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Data as of 2026-10-22 · Snapshot 2026-10-22 · Methodology version 1CA Sea Change Atlas · https://seachangeatlas.org/county-profiles/county/san-luis-obispo/2026-10-22/
California Sea Change Atlas · County profile
San Luis Obispo County
Data as of 22 October 2026 · Methodology version 1
Flood hazard · San Luis Obispo County, CA
Flood hazard
To create the beginnings of a vulnerability assessment, this snapshot combines local vulnerability data with maps that depict the 100-year floodplain.
People at Risk
Rising populations in flood prone areas exacerbate flooding risk. Impacts can be greater to the elderly or those with a low income, as these citizens may not have the resources to adequately prepare or recover.
4.3%
of San Luis Obispo County’s land area is inside the FEMA 100-year floodplain.
Share of population at risk
Population11,028 of 281,555Aged 65 and over2,564 of 62,338Below the poverty line1,696 of 34,565
Flooded Facilities Can't Provide Critical Services
First responders. Hospitals. Shelters. All play a central role in response and recovery. Incorporating vulnerability information into planning efforts save lives (fewer instances where critical services are made unavailable) and is cost effective (fewer damages to facilities).
1.9%
of the critical facilities in San Luis Obispo County falls within the FEMA 100-year floodplain.
Critical facilities, by type.
Inside the floodplain
Outside the floodplain
Critical facilities, by type: data table
Category
Inside the floodplain
Outside the floodplain
Schools
1
92
Police stations
0
12
Fire stations
2
43
Medical facilities
0
7
SourcesUSGS National Structures Dataset(2026-01-24)FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer(2008–2024)
Homes at Risk
Flooding is costly for homeowners, no doubt. But the community also shares in the cost as lowered property values negatively affect tax revenues.
$6.62M
paid by the National Flood Insurance Program on 345 claims in San Luis Obispo County since 1996.
NFIP payouts by five-year period.
NFIP payouts by five-year period: data table
Category
Value
1996–2000
$702,079
2001–2005
$869,862
2006–2010
$702,472
2011–2015
$97,582
2016–2020
$301,929
2021–2025
$3,941,437
SourcesOpenFEMA NFIP claims(2026-09-08)
Being Underwater Is Not a Good Business Plan
Flood-related losses of services, revenues, and salaries can hit a community hard.
11.7%
of all 112,621 jobs in San Luis Obispo County are in the FEMA 100-year floodplain.
SourcesLEHD LODES8 workplace area characteristics(2023)Census 2020 tabulation blocks (TIGERweb)(2020)FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer(2008–2024)
A Better Future is a Greener Future
How do past development trends in your county compare to today’s approach? Development in flood-prone areas should be kept to a minimum. Creating more greenspace, which acts as a flooding buffer, lowers flood risk. Adding more impervious surfaces (even outside of the floodplain) can increase runoff and exacerbate flooding.
59.8%
(85.2 square miles) of the designated 100-year floodplain are natural features.
Development added, 1996–2021, as a share of land developed by 2021
Inside the floodplain0.4 of 8.5Outside the floodplain13.8 of 101.2
Development added
Already developed in 1996
SourcesNOAA C-CAP regional land cover(1996–2021)FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer(2008–2024)
Visualize sea level rise exposure with this snapshot. Consider incorporating this data into all community planning strategies. In many communities, rising sea levels are already increasing the impacts of high tide flooding and storm surge events.
Projections for the Port San Luis tide gauge, assigned to San Luis Obispo County. Exposure at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 ft above MHHW.
People at Risk
Rising population numbers exacerbate potential flooding risk; impacts can be even greater when social vulnerability factors (age, income, capabilities) are involved, as these citizens may not be able to adequately prepare and respond.
0.1%
(141 people) of San Luis Obispo County’s total population lives in areas exposed to just 2 ft of sea level rise. As is already the case in many parts of the country, these areas are the first to experience impacts.
Residents exposed at each increment of sea level rise.
2 ft
4 ft
6 ft
8 ft
10 ft
Affected in low-lying areas
Residents exposed at each increment of sea level rise: data table
Each cell: exposure in ocean-connected areas; the figure in parentheses beneath includes isolated low-lying areas.
Flooded Facilities Can't Provide Critical Services
Fire and police stations. Hospitals. Shelters. These facilities play a central role in response and recovery. Understanding future exposure can help reduce damages and the conditions that make these services unavailable.
0%
(0 of 157 facilities) of San Luis Obispo County’s critical facilities are in areas exposed to just 2 ft of sea level rise. These areas are the first to experience impacts.
Facilities exposed at each increment of sea level rise.
Facilities exposed at each increment of sea level rise: data table
Each cell: facilities exposed in ocean-connected areas; the figure in parentheses beneath includes isolated low-lying areas.
Category
Total
2 ft exposed
4 ft exposed
6 ft exposed
8 ft exposed
10 ft exposed
Schools
93
0(0)
0(0)
0(0)
0(0)
0(0)
Police stations
12
0(0)
0(0)
0(0)
0(0)
0(0)
Fire stations
45
0(0)
0(0)
0(0)
0(0)
0(0)
Medical facilities
7
0(0)
0(0)
0(0)
0(0)
0(0)
SourcesUSGS National Structures Dataset(2026-01-24)NOAA Sea Level Rise Viewer inundation extents(2026)
Being Underwater Is Not a Good Business Plan
Flood-related losses of services, revenues, and salaries can hit a community hard.
0.2%
(257 jobs) of San Luis Obispo County’s jobs are in areas exposed to just 2 ft of sea level rise.
Jobs in areas exposed at each increment of sea level rise.
Ocean-connected
Additional, in low-lying areas
Jobs in areas exposed at each increment of sea level rise: data table
Make it a goal: more natural areas (wetlands, forests, parks, dunes, etc.) to absorb floodwaters and protect the community, and less development in flood-prone areas. Consider not only today’s floodplain, but also the floodplain extent projected for the future.
63.6%
(0.7 of 1.1 square miles) of the land inundated in San Luis Obispo County at 2 ft of sea level rise would be natural: wetland or upland.
Land cover inundated at each increment of sea level rise.
Wetlands
Upland
Other
Land cover inundated at each increment of sea level rise: data table
Because a number of factors are involved, sea level rise projections are often expressed as scenarios. For projects involving structures with a long lifespan or where a loss would be catastrophic (power plants, ports, hospitals), the higher sea level rise scenarios should be considered. For projects with a shorter lifespan (bike paths, golf courses, parks), lower sea level rise scenarios may be appropriate.
Projections at the Port San Luis gauge, by scenario
Feet above 2000, in 2050 and 2100
Intermediate
Intermediate-High
High
¤ Under 1 ft, the lowest level the map shows.
Year each increment is reached
Sea level rise
Intermediate
Intermediate-High
High
2 ft
2088
2070
2062
4 ft
2120
2095
2082
6 ft
after 2150
2120
2098
8 ft
after 2150
after 2150
2115
10 ft
after 2150
after 2150
2136
SourcesCalifornia Ocean Protection Council, State of California Sea Level Rise Guidance: 2024 Science & Policy Update, Appendix 2(2024)
Understanding the businesses at risk from a changing climate is important. This data covers all economic activity occurring in coastal shoreline counties: jobs in banks, grocery stores, local government, and everything in between.
If You Can't Measure It, You Can't Protect It
0.7%
of all employment in California is in San Luis Obispo County.
Establishments
11,809
Jobs
121,634
Wages
$7.85B
GDP* (excludes Public administration)
$14.88B
* Excludes Public administration.
SourcesBLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (annual averages)(2025)BEA GDP by state and industry (SAGDP2), California(2025)
Diverse Economies are Resilient Economies
An economy comprised of multiple sectors can better handle disruptions, including storms and economic downturns. Understanding how each sector is represented in your coastal county is important, particularly for hazard mitigation planning.
25.5%
of San Luis Obispo County’s workforce works in Education and health services, its largest sector by employment.
Share of the county total, by sector.
Share of the county total, by sector: data table
Category
Construction
Financial activities
Education and health services
Information
Leisure and hospitality
Manufacturing
Natural resources and mining
Other services
Professional and business services
Public administration
Trade, transportation, and utilities
Establishments
1,185
882
3,492
105
1,248
546
300
736
1,658
179
1,438
Wages
$731.38M
$297.67M
$2.03B
$127.32M
$640.89M
$565.42M
$227.89M
$167.25M
$848.77M
$774.56M
$1.44B
Employment
8,660
3,650
30,980
1,094
20,417
8,100
5,312
3,961
10,644
8,540
20,264
GDP* (excludes Public administration)
$1.33B
$2.03B
$2.01B
$372.54M
$1.27B
$1.38B
$661.2M
$397.46M
$1.36B
withheld
$4.07B
Construction
Financial activities
Education and health services
Information
Leisure and hospitality
Manufacturing
Natural resources and mining
Other services
Professional and business services
Public administration
Trade, transportation, and utilities
Shares exclude withheld sectors.
* Excludes Public administration.
SourcesBLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (annual averages)(2025)BEA GDP by state and industry (SAGDP2), California(2025)
Coastal Jobs Are Vulnerable
Many jobs in coastal counties are vulnerable to flooding. This graphic shows the number of jobs threatened by two flood scenarios: current flooding (the 100-year floodplain) and future flooding (six feet of sea level rise).
Potential jobs affected by current flooding
13,225
Potential jobs affected by future flooding
579
SourcesLEHD LODES8 workplace area characteristics(2023)Census 2020 tabulation blocks (TIGERweb)(2020)FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer(2008–2024)NOAA Sea Level Rise Viewer inundation extents(2026)
Wages
Understanding the economic vulnerability of the workforce helps leaders better understand the long- and short-term impact of coastal storms, economic downturns, etc. In general, the sectors with the lowest average wages are more likely to be affected.
Leisure and hospitality has the lowest average wage per job in San Luis Obispo County.
Average wage per job, by sector.
County
Coastal California
Coastal U.S.
Average wage per job, by sector: data table
Category
County
Coastal California
Coastal U.S.
Construction
$72,062
$90,408
$81,228
Financial activities
$80,752
$153,898
$150,835
Education and health services
$60,532
$71,683
$67,902
Information
$106,578
$253,512
$193,507
Leisure and hospitality
$29,569
$42,925
$37,140
Manufacturing
$67,933
$136,488
$98,915
Natural resources and mining
$41,530
$48,079
$76,365
Other services
$41,115
$53,772
$54,194
Professional and business services
$72,178
$129,224
$111,600
Public administration
$81,510
$108,423
$92,868
Trade, transportation, and utilities
$65,145
$72,890
$63,631
Coastal U.S. means the shoreline counties of 29 states and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, not the whole country.
SourcesBLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (annual averages), wages comparison year(2023)NOAA Total Economy (Coastal), shoreline counties of California and of the U.S.(2023)
Total Jobs
Many economic reports don't include the self-employed in their job numbers, yet this group can play an important role in the local economy. Most commercial fishermen, for instance, are self-employed.
6,882
professional and business services workers in San Luis Obispo County are self-employed, more than any other sector.
Employed workers, 2025
121,634
Self-employed workers, 2024
26,183
SourcesBLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (annual averages)(2025)Census Nonemployer Statistics(2024)
Some figures are estimated with NOAA's Open ENOW method, and some are withheld. How estimates are made: https://seachangeatlas.org/county-profiles/about/economy/#estimated. Why figures are withheld: https://seachangeatlas.org/county-profiles/about/economy/#withheld-reasons
Businesses that are dependent on marine resources are particularly vulnerable to coastal hazards. (Note: “Total coastal economy” refers to all economic activity in the shoreline counties and is covered in the total economy section of this page.)
If You Can't Measure It, You Can't Protect It
8.0%
of total employment in San Luis Obispo County is in the marine economy.
Establishments
623
Jobs
9,718
Wages
$340.34M
GDP
$695.31M
SourcesBLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (annual averages)(2025)BEA GDP by state and industry (SAGDP2), California(2025)Census ZIP Code Business Patterns and shoreline-adjacent ZIP codes(2023)
Business Diversity
Understanding the types and amounts of businesses in the marine economy will inform community planning and management initiatives. This graphic highlights the six sectors that make up the marine economy.
94.8%
of San Luis Obispo County’s marine economy workforce works in Tourism and recreation, its largest sector by employment.
Share of the county total, by sector.
Share of the county total, by sector: data table
Category
Living resources
Marine construction
Marine transportation
Offshore mineral resources
Ship and boat building
Tourism and recreation
Establishments
11
5
14
6
2
585
Wages
≈ $4.64M
$17.98M
$10.62M
≈ $4.2M
≈ $573.15k
$302.33M
Employment
≈ 102
135
213
≈ 47
≈ 11
9,210
GDP
≈ $13.18M
$32.59M
$12.5M
≈ $18.03M
≈ $1.18M
$617.83M
Living resources
Marine construction
Marine transportation
Offshore mineral resources
Ship and boat building
Tourism and recreation
≈The approximately-equals sign and hatched segments are estimates.
SourcesBLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (annual averages)(2025)BEA GDP by state and industry (SAGDP2), California(2025)Census ZIP Code Business Patterns and shoreline-adjacent ZIP codes(2023)
Wages
Understanding wage vulnerability helps leaders better understand the long and short-term impact of coastal storms, economic downturns, etc. Lower wage sectors are usually affected the most.
Tourism and recreation has the lowest average wage per job in San Luis Obispo County.
Average wage per job, by sector.
County
Coastal California
All Coastal States
Average wage per job, by sector: data table
Category
County
Coastal California
All Coastal States
Living resources
≈ $41,745
$64,138
$59,563
Marine construction
$147,266
$135,639
$102,260
Marine transportation
≈ $49,160
$93,343
$72,991
Offshore mineral resources
≈ $89,125
$134,731
$193,706
Ship and boat building
≈ $51,642
$89,401
$82,170
Tourism and recreation
$31,087
$37,578
$35,063
All Coastal States means the coastal portions of 30 states, not the whole country.
≈The approximately-equals sign and dashed rings are estimates.
SourcesBLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (annual averages), wages comparison year(2024)NOAA Open ENOW (California and All Coastal States)(2024)Census ZIP Code Business Patterns and shoreline-adjacent ZIP codes(2023)
Total Jobs
Many economic reports don't include the self-employed in their job numbers, yet this group can play an important role in the local economy. Most commercial fishermen, for instance, are self-employed.
122
tourism and recreation workers in San Luis Obispo County are self-employed, more than any other sector.
Employed workers, 2025
9,718
Self-employed workers, 2021
359
SourcesBLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (annual averages)(2025)Census ZIP Code Business Patterns and shoreline-adjacent ZIP codes(2023)NOAA ENOW self-employed workers(2021)
Some figures are estimated with NOAA's Open ENOW method, and some are withheld. How estimates are made: https://seachangeatlas.org/county-profiles/about/economy/#estimated. Why figures are withheld: https://seachangeatlas.org/county-profiles/about/economy/#withheld-reasons
