMO BEACH VS
San Luis Obispo
Income$73,685−38%
Home value$935,100−8%
Population50,636+540%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PISMO BEACH VS
Nipomo
Income$110,022−7%
Home value$723,700−29%
Population17,516+121%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Pismo Beach, California?

Pismo Beach, California has about 8,014 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Pismo Beach, California?

The typical household in Pismo Beach, California earns about $118,072 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Pismo Beach, California expensive?

In Pismo Beach, California, the median home is worth about $1,021,300, and the typical rent is about $2,232 a month.

How educated are people in Pismo Beach, California?

About 51.7% of adults age 25 and over in Pismo Beach, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Pismo Beach, California?

About 6.9% of people in Pismo Beach, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Pismo Beach, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Pismo Beach, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 345 residents, a change of about 4 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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