San Luis Obispo County Population Charts

According to the most recent San Luis Obispo County California demographics data available from the United States Census Bureau released in the American Community Survey in December of 2019, Figure 1 San Luis Obispo County shows it has a population of 281,455 which is less than most other counties in the area. The county with the highest population in the area is Kern County which shows a population of 883,053 (approximately 3.1 times bigger). Figure 3 uses the San Luis Obispo County population data for a comparison of the population growth/population change estimates from the years 2010 to 2018 and San Luis Obispo County California depicts an increase of 11,818 (4%).

The total San Luis Obispo County California greater area population percent change for all areas for the years from 2010 to 2018 is shown in Figure 4 and for San Luis Obispo County depicts it has a population percent change of 4.4% which is in the mid range of other counties in the surrounding region.

Looking at the San Luis Obispo County population density (measured as people per square mile) and providing comparisons to both the national and state average population density in Figure 5, San Luis Obispo County California shows it has 85 people per square mile which is the second smallest when sorted by population density of all the other counties in the area. The next higher as measured by population density is Kings County 26.7% larger with population density of 108. The county with the highest population density in the area is Ventura County which depicts a people per square mile of 460 ( substantially bigger). Figure 6 provides San Luis Obispo County demographics for the overall median age for all people in the region and San Luis Obispo County shows it has an overall median age of all people of 39.1 which is the highest of all counties in the greater San Luis Obispo County region. The San Luis Obispo County California population data for median age broken out by gender for both men versus the median age of women is shown in Figure 7. San Luis Obispo County California depicts a median age of men about 9.9% smaller as the median age of women.

The next demographic analysis (Figure 8) looks at large generational San Luis Obispo County population groups (and can be useful internet research for employment related research or identifying areas with retirees). Key findings in this chart includes that San Luis Obispo County California has the smallest proportion of people less than 20 years of age at 22.9% of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of people between 30 and 39 years old at 11.9% of the total. Third, it has the smallest proportion of people between 40 and 49 years old at 10.1% of the total. Also, it has the largest proportion of people between 60 and 69 years old at 13.7% of the total and is ranked #1. In addition, it has the largest proportion of people 70 years of age or older at 12.2% of the total and is ranked #1.

Figure 9 illustrates the overall diversity breakdown for San Luis Obispo County population and ethnicity groups in the area. (note: Hispanic/Latino is broken out separately in the next diagram and also the group denoted as Native ethnicity includes Native American, and Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander.) San Luis Obispo County California has the largest proportion of White population at 86.0% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the second smallest in order of people who are white of all the other counties in the greater region when sorted by Asian population at 3.6% of the total. Third, it has the smallest proportion of Native population at 0.8% of the total. Also, it has the smallest proportion of Other Race population at 7.7% of the total. Figure 10 shows the San Luis Obispo County California Hispanic (including non Hispanic whites) population household ethnicity in the region and San Luis Obispo County shows it has a people who are Hispanic or Latino of 22.4% which is the smallest in order of people who are Hispanic or Latino of all the other counties in the area. Figure 11 compares the ratio of the amount of men to the amount of women and shows total male population only about 2.9% larger as the total female population.

San Luis Obispo County Marital Status and Families Charts

Figure 12 shows the detailed marriage characteristics broken down by %residents who are married, never married, single, divorced, and widowed. San Luis Obispo County has the percentage of never married percent less than most other counties in the local area at 35% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of percent divorced at 11% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the largest proportion of percent widowed at 5% of the total and is ranked #1. Figure 14 compares the average household size using the average number of people in a family for San Luis Obispo County households. San Luis Obispo County depicts it has an average family size of 3.1 which is the smallest in order of average family size of all the other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest average family size in the area is Monterey County which shows an average family size of 4.0 (29.0% larger).

Figure 15 shows the overall ratio of San Luis Obispo County households for families to the total number of San Luis Obispo County households and that San Luis Obispo County shows it has a percent of people who are in a family of 63% which is the smallest when sorted by percent of people who are in a family of all the other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest percent of people who are in a family in the area is San Benito County which depicts a families percent of 80% (26.4% larger).

Looking at San Luis Obispo County households that are headed by a husband and wife as a percent of all families in Figure 16, San Luis Obispo County shows it has a percent of people in a husband and wife family of 79% which is the largest of all counties in the local area. Figure 17 shows San Luis Obispo County demographics for the head of household for each place using a breakdown of married-couple, male-headed alone, and female-headed alone. San Luis Obispo County California has the largest proportion of households at 79.5% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the smallest proportion of households at 7.1% of the total. Third, it has the smallest proportion of households at 13.4% of the total.

San Luis Obispo County Mothers and Children Charts

The next section of charts provide a detailed look at mothers and baby births that occurred over the past 12 months. Figure 18 shows the rate of women aged 15 to 50 years old who have given birth. San Luis Obispo County shows it has a percent of women who gave birth of 3.3% which is the smallest when sorted by percent of women who gave birth of all the other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest percent of women who gave birth in the area is Kern County which shows a birth rate of 6.4% (about twice as large). Figure 19 shows the breakdown of the mother's age for all baby births that occurred in the last 12 months and has the percentage of percent of births to mothers aged 15 to 19 the second smallest when ranked by percent of births to mothers aged 15 to 19 of all the other counties in the area at 3% of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of percent of births to mothers aged 20 to 24 at 13% of the total. Third, it has the largest proportion of percent of births to mothers aged 30 to 34 at 33% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has the largest proportion of percent of births to mothers aged 35 to 39 at 20% of the total and is ranked #1.

In Figure 20, the demographic data for San Luis Obispo County California teenager birth rate is shown (women between the ages of 15 and 19.) San Luis Obispo County shows it has a teenager birth rate of 3% which is the second smallest in terms of teenager birth rate of all the other counties in the metropolitan area. The county with the highest teenager birth rate in the area is Kern County which shows a births to a teenager of 5% (54.0% larger).

In Figure 21, the percentage of all births in the last 12 months to mothers that were unmarried is shown (unwed mothers.) San Luis Obispo County shows it has a percent of unwed women who have given birth of 18% which is the smallest when ranked by percent of unwed women who have given birth of all the other counties in the metro area. The county with the highest percent of unwed women who have given birth in the area is Kern County which shows an unwed mother birth rate of 41% (approximately 2.2 times bigger).

The next chart, Figure 22, shows the percentage of unwed mothers who are also on public assistance. San Luis Obispo County shows it has a percent of unwed women who have given birth and are on public assistance of 1.2% which is the second smallest when ranked by percent of unwed women who have given birth and are on public assistance of all the other counties in the area. The county with the highest percent of unwed women who have given birth and are on public assistance in the area is San Benito County which shows a percent of unwed women who gave birth and are on public assistance of 4.5% (approximately 3.8 times bigger).

Unwed mothers who have given birth in the last 12 months are also shown broken down by age group in Figure 24. San Luis Obispo County California has one of the largest proportions of unwed mothers aged 15 to 19 at 10.7% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Santa Barbara County with 13.5%. Second, it has the largest proportion of unwed mothers aged 20 to 34 at 86.4% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the smallest proportion of unwed mothers aged 35 to 50 at 2.9% of the total. Figure 25 shows the comparative demographic rate of unwed mothers who have given birth in the last 12 months are broken down by racial group (including the Hispanic birth rate.) San Luis Obispo County California has the smallest proportion of White unwed birth rate at 14.3% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of Black unwed birth rate at 100.0% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the smallest proportion of Hispanic unwed birth rate at 11.7% of the total. Also, it has the largest proportion of American Indian unwed birth rate at 100.0% of the total and is ranked #1.

Figure 26 shows unwed mothers in poverty (based on median household income definition) who have given birth in the last 12 months. San Luis Obispo County California has the smallest proportion of unwed births and living below poverty level at 17.8% of the total. Second, it has less than most other counties in the local area as measured by unwed births and living between 100% and 199% of poverty level at 15.4% of the total. Third, it has the largest proportion of unwed births and living at 200%+ above poverty level at 66.8% of the total and is ranked #1.

For all births to unwed mothers, Figure 27 breaks down the education level of the mother by less than high school through college and post graduate attainment has the smallest proportion of percent of unwed mothers with less than high school education at 1% of the total. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of percent of unwed mothers who are a high school graduate or equivalent at 34% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Kern County (37%), and #1 Kings County (37%) are larger. Third, it has the largest proportion of percent of unwed mothers with some college or an associates degree at 52% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has the largest proportion of percent of unwed mothers with a graduate or professional degree at 3% of the total and is ranked #1.

San Luis Obispo County Marital Status Charts

The next set of demographic data looks at the marital status for San Luis Obispo County households which is useful for internet research. Figure 28 compares the total number of single people in each area. San Luis Obispo County depicts it has a percent of people who are single for any reason of 51% which is less than most other counties in the local area. The county with the highest percent of people who are single for any reason in the area is Santa Barbara County which depicts a percent single of 53% (only about 5.4% larger). Comparing percent of people who are single for any reason to the United States average of 50%, San Luis Obispo County is only slightly larger. Also, in contrast to the state of California, percent of people who are single for any reason of 51%, San Luis Obispo County is about the same size.

Figure 30 compares the single people in each area broken down by never married, divorced, and widowed. San Luis Obispo County California has the percentage of percent never married less than most other counties in the metropolitan area at 35% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of percent divorced at 11% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the largest proportion of percent widowed at 5% of the total and is ranked #1. Figure 31 shows the demographics for the number of single men adults in each area broken out by never married, divorced and widowed. San Luis Obispo County California has the percentage of men who have never been married less than most other counties in the local area at 39% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of men who are widowed at 2% of the total and is ranked #1. Figure 32 shows the number of single women adults in each area broken out by never married, divorced and widowed. San Luis Obispo County California has the percentage of women who have never been married the second smallest in terms of percent of women who have never been married of all the other counties in the local area at 31% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of women who are divorced at 12% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the largest proportion of women who are widowed at 8% of the total and is ranked #1.

Figure 33 shows the San Luis Obispo County demographics for the ratio of the number of single men between the age of 18 and 65, in each area, broken down by age group for the San Luis Obispo County metro area. San Luis Obispo County California has the largest proportion of single men 18 to 24 at 45% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the smallest proportion of single men 25 to 29 at 13% of the total. Third, it has the smallest proportion of single men 30 to 34 at 9% of the total. Also, it has the smallest proportion of single men 40 to 44 at 4% of the total. In addition, it has the largest proportion of single men 60 to 65 at 5% of the total and is ranked #1.

Figure 34 shows the San Luis Obispo County population data for the ratio of the number of single women between the age of 18 and 65, in each area, broken down by age group for the San Luis Obispo County metro area. San Luis Obispo County California has one of the largest proportions of single women 18 to 24 at 45% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Santa Barbara County with 45%. Second, it has the smallest proportion of single women 25 to 29 at 10% of the total. Third, it has the smallest proportion of single women 30 to 34 at 7% of the total. Also, it has the smallest proportion of single women 35 to 39 at 6% of the total. In addition, it has the smallest proportion of single women 40 to 44 at 4% of the total. Furthermore, it has the largest proportion of single women 60 to 65 at 9% of the total and is ranked #1.

San Luis Obispo County Citizenship Demographics Charts

The next section of demographic information provides detailed data San Luis Obispo County residents including: immigrants, citizenship, immigration, country of origin, non citizens and more. To start, Figure 35 shows a high level view of citizenship. San Luis Obispo County California has the largest proportion of citizens born In US at 90% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the smallest proportion of citizens by naturalization at 5% of the total. Third, it has the smallest proportion of non-citizens at 5% of the total. The next chart (Figure 36) shows for all citizens what the original place of birth was for people who were born in a foreign country and it has the largest proportion of birthplace in the Midwest at 8% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the largest proportion of birthplace in West at 6% of the total and is ranked #1.

In Figure 37, the demographic percentage of San Luis Obispo County residents who were not born in the United States is shown (i.e. percent foreign born.) San Luis Obispo County depicts it has a percent of population who was born in another country of 10.3% which is the smallest as measured by percent of population who was born in another country of all the other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest percent of population who was born in another country in the area is Monterey County which shows a percent born outside United States of 30.0% (approximately 2.9 times bigger). Comparing percent of population who was born in another country to the United States average of 13.5%, San Luis Obispo County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, measured against the state of California, percent of population who was born in another country of 26.9%, San Luis Obispo County is approximately a third the size.

Figure 39 provides a detailed analysis of non citizens by breaking them into two age groups: Under 18 and over the age of 18. San Luis Obispo County California has one of the largest proportions of non citizens under 18 years old at 7% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Kings County with 7%. Second, it has the second smallest as measured by percent of non citizens under 18 years old of all the other counties in the surrounding region in terms of non citizens over 18 years old at 93% of the total. Figure 40 provides further information for non citizen age by showing a comparison of the median age for all non citizens immigrants. it has a median age of non citizens of 37.1 which is the smallest when ranked by median age of non citizens of all the other counties in the area. The county with the highest median age of non citizens in the area is San Benito County which depicts a median age of 43.9 (18.3% larger). The next diagram (Figure 41) shows the year of entry that non citizens entered the United States. The year of entry can show the rate of flow at various points of time in the past for when they entered the U.S. has the smallest proportion of non citizens who entered the US before 1990 at 20% of the total.

For all foreign born people who have gone through naturalization (the process of becoming a legal U.S. resident citizen), Figure 42 shows the year when they became fully naturalized U.S. citizens. has the smallest proportion of people naturalized 2010 to 2014 at 11% of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of people naturalized 2000 to 2004 at 14% of the total. Third, it has the largest proportion of people naturalized before 1990 at 28% of the total and is ranked #1.

San Luis Obispo County Birthplace Demographic Charts

Figure 43 displays a map of the globe and shows San Luis Obispo County demographic information for large regions of the world that people from this place originally came from. San Luis Obispo County California has the largest proportion of from Europe at 13% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the largest proportion of from Africa at 2% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the smallest proportion of from the Americas at 66% of the total.

Figure 44 categorizes the location for where foreign born people originally come from based on very large continental geographic areas. San Luis Obispo County California has the largest proportion of from Europe at 13% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the largest proportion of from Africa at 2% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the smallest proportion of from the Americas at 66% of the total.

Figure 45 is a table that breaks out all the people who were foreign born by which large geographic region where they were born. San Luis Obispo County California has the largest proportion of people who were born in Northern Europe at 3.9% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the largest proportion of people who were born in Western Europe at 3.6% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the largest proportion of people who were born in Eastern Europe at 3.8% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has the largest proportion of people who were born in Western Asia at 2.2% of the total and is ranked #1. In addition, it has the largest proportion of people who were born in Eastern Africa at 0.7% of the total and is ranked #1. Furthermore, it has the largest proportion of people who were born in Southern Africa at 0.6% of the total and is ranked #1. Next it has the largest proportion of people who were born in the Caribbean at 1.8% of the total and is ranked #1. Additionally, it has the smallest proportion of people who were born in Central America at 57.6% of the total. And then, it has the largest proportion of people who were born in North America at 4.6% of the total and is ranked #1.