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New Listing
Demographics
As of the 2000 census, there were 44,174 people, 18,639 households, and 7,697 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,600.0/km˛ (4,144/mi˛). There were 19,306 housing units at an average density of 699.3/km˛ (1,811/mi˛). The racial makeup of the city was 84.11% White, 1.46% African American, 0.65% Native American, 5.28% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 4.82% from other races, and 3.55% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.65% of the population. The median household income was US$31,926, and the median family income was US$56,319. The per capita income was US$20,386. Although the city is quite prosperous and home to many wealthy retirees, 26.6% of the population and 7.1% of families were below the poverty line; these numbers reflect the large student population. Typically the more conservative population in the area resides in the north county, in cities such as Paso Robles and Atascadero.
Housing
Although San Luis Obispo County has sustained enormous growth over the past two decades, San Luis Obispo itself has not because of a slow growth policy. That policy combined with the need for student housing related to the university and the climate that attracts new residents from around the world, have been among factors leading to skyrocketing housing prices. As of January 2006, 7% of San Luis Obispo's residents qualified to buy the median priced home.
Being a college town, a percentage of housing has become accustomed to student use which has, in effect, driven those neighborhoods' rents much higher than they might ordinarily fetch, due to demand. It has become a common practice for the affluent parents of wealthy students to buy a house for their child to live in while they attend college, and then sell it after the student graduates. The university is addressing the housing issue with the construction of new dormitories.
Education
California Polytechnic State University ('Cal Poly' or 'Poly' for short) enrolls approximately 18,500 students. Cal Poly's courses include Engineering, Architecture and Environmental Design, Agriculture, Science and Math, Business, and Liberal Arts. Cuesta College is a Community College within a short driving distance of downtown San Luis Obispo. Roughly one-third of San Luis Obispo's population are college age or attending college, giving the city a youthful energy and vitality, although causing many housing problems. The Cal Poly campus is rapidly growing, featuring newly constructed buildings and more advanced technology.
