Cayucos, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cayucos, California had a total population of 2,427, the 856th largest community in California, with a median household income of $87,235, which is 12% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.3%.
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 11.6x the median household income.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.4%.
Cayucos Quick Facts
How Cayucos 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 | 2,517 | 2,427 | -3.6% |
| Median household income | $82,778 | $87,235 | +5.4% |
| Median home value | $947,000 | $1,011,900 | +6.9% |
How Cayucos 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Cayucos 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 Cayucos
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Twain Harte | 2,372 | $88,739 | $462,700 | 48.9% | 9.7% |
| Georgetown | 2,403 | $91,765 | $374,600 | 22.7% | 7.2% |
| Mountain View | 2,418 | $94,046 | $590,100 | 31.7% | 11.0% |
| Arnold | 2,482 | $92,467 | $485,700 | 43.8% | 4.2% |
| Edwards AFB | 2,500 | $91,250 | N/A | 53.4% | 9.5% |
Population Overview
Cayucos is a small community located in California, within San Luis Obispo County. The total population is 2,427. It ranks as the 856th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cayucos is 59.4 years. This is 57% higher than the state median of 37.9 years. Only 8.5% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 11.3% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cayucos is $87,235. This is 12% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 8% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.3%. This is 23% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 1.4%. This is 79% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $1,011,900. Housing costs are 38% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 11.6x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 60.4% 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 Cayucos is White (non-Hispanic), making up 82.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 10.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (82.6% vs 33.8%). The Hispanic or Latino population (10.1%) is well below the state average of 40.2%. The Asian population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
44.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 21% higher 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 96.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cayucos, 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 Cayucos, California?
Cayucos, California has a population of 2,427 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cayucos, CA?
The median household income in Cayucos is $87,235, which is 8% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cayucos, CA?
The poverty rate in Cayucos is 9.3%. This means approximately 225 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cayucos, California?
Cayucos's population is 82.6% White, 0.0% Black, 10.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cayucos, CA?
The median home value in Cayucos is $1,011,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 11.6x.
How educated is Cayucos, California?
44.7% of adults (25+) in Cayucos hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.