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CITY · 2000 CENSUS

San Luis Obispo

California · 44,174 residents · 13.469 sq mi
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The short version

San Luis Obispo has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $31,926. Population has held roughly steady since 1990. 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 24%. Median home value is $252,900. At a median age of 26.2, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Households here earn about 33% less than the California median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Younger
median age 26.2
US median: 35.2
More educated
41% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
More affordable
home values down 20%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

44,174
+5%since 1990
from 41,958 in 1990
1990 – 2025
3,280 / sq mi
+5%since 1990
from 3,115 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
26.2
−2%since 1990
from 26.6 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 19902024
41K43K45K47K49K1990201020202024San Luis Obispo
202448K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

$31,926
−7%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $25,982 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
$20,386
+38%since 1990
from $14,760 in 1990
US average: $21,522
26.6%
−0.8 ptssince 1990
from 27.4% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

$252,900
−20%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $239,900 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
$724
−8%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $599 in 1990
US average: $602
41.9%
−2.2 ptssince 1990
from 44.1% in 1990
58.1% rent
7.9
−14%since 1990
from 9.2 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in San Luis Obispo on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic88.7%(37,227)
Black1.9%(818)
Hispanic / Latino9.1%(3,804)
Asian5.1%(2,122)
Diversity Score40.9%(17,167)
2000
White, non-Hispanic78.7%(34,756)
Black1.3%(594)
Hispanic / Latino11.7%(5,147)
Asian5.2%(2,286)
Diversity Score40.3%(17,809)
40
−1%since 1990
from 41 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

40.9%
+6.0 ptssince 1990
from 34.9% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
91.1%
+2.1 ptssince 1990
from 89.0% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
15.3%
+1.9 ptssince 1990
from 13.4% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

10.8 min
−18%since 1990
from 13.2 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

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Frequently asked

How many people live in San Luis Obispo, California?

San Luis Obispo, California has about 44,174 residents according to the 2000 Census.

What is the median household income in San Luis Obispo, California?

The typical household in San Luis Obispo, California earns about $31,926 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is San Luis Obispo, California expensive?

In San Luis Obispo, California, the median home is worth about $252,900, and the typical rent is about $724 a month.

How educated are people in San Luis Obispo, California?

About 40.9% of adults age 25 and over in San Luis Obispo, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in San Luis Obispo, California?

About 26.6% of people in San Luis Obispo, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has San Luis Obispo, California grown since 1990?

Yes, San Luis Obispo, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 2,216 residents, a change of about 5 percent over that period.

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

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