Population 281,555 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in San Luis Obispo County
Household size in San Luis Obispo County
| Period | San Luis Obispo County | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.46 | 3.04 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.56 | 3.10 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.55 | 3.09 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.51 | 3.01 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.05 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
Households in San Luis Obispo County run a little small, averaging 2.51 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. Since 2006–10, household size has crept up from 2.46, even as the national average fell. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the north.
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 County
| Period | San Luis Obispo County | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 39.4 | 35.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 40.9 | 36.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 42.0 | 37.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 42.5 | 39.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.0 | +3.1 | +2.3 |
The median resident of San Luis Obispo County is 42.5 years old, a bit older than the national median of 40.1. The median age has climbed from 39.4 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Residents skew youngest in the center and oldest in the west.
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 County
| Period | San Luis Obispo County | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.4% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 8.6% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.0% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.3% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.1 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in San Luis Obispo County: 8.3% of households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share is down 1.1 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. San Luis Obispo County has a lower share of single-parent households than at least four in five California counties.
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 County
Renters in San Luis Obispo County
| Period | San Luis Obispo County | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 38.6% | 42.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 42.0% | 45.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 38.4% | 45.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 37.9% | 44.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | −0.7 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting is a bit more common in San Luis Obispo County than nationally: 37.9% of households rent their homes, against 34.8% for the U.S. Even so, renters make up a smaller share here than in California overall (44.1%). More than a third of owners (35.7%) have paid off their mortgages, below the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has edged down 0.7 points since 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
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 County
| Period | San Luis Obispo County | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.5% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 11.7% | 8.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 11.5% | 7.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 11.5% | 7.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | +1.0 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
A few more homes sit empty in San Luis Obispo County than nationally: 11.5%, against 9.6%. The count includes vacation homes and homes between owners or tenants, not just abandoned ones. Vacancy has edged up 1.0 points since 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 County
| Period | San Luis Obispo County | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1980 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1981 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1982 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1984 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +4 | +6 |
The housing in San Luis Obispo County is a little younger than the country's: half of it was built after 1984, against 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1980 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the north, while the west has the oldest housing.
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 County
| Period | San Luis Obispo County | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,192 | $1,298 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,318 | $1,379 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,572 | $1,721 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,115 | $2,229 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$923 | +$931 | +$606 |
Rent in San Luis Obispo County runs $2,115 a month at the median, utilities included, well above the U.S. median of $1,571. Still, rents here are lower than in California overall ($2,229). Rent has climbed $923 a month since 2006–10, up 77%, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 34.6% 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 County
Bachelor's degrees in San Luis Obispo County
| Period | San Luis Obispo County | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 31.5% | 29.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 32.6% | 30.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 36.1% | 32.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 40.4% | 36.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +8.9 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are a bit more common in San Luis Obispo County than nationally: 40.4% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 8.9 points, as it has nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the south and least in the north.
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 County
| Period | San Luis Obispo County | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 88.7% | 79.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 89.3% | 80.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 91.4% | 82.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 92.5% | 84.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +3.8 pts | +4.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in San Luis Obispo County is a bit above the national rate: 92.5% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. The share with a diploma is up 3.8 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. San Luis Obispo County has a higher share of high school graduates than at least four in five California counties.
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 County
| Period | San Luis Obispo County | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.0% | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 8.5% | 11.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.3% | 6.3% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.5% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.5 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
At 5.5%, unemployment in San Luis Obispo County is close to the national rate of 5.4%. The rate is lower than in California as a whole (6.6%). Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 2.5 points, as it has nationally.
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 County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Luis Obispo County | 2.51 | 42.5 | 8.3% | 37.9% | 11.5% | 1984 | $2,115 | 40.4% | 92.5% | 5.5% |
| Kern County | 3.26 | 33.9 | 17.8% | 39.9% | 7.8% | 1986 | $1,610 | 20.5% | 77.2% | 8.6% |
| Coconino County | 2.39 | 36.7 | 11.9% | 40.3% | 15.2% | 1992 | $1,420 | 40.6% | 92.3% | 6.0% |
| Sandoval County | 2.80 | 42.7 | 13.7% | 16.5% | 6.9% | 1997 | $1,476 | 34.8% | 93.3% | 4.9% |
| Oldham County | 2.80 | 29.2 | 11.7% | 26.4% | 21.7% | 1968 | $1,112 | 23.0% | 86.7% | 1.7% |
| Potter County | 2.70 | 35.6 | 14.9% | 42.7% | 14.3% | 1968 | $1,090 | 18.0% | 77.6% | 3.4% |
| Carson County | 2.65 | 41.3 | 8.9% | 20.8% | 19.2% | 1962 | $1,012 | 24.9% | 93.7% | 1.5% |
| Wheeler County | 2.53 | 43.9 | 14.6% | 23.8% | 25.3% | 1969 | $998 | 17.1% | 88.6% | 4.5% |
| Beckham County | 2.42 | 37.0 | 12.9% | 32.2% | 18.0% | 1980 | $886 | 14.2% | 84.0% | 7.5% |
| Washita County | 2.55 | 41.6 | 10.9% | 24.0% | 19.7% | 1967 | $816 | 19.6% | 87.5% | 5.8% |
| Canadian County | 2.94 | 36.4 | 10.7% | 25.2% | 6.3% | 1999 | $1,476 | 33.2% | 93.1% | 4.2% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Sangamon County, IL · Calcasieu Parish, LA · Canyon County, ID · Champaign County, IL · Chatham County, GA · Cherokee County, GA · Clay County, FL · Clermont County, OH · Elkhart County, IN · Hall County, GA
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 County. 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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