How many people live in the San Luis Obispo, CA area?
Updated Mar. 4, 2026Refreshed annually
In 2024 there were 281,800 people in the San Luis Obispo, CA area. That makes the San Luis Obispo, CA area the 179th populous metro area in the US. It is home to 0.08% of the nation's population.
282K
population of San Luis Obispo, CA area (2024)
0.08%
San Luis Obispo, CA area share of US population (2024)
Between 2010 and 2024, the population of the San Luis Obispo, CA area increased from 269,800 to 281,800—a 4.5% increase. During that same period, the US population grew 9.9%.
About 281,800 people lived in the San Luis Obispo, CA area in 2024.
Population estimates of the San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA Metro Area, 2010–2024
What are the age demographics of the San Luis Obispo, CA area?
About 23.3% of the San Luis Obispo, CA area's population in 2024 was aged 65 years or older, higher than the 18% share in the nation overall. Children (under 18) account for 17.1% of the San Luis Obispo, CA area population, below the 21.6% population share of children nationwide.
A higher share of the San Luis Obispo, CA area population is 65 and older than the US overall.
Population share by age group in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA Metro Area and the US overall (2024)
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of the San Luis Obispo, CA area?
Non-Hispanic white residents make up 65.3% of the San Luis Obispo, CA area population, higher than the national share of 57.5%. Hispanic residents make up 25.8% of the population, higher than the national share of 20%.
Racial and ethnic make up differ based on location. These figures reflect how people identified their race alone (not in combination with other races), and separate out Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, following Census reporting standards.
A lower share of the San Luis Obispo, CA area population is non-Hispanic Black or African American than the US overall.
Population share by race and ethnicity in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA Metro Area and the US overall (2024)
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Methodology
USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.
The analysis was generated with the help of AI and reviewed by USAFacts for accuracy.
Page sources
USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.
