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METRO AREA · 1990 CENSUS

San Luis Obispo Metro

San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA · 1 counties · 217,162 residents · 3,300.842 sq mi
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The short version

San Luis Obispo has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $31,164. Population has declined 12% since 2000. Median home value is $213,200.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $30,130
Mid-age
median age 33.3
US median: 33.0
More educated
23% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 20%
Less affordable
home values up 28%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $93,722
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
217,162
−12%vs 2000
vs 246,681 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
66 / sq mi
−12%vs 2000
vs 75 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 221
Median age
33.3
−11%vs 2000
vs 37.3 in 2000
US average: 33.0
Population, 1990 – 2024
211K230K250K270K289K1990201020202024San Luis Obispo
2024282K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$31,164
−3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $42,428 in 2000
US average: $30,130
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$15,237
−30%vs 2000
vs $21,864 in 2000
US average: $14,340
Poverty rate
13.0%
+0.1 ptsvs 2000
vs 12.8% in 2000
US average: 13.2%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$213,200
+28%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $218,600 in 2000
US average: $93,722
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$573
+5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $719 in 2000
US average: $450
Owner-occupied
59.8%
−1.6 ptsvs 2000
vs 61.5% in 2000
40.2% rent
Afford Score
6.8
+33%vs 2000
vs 5.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in San Luis Obispo on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic76.1%(187,840)
Black1.9%(4,743)
Hispanic / Latino16.3%(40,196)
Asian2.6%(6,342)
Other0%
Diversity Score44.2%(109,023)
1990
White, non-Hispanic89.2%(193,793)
Black2.6%(5,655)
Hispanic / Latino12.4%(26,869)
Asian2.9%(6,319)
Other5.2%(11,395)
Diversity Score44.2%(96,051)
Diversity Score
44
Unchangedvs 2000
vs 44 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
22.9%
−3.8 ptsvs 2000
vs 26.7% in 2000
US average: 20.3%
High school or higher
83.3%
−2.2 ptsvs 2000
vs 85.6% in 2000
US average: 75.2%
Graduate degree
7.4%
−1.9 ptsvs 2000
vs 9.3% in 2000
US average: 7.1%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.9 min
+42%vs 2000
vs 14.0 min in 2000
US average: 21.9
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

In this metro

Principal cities

San Luis ObispoCENTRAL50,636El Paso de Robles (Paso Robles)CENTRAL31,626
What's inside

1 component county

San Luis Obispo CountyCENTRAL282,367
Drill deeper

Metros similar to San Luis Obispo

Lacey
Pop 304,261
Bremerton
Pop 283,374
Bend
Pop 266,376
Norwich
Pop 284,015
Places similar to San Luis Obispo
Head to head

Compare San Luis Obispo side by side

SAN LUIS OBISPO VS
Lacey
Income$96,563+210%
Home value$480,300+125%
Population304,261+8%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SAN LUIS OBISPO VS
Bremerton
Income$104,158+234%
Home value$555,100+160%
Population283,374same
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SAN LUIS OBISPO VS
Bend
Income$90,045+189%
Home value$605,107+184%
Population266,376−6%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SAN LUIS OBISPO VS
Norwich
Income$86,586+178%
Home value$323,400+52%
Population284,015+1%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA?

San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA has about 217,162 residents according to the 1990 Census.

What is the median household income in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA?

The typical household in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA earns about $31,164 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA expensive?

In San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA, the median home is worth about $213,200, and the typical rent is about $573 a month.

How educated are people in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA?

About 22.9% of adults age 25 and over in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA?

About 13.0% of people in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA live below the federal poverty line.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · METRO ROLLUP OF COMPONENT COUNTIES · UPDATED 2024

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