San Luis Obispo, CA — City Data, Demographics & Statistics
San Luis Obispo County · California
City DNA
A unique fingerprint for San Luis Obispo based on 8 key metrics — compared to averages.
Quick Stats
Population
48,039
2023 ACS
Median Income
$66,711
2023
Median Home Value
$896,500
2023
Median Rent
$1,906
2023
Median Age
26.2
Unemployment
6.7%
Cost of Living Index
174.0
100 = national avg
San Luis Obispo is a city in San Luis Obispo County, California, with a population of 48,039 according to the 2023 American Community Survey. San Luis Obispo is one of the communities in California.
The median household income in San Luis Obispo is $66,711, and the median home value is $896,500. The cost of living index is 174.0 (where 100 = national average), and the median rent is $1,906 per month. The unemployment rate is 6.7%, and the median age is 26.2 years.
People & Demographics
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Population
Total Population
48,039
Male
23,979
49.9%
Female
24,060
50.1%
Median Age
26.2
Age Distribution
Education & Household
Bachelor's or Higher
28.4%
High School or Higher
35.0%
Foreign Born
7.8%
Veterans
2.9%
Married
27.8%
Avg Household Size
2.3
Marital Status by Age
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
0.374
Simpson's Index (0-1)
Largest Group
White
75.9%
Foreign Born
7.8%
Hispanic/Latino Ethnicity
Hispanic/Latino is an ethnicity, not a race. People of any race can identify as Hispanic. This percentage overlaps with the racial categories above.
Hispanic/Latino
17.3%
8,311 people
Not Hispanic/Latino
82.7%
Hispanic/Latino Detail
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Asian Detail
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Detail
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)American Indian & Alaska Native Detail
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Languages Spoken
Total Speakers (5+)
46,624
English Only
83.4%
#1 Non-English Language
Spanish
4,608 speakers
Limited English
3.0%
Language Distribution
English Proficiency
Speaks English Very Well
97.0%
Limited English Proficiency
3.0%
Veterans & Military
Total Veterans
1,414
2.9% of population
Disability Rate
19.7%
279 with disability
Veteran Median Income
$54,931
Unemployment Rate
4.3%
Period of Service
Veteran Age Distribution
Male Veterans
1,252
88.5%
Female Veterans
162
11.5%
Veteran vs Non-Veteran Income
Veteran Income
$54,931
Non-Veteran Income
$28,077
Difference
$26,854
95.6% higher
Disability Status
With Disability
279
Without Disability
1,135
Disability Rate
19.7%
Ancestry & Heritage
Total Reporting Ancestry
37,229
#1 Ancestry
German
14.4% (6,907)
#2 Ancestry
English
14.0% (6,702)
#3 Ancestry
Irish
12.3% (5,912)
Top 20 Ancestries
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Families & Households
Total Households
20,005
Family Households
8,175
40.9%
Married Couples
6,188
30.9%
Non-Family Households
11,830
59.1%
Single Mother Households
1,341
6.7%
Single Father Households
646
3.2%
Living Alone
6,104
30.5%
Children Under 18
Total Children
4,818
In Married Couple
3,878
80.5%
With Single Mother
735
15.3%
With Single Father
205
4.3%
Family Income
Median Family Income
$121,671
Married Couple Income
$144,503
Single Mother Income
$56,250
Single Father Income
$55,192
Avg Family Size
2.3
Avg Non-Family Size
2.4
Grandparents w/ Grandchildren
185
Grandparents Responsible
91
Economy
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Income Overview
Median Household Income
$66,711
-9% vs national
Per Capita Income
$45,462
+22% vs national
Poverty Rate
30.0%
+120% vs national
Gini Index
0.5338
0 = perfect equality
Unemployment
6.7%
+28% vs national
SNAP Recipients
6.1%
of households
How San Luis Obispo Compares
San Luis Obispo vs Similar Cities
Compared to cities with 25,000 - 50,000 residents. San Luis Obispo is highlighted.
Median Household Income
San Luis Obispo, CA has a median household income of $66,711, making it the 13,527th highest median household income out of 28,123 cities in our database. This means that San Luis Obispo has a higher median household income than 52% of all the cities we measured.
Per Capita Income
San Luis Obispo, CA has a per capita income of $45,462, making it the 5,975th highest per capita income out of 28,123 cities in our database. This means that San Luis Obispo has a higher per capita income than 79% of all the cities we measured.
Poverty Rate
San Luis Obispo, CA has a poverty rate of 30.0%, making it the 3,037th highest poverty rate out of 31,262 cities in our database. This means that San Luis Obispo has a higher poverty rate than 90% of all the cities we measured.
Unemployment Rate
San Luis Obispo, CA has a unemployment rate of 6.7%, making it the 7,929th highest unemployment rate out of 31,012 cities in our database. This means that San Luis Obispo has a higher unemployment rate than 74% of all the cities we measured.
Where Do You Stack Up?
Enter your household income to see how you compare to other households in San Luis Obispo. The median household income here is $66,711.
Income Distribution
Employment Snapshot
Unemployment Rate
6.7%
-12% vs CA avg
Labor Force
27,661
Employed
25,800
How People Get to Work
Employment by Sector
Education & Workforce
Bachelor's Degree+
28.4%
of adults 25+
High School Diploma+
35.0%
of adults 25+
Median Age
26.2
Work from Home
15.9%
of workers
Top Occupations & Wages
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS (2024)
Data represents the San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA metro area
Highest-Paying Job
Registered Nurses
Top Median Wage
$133.5K
per year
Occupations Tracked
20
Cost of Living
Overall Index
174.0
100 = national avg
+74.0 vs national average
Living Wage (1 Adult)
$76,547
per year
Living Wage (Family of 4)
$180,930
per year
Cost Index by Category
100 = national average. Higher = more expensive.
Fair Market Rent
Source: HUD
1 Bedroom
$1,914
per month
2 Bedroom
$2,512
per month
The median household income in San Luis Obispo, CA is $66,711, which is 8.9% below the national average of $73,224. Per capita income is $45,462. The poverty rate of 30.0% is higher than the CA state average of 13.0%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.5338, where 0 represents perfect equality and 1 represents maximum inequality. The unemployment rate is 6.7%, compared to the state average of 7.6%. The labor force is 27,661. 28.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. About 64.0% of workers drive alone to work. The overall cost of living index is 174.0, which is 74.0% above the national average. Housing costs are above the national average at an index of 297.5. A single adult needs to earn approximately $76,547 per year to cover basic expenses.
Housing & Real Estate
Market SnapshotRedfin — January 2026
Median Sale Price
$1,035,000
Median List Price
$1,050,000
Price Per Sq Ft
$593
Days on Market
52
Active Inventory
68
Months of Supply
2.3
Seller's market
Zillow Home Value
$1,058,450
ZHVI — January 2026
Zillow Rent Index
$3,875
ZORI — January 2026
Market CompetitivenessRedfin
Sold Above List
6.9%
Off Market in 2 Weeks
41.9%
Sale-to-List Ratio
97.9%
Buyer's market
Price TrendsRedfin
Market ActivityRedfin
Homes Sold
29
New Listings
35
Pending Sales
31
Price Per Square FootRedfin
Median Sale $/SF
$593
Median List $/SF
$654
House Price IndexFHFA
How much have housing prices increased in San Luis Obispo, CA? According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) House Price Index for the San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA metro area, home prices have risen 677.3% over the past 40 years. Over 20 years, prices grew 60.7%. The 10-year growth rate is 82.3%. Over the last 5 years, prices increased 46.1%. In the most recent 2-year period, the index rose 6.1%. The FHFA HPI tracks average price changes in repeat sales or refinancings of single-family properties with conforming mortgages. Because this is a metro-level index, it reflects the broader San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA housing market rather than San Luis Obispo alone.
Metro area: San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA
San Luis Obispo vs Similar CitiesCensus ACS / Redfin
Compared to cities with 25,000 - 50,000 residents. San Luis Obispo is highlighted.
Median Home Value
San Luis Obispo, CA has a median home value of $896,500, making it the 810th highest median home value out of 27,993 cities in our database. This means that San Luis Obispo has a higher median home value than 97% of all the cities we measured.
Median Rent
San Luis Obispo, CA has a median rent of $1,906, making it the 1,946th highest median rent out of 22,337 cities in our database. This means that San Luis Obispo has a higher median rent than 91% of all the cities we measured.
Median Price Per Sq Ft
San Luis Obispo, CA has a price per square foot of $593, making it the 771st highest price per square foot out of 20,748 cities in our database. This means that San Luis Obispo has a higher price per square foot than 96% of all the cities we measured.
Rent Burden
San Luis Obispo, CA has a rent burden of 34.3%, making it the 609th highest rent burden out of 21,928 cities in our database. This means that San Luis Obispo has a higher rent burden than 97% of all the cities we measured.
Census Housing DataU.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023
Median Home Value
$896,500
Median Rent
$1,906
Total Housing Units
21,783
Vacancy Rate
8.2%
Owner Occupied
39.0%
Renter Occupied
61.0%
Median Property Tax
$5,528
per year
Monthly Cost (w/ Mortgage)
$2,036
Housing Types
Property TaxU.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023
Median Property Tax
$5,528
per year
Effective Tax Rate
0.62%
of home value
Median Home Value
$896,500
Estimated Mean Tax
$5,661
The effective property tax rate is calculated by dividing the median annual property tax ($5,528) by the median home value ($896,500). In San Luis Obispo, CA, this works out to an effective rate of 0.62%. This is below the national average of approximately 1.1%.
The current median sale price in San Luis Obispo, CA is $1,035,000 according to Redfin data. Homes spend a median of 52 days on the market. 6.9% of homes sold above asking price. The market has 2.3 months of supply. The median price per square foot is $593. Zillow's observed rent index is $3,875/month. About 39.0% of housing units are owner-occupied. The median year homes were built is 1976. There are 21,783 total housing units. Homeowners pay a median annual property tax of $5,528. The effective tax rate is 0.62%, below the national average.
Crime Overview
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer (2024)Violent Crime Rate
4.24
per 1,000 residents
+63% vs national
Property Crime Rate
26.69
per 1,000 residents
+55% vs national
Total Crimes
1,545
2024
Violent Clearance
49%
cases solved
Property Clearance
15%
cases solved
YoY Change
-18.2%
violent crime rate
improving vs 2023
How San Luis Obispo Compares
Source: FBI (2024)San Luis Obispo vs Similar Cities
Source: FBI (2024)Compared to cities with 25,000 - 50,000 residents. San Luis Obispo is highlighted in green.
Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000)
Property Crime Rate (per 1,000)
Murder Rate (per 1,000)
Crime Rate Trends
Source: FBICrime Composition
Source: FBI (2024)Violent Crime Breakdown
Property Crime Breakdown
Crime Clearance (Solve) Rates
Source: FBI (2024)San Luis Obispo police solve 56% of robbery cases but only 11% of motor vehicle theft cases.
Weapon Used in Violent Crime
Source: FBI (2024)Crime Breakdown
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer (2024)| Crime Type | Category | Count | Rate per 1K | Clearance % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murder | Violent | 0 | 0.00 | N/A |
| Rape | Violent | 30 | 0.60 | 30.0% |
| Robbery | Violent | 41 | 0.82 | 56.1% |
| Aggravated Assault | Violent | 141 | 2.82 | 51.1% |
| Burglary | Property | 161 | 3.22 | 15.5% |
| Larceny/Theft | Property | 1,097 | 21.96 | 15.1% |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | Property | 75 | 1.50 | 10.7% |
San Luis Obispo, CA reported 212 violent crimes and 1,333 property crimes in 2024. The violent crime rate of 4.24 per 1,000 residents is 63.2% above the national average of 2.60 per 1,000. Law enforcement cleared 49% of violent crimes. Larceny/theft accounts for 1,097 of the property crime reports. Firearms were involved in 5.0% of aggravated assaults. Violent crime has been trending downward.
Crime History
Source: FBI| Year | Violent | Property | Violent Rate | Property Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 212 | 1,333 | 4.24 | 26.69 |
| 2023 | 254 | 1,268 | 5.19 | 25.91 |
| 2022 | 267 | 1,745 | 5.56 | 36.36 |
| 2020 | 207 | 1,620 | 4.34 | 33.95 |
| 2019 | 192 | 1,738 | 4.02 | 36.41 |
| 2018 | 192 | 1,809 | 4.01 | 37.78 |
| 2017 | 178 | 1,782 | 3.71 | 37.18 |
| 2016 | 178 | 2,076 | 3.73 | 43.45 |
| 2015 | 193 | 1,844 | 4.10 | 39.14 |
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
95.9
Relatively High
Expected Annual Loss
96.2
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
32.8
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
93.9
Score (0-100)
Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.
Disaster History & Federal Spending
Source: FEMATotal Declarations
28
Public Assistance
$95.2M
Individual Assistance
$1.9M
Most Common Type
Flood
10 declarations
Public Assistance by Category
Showing 20 of 29 disasters
PA = FEMA Public Assistance (infrastructure recovery). IA = Individual Assistance (homeowner/renter aid).
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
613
Total Claims Paid
$8,616,060
Avg Claim Payout
$14,056
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
27
Federal Funding
$10,404,255
Properties Protected
2
Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio
3.06
BCR
Top Mitigation Project Types
| Project Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|
| 91.1: Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan | 11 | $328,632 |
| 205.4: Non Structural Retrofitting/Rehabilitating Public Structures - Seismic | 3 | $0 |
| 91.2: Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan - NEW | 2 | $204,482 |
| 500.1: Flood Control - Floodwall | 1 | $2,077,103 |
| 403.3: Stormwater Management - Flapgates/Floodgates | 1 | $2,395,019 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
San Luis Obispo has a relatively high overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are drought, landslide, wildfire. The area has had 28 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is flood (10 declarations). 613 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $95,248,733 in public assistance recovery funding. $1,916,689 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 27 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.
Health
Community Health
Source: CDC PLACES
Obesity Rate
26.4%
9.7pp below the national average
Depression Rate
26.2%
2.7pp above the national average
Diabetes Rate
8.4%
3.5pp below the national average
Uninsured Rate
7.3%
3.3pp below the national average
Health Scorecard
Higher scores indicate better health outcomes relative to the national average (50 = average)
Health Outcomes
Age-adjusted prevalence rates. Green bars indicate rates below the national average; red indicates above.
High Cholesterol
29.9%
Arthritis
19.9%
Cancer (excl. skin)
6.9%
Teeth Lost (65+)
10.7%
Health Risk Behaviors
Prevention & Screening
Green bars indicate rates above the national average (more preventive care); red indicates below.
Mental Health & Wellbeing
Frequent Mental Distress
20.3%
14+ days in past month
Depression
26.2%
Loneliness
37.0%
Lack of Support
24.4%
Disability Prevalence
Any Disability
31.2%
Mobility
11.7%
Cognitive
17.8%
Hearing
6.1%
Vision
5.4%
Self-Care
3.5%
Independent Living
9.9%
Health-Related Social Needs
Prevalence of social risk factors affecting community health
San Luis Obispo has an obesity rate of 26.4%, which is 9.7pp below the national average. The depression rate is 26.2%, 2.7pp above the national average. About 7.3% of adults lack health insurance. 69.1% of residents had an annual checkup in the past year.
Nearby Hospitals
Source: CMS Hospital Compare
Nearest Hospitals
5
With Emergency Services
5
Avg CMS Rating
2.6 / 5
Nearest Hospital
3.6 mi
French Hospital Medical Center
| Hospital | Distance | Type | Rating | ER |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| French Hospital Medical Center | 3.6 mi | Acute Care Hospitals | 5/5 | Yes |
| Adventist Health Sierra Vista | 4.4 mi | Acute Care Hospitals | 3/5 | Yes |
| Adventist Health Twin Cities | 19.5 mi | Acute Care Hospitals | 2/5 | Yes |
| Marian Regional Medical Center | 33.1 mi | Acute Care Hospitals | 2/5 | Yes |
| Lompoc Valley Medical Center | 48.9 mi | Acute Care Hospitals | 1/5 | Yes |
Climate & Environment
Water Systems
Source: EPA SDWISWater Systems
22
Pop. Served
69,851
Violations (5yr)
33
| System Name | Pop. Served | Violations (5yr) |
|---|---|---|
| SAN LUIS OBISPO WATER DEPARTMENT | 47,788 | 0 |
| CALIFORNIA MENS COLONY | 15,000 | 0 |
| LOPEZ PROJECT | 1,569 | 2 |
| SLO CWWD NO. 23 - SANTA MARGARITA | 1,291 | 0 |
| SLOCSA #10A - CAYUCOS | 1,200 | 0 |
| SLO CSA NO. 16 - SHANDON | 1,085 | 0 |
| LAUREATE WATER COMPANY | 700 | 0 |
| SANTA YSABEL RANCH MWC | 275 | 0 |
| GRAN CIELO MUTUAL WATER COMPANY | 139 | 0 |
| IRISH HILLS MUTUAL WATER CO | 135 | 0 |
| CALLENDER GROVE MUTUAL WATER | 126 | 0 |
| LAS VENTANAS RANCH | 108 | 0 |
| BARON CANYON MUTUAL WATER CO. | 81 | 0 |
| AFUERA DE CHORRO WATER COMPANY | 79 | 0 |
| AVILA VALLEY MUTUAL WATER CO | 75 | 0 |
| MONTE SERENO MUTUAL BENEFIT WATER | 65 | 0 |
| ANZA VINEYARD ESTATES MUTUAL WATER CO | 60 | 0 |
| BEAR VALLEY WATER COMPANY | 45 | 0 |
| HIGUERA APARTMENTS | 30 | 31 |
| CHORRO VALLEY PIPELINE - SLO COUNTY | — | 0 |
| NACIMIENTO WATER PROJECT | — | 0 |
| SLO CWD NO. 10 - CAYUCOS WTP | — | 0 |
Greenhouse Gas Emitters
Source: EPA GHGRP (2023)Facilities Reporting
2
Total CO₂e
138.6K MT
Top Emitter
Arroyo Grande Production Facility
103.1K MT CO₂e
Total CO₂e vs Similar Cities (25,000 - 50,000)
| Facility | Sector | CO₂e (MT) |
|---|---|---|
Arroyo Grande Production Facility Sentinel Peak Resources Llc | Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems | 103,076 |
COLD CANYON LANDFILL SOLID WASTE DS Corral De Piedra Land Co | Waste | 35,533 |
Data from EPA Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP). Includes facilities emitting 25,000+ metric tons CO₂e/year.
There are 22 water systems serving the area. 33 water quality violations have been reported in the past 5 years. 2 industrial facilities report greenhouse gas emissions totaling 138.6K metric tons of CO₂e.
Infrastructure
Commute Overview2023 ACS
Drive Alone
64.0%
-19% vs national
Public Transit
1.4%
+59% vs national
Work From Home
15.9%
+71% vs national
Carpool
6.7%
Walk / Bike
11.4%
combined
How San Luis Obispo's Commute ComparesCensus ACS 2023
How People Get to WorkCensus ACS 2023
Commute Mode BreakdownCensus ACS 2023
Traffic Fatalities
Source: NHTSA FARS (2023)Fatalities
1
2023
6-Year Avg
3
fatalities/yr
Pedestrian
1
| Year | Crashes | Fatalities | Alcohol | Pedestrian | Cyclist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2022 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2021 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 2020 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 2019 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| 2018 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Data from NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). Includes only crashes involving at least one fatality.
Commute data for San Luis Obispo, CA covers travel times and transportation modes. 64.0% of workers drive alone, compared to the national average of 78.7%. 15.9% work from home, which is above the CA state average of 14.0%. Public transit is used by 1.4% of commuters, compared to the national average of 0.9%. 6.7% of workers carpool. 6.9% walk to work. 4.5% commute by bicycle. In 2023, there were 1 traffic fatality from 1 fatal crash. 1 was a pedestrian.
Internet & Broadband Access
Source: Census ACSBroadband Access
92.1%
of households
Cable / Fiber / DSL
81.4%
of households
No Internet
4.4%
of households
Total Households
20,005
Internet Subscription Types
Device Ownership
Source: Census ACSHas Computer
96.5%
of households
Smartphone
92.9%
of households
Desktop / Laptop
89.9%
of households
Tablet
70.3%
of households
Percentage of households with each device type. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023 5-year estimates, tables B28001 & B28002).
Electricity Rates
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2024)Residential Rate
32.0¢
per kWh
+68% vs 25,000 - 50,000 avg
Commercial Rate
25.5¢
per kWh
+65% vs 25,000 - 50,000 avg
Industrial Rate
21.5¢
per kWh
+81% vs 25,000 - 50,000 avg
Avg Monthly Bill
$161
residential
+10% vs 25,000 - 50,000 avg
87% above the national average of 17.1¢/kWh
Residential electricity in California averages 32.0¢ per kWh, compared to the national average of 17.1¢. The average monthly electric bill is $161. State-level averages from EIA Electric Sales & Revenue data (2024).
San Luis Obispo vs Similar Cities
Source: EIA (2024)Comparing electricity rates with randomly selected cities of similar population (25,000 - 50,000). Each city represents its state's average rate.
Residential Rate (¢/kWh)
Commercial Rate (¢/kWh)
Industrial Rate (¢/kWh)
Average Monthly Bill
Water Systems
Source: EPA SDWISWater Systems
22
Population Served
69,851
Violations (5yr)
33
| System Name | Type | Source | Pop. Served | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAN LUIS OBISPO WATER DEPARTMENT | Community | Surface water | 47,788 | 0 |
| CALIFORNIA MENS COLONY | Community | Surface water | 15,000 | 0 |
| LOPEZ PROJECT | Community | Surface water | 1,569 | 2 |
| SLO CWWD NO. 23 - SANTA MARGARITA | Community | Ground water | 1,291 | 0 |
| SLOCSA #10A - CAYUCOS | Community | Purchased surface water | 1,200 | 0 |
| SLO CSA NO. 16 - SHANDON | Community | Purchased surface water | 1,085 | 0 |
| LAUREATE WATER COMPANY | Community | Ground water | 700 | 0 |
| SANTA YSABEL RANCH MWC | Community | Ground water | 275 | 0 |
| GRAN CIELO MUTUAL WATER COMPANY | Community | Ground water | 139 | 0 |
| IRISH HILLS MUTUAL WATER CO | Community | Ground water | 135 | 0 |
| CALLENDER GROVE MUTUAL WATER | Community | Ground water | 126 | 0 |
| LAS VENTANAS RANCH | Community | Ground water | 108 | 0 |
| BARON CANYON MUTUAL WATER CO. | Community | Ground water | 81 | 0 |
| AFUERA DE CHORRO WATER COMPANY | Community | Ground water | 79 | 0 |
| AVILA VALLEY MUTUAL WATER CO | Community | Purchased surface water | 75 | 0 |
| MONTE SERENO MUTUAL BENEFIT WATER | Community | Ground water | 65 | 0 |
| ANZA VINEYARD ESTATES MUTUAL WATER CO | Community | Ground water | 60 | 0 |
| BEAR VALLEY WATER COMPANY | Community | Ground water | 45 | 0 |
| HIGUERA APARTMENTS | Community | Ground water | 30 | 31 |
| CHORRO VALLEY PIPELINE - SLO COUNTY | Community | Purchased surface water | 0 | 0 |
| NACIMIENTO WATER PROJECT | Community | Surface water | 0 | 0 |
| SLO CWD NO. 10 - CAYUCOS WTP | Community | Surface water | 0 | 0 |
92.1% of households in San Luis Obispo have broadband internet access. 81.4% have cable, fiber, or DSL service. 8.0% rely solely on cellular data without a wired connection. 4.4% of households have no internet access. The area is served by 22 water systems, providing water to 69,851 people. A total of 33 water quality violations have been recorded over the past 5 years.
Politics & Government
County-level data: Election results are reported at the county level. San Luis Obispo is located in San Luis Obispo County, CA. Results reflect all voters in the county, not just those in San Luis Obispo.
Election Overview
Source: San Luis Obispo County (2024)2024 Winner
Democrat
Dem Votes
81,314
53.9%
GOP Votes
64,932
43.1%
Total Votes
150,766
Margin
D+10.9%
Shift from 2020
R+2.2pp
vs prior election
Election History
Source: County-Level Election Results| Year | Dem Votes | GOP Votes | Total | Dem % | GOP % | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 81,314 | 64,932 | 150,766 | 53.9% | 43.1% | D+10.9 |
| 2020 | 88,310 | 67,436 | 159,681 | 55.3% | 42.2% | D+13.1 |
| 2016 | 63,001 | 52,672 | 124,575 | 50.6% | 42.3% | D+8.3 |
In the 2024 presidential election, San Luis Obispo County recorded 150,766 total votes. Democrats won the county with 53.9% of the vote compared to 43.1% for Republicans, a margin of D+10.9%. Compared to 2020, the margin shifted R+2.2pp from the previous election. Since 2016, San Luis Obispo County has shifted 2.6 percentage points toward Democrats.
Nonprofits Overview
Source: IRS Exempt Organizations BMFTotal Nonprofits
44
Total Assets
$813.9M
Total Income
$285.8M
Per 10K Residents
9.2
nonprofits
-86.0% vs peers avg
Orgs with >$1M Assets
8
Median Assets
$294K
Oldest Active
1942
ruling year
Newest Org
2025
ruling year
Nonprofits by Category
Source: IRS / NTEE ClassificationTop 10 hold $812.3M of $813.9M total
Nonprofit Size Distribution
Source: IRS Exempt Organizations BMFNumber of nonprofits by total asset size
When Were Nonprofits Founded?
Source: IRS Ruling DateNumber of currently active nonprofits by founding decade
Nonprofits per 10K Residents vs Similar Cities
Source: IRS BMF + Census ACSCompared to cities with population 25,000 - 50,000
Largest Nonprofits in San Luis Obispo
Source: IRS Exempt Organizations BMFSan Luis Obispo, CA has 44 registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with combined assets of $813.9M. The most common category is Arts, Culture & Humanities, with 9 organizations. 8 nonprofits have assets exceeding $1 million. That works out to 9.2 nonprofits per 10,000 residents. The oldest active nonprofit dates back to 1942.
SBA Lending Overview
Source: SBA FOIA Loan-Level DataTotal SBA Loans
1,602
Total Approved
$433.8M
Jobs Supported
30,320
Per 10K Residents
333.5
SBA loans
+307.7% vs peers avg
Unique Lenders
99
Top Lender
Bank of the Sierra
416 loans
Top Industry
Professional & Technical Services
Data Span
1992–2026
Loan Program Breakdown
Source: SBA FOIALoans
1,505
Total Amount
$365.8M
Avg Loan
$243,029
Median Loan
$100,000
SBA Guaranteed
$268.5M(73%)
Jobs Supported
28,906
Loans
97
Total Amount
$68.1M
Avg Loan
$701,887
Median Loan
$506,000
Recent Activity (Last 5 Years)
Source: SBA FOIARecent Loans
121
8% of all-time total
Recent Amount
$94.1M
22% of all-time total
Avg Recent Loan
$777,733
Top Industries Funded
Source: SBA FOIA / NAICS CodesSBA Loans per 10K Residents vs Similar Cities
Source: SBA FOIA + Census ACSCompared to cities with population 25,000 - 50,000
Top SBA Borrowers
Source: SBA FOIA| Business | Loans | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| California Coastal Investments Llc | 7 | $16.5M |
| Trust Automation Inc. | 7 | $6.3M |
| Rental Depot Inc. | 2 | $5.1M |
| Wealthsource Partners Llc | 2 | $5.1M |
| Karishma Chandni Hospitality Inc | 1 | $5.0M |
| Shree Agashimata | 1 | $5.0M |
| Em & Jr Enterprises Inc. | 1 | $5.0M |
| Casaga Sea Ranch | 1 | $4.9M |
| T and B Boots Inc | 5 | $4.9M |
| Meathead Movers Inc. | 94 | $4.4M |
San Luis Obispo, CA has received 1,602 SBA loans totaling $433.8M in approved funding between 1992 and 2026. The 7(a) program accounts for 1,505 loans (94% of the total), supporting 28,906 jobs. The 504 program, focused on real estate and large equipment, has funded 97 loans totaling $68.1M. The most common industry receiving SBA funding is Professional & Technical Services. The most active SBA lender in San Luis Obispo is Bank of the Sierra with 416 loans. That works out to 333.5 SBA loans per 10,000 residents.
ZIP Code Overview
Source: Census ACSZIP Codes
9
Total Population
88,067
Avg Median Income
-$370,329,857
Avg Home Value
-$295,769,296
ZIP Code Details
Source: Census ACS| ZIP Code | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Median Rent | Area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 93401 | 29,995 | $95,386 | $943,500 | $1,859 | 64.2 |
| 93402 | 15,085 | $103,839 | $729,200 | $1,909 | 27.8 |
| 93405 | 23,856 | $52,481 | $897,800 | $1,936 | 89.7 |
| 93407 | 348 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 0.8 |
| 93408 | 8 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 0.0 |
| 93409 | 2,687 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 0.4 |
| 93410 | 7,038 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 0.4 |
| 93424 | 1,026 | N/A | $1,179,600 | $2,063 | 20.1 |
| 93449 | 8,024 | $112,913 | $992,900 | $2,298 | 9.9 |
San Luis Obispo, CA has 9 ZIP codes with a combined population of 88,067. The average median household income across all ZIP codes is -$370,329,857. The average median home value is -$295,769,296. The average median monthly rent is -$296,295,178.
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