San Luis Obispo County, California

History

The prehistory of San Luis Obispo County is strongly influenced by the Chumash people. There has been significant settlement here at least as early as the Millingstone Horizon thousands of years ago. Important settlements existed in coastal areas such as Morro Bay and Los Osos.C. Michael Hogan (2008) Morro Creek, ed. by A. Burnham

Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa was founded on September 1, 1772, in the area that is now the city of San Luis Obispo. The namesake of the mission, city and county is Saint Louis of Toulouse, the young bishop of Toulouse ("Obispo de Tolosa" in Spanish) in 1297.

San Luis Obispo County was one of the original counties of California, created in 1850 at the time of statehood.

The Salinas River Valley, a region that figures strongly in several John Steinbeck novels, stretches north from San Luis Obispo County.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 3616 sqmi, of which 3299 sqmi is land and 317 sqmi (comprising 8.8%) is water.

Climate

Adjacent counties

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National protected areas

• Carrizo Plain National Monument (part)
• Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refuge (part)
• Los Padres National Forest (part)

Marine Protected Areas

• Cambria State Marine Conservation Area
• Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary
• Morro Bay State Marine Recreational Management Area and Morro Bay State Marine Reserve
• Piedras Blancas State Marine Reserve and Marine Conservation Area
• Point Buchon State Marine Reserve and Marine Conservation Area
• White Rock (Cambria) State Marine Conservation Area

Demographics

|align-fn=center 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010 2020

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 282,424. The median age was 41.4 years. 17.9% of residents were under the age of 18 and 21.7% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 98.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 97.2 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was 70.2% White, 1.6% Black or African American, 1.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 3.7% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 9.7% from some other race, and 13.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 24.0% of the population.

80.9% of residents lived in urban areas, while 19.1% lived in rural areas.

There were 107,797 households in the county, of which 25.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 26.6% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 26.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 123,715 housing units, of which 12.9% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 61.5% were owner-occupied and 38.5% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.3% and the rental vacancy rate was 4.6%.

Racial and ethnic composition

2010 census

The 2010 United States census reported that San Luis Obispo County had a population of 269,637. The racial makeup of San Luis Obispo County was 222,756 (82.6%) White, 5,550 (2.1%) African American, 2,536 (0.9%) Native American, 8,507 (3.2%) Asian (1.0% Filipino, 0.6% Chinese, 0.4% Japanese, 0.3% Indian, 0.3% Korean, 0.2% Vietnamese), 389 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 19,786 (7.3%) from other races, and 10,113 (3.8%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 55,973 persons (20.8%); 17.7% of San Luis Obispo County is Mexican, 0.3% Puerto Rican, and 0.2% Salvadoran.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 246,681 residents, 92,739 households, and 58,611 families in the county. The population density was 75 /mi2. There were 102,275 housing units at an average density of 31 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 84.6% White, 2.0% Black or African American, 1.0% Native American, 2.7% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 6.2% from other races, and 3.4% from two or more races. 16.3% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 13.9% were of German, 11.4% English, 9.7% Irish, 6.1% American and 5.7% Italian ancestry according to Census 2000. 85.7% spoke English and 10.7% Spanish as their first language.

There were 92,739 households, out of which 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.40% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.8% were non-families. 26.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.7% under the age of 18, 13.6% from 18 to 24, 27.0% from 25 to 44, 23.3% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 105.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.2 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $42,428, and the median income for a family was $52,447. Males had a median income of $40,726 versus $27,450 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,864. About 6.8% of families and 12.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.4% of those under age 18 and 5.9% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

The mainstays of the economy are California Polytechnic State University with its almost 20,000 students, tourism, and agriculture. The economic indicators reveal that San Luis Obispo County aligns closely with California regarding median household income and poverty rates. However, the county distinguishes itself through higher educational attainment and homeownership rates, alongside a distinctive employment sector composition favoring agriculture and related industries. Despite these strengths, the county is not immune to challenges, as evidenced by a housing market that is significantly more expensive than the rest of California and growing income inequality. San Luis Obispo County's economy is primarily a service economy. Service jobs account for 38% of the county's jobs, government jobs accounts for 20.7%, and manufacturing jobs represent 6% of the county's jobs.

San Luis Obispo County is the third largest producer of wine in California, surpassed only by Sonoma and Napa counties. Wine grapes are the second largest agricultural crop in the county (after strawberries), and the wine production they support creates a direct economic impact and a growing wine country vacation industry.

The county led the state in hemp cultivation in 2018 as hundreds of acres of the crop were grown in research partnerships. In 2019, nine agricultural research permits were still active. Sixteen commercial permits were issued before a temporary ban on new applications running through June 2020 was passed by the Board of Supervisors.

Media

The San Luis Obispo Pioneer was the first newspaper published in San Luis Obispo County, California, between January 1, 1868, and December 1869. It was a weekly, owned and edited by Rome G. Vickers. Vickers began the newspaper by announcing that it would be nonpartisan, but in the 1868 presidential election, he endorsed the Democratic Party ticket headed by Horatio Seymour, thus losing support from Republicans and paving the way for the successful launch in 1870 of the San Luis Obispo Tribune, which is still being published. Vickers, who one article said came from New Orleans, Louisiana but was not, was 26 years old when he began the four-page Pioneer. The newspaper was said to be racist in tone and Vickers' writing was "often reactive, mean, poorly sourced and boastful." After the paper folded, the publisher moved to San Francisco. The Pioneer, did, however, publish the first newspaper extra in the county's history, concerning the destruction of the coastal steamer Sierra Nevada, which ran ashore north of Piedras Blancas, California, in 1869.

Politics

Voter registration

Cities by population and voter registration

Overview

San Luis Obispo County leaned toward the Republican Party in presidential and congressional elections during most of the 20th century; it has, however, become more Democratic starting in the 2000s. In 2008, Barack Obama won the county with 51.2 percent of the vote. Prior to 2008, the last Democrat to win a majority in the county was Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964, although Bill Clinton won a plurality in 1992. In 2012, Obama again won the county, this time with a slim plurality of the vote. Hillary Clinton won with a larger plurality in 2016; and in 2020, Joe Biden won a solid 55% of the vote, the largest for any Democrat since Johnson.

With respect to the United States House of Representatives, San Luis Obispo County is mostly in , with the northern part of the county in . From 2003 until 2013, the county was split between the Bakersfield-based 22nd district, which was represented by Republican Kevin McCarthy and included Paso Robles and most of the more conservative inland areas of the county, and Lois Capps' 23rd district, a strip which included most of the county's more liberal coastal areas as well as coastal areas of Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.

With respect to the California State Senate, the county is mostly in , with part in . With respect to the California State Assembly, the county is mostly in , with part in .

In April 2008, the California Secretary of State reported that there were 147,326 registered voters in San Luis Obispo County. Of those voters, 61,226 (41.6%) were registered Republicans, 52,586 (35.7%) were registered Democratic, 8,030 (5.4%) are registered with other political parties, and 25,484 (17.3%) declined to state a political preference. The cities of Grover Beach, Morro Bay, and San Luis Obispo had pluralities or majorities of registered Democratic voters, whereas the rest of the county's towns, cities, and the unincorporated areas have a plurality or majority of registered Republican voters.

Crime

The following table includes the number of incidents reported and the rate per 1,000 persons for each type of offense.

Cities by population and crime rates

Fire protection

5 - reserve

In unincorporated parts of the county, fire protection and emergency response services have been provided by the San Luis Obispo County Fire Department, through a cooperative agreement with CAL FIRE, since 1930. The county fire department also serves Los Osos, Oceano, and Avila Beach. The city of San Luis Obispo is served by the San Luis Obispo City Fire Department.

Transportation

Major highways

• [[File:US 101 (1961 cutout).svg|25px]] U.S. Route 101
• [[File:California 1.svg|20px]] State Route 1
• [[File:California 33.svg|20px]] State Route 33
• [[File:California 41.svg|20px]] State Route 41
• [[File:California 46.svg|20px]] State Route 46
• [[File:California 58.svg|20px]] State Route 58
• [[File:California 166.svg|25px]] State Route 166
• [[File:California 227.svg|25px]] State Route 227
• [[File:California 229.svg|25px]] State Route 229

Public transportation

San Luis Obispo County is served by Amtrak trains and Greyhound Lines buses. The San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority provides countywide service along US 101 as well as service to Morro Bay, Los Osos, Cambria and San Simeon.

The cities of San Luis Obispo, Atascadero and Paso Robles operate their own local bus services; all of these connect with SLORTA routes.

Intercity service is provided by Amtrak trains, Greyhound Lines and Orange Belt Stages buses.

The Amtrak Thruway 18 provides a daily connection to Visalia on the east, and Santa Maria on the west, with several stops in between.

FlixBus boards from the San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum at 1940 Santa Barbara Avenue.

Airports

• San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP) is located just south of the City of San Luis Obispo. Commercial flights are available.
• Paso Robles Municipal Airport (PRB) is located north-east of the City of Paso Robles and is home to California Highway Patrol, CAL-FIRE and the Estrella Warbirds Museum.
• Oceano County Airport (L52) is located on the coast in the 5 Cities area.

Future

In the future, SR 46 may be considered for a possible westward expansion of Interstate 40 via SR 58 from Barstow to Bakersfield, from Bakersfield to I-5 via Westside Parkway, and then following SR 46 to Paso Robles. SR 46 is slowly being upgraded to Interstate standards, minus overpasses between Interstate 5 and US Route 101.

Education

School districts include:

K-12 unified:

• Atascadero Unified School District
• Coast Unified School District (some areas for PK-12, some for 9-12 only)
• Cuyama Joint Unified School District
• Lucia Mar Unified School District
• Paso Robles Joint Unified School District (some areas for PK-12, some for 9-12 only)
• San Luis Coastal Unified School District
• Shandon Joint Unified School District
• Templeton Unified School District

Elementary:

• Cayucos Elementary School District
• Pleasant Valley Joint Union Elementary School District
• San Miguel Joint Union Elementary School District

Communities

Cities

• Arroyo Grande
• Atascadero
• Grover Beach
• Morro Bay
• Paso Robles
• Pismo Beach
• San Luis Obispo (county seat)

Unincorporated communities

• Avila Beach
• Baywood Park
• Blacklake
• California Polytechnic State University
• California Valley
• Callender
• Cambria
• Cayucos
• Creston
• Cholame
• Edna
• Garden Farms
• Halcyon
• Harmony
• Huasna
• Lake Nacimiento
• Los Berros
• Los Osos
• Los Ranchos
• Nipomo
• Oak Shores
• Oceano
• Pozo
• San Miguel
• San Simeon
• Santa Margarita
• Shandon
• Templeton
• Whitley Gardens
• Woodlands

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of San Luis Obispo County.

† county seat

Notes

Footnotes

References

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5. "Contact - County of San Luis Obispo".
6. "San Luis Obispo County, California".
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9. (August 22, 2012). "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
10. (March 2, 2021). "Places in San Luis Obispo County that look like Europe, Africa, & South America".
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20. "California: 1990, Part 1 - Table 5: Race and Hispanic Origin".
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22. "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – San Luis Obispo County, California".
23. "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – San Luis Obispo County, California".
24. included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
25. included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
26. not an option in the 1980 Census
27. not an option in the 1990 Census
28. {{USCensus2010CA
29. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
30. Settevendemie, Marty. "2020 Crop Report". San Luis Obispo County Department of Agriculture.
31. Vaughan, Monica. (June 18, 2019). "Hemp could be big money for SLO County farmers. Did politicians scare away investors?". [[San Luis Obispo Tribune]].
32. Wilson, Nick. (October 31, 2019). "SLO County hemp harvest is in full swing, but here's why it's not as big as it could be". San Luis Obispo Tribune.
33. [http://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/news-columns-blogs/photos-from-the-vault/article193262359.html David Middlecamp, "Racist Editor Launched SLO's First Newspaper 150 Years Ago. It Lasted 24 Months," ''The Tribune,'' San Luis Obispo, January 6, 2018, pages 3A and 5A]
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36. "Report of Registration as of August 30, 2021 - Registration by County".
37. [http://elections.nytimes.com/2008/results/president/map.html Map of Election Results, County-by-County: The New York Times]
38. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
39. {{Cite GovTrack. CA. 24
40. "Final Maps {{!}} California Citizens Redistricting Commission".
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42. Only larceny-theft cases involving property over $400 in value are reported as property crimes.
43. United States Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation. [https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2012/crime-in-the-u.s.-2012/tables/8tabledatadecpdf/table-8-state-cuts/table_8_offenses_known_to_law_enforcement_by_california_by_city_2012.xls Crime in the United States, 2012, Table 8 (California)]. Retrieved November 14, 2013.
44. "San Luis Obispo County Fire Department".
45. "Route18 - Amtrak San Joaquins".
46. (April 15, 1970). "Report on the Status of the Federal-Aid Highway Program". United States Senate.
47. Geography Division. (December 18, 2020). "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: San Luis Obispo County, CA". [[U.S. Census Bureau]].
48. "Explore Census Data".