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CITY · 2010 ACS

South Lake Tahoe

California · 21,403 residents · 10.068 sq mi
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The short version

South Lake Tahoe has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $44,217. Population has declined 9% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $386,500. Households here earn about 27% less than the California median. Despite a median home value of $386,500, the poverty rate sits 28% above the US average — a pattern often seen in resort and college towns.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Younger
median age 35.6
US median: 37.2
Less educated
22% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 100%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
21,403
−9%since 2000
from 23,609 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,126 / sq mi
−9%since 2000
from 2,345 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
35.6
+7%since 2000
from 33.4 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
21K22K22K23K24K1990201020202024South Lake Tahoe
202421K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$44,217
+1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,707 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$23,448
+27%since 2000
from $18,452 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
23.4%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 22.6% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
17.7%
+5.2 ptssince 2000
from 12.5% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.433
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information10.6%
US avg: 11.5%
Wholesale trade5.5%
US avg: 7.2%
Other services4.8%
US avg: 7%
Finance & insurance3.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services2.2%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food1.9%
US avg: 2.4%
Public administration1.7%
US avg: 4.9%
Retail trade1.5%
US avg: 10.9%
Professional, scientific, technical1.4%
US avg: 4.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.1%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction1.1%
US avg: 1.4%
Transportation & warehousing0.7%
US avg: 3.1%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$386,500
+100%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $152,300 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$895
+10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $642 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
27.2%
−15.9 ptssince 2000
from 43.1% in 2000
61.1% rent
Vacancy rate
41.4%
+3.2 ptssince 2009
from 38.2% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
48.3%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 49.6% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
50.7%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 51.6% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
8.7
+99%since 2000
from 4.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2010
White, non-Hispanic59.9%(12,818)
Black0.6%(138)
Hispanic / Latino31.1%(6,665)
Asian5.4%(1,155)
Other3.3%(697)
Diversity Score67.9%(14,536)
Diversity Score
68
+11%since 2000
from 61 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
21.7%
+3.1 ptssince 2000
from 18.6% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
83.8%
+3.0 ptssince 2000
from 80.8% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
6.4%
+1.6 ptssince 2000
from 4.8% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
16.0 min
+43%since 2000
from 11.2 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
66.3%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 65.2% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
15.3%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 15.5% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
3.6%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 3.0% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
3.6%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 2.9% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
6.9%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 7.4% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
3.1%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 4.3% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
7.5%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 9.5% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
9.5%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 8.2% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
19.2%
−35.5 ptssince 2009
from 54.8% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.1%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 52.1% in 2009
Female
48.9%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 47.9% in 2009
Foreign born
19.6%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 20.6% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
9.7%
−43.0 ptssince 2009
from 52.7% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

Places similar to South Lake Tahoe

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Pop 20,375
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Pop 21,369
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Pop 20,383
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Compare South Lake Tahoe to nearby cities

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SOUTH LAKE TAHOE VS
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Home value$453,000+17%
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SOUTH LAKE TAHOE VS
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Home value$1,454,600+276%
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SOUTH LAKE TAHOE VS
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Income$130,462+195%
Home value$947,900+145%
Population17,278−18%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in South Lake Tahoe, California?

South Lake Tahoe, California has about 21,403 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in South Lake Tahoe, California earns about $44,217 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 $386,500, and the typical rent is about $895 a month.

How educated are people in South Lake Tahoe, California?

About 21.7% 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 17.7% 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 183 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

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