San Luis Obispo Flag

San Luis Obispo

County Seat:
Yes
Area (mi²):
13.469
State:
California

San Luis Obispo is a city located in San Luis Obispo County, California. San Luis Obispo has a 2025 population of 50,612. It is also the county seat of San Luis Obispo County. San Luis Obispo is currently growing at a rate of 1.37% annually and its population has increased by 7.25% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 47,191 in 2020.

The average household income in San Luis Obispo is $109,168 with a poverty rate of 29.98%.The median age in San Luis Obispo is 26.2 years: 25 years for males, and 28 years for females.

50.6K
Total Population
3,758
Density (mi²)
684 1.37%
Growth

San Luis Obispo Population

San Luis Obispo Population

Data after 2023 is projected based on recent change

Demographics

The racial composition of San Luis Obispo includes 75.91% White, 5.36% Asian, 5.16% 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)
White36,46775.91%
Two or more races5,60311.66%
Asian2,5735.36%
Other race2,4795.16%
Black or African American5701.19%
Native American2740.57%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander730.15%

San Luis Obispo Marital Status

OverallMalesFemales0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%

Married

Widowed

Divorced

Separated

Never Married

Economics and Income Statistics

San Luis Obispo's average per capita income is $59,924. Household income levels show a median of $66,711. The poverty rate stands at 29.98%.

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$144,503-
Families$121,671$159,711
Households$66,711$109,168
Non Families$43,274$71,875

$59,924

Average Income

$66,711

Median Household Income

29.98%

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)