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Nipomo, California Demographics & Population 2026

During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Nipomo, California had a total population of 17,516, the 376th largest community in California, with a median household income of $110,022, which is 11% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.7%.

Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes

Nipomo Quick Facts

Population 17,516
Median Household Income $110,022
Median Home Value $723,700
Poverty Rate 5.7%
Unemployment Rate 3.3%
Median Age 37.8 years
Homeownership Rate 65.5%
Affordability Ratio 6.6x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 25.0%
High School Graduation Rate 84.5%
Diversity Index 58/100
Population 17,516 376th of 1,570
Median Income $110,022 above average
Poverty Rate 5.7% 54% lower than national
Median Home Value $723,700 above average

How Nipomo Changed

Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.

Metric2019–20232020–2024Change
Population17,26617,516+1.4%
Median household income$102,382$110,022+7.5%
Median home value$674,100$723,700+7.4%

How Nipomo Compares

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 5.9%
$25K-$50K 11.3%
$50K-$100K 29.3%
$100K+ 53.5%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
0.3%
$10K-$15K
2.2%
$15K-$20K
1.9%
$20K-$25K
1.5%
$25K-$30K
2.1%
$30K-$35K
1.4%
$35K-$40K
2.9%
$40K-$45K
2.3%
$45K-$50K
2.6%
$50K-$60K
6.5%
$60K-$75K
7.1%
$75K-$100K
15.6%
$100K-$125K
10.2%
$125K-$150K
9.8%
$150K-$200K
15.2%
$200K+
18.2%

Employment

3.3% Unemployment Rate State: 6.6%|National: 5.2%
65.8% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 65.5%
Renter 34.5%
Affordability Index Expensive
6.6x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $2,106/mo 23.0% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

58out of 100
High Diversity

A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.

State average: 70 | National average: 61

Education

Nipomo Rankings in California

#376 Population of 1,570
#438 Median Income of 1,375
#805 Education of 1,570
#471 Home Value of 1,376

Other Cities in San Luis Obispo County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome 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
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 Nipomo

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Rancho Mirage17,563$107,364$807,20048.6%11.7%
Live Oak16,911$103,674$1,015,20040.8%12.9%
Cameron Park18,315$102,289$667,90037.5%7.0%
Arroyo Grande18,372$102,553$814,20045.3%4.8%
El Sobrante (Contra Costa County)16,294$114,853$758,80036.5%11.4%

Population Overview

Nipomo is a small city located in California, within San Luis Obispo County. The total population is 17,516. It ranks as the 376th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.

Age Demographics

The median age in Nipomo is 37.8 years. This is about the same as the state median of 37.9 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Nipomo is $110,022. This is 11% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 36% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.7%. This is 53% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 3.3%. This is 51% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $723,700. Housing costs are 1% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.6x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 65.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% higher than the state average of 55.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Nipomo is Hispanic or Latino, making up 51.6% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 38.7%. The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Asian population (4.3%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.

Education

25.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 33% 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 84.5%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Nipomo, 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 Nipomo, California?

Nipomo, California has a population of 17,516 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Nipomo, CA?

The median household income in Nipomo is $110,022, which is 36% higher than the national median of $80,734.

What is the poverty rate in Nipomo, CA?

The poverty rate in Nipomo is 5.7%. This means approximately 995 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Nipomo, California?

Nipomo's population is 38.7% White, 0.8% Black, 51.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.3% Asian.

What is the median home value in Nipomo, CA?

The median home value in Nipomo is $723,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.6x.

How educated is Nipomo, California?

25.0% of adults (25+) in Nipomo hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.