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COUNTY · 2000 CENSUS

San Luis Obispo County

California · 246,681 residents · 3,300.842 sq mi
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The short version

San Luis Obispo County has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $42,428. Population has held roughly steady since 1990. Median home value is $218,600.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $42,589
Older
median age 37.3
US median: 35.2
Average education
27% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
More affordable
home values down 22%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
246,681
+14%since 1990
from 217,162 in 1990
1990 – 2025
Population density
75 / sq mi
+14%since 1990
from 66 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
Median age
37.3
+12%since 1990
from 33.3 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
211K230K250K270K289K1990201020202024San Luis Obispo County
2024282K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$42,428
+3%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $31,164 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$21,864
+43%since 1990
from $15,237 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
12.8%
−0.1 ptssince 1990
from 13.0% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$218,600
−22%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $213,200 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$719
−5%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $573 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
61.5%
+1.6 ptssince 1990
from 59.8% in 1990
38.5% rent
Afford Score
5.2
−25%since 1990
from 6.8 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in San Luis Obispo County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic89.2%(193,793)
Black2.6%(5,655)
Hispanic / Latino12.4%(26,869)
Asian2.9%(6,319)
Diversity Score44.2%(96,051)
2000
White, non-Hispanic76.1%(187,840)
Black1.9%(4,743)
Hispanic / Latino16.3%(40,196)
Asian2.6%(6,342)
Diversity Score44.2%(109,023)
Diversity Score
44
Unchangedsince 1990
from 44 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
26.7%
+3.8 ptssince 1990
from 22.9% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
85.6%
+2.2 ptssince 1990
from 83.3% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
9.3%
+1.9 ptssince 1990
from 7.4% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
14.0 min
−30%since 1990
from 19.9 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.

Drill deeper

Places similar to San Luis Obispo County

Anchorage
Pop 287,155
Cumberland County
Pop 317,222
Shelby County
Pop 238,552
Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region
Pop 284,015
Places similar to San Luis Obispo County
Head to head

Compare San Luis Obispo County to nearby counties

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY VS
Kings County
Income$70,995+67%
Home value$324,300+48%
Population154,327−45%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY VS
Santa Barbara County
Income$98,161+131%
Home value$790,700+262%
Population442,065+57%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY VS
Monterey County
Income$97,230+129%
Home value$781,000+257%
Population433,729+54%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY VS
San Benito County
Income$114,394+170%
Home value$793,400+263%
Population70,082−75%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in San Luis Obispo County, California?

San Luis Obispo County, California has about 246,681 residents according to the 2000 Census.

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

The typical household in San Luis Obispo County, California earns about $42,428 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is San Luis Obispo County, California expensive?

In San Luis Obispo County, California, the median home is worth about $218,600, and the typical rent is about $719 a month.

How educated are people in San Luis Obispo County, California?

About 26.7% of adults age 25 and over in San Luis Obispo County, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

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

About 12.8% of people in San Luis Obispo County, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has San Luis Obispo County, California grown since 1990?

Yes, San Luis Obispo County, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 29,519 residents, a change of about 14 percent over that period.

Keep going

Explore from here

70 census tracts (top 20 by population)
Census Tract 118Census Tract 109.03Census Tract 113Census Tract 119.04Census Tract 123.02Census Tract 131Census Tract 124.04Census Tract 127.05Census Tract 126.01Census Tract 107.07Census Tract 125.03Census Tract 102.02Census Tract 125.02Census Tract 102.05Census Tract 100.16Census Tract 123.05Census Tract 121.02Census Tract 102.04Census Tract 115.05Census Tract 110.01
23 ZIP codes
ZIP 93446ZIP 93422ZIP 93420ZIP 93401ZIP 93405ZIP 93444ZIP 93402ZIP 93433ZIP 93442ZIP 93465ZIP 93449ZIP 93410ZIP 93445ZIP 93428ZIP 93430ZIP 93409ZIP 93453ZIP 93461ZIP 93432ZIP 93424ZIP 93407ZIP 93452ZIP 93408
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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