2012 Community Economic Profile
Demographics
Economic Trends and Growth in Population
The population growth rate for San Luis Obispo County was 0.6% from January 2010 to January 2011, which was slightly lower than in the state and surrounding counties. The California population grew by 0.8% over the same period, with similar increases seen in Santa Barbara County (0.6%), Monterey County (1%), and Ventura County (0.8%). San Luis Obispo County reported no declines in the population estimates for any of its cities. Population growth is driven by the sum of two factors: the rate of natural increase, or births less deaths, and net migration.
| |
2011 |
2010 |
2000 |
1990 |
| City Population |
44,948 |
44,948 |
44,178 |
41,958 |
| County Population |
269,637 |
237,231 |
246,681 |
217,162 |
City Population Breakdown
| City |
Population |
| Arroyo Grande |
17,145 |
| Atascadero |
28,560 |
| Grover Beach |
13,276 |
| Morro Bay |
10,608 |
| Paso Robles |
30,072 |
| Pismo Beach |
8,704 |
| San Luis Obispo City |
44,948 |
| Cal Poly Students |
19,325 |
| Cuesta College Students |
13,504 |
| Allan Hancock Students |
24,145 |
| 2010 Est. Pop. Age 25+ by Educational Attainment |
County |
| No High School Graduate |
11.96% |
| High School Graduate |
21.81% |
| Some College |
35.41% |
| Bachelor’s Degree |
17.85% |
| Grad. or Prof. Degree |
12.98% |
| Median Household Income |
$56,661 |
| Median Family Income |
$68,701 |
| Age Distribution |
County |
| 5 To 20 Years |
25.8% |
| 21 To 34 Years |
21.1% |
| 35 To 54 Years |
24.8% |
| 55 To 64 Years |
12.5% |
| +65 Years |
15.8% |
| Race-Ethnicity Diversity |
County |
| Non-Hispanic White |
71.7% |
| Asian |
2.3% |
| African American |
1.8% |
| Hispanic or Latino |
23.2% |
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Economic Activity
Although local gross domestic product continued to see declines from 2009 to 2010, business activity in the first half of 2011 signals a turnaround. Consumer spending in the county showed impressive gains, outpacing gains in the state and surrounding counties, and posting year-over-year increases in virtually all sectors. Commercial construction is rebounding since hitting a nadir in 2010, and there are hints that the local tourism industry is growing. The leisure and hospitality sector now represent more than 16% of all jobs in the county, and the tourism industry is showing strength based on hotel activity. 2010 was a good year for wine grape values in the county. California wine exports are up substantially for 2011 (year to date), boding well for the local wine sector.
Unemployment Rate has decreased to 9.5% on a seasonally adjusted basis.
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