San Luis Obispo County, CA Local Data & Statistics

State: CA
Total population: 281,555 Household income: $97,446 Rent: $1,992

Overview

Total population
281,555
Rent
$1,992
Year built
1983
Household income
$97,446
Per capita income
$51,592
Poverty rate
12.9%
Unemployment rate
3.9%
Household size
2.4 persons
Rent over 30% of income
54%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Demographics

State
California
Total population
281,555
Adults over 25
190,352
Total households
109,503
Household size
2.4 persons

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Income & Poverty

Household income
$97,446
Per capita income
$51,592
Poverty rate
12.9%
Unemployment rate
3.9%
Rent over 30% of income
54%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Housing

Rent
$1,992
Year built
1983
Households that rent
37.9%
Households that own
62.1%
Rooms per home (all homes)
5.2

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Race

White
69.3%
Black
1.2%
Asian
3.7%
Two or more races
17%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino
25%
Not Hispanic or Latino
75%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Commute

Commute rate
84.8%
Commute time to work
22 mins
Work from home
15.2%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Education

Less than high school
30.4%
High school graduate or GED
18.1%
Some college or associate degree
11.7%
Bachelor’s degree or higher
39.8%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

 

Comparison of San Luis Obispo County, CA with: California United States

San Luis Obispo County, CA

Total population281,555
Rent$1,992
Year built1983
Household income$97,446
Per capita income$51,592
Poverty rate12.9%
Unemployment rate3.9%

California State

Total population39,287,377
Rent$2,036
Year built1976
Household income$99,122
Per capita income$49,513
Poverty rate12%
Unemployment rate5.3%

United States

Total population334,922,499
Rent$1,413
Year built1980
Household income$80,734
Per capita income$44,673
Poverty rate12.5%
Unemployment rate4%
Metric CountySan Luis Obispo County, CAStateCaliforniaCountryUnited States
Total population281,55539,287,377334,922,499
Rent$1,992$2,036$1,413
Year built198319761980
Household income$97,446$99,122$80,734
Per capita income$51,592$49,513$44,673
Poverty rate12.9%12%12.5%
Unemployment rate3.9%5.3%4%

View the complete comparison of San Luis Obispo County, CA, California and United States →

 

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Summary for San Luis Obispo County, CA

San Luis Obispo County is located in California .

Rent & Income

In San Luis Obispo County, the monthly rent is $1,992 and household income is $97,446. Rent is similar to California and higher than the U.S., and household income is similar to California and higher than the U.S. The poverty rate is 12.9%, which is higher than California and similar to the national rate.

Housing & Affordability

This area is primarily owner-occupied, with renters accounting for about 37.9% of households. About 54% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing, indicating high cost burden.

Education & Employment

Educational attainment is moderate, with about 39.8% of adults holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. The unemployment rate is 3.9%, which is lower than California and similar to the national rate.

 

 

San Luis Obispo County, CA — Rent vs Household Income

 

 

San Luis Obispo County, CA — Poverty vs Unemployment

 

💰 Rent in San Luis Obispo County, CA (with Utilities)

Estimated Monthly Rent: $1,992 ℹ️ What’s Included:
✅ Base rent, electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuels
❌ Not included: internet, cable TV, renter's insurance, parking

💡 What does this rent estimate mean?

Explanation: This estimate shows what renters typically pay each month for housing, including the apartment or home and essential utilities such as heat, water, and electricity. Even when utilities are billed separately, an estimated average cost for utilities is included, in line with the U.S. Census Bureau’s (ACS) definition of gross rent.

Included in this number: Rent plus electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuel.

Not included: Internet, cable, parking, renter’s insurance, or furniture rental.

Note: This cost does not depend on the number of people living in the home.

👨‍👧‍👦 Household Income in San Luis Obispo County, CA

Annual Household Income: $97,446

💡 What does Household Income mean?

Definition: This represents the middle value of all household incomes in this area — half of households earn less, and half earn more.

Includes: wages, salaries, self-employment income, Social Security, pensions, investments, unemployment, public assistance, and rental income.

Does NOT include: capital gains, non-cash benefits (like food stamps), or tax refunds.

Household = any group of people (or a single person) living in the same housing unit.

Example: A couple earning $40,000 and $30,000 together have a household income of $70,000. If that's in the middle of all local incomes, it's the value shown here.

📉 Poverty Rate in San Luis Obispo County, CA

Estimated Rate: 12.9%

💡 What does the Poverty Rate represent?

Definition: The percentage of people in this area living below the federal poverty threshold.

How it works: The threshold is a dollar amount set by the U.S. Census Bureau that varies by family size and age. If a household's income is below that level, everyone in it is included in this rate.

Example: In a town of 10,000 people, if 1,500 have incomes below the poverty line, the poverty rate is 15%.

Note: This statistic only includes people living in households; it does not count those in student housing, military barracks, or nursing homes.

🏘️ Renter vs. Owner Households in San Luis Obispo County, CA

In San Luis Obispo County, CA, households that rent: 41,517 (37.9%)

📊 What does the renter household percentage reveal about this area?
Household Type Count Share
Renter-Occupied 41,517 37.9%
Owner-Occupied 67,986 62.1%

Definition: This is the percentage of households that rent their home rather than own it. It includes only occupied housing units.

Why it matters: Areas with a high share of renter households often have younger populations, higher mobility, and different housing needs compared to mostly owner-occupied areas.

Example: If 65% of homes in an area are renter-occupied, it means 65 out of every 100 households rent their home.

📉 Renters Spending Over 30% of Income on Rent in San Luis Obispo County, CA

In San Luis Obispo County, CA, cost-burdened renters (households spending over 30% of income on housing): 22,436 (54%)

🏚️ What Does It Mean When Renters Spend Over 30% of Their Income on Housing?
Household Group Households Share
Cost-burdened renters (over 30%) 22,436 54%
Other renter households 19,081 46%
Total renter households 41,517 100%

Shares are calculated as a percentage of renter households.

This shows how many renters in this area are considered cost-burdened — meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing (rent and basic utilities).

It’s a sign that housing might be unaffordable in the area or that lower-income residents may be struggling with rent.

Data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.

📊 Education Levels in San Luis Obispo County, CA

Less than High School: 57,877 people (30.4%)

Includes adults who did not complete high school.

High School Graduate or GED: 34,377 people (18.1%)

Includes adults whose highest education is a high school diploma or GED.

Some College or Associate Degree: 22,259 people (11.7%)

Includes adults who attended college without completing a bachelor’s degree (some college or associate degree).

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 75,839 people (39.8%)

Includes adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher (bachelor’s, master’s, professional, or doctoral degree).

👥 Total Adults (25+): 190,352

📊 Unemployment Rate in San Luis Obispo County, CA

Estimated Rate: 3.9%

💡 What does Unemployment Rate mean?

Definition: The unemployment rate is the percentage of people in the labor force who do not have a job but are actively looking for one.

Labor Force = Employed + Unemployed (aged 16+ and actively participating in the workforce).

Formula: (Unemployed ÷ Labor Force) × 100

Does NOT include: People who are retired, students not looking for work, homemakers, or otherwise not seeking employment.

Example: If there are 1000 people in the labor force and 80 are unemployed, then the unemployment rate is 8%.

ℹ️ Have questions about how these statistics are calculated? See our data methodology & FAQs

 

Source: ACS 5-Year Estimates (U.S. Census Bureau) — unemployment rate from BLS. Some values are derived metrics.