Population 64,496 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in San Luis Obispo
Household size in San Luis Obispo
| Period | San Luis Obispo | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.25 | 3.04 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.48 | 3.10 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.45 | 3.09 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.42 | 3.01 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.17 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
The average household in San Luis Obispo has 2.42 people, under the U.S. average of 2.65. Since 2006–10, household size has climbed from 2.25, even as the national average fell. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the northwest.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in San Luis Obispo
| Period | San Luis Obispo | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 30.2 | 35.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 31.4 | 36.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 32.3 | 37.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 32.3 | 39.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.2 | +3.1 | +2.3 |
With a median age of just 32.3, San Luis Obispo is far younger than the country as a whole (40.1), a population that tilts toward young adults, many of them living alone or as couples. The median age has climbed from 30.2 in 2006–10, mirroring the country. Of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people, only 58 are younger.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in San Luis Obispo
| Period | San Luis Obispo | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.8% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 5.6% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 5.0% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.6% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −2.2 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 4.6% of households in San Luis Obispo, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share is down 2.2 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only 37 of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people have a lower share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in San Luis Obispo
Renters in San Luis Obispo
| Period | San Luis Obispo | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 58.8% | 42.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 60.2% | 45.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 57.7% | 45.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 57.2% | 44.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.7 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renters far outnumber owners in San Luis Obispo: 57.2% of households rent their homes, against 34.8% nationally. Nearly four in ten owners (38.1%) have paid off their mortgages, about the same as nationally. The renter share is down 1.7 points from 2006–10, even as the national share rose. Only 57 of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people have a higher share of renters.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in San Luis Obispo
| Period | San Luis Obispo | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.3% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 9.4% | 8.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 10.6% | 7.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 9.6% | 7.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | +2.3 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy in San Luis Obispo is the same as the national rate: 9.6% of homes are empty. The rate is higher than in California as a whole (7.3%). Vacancy is up 2.3 points from 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in San Luis Obispo
| Period | San Luis Obispo | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1973 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1975 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1975 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1978 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +4 | +6 |
The typical home in San Luis Obispo was built around 1978, about the same vintage as the country's housing overall (1980). The median year built has moved up from 1973 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the southeast, the oldest in the center.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in San Luis Obispo
| Period | San Luis Obispo | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,197 | $1,298 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,373 | $1,379 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,546 | $1,721 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,069 | $2,229 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$872 | +$931 | +$606 |
A typical rental in San Luis Obispo costs $2,069 a month with utilities, well above the national median of $1,571. Even so, rents here are lower than in California overall ($2,229). Rents are up $872 a month from 2006–10, a 73% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 39.2% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in San Luis Obispo
Bachelor's degrees in San Luis Obispo
| Period | San Luis Obispo | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 42.4% | 29.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 43.8% | 30.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 47.3% | 32.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 51.8% | 36.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +9.4 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
College graduates are unusually common in San Luis Obispo: 51.8% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's degree or higher, against 35.6% nationally. Education tends to track local incomes and the kinds of jobs nearby. The share with a degree is up 9.4 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in San Luis Obispo
| Period | San Luis Obispo | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 88.8% | 79.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 89.2% | 80.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 92.9% | 82.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 94.8% | 84.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +6.0 pts | +4.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in San Luis Obispo: 94.8% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma has risen 6.0 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in San Luis Obispo
| Period | San Luis Obispo | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.3% | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 10.9% | 11.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.8% | 6.3% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.9% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | −4.5 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in San Luis Obispo runs well above the national rate: 7.9% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4%. Unemployment has fallen 4.5 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
San Luis Obispo compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Luis Obispo | 2.42 | 32.3 | 4.6% | 57.2% | 9.6% | 1978 | $2,069 | 51.8% | 94.8% | 7.9% |
| Avila Beach | 2.25 | 56.4 | 1.4% | 25.7% | 27.3% | 2001 | $2,273 | 79.7% | 98.4% | 0.9% |
| Shell Beach | 2.22 | 52.1 | 2.0% | 44.9% | 15.9% | 2001 | $2,389 | 70.6% | 98.9% | 2.6% |
| Pismo Beach | 2.02 | 53.1 | 6.1% | 35.4% | 29.9% | 1985 | $2,286 | 53.0% | 97.8% | 4.5% |
| Los Osos | 2.39 | 48.1 | 6.2% | 26.8% | 5.9% | 1976 | $2,053 | 53.2% | 96.8% | 5.3% |
| Grover Beach | 2.53 | 42.1 | 20.1% | 49.6% | 18.0% | 1977 | $2,038 | 30.3% | 85.0% | 4.2% |
| Halcyon | 3.02 | 44.0 | 7.7% | 29.2% | 23.7% | 1989 | $2,610 | 51.2% | 89.8% | 5.2% |
| Santa Margarita | 2.22 | 44.7 | 4.9% | 36.8% | 11.1% | 1984 | $2,020 | 32.5% | 95.8% | 1.1% |
| Arroyo Grande | 2.49 | 47.4 | 5.9% | 32.3% | 8.3% | 1984 | $2,206 | 45.0% | 95.4% | 4.0% |
| Morro Bay | 2.09 | 53.6 | 5.4% | 34.1% | 20.6% | 1974 | $1,877 | 47.2% | 95.7% | 6.4% |
| Oceano | 2.33 | 45.3 | 10.7% | 41.1% | 12.2% | 1978 | $1,773 | 21.4% | 81.0% | 3.5% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Blaine, MN · Brentwood, CA · Casa Grande, AZ · Gilroy, CA · Hickory, NC · North Little Rock, AR · Wyoming, MI · North Miami, FL · North Richland Hills, TX · Northglenn, CO
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up San Luis Obispo. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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