City · California
Atascadero, California
Atascadero, city, in San Luis Obispo County, California. Atascadero had 29,464 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.1% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 29,773 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 29,712 (±56). GEOID 0603064.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
29,464
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 29,773 · ACS 2020-2024: 29,712 ±56
Median household income
$91,429
±$6,847 (90% margin)
California: $99,122
Median home value
$716,500
±$31,483 (90% margin)
California: $734,700
Median gross rent
$1,854
±$83 (90% margin)
California: $2,036
Where is Atascadero and what county is it in?
Atascadero is a city in San Luis Obispo County, California. It covers 26.1 square miles of land, 1,142 residents per square mile in 2020.
Atascadero is in the San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA metropolitan statistical area (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Atascadero, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 29,464 people lived in Atascadero on July 1, 2025, down 1.1% since 2020, a steeper fall than California's (−0.5%). The 2020 Census counted 29,773 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 29,712 (±56).
| Measure | Atascadero | San Luis Obispo County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 29,712 ±56 | 281,555 | −418 |
| Households | 11,579 ±397 | 109,503 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.52 ±0.09 | 2.43 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 12,180 ±426 | 125,669 | no clear change |
Atascadero's population since 2000
From 26,411 in 2000 to 29,464 in 2025: up 11.6%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Atascadero as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Atascadero?
The median resident of Atascadero is 40.4 years old; 21.0% are under 18 and 18.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 66.2%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 22.5%. 7.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Atascadero | San Luis Obispo County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.4 ±1.7 | 40.4 | +2.7 |
| Under 18 years | 21.0% ±1.8 pts | 17.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.5% ±1.8 pts | 22.1% | – |
| Male | 51.8% ±2.3 pts | 50.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 22.5% ±3.4 pts | 25.0% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 66.2% ±3.2 pts | 64.5% | −9.3 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.8% ±0.6 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.1% ±0.8 pts | 3.4% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.3% ±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 7.6% ±1.7 pts | 5.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.6% ±0.4 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 7.6% ±1.7 pts | 9.9% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 13.3% ±2.9 pts | 17.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.2% ±1.2 pts | 6.3% | – |
| With a disability | 14.2% ±1.3 pts | 13.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.6% ±1.9 pts | 5.7% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.4% ±1.5 pts | 92.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 31.6% ±2.9 pts | 39.8% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 10.6% ±2.1 pts | 15.6% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 90.1% ±2.3 pts | 82.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.2% ±0.7 pts | 1.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Atascadero earn?
Half of Atascadero's 11,579 households earn less than $91,429 a year (±$6,847), against $97,446 in San Luis Obispo County and $99,122 in California. In 2015-2019 it was $98,035 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 11.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Atascadero | San Luis Obispo County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $91,429 ±$6,847 | $97,446 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $159,588 ±$47,572 | $131,990 | – |
| Per capita income | $61,687 ±$17,104 | $51,592 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 11.4% ±2.5 pts | 12.9% | +3.7 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 16.9% ±6.5 pts | 12.6% | +8.1 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 8.7% ±2.5 pts | 8.2% | – |
| Households with a computer | 96.4% ±1.7 pts | 97.0% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 94.6% ±1.7 pts | 93.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Atascadero?
Owners occupy 64.6% of Atascadero's occupied homes and renters 35.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $716,500 by its owner (±$31,483). The median renter pays $1,854 a month including utilities, and 47.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Atascadero | San Luis Obispo County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $716,500 ±$31,483 | $824,700 | +$109,522 |
| Median gross rent | $1,854 ±$83 | $1,992 | +$113 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 47.6% ±6.4 pts | 48.3% | +13.3 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,823 ±$127 | $2,887 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 64.6% ±3.2 pts | 62.1% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 35.4% ±3.2 pts | 37.9% | – |
| Housing units | 12,180 ±426 | 125,669 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.1% ±1.0 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 1.6% ±1.9 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 70.6% ±3.0 pts | 67.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 4.0% ±1.6 pts | 7.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.6% ±0.5 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 7.6% ±1.7 pts | 7.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 4.8% ±1.6 pts | 5.1% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 3.4% ±1.3 pts | 3.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Atascadero building?
Builders took permits for 29 new housing units in Atascadero in 2025 (29 in single-family houses), 1.0 per 1,000 residents against 2.6 across California.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Atascadero work and get to work?
75.3% of Atascadero's workers drive alone and 13.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.9 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.6%.
| Measure | Atascadero | San Luis Obispo County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 64.1% ±2.5 pts | 58.2% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.6% ±1.6 pts | 5.5% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 75.3% ±3.2 pts | 70.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.9% ±3.0 pts | 7.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.6% ±0.5 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 1.0% ±0.9 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 13.8% ±2.4 pts | 15.2% | +8.4 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.9 min ±2.0 | 22.3 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Atascadero?
5 census tracts lie mostly in Atascadero, and 4 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $75,729 (Tract 125.03) to $134,417 (Tract 126.02).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 126.01San Luis Obispo County | 6,165 | $126,000 |
| Tract 125.03San Luis Obispo County | 5,936 | $75,729 |
| Tract 125.02San Luis Obispo County | 5,695 | $78,333 |
| Tract 125.05San Luis Obispo County | 4,875 | $85,735 |
| Tract 127.06San Luis Obispo County | 4,060 | $126,277 |
| Tract 126.02San Luis Obispo County | 1,532 | $134,417 |
| Tract 127.05San Luis Obispo County | 6,249 | $98,549 |
| Tract 131San Luis Obispo County | 6,475 | $109,631 |
| Tract 130San Luis Obispo County | 2,486 | $82,423 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Atascadero) · Census block assignment files
How does Atascadero compare with other places in California?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Atascadero is the 1,373rd-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 246th-most populous of 483 in California.
Atascadero ranks 544th of 1,037 places in California with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 246th | 483 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 208th | 469 |
| Residents per square mile | 722nd | 1,077 |
| Median household income | 544th | 1,037 |
| Per capita income | 259th | 1,073 |
| Median home value | 417th | 1,054 |
| Median gross rent | 491st | 987 |
| Poverty rate | 409th | 836 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 488th | 988 |
| Median age | 501st | 1,075 |
| Owner-occupied share | 568th | 1,064 |
| Work from home | 479th | 822 |
| Travel time to work | 839th | 1,069 |
Atascadero's figures with every place in California (CSV)
Every place in California, sortable · Compare Atascadero with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Atascadero?
9 of the 57 figures for Atascadero on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Atascadero are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Atascadero.