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CITY · 2020 ACS

San Luis Obispo

California · 47,063 residents · 13.469 sq mi
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The short version

San Luis Obispo has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $58,546. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $662,300. At a median age of 31.4, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Households here earn about 26% less than the California median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 31.4
US median: 38.8
More educated
50% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 74%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
47,063
+7%since 2000
from 44,174 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
3,494 / sq mi
+7%since 2000
from 3,280 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
31.4
+20%since 2000
from 26.2 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
41K43K45K47K49K1990201020202024San Luis Obispo
202448K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$58,546
+22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $31,926 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$36,232
+78%since 2000
from $20,386 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
41.8%
+17.4 ptssince 2009
from 24.4% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
28.2%
+1.6 ptssince 2000
from 26.6% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information11.4%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade5.8%
US avg: 10%
Other services4.2%
US avg: 6.6%
Wholesale trade3.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance3.5%
US avg: 5.5%
Public administration2.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Professional, scientific, technical2.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food2.1%
US avg: 2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction2%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing1.4%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services1.3%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$662,300
+74%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $252,900 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,611
+48%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $724 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
41.5%
−0.3 ptssince 2000
from 41.9% in 2000
58.5% rent
Afford Score
11.3
+43%since 2000
from 7.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in San Luis Obispo on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic78.7%(34,756)
Black1.3%(594)
Hispanic / Latino11.7%(5,147)
Asian5.2%(2,286)
Other0%
Diversity Score40.3%(17,809)
2020
White, non-Hispanic67.6%(31,825)
Black1%(478)
Hispanic / Latino18.5%(8,729)
Asian6%(2,812)
Other4%(1,867)
Diversity Score59.2%(27,840)
Diversity Score
59
+47%since 2000
from 40 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
50.0%
+9.1 ptssince 2000
from 40.9% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
94.3%
+3.2 ptssince 2000
from 91.1% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
22.2%
+6.9 ptssince 2000
from 15.3% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
15.3 min
+41%since 2000
from 10.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
69.4%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 71.4% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
5.7%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 7.1% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.8%
−3.1 ptssince 2011
from 8.9% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
64.0%
+3.1 ptssince 2011
from 60.9% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
47.0%
−19.1 ptssince 2009
from 66.2% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.4%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 52.6% in 2009
Female
48.6%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 47.4% in 2009
Foreign born
8.7%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 8.2% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
4.5%
−84.0 ptssince 2013
from 88.5% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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Compare San Luis Obispo to nearby cities

SAN LUIS OBISPO VS
Los Osos
Income$108,932+86%
Home value$805,800+22%
Population14,166−72%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SAN LUIS OBISPO VS
Grover Beach
Income$86,458+48%
Home value$727,500+10%
Population12,456−75%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SAN LUIS OBISPO VS
Arroyo Grande
Income$102,553+75%
Home value$814,200+23%
Population18,123−64%
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SAN LUIS OBISPO VS
Morro Bay
Income$95,843+64%
Home value$918,200+39%
Population10,613−79%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in San Luis Obispo, California?

San Luis Obispo, California has about 47,063 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in San Luis Obispo, California earns about $58,546 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 $662,300, and the typical rent is about $1,611 a month.

How educated are people in San Luis Obispo, California?

About 50.0% 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 28.2% 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 5,105 residents, a change of about 12 percent over that period.

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

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