Oceano, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Oceano, California had a total population of 7,128, the 576th largest community in California, with a median household income of $71,598, which is 28% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.2%.
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.
Oceano Quick Facts
How Oceano 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 | 7,098 | 7,128 | +0.4% |
| Median household income | $69,448 | $71,598 | +3.1% |
| Median home value | $518,500 | $556,100 | +7.3% |
How Oceano 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+)
Oceano 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 Oceano
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taft | 7,125 | $72,772 | $252,600 | 9.0% | 16.9% |
| Heber | 7,312 | $72,028 | $335,600 | 24.1% | 10.6% |
| Piñon Hills | 7,065 | $68,289 | $440,600 | 17.0% | 18.6% |
| Fowler | 7,094 | $66,983 | $379,800 | 25.5% | 19.4% |
| Garnet | 7,382 | $72,694 | $267,900 | 11.4% | 11.2% |
Population Overview
Oceano is a small city located in California, within San Luis Obispo County. The total population is 7,128. It ranks as the 576th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Oceano is 46.4 years. This is 22% higher than the state median of 37.9 years. 12.7% 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 Oceano is $71,598. This is 28% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 11% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.2%. This is 43% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.1%. This is 38% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $556,100. Housing costs are 24% 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. 61.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Oceano is White (non-Hispanic), making up 55.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 36.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (55.4% vs 33.8%). The Black or African American population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Asian population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
21.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 43% 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 80.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Oceano, 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.
Free data download: Get all California city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Oceano, California?
Oceano, California has a population of 7,128 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Oceano, CA?
The median household income in Oceano is $71,598, which is 11% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Oceano, CA?
The poverty rate in Oceano is 17.2%. This means approximately 1,224 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Oceano, California?
Oceano's population is 55.4% White, 0.9% Black, 36.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Oceano, CA?
The median home value in Oceano is $556,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.8x.
How educated is Oceano, California?
21.2% of adults (25+) in Oceano hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.