California Polytechnic State University, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, California Polytechnic State University, California had a total population of 7,915, the 545th largest community in California. The poverty rate is 7.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 77.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in California.
- Unemployment rate of 15.7% is notably above the national average.
California Polytechnic State University Quick Facts
How California Polytechnic State University 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 | 7,529 | 7,915 | +5.1% |
| Median home value | $518,800 | $564,700 | +8.8% |
How California Polytechnic State University 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
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
California Polytechnic State University 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 |
| Atascadero | 29,712 | $91,429 | 11.4% | $716,500 |
| 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 |
Cities Similar to California Polytechnic State University
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South San Gabriel | 7,923 | $76,806 | $690,400 | 22.9% | 6.8% |
| Gold River | 7,924 | $175,120 | $724,400 | 65.6% | 2.9% |
| Acton | 7,880 | $113,000 | $733,400 | 29.9% | 13.1% |
| Bermuda Dunes | 7,971 | $90,818 | $596,300 | 34.5% | 8.5% |
| Midway City | 7,999 | $66,635 | $788,600 | 19.4% | 18.0% |
Population Overview
California Polytechnic State University is a small city located in California, within San Luis Obispo County. The total population is 7,915. It ranks as the 545th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in California Polytechnic State University is 19.2 years. This is 49% lower than the state median of 37.9 years. Only 1.8% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 7.5%. This is 37% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 15.7%. This is 138% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $564,700. Housing costs are 23% lower than the state median of $734,700. 60.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in California Polytechnic State University is White (non-Hispanic), making up 52.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 23.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (52.2% vs 33.8%). The Black or African American population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 5.2%.
Education
77.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places California Polytechnic State University in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 109% higher than the state rate of 37.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. No surveyed resident aged 25 or older reported leaving school before earning a high school diploma, though a rate of exactly 100% reflects the limits of a small sample. Notably, 58.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for California Polytechnic State University, 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 California Polytechnic State University, California?
California Polytechnic State University, California has a population of 7,915 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in California Polytechnic State University, CA?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for California Polytechnic State University — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in California Polytechnic State University, CA?
The poverty rate in California Polytechnic State University is 7.5%. This means approximately 14 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of California Polytechnic State University, California?
California Polytechnic State University's population is 52.2% White, 1.2% Black, 23.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 15.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in California Polytechnic State University, CA?
The median home value in California Polytechnic State University is $564,700.
How educated is California Polytechnic State University, California?
77.5% of adults (25+) in California Polytechnic State University hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 58.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.