Shandon, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Shandon, California had a total population of 1,169, the 1019th largest community in California, with a median household income of $107,273, which is 8% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 1.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 1.6% — among the lowest in California.
- Only 7.6% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 10.4% is notably above the national average.
Shandon Quick Facts
How Shandon 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 | 1,042 | 1,169 | +12.2% |
| Median household income | $91,389 | $107,273 | +17.4% |
| Median home value | $432,700 | $448,500 | +3.7% |
How Shandon 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+)
Shandon 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 Shandon
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Margarita | 1,149 | N/A | $684,000 | 34.4% | 3.0% |
| Fort Hunter Liggett | 1,119 | N/A | N/A | 32.2% | N/A |
| Niland | 1,116 | N/A | $226,200 | 14.4% | 14.8% |
| Occidental | 1,225 | $108,207 | $1,167,800 | 67.5% | 7.0% |
| Squirrel Mountain Valley | 1,108 | N/A | $375,600 | 9.2% | 2.1% |
Population Overview
Shandon is a small community located in California, within San Luis Obispo County. The total population is 1,169. It ranks as the 1019th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Shandon is 29.0 years. This is 23% lower than the state median of 37.9 years. With 34.5% of the population under 18, Shandon has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Shandon is $107,273. This is 8% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 33% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 1.6%. This is 86% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 10.4%. This is 58% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $448,500. Housing costs are 39% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 94.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 68% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Shandon is Hispanic or Latino, making up 75.1% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 20.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (75.1% vs 40.2%).
Education
7.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 79% 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 79.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Shandon, 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 Shandon, California?
Shandon, California has a population of 1,169 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Shandon, CA?
The median household income in Shandon is $107,273, which is 33% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Shandon, CA?
The poverty rate in Shandon is 1.6%. This means approximately 19 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Shandon, California?
Shandon's population is 20.9% White, 0.0% Black, 75.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Shandon, CA?
The median home value in Shandon is $448,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x.
How educated is Shandon, California?
7.6% of adults (25+) in Shandon hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.