San Luis Obispo County, California Demographics 2026

Population Overview

San Luis Obispo County is located in California with a total population of 281,486. It is the 24th most populous county out of 58 in California.

Age Demographics

The median age in San Luis Obispo County is 40.2 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 37.6 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in San Luis Obispo County is $93,398. This is 3% lower than the state median of $96,334. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 19% higher. The poverty rate stands at 12.8%. This is 7% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.1%. This is 21% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $777,200. Housing costs are 12% higher than the state median of $695,400. The home-value-to-income ratio of 8.3x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 61.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% higher than the state average of 55.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in San Luis Obispo County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 65.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 24.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (65.4% vs 34.6%). The Black or African American population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 5.3%. The Asian population (3.4%) is well below the state average of 15.0%.

Education

39.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 7% higher than the state rate of 36.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 91.8%.