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San Luis Obispo, California

Last updated: 2024 BLS data · Page refreshed:

City Profile — Demographics, Income, Education & Housing
Data: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-Year Estimates
48,491
Population
$73,685
Median Income
$935,100
Home Value
26.3
Median Age

Demographics

San Luis Obispo has a population of 48,491 with a median age of 26.3. Here is the racial and ethnic breakdown of the population:

White
73.3%
Hispanic
18.4%
Asian
5.7%
Other
1.4%
Black
1.2%
Demographic Value
Total Population48,491
Median Age26.3
White73.3%
Black or African American1.2%
Asian5.7%
Hispanic or Latino18.4%
Other / Two or More Races1.4%
San Luis Obispo, California — racial composition (Census ACS 2024)Donut chart of 4 segments totaling 100.White: 73.3%Hispanic/Latino: 18.4%Asian: 5.7%Other: 2.6%48,491PopulationWhiteWhite73.3%Hispanic/LatinoHispanic/Latino18.4%AsianAsian5.7%OtherOther2.6%

Income & Economy

The median household income in San Luis Obispo is $73,685, which is 8.6% below the national median of $80,610. The per capita income is $48,106. The poverty rate is 30.4%.

$73,685
Median Household Income
$48,106
Per Capita Income
30.4%
Poverty Rate

Employment

The unemployment rate in San Luis Obispo is 3.5%, compared to the national rate of 4.1%.

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Education

In San Luis Obispo, 96.6% of residents age 25+ have a high school diploma or higher, and 54.4% hold a bachelor's degree or higher (24.1% with a graduate or professional degree).

HS Diploma+
96.6%
Bachelor's+
54.4%
Graduate+
24.1%
Education Level % of Adults (25+)
High School Diploma or Higher96.6%
Bachelor's Degree or Higher54.4%
Graduate or Professional Degree24.1%

Housing

The median home value in San Luis Obispo is $935,100, above the national median of $303,400. The median monthly rent is $1,965. The homeownership rate is 40.3%.

$935,100
Median Home Value
$1,965/mo
Median Rent
40.3%
Homeownership Rate
Housing Metric Value
Median Home Value$935,100
Median Monthly Rent$1,965
Homeownership Rate40.3%
Vacancy Rate8.1%

Salaries in California

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of San Luis Obispo, California?
The population of San Luis Obispo, California is 48,491 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in San Luis Obispo, California?
The median household income in San Luis Obispo, California is $73,685. This is 8.6% below the national median of $80,610.
What is the median home value in San Luis Obispo, California?
The median home value in San Luis Obispo, California is $935,100. The median monthly rent is $1,965.
What percentage of people in San Luis Obispo have a college degree?
In San Luis Obispo, California, 54.4% of adults age 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 96.6% have a high school diploma or higher.
Is San Luis Obispo, California an affordable place to live?
The home price-to-income ratio in San Luis Obispo, California is 12.7x (median home value $935,100 vs. median income $73,685), making it relatively expensive by that measure. A ratio under 4.0 is generally considered affordable.

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