Atascadero, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Atascadero, California had a total population of 29,712, the 271st largest city in California, with a median household income of $91,429, which is 8% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 7.8x the median household income.
Atascadero Quick Facts
How Atascadero Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 29,735 | 29,712 | -0.1% |
| Median household income | $88,830 | $91,429 | +2.9% |
| Median home value | $673,400 | $716,500 | +6.4% |
How Atascadero Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Atascadero Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in San Luis Obispo County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Luis Obispo | 48,491 | $73,685 | 30.4% | $935,100 |
| El Paso de Robles (Paso Robles) | 31,446 | $92,228 | 13.1% | $687,200 |
| Arroyo Grande | 18,372 | $102,553 | 4.8% | $814,200 |
| Nipomo | 17,516 | $110,022 | 5.7% | $723,700 |
| Los Osos | 14,166 | $108,932 | 8.1% | $805,800 |
| Grover Beach | 12,604 | $86,458 | 11.8% | $727,500 |
| Morro Bay | 10,692 | $95,843 | 8.5% | $918,200 |
| Templeton | 9,580 | $117,063 | 4.2% | $810,400 |
| Pismo Beach | 8,014 | $118,072 | 6.9% | $1,021,300 |
| California Polytechnic State University | 7,915 | N/A | 7.5% | $564,700 |
Cities Similar to Atascadero
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suisun City | 29,286 | $94,787 | $579,500 | 21.1% | 8.4% |
| El Paso de Robles (Paso Robles) | 31,446 | $92,228 | $687,200 | 29.7% | 13.1% |
| Monterey | 29,613 | $102,846 | $1,076,300 | 52.9% | 9.8% |
| Ridgecrest | 28,225 | $89,250 | $253,900 | 30.9% | 12.5% |
| Lawndale | 30,781 | $85,441 | $781,900 | 20.6% | 13.0% |
Population Overview
Atascadero is a mid-sized community located in California, within San Luis Obispo County. The total population is 29,712. It ranks as the 271st most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Atascadero is 40.4 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Atascadero is $91,429. This is 8% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 13% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.4%. This is 5% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.6%. This is 30% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $716,500. Housing costs are 2% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.8x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 64.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Atascadero is White (non-Hispanic), making up 66.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 22.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (66.2% vs 33.8%). The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Asian population (2.1%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
31.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 15% lower than the state rate of 37.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Atascadero, California is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against California state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,570 Census-designated places in California. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Atascadero, California?
Atascadero, California has a population of 29,712 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Atascadero, CA?
The median household income in Atascadero is $91,429, which is 13% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Atascadero, CA?
The poverty rate in Atascadero is 11.4%. This means approximately 3,366 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Atascadero, California?
Atascadero's population is 66.2% White, 0.8% Black, 22.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Atascadero, CA?
The median home value in Atascadero is $716,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.8x.
How educated is Atascadero, California?
31.6% of adults (25+) in Atascadero hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.