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CITY

South Lake Tahoe

California · 21,115 residents (2025 est.) · 10.068 sq mi
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The short version

South Lake Tahoe has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $82,002. Population has declined 10% since 2000. Median home value has more than tripled since 2000, reaching $682,400.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 41.1
US median: 38.9
Average education
36% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 146%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
21,269
−10%since 2000
from 23,609 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,113 / sq mi
−10%since 2000
from 2,345 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
41.1
+23%since 2000
from 33.4 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:21,115 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
21K22K22K23K24K1990201020202024South Lake Tahoe
202421K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$82,002
+30%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,707 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$56,022
+204%since 2000
from $18,452 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
54.3%
+31.8 ptssince 2009
from 22.6% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
9.3%
−3.2 ptssince 2000
from 12.5% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.510
+18%since 2010
from 0.433 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information10.9%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade7.6%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services5.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance4.1%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical3.7%
US avg: 5.1%
Retail trade3.3%
US avg: 9.9%
Arts, entertainment, food2.3%
US avg: 1.9%
Public administration2.3%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.2%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction1.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing0.6%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0.4%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$682,400
+146%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $152,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,606
+37%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $642 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
51.3%
+8.2 ptssince 2000
from 43.1% in 2000
48.7% rent
Vacancy rate
42.9%
+4.7 ptssince 2009
from 38.2% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
29.8%
−19.8 ptssince 2009
from 49.6% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
50.1%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 51.6% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
8.3
+90%since 2000
from 4.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
77
RELATED:See current rent listings in South Lake Tahoe on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic63.6%(15,016)
Black0.6%(145)
Hispanic / Latino26.7%(6,294)
Asian5.9%(1,402)
Other0%
Diversity Score61.1%(14,425)
2024
White, non-Hispanic61.7%(13,121)
Black0.3%(60)
Hispanic / Latino26.1%(5,547)
Asian5.5%(1,174)
Other6.4%(1,367)
Diversity Score68%(14,469)
Diversity Score
68
+11%since 2000
from 61 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
35.9%
+17.2 ptssince 2000
from 18.6% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
89.7%
+8.9 ptssince 2000
from 80.8% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
11.7%
+6.9 ptssince 2000
from 4.8% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
16.5 min
+48%since 2000
from 11.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
60.0%
−5.2 ptssince 2009
from 65.2% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
10.6%
−5.0 ptssince 2009
from 15.5% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
2.3%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 3.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
15.4%
+12.5 ptssince 2009
from 2.9% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
6.5%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 7.4% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
3.5%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 4.3% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
7.0%
−2.5 ptssince 2009
from 9.5% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.6%
−6.7 ptssince 2011
from 10.3% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
70.7%
−2.5 ptssince 2011
from 73.2% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
12.9%
+4.6 ptssince 2009
from 8.2% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
37.5%
−17.3 ptssince 2009
from 54.8% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.3%
−2.8 ptssince 2009
from 52.1% in 2009
Female
50.7%
+2.8 ptssince 2009
from 47.9% in 2009
Foreign born
19.2%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 20.6% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
3.0%
−49.7 ptssince 2009
from 52.7% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
12.3%
+0.3 ptssince 2012
from 12.0% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
10.4%
−67.6 ptssince 2013
from 78.0% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
91.4%
+12.1 ptssince 2017
from 79.3% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
72.1%
+4.7 ptssince 2016
from 67.4% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
20.9%
−5.5 ptssince 2016
from 26.3% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Frequently asked

How many people live in South Lake Tahoe, California?

South Lake Tahoe, California has about 21,269 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in South Lake Tahoe, California?

The typical household in South Lake Tahoe, California earns about $82,002 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is South Lake Tahoe, California expensive?

In South Lake Tahoe, California, the median home is worth about $682,400, and the typical rent is about $1,606 a month.

How educated are people in South Lake Tahoe, California?

About 35.9% of adults age 25 and over in South Lake Tahoe, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in South Lake Tahoe, California?

About 9.3% of people in South Lake Tahoe, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has South Lake Tahoe, California grown since 1990?

Yes, South Lake Tahoe, California has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 317 residents, a change of about -1 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →