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CITY · 2020 ACS

South Lake Tahoe

California · 21,330 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 $52,871. Population has declined 10% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $425,700. Households here earn about 33% less than the California median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 38.1
US median: 38.8
Less educated
27% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 86%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
21,330
−10%since 2000
from 23,609 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,119 / sq mi
−10%since 2000
from 2,345 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
38.1
+14%since 2000
from 33.4 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
21K22K22K23K24K1990201020202024South Lake Tahoe
202421K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$52,871
+1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,707 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$37,404
+103%since 2000
from $18,452 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
36.1%
+13.6 ptssince 2009
from 22.6% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
11.6%
−0.8 ptssince 2000
from 12.5% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information10.6%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade7.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services6.2%
US avg: 6.6%
Finance & insurance3.4%
US avg: 5.5%
Retail trade3.3%
US avg: 10%
Professional, scientific, technical2.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.8%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction1.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Public administration1.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.2%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing0.9%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$425,700
+86%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $152,300 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,092
+13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $642 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
39.1%
−4.0 ptssince 2000
from 43.1% in 2000
60.9% rent
Afford Score
8.1
+83%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic57.4%(12,244)
Black0.7%(145)
Hispanic / Latino30.7%(6,558)
Asian5.6%(1,192)
Other3.2%(691)
Diversity Score68.9%(14,689)
Diversity Score
69
+13%since 2000
from 61 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
27.4%
+8.7 ptssince 2000
from 18.6% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
86.9%
+6.1 ptssince 2000
from 80.8% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
7.2%
+2.4 ptssince 2000
from 4.8% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
15.5 min
+39%since 2000
from 11.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
68.3%
+3.1 ptssince 2009
from 65.2% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
9.2%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 9.5% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.9%
−5.5 ptssince 2011
from 10.3% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
69.7%
−3.5 ptssince 2011
from 73.2% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
26.1%
−28.7 ptssince 2009
from 54.8% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
52.1%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 52.1% in 2009
Female
47.9%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 47.9% in 2009
Foreign born
19.8%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 20.6% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
11.7%
−66.3 ptssince 2013
from 78.0% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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SOUTH LAKE TAHOE VS
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SOUTH LAKE TAHOE VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in South Lake Tahoe, California?

South Lake Tahoe, California has about 21,330 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in South Lake Tahoe, California earns about $52,871 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 $425,700, and the typical rent is about $1,092 a month.

How educated are people in South Lake Tahoe, California?

About 27.4% 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 11.6% 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 256 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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