San Luis Obispo Population 2026
San Luis Obispo has a population of 47,339, making it the #936 biggest city in 🇺🇸 United States, located in California. It is about 186× smaller than New York City, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
47,339
Rank in United States
#936
Coordinates
35.28°N, 120.66°W
~71 m elevation · America/Los_Angeles
Distance to capital (Washington)
3,853 km
2,393 miles, straight line
Other big cities in California
| City | Population | Rank in United States |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 3,820,914 | #2 |
| San Diego | 1,404,452 | #8 |
| San Jose | 997,368 | #12 |
| San Francisco | 827,526 | #17 |
| Fresno | 542,107 | #34 |
| Sacramento | 524,943 | #35 |
| Long Beach | 474,140 | #41 |
| Oakland | 419,267 | #45 |
Cities near San Luis Obispo
- Arroyo Grande18,108 people · ~19 km away
- Atascadero29,819 people · ~23 km away
- Nipomo16,714 people · ~31 km away
- Paso Robles27,157 people · ~38 km away
- Santa Maria105,093 people · ~42 km away
- Orcutt28,905 people · ~51 km away
FAQ
What is the population of San Luis Obispo?
San Luis Obispo has a population of 47,339 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #936 biggest city in United States.
What state is San Luis Obispo in?
San Luis Obispo is located in California, United States.
Is San Luis Obispo the capital of United States?
No, the capital of United States is Washington D.C., about 3,853 km away.
Sources & notes
Population refers to the city proper (municipal boundaries), not the metropolitan area. Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 2026-07-07. Country data: UN World Population Prospects 2024.
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