San Luis Obispo

Walkable residential community that is safe, friendly, and relaxed.

Overview for San Luis Obispo, CA

47,257 people live in San Luis Obispo, where the median age is 26 and the average individual income is $39,464. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

47,257

Total Population

26 years

Median Age

High

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

$39,464

Average individual Income

Welcome to San Luis Obispo

Walkable residential community that is safe, friendly, and relaxed.
 
Almost equally in distance between Los Angeles and San Francisco, San Luis Obispo is often referred to as California less “traveled.” Relaxed and laid-back, this 12.93 square mile city goes by the moniker SLO CAL—a witty reference to both its initials and its pace. The climate here is legendary; there are only 50 days of measurable rain recorded annually, and the city’s proximity to cool ocean waters allows for comfortable temperatures year-round.
 
There are 180 historic buildings located throughout and five designated historic districts: Downtown, Chinatown, Old Town, Mill Street, and Railroad. A mix of residential and commercial structures is what you find with San Luis Obispo Real Estate, they all add a bevy of character to the San Luis Obispo landscape.
 
With miles of hiking and biking trails, SLO maintains a very health-conscious population. In 2016, it was ranked in a Gallup-Sharecare poll as one of the nation’s top five exercise communities. It has a lively downtown filled with coffee shops, boutiques, restaurants, and concert halls, while world-class wine is only 15 minutes away in nearby Edna Valley—designated as one of California’s best wine regions. Buying SLO real estate also ensures that there’s also easy access to the ocean, little traffic, and a population of only 47,000 residents.
 

What to Love 

  • Relaxed pace of life
  • Fantastic food culture
  • Variety of breathtaking landscapes
  • Engaging arts scene 
  • A variety of stunning San Luis Obispo houses for sale to choose from

People & Lifestyle - Living in San Luis Obispo

According to the US Census, San Luis Obispo consists of close to 20,000 households, so the vibe here is very family-friendly. Since the city is also home to two colleges—California Polytechnic State University and Cuesta College—there is also a large student population.
 

Dining, Entertainment & Shopping

Nearby farms and miles of coastline provide fresh ingredients for San Luis Obispo’s varied farm-to-table restaurants. Novo Restaurant serves global cuisine accompanied by craft cocktails and award-winning vintages. Giuseppe’s Restaurant on Monterey Street offers Italian specialties from the Pugliese region. There’s also Firestone Grill, which serves some of the best barbecue in Central California, and La Locanda, a snug Italian restaurant serving classic dishes and wine in a white tablecloth space with an outdoor patio.
 

Things to Do in San Luis Obispo

Good food, wine, and plenty of athletic activity are the basic definition of the San Luis Obispo lifestyle, but there is so much more for residents and visitors to take in. The world-renowned Madonna Inn, which opened for business in 1958, is a Central California landmark. With its pseudo-Swiss Alps exterior and 110 whimsical rooms, this motel houses a bakery and several eateries. San Luis Obispo visitors may also want to check out the Thursday Night Farmers' Market, concerts in the Mission Plaza, as well as Bubblegum Alley, a 70-foot-long downtown attraction lined with the chewed gum of passers-by.  
 

Schools in San Luis Obispo

The K-12 schools here are highly ranked, and San Luis Obispo homes for sale is also next to California Polytechnic State University, which is known for its well respected School of Agriculture. Nearby Cuesta College, a public community college, features campuses in both North and South San Luis Obispo. SLO has been rated one of the top 10 best college towns by Forbes.
 

Property for Sale in San Luis Obispo 

San Luis Obispo Homes for Sale

Demographics and Employment Data for San Luis Obispo, CA

San Luis Obispo has 19,035 households, with an average household size of 2.41. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in San Luis Obispo do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 47,257 people call San Luis Obispo home. The population density is 3,551.91 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

47,257

Total Population

High

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

26

Median Age

50.92 / 49.08%

Men vs Women

Population by Age Group

0-9:

0-9 Years

10-17:

10-17 Years

18-24:

18-24 Years

25-64:

25-64 Years

65-74:

65-74 Years

75+:

75+ Years

Education Level

  • Less Than 9th Grade
  • High School Degree
  • Associate Degree
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Graduate Degree
19,035

Total Households

2.41

Average Household Size

$39,464

Average individual Income

Households with Children

With Children:

Without Children:

Marital Status

Married
Single
Divorced
Separated

Blue vs White Collar Workers

Blue Collar:

White Collar:

Commute Time

0 to 14 Minutes
15 to 29 Minutes
30 to 59 Minutes
60+ Minutes

Schools in San Luis Obispo, CA

All ()
Primary Schools ()
Middle Schools ()
High Schools ()
Mixed Schools ()
The following schools are within or nearby San Luis Obispo. The rating and statistics can serve as a starting point to make baseline comparisons on the right schools for your family. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Type
Name
Category
Grades
School rating
PUBLIC
4th - 6th
5/5
PRIVATE
PreK - 8th
No rating available
San Luis Obispo Christian School
PRIVATE
K - 6th
No rating available
Bishop's Peak Elementary
PUBLIC
K - 6th
5/5
PUBLIC
7th - 8th
5/5
San Luis Obispo Christian School
PRIVATE
K - 6th
No rating available
Central Coast International School
PRIVATE
3rd - 6th
No rating available
PRIVATE
K - 12th
No rating available
PUBLIC
K - 6th
4/5
PUBLIC
10th - 12th
3/5
PUBLIC
9th - 12th
5/5
PUBLIC
K - 6th
3/5
Montessori Childrens School
PRIVATE
PreK - 6th
No rating available
Mission College Prep High School
PRIVATE
9th - 12th
No rating available
San Luis Obispo Christian Academy
PRIVATE
K - 6th
No rating available
Old Mission Pre School Kindergarten
PRIVATE
PreK - K
No rating available
PUBLIC
K - 6th
3/5
PUBLIC
K - 6th
5/5
PUBLIC
K - 12th
No rating available

Around San Luis Obispo, CA

There's plenty to do around San Luis Obispo, including shopping, dining, nightlife, parks, and more. Data provided by Walk Score and Yelp.

65
Somewhat Walkable
Walking Score
65
Bikeable
Bike Score
31
Some Transit
Transit Score

Points of Interest

Explore popular things to do in the area, including Farb's Bakery, El Lugar Wines, and SLO Cheesecake Company.

Name Category Distance Reviews
Ratings by Yelp
Dining · $ 0.39 miles 7 reviews 5/5 stars
Dining 1.3 miles 5 reviews 5/5 stars
Dining 1.2 miles 26 reviews 5/5 stars
Dining 3.41 miles 10 reviews 5/5 stars
Shopping 0.98 miles 6 reviews 5/5 stars
Active 1.2 miles 10 reviews 5/5 stars
San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo

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Weber Team is a full-service real estate group servicing all of San Luis Obispo County and beyond. Sarah and Summer bring a high level of experience, dedication, and creativity to the team.