CensusEasy
METRO AREA · 2000 CENSUS

San Luis Obispo Metro

San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA · 1 counties · 246,681 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 $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
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 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.

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+128%
Home value$480,300+120%
Population304,261+8%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SAN LUIS OBISPO VS
Bremerton
Income$104,158+145%
Home value$555,100+154%
Population283,374same
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SAN LUIS OBISPO VS
Bend
Income$90,045+112%
Home value$605,107+177%
Population266,376−6%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SAN LUIS OBISPO VS
Norwich
Income$86,586+104%
Home value$323,400+48%
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 246,681 residents according to the 2000 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 $42,428 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 $218,600, and the typical rent is about $719 a month.

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

About 26.7% 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 12.8% of people in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA live below the federal poverty line.

Has San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA grown since 1990?

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

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

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