San Luis Obispo Flag

San Luis Obispo

County Seat:
Yes
Area (mi²):
13.64
State:
California

San Luis Obispo is a city located in San Luis Obispo County, California. San Luis Obispo has a 2026 population of 50,998. It is also the county seat of San Luis Obispo County. San Luis Obispo is currently growing at a rate of 1.26% annually and its population has increased by 8.07% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 47,191 in 2020.

The median household income in San Luis Obispo is $73,685 with a poverty rate of 30.36%. The median age in San Luis Obispo is 26.3 years: 25.8 years for males, and 27.1 years for females. For every 100 females there are 94.8 males.

51K
Total Population
3,739
Density (mi²)
635 1.26%
Growth

San Luis Obispo Population

San Luis Obispo Population

Data after 2023 is projected based on recent change

Year ↓
Population
Growth
Annual Change
202650,9986351.26%
202550,3636341.27%
202449,7296191.26%
202349,1106121.26%
202248,4986161.29%
202147,8826911.46%
202047,191850.18%
201947,408-13-0.03%
201847,421-21-0.04%
201747,4422200.47%
201647,2223160.67%
201546,9064200.9%
201446,4863540.77%
201346,1323890.85%
201245,7433540.78%
201145,3891960.43%
201045,193740.16%
200044,1742,2165.28%
199041,9587,70622.5%
198034,2526,21622.17%
197028,0367,59937.18%
196020,4376,25744.13%
195014,1805,29959.67%
19408,8816057.31%
19308,2762,38140.39%
19205,89573814.31%
19105,1572,13670.71%
19003,021260.87%
18902,99575233.53%
18802,24300%

Median Age

Overall: 26.3 years
Female: 27.1 years
Male: 25.8 years

San Luis Obispo Adults

There are 43,500 adults, (7,210 of whom are seniors) in San Luis Obispo.

Sex Ratio

Female: 24,889 (51.3%)
Male: 23,602 (48.7%)

Demographics

The racial composition of San Luis Obispo includes 73.35% White, 5.68% Asian, 5.42% other race, and smaller percentages for Black or African American, Native American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and multiracial populations.

Population by Race

Race
Population ↓
Percentage (of total)
White35,56773.35%
Two or more races6,62013.65%
Asian2,7565.68%
Other race2,6305.42%
Black or African American6011.24%
Native American2650.55%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander520.11%
Race
Population ↓
Percentage (of total)
Two or more races4,0598.37%
Other race2,3954.94%
White2,0514.23%
Native American2020.42%
Asian1970.41%
Black or African American250.05%
Race
Population ↓
Percentage (of total)
White33,51669.12%
Two or more races2,5615.28%
Asian2,5595.28%
Black or African American5761.19%
Other race2350.48%
Native American630.13%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander520.11%

San Luis Obispo Marital Status

Economics and Income Statistics

San Luis Obispo 's average per capita income is $62,461. Household income levels show a median of $73,685. The poverty rate stands at 30.36%.

Families: A family includes the owner or renter of the home along with everyone related to them - whether through birth, marriage, or adoption. This includes relatives like spouses, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, and any other family members.
Households: A household includes all the people who occupy a housing unit (such as a house or apartment) as their usual place of residence.
Non Families: A nonfamily household is either someone living alone or when the owner/renter lives with people they aren't related to, like roommates.
Name
Median ↓
Mean
Married Families$147,573-
Families$126,791$162,152
Households$73,685$115,549
Non Families$46,722$81,489

$62,461

Average Income

$73,685

Median Household Income

30.36%

Poverty Rate

Nearby Cities

Sources

  1. US Census State Population Estimates - Most recent state estimates from the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program
  2. US Census County Population Estimates - Most recent county estimates from the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program
  3. American Community Survey (2009 - 2013)
  4. Census QuickFacts
  5. Historical Populations of States and Counties (1790 - 1990)