Bakersfield city, California Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Bakersfield city, California has a total population of 408,366, the 9th largest city in California, with a median household income of $77,397, which is 20% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.0%.
Bakersfield city Quick Facts
How Bakersfield city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 69 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bakersfield city Rankings in California
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Cities Similar to Bakersfield city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long Beach city | 458,491 | $83,969 | $762,200 | 34.8% | 15.0% |
| Oakland city | 438,072 | $97,369 | $924,700 | 47.9% | 13.7% |
| Stockton city | 320,470 | $76,851 | $412,900 | 19.1% | 15.4% |
| Anaheim city | 344,553 | $90,583 | $771,700 | 28.7% | 12.5% |
| Sacramento city | 524,802 | $83,753 | $484,600 | 36.4% | 14.4% |
Population Overview
Bakersfield city is a major urban center located in California. The total population is 408,366. It ranks as the 9th most populous out of 1,577 cities and towns in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bakersfield city is 31.9 years. This is 15% lower than the state median of 37.6 years. With 29.6% of the population under 18, Bakersfield city has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bakersfield city is $77,397. This is 20% lower than the state median of $96,334. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 1% lower. The poverty rate stands at 16.0%. This is 34% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 7.0%. This is 9% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $347,300. Housing costs are 50% lower than the state median of $695,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x. 60.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% higher than the state average of 55.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Bakersfield city is Hispanic or Latino, making up 53.6% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 29.0%. The Asian population (7.5%) is well below the state average of 15.0%.
Education
23.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 36% lower than the state rate of 36.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 81.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bakersfield city, California is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against California state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,577 Census-designated places in California. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Bakersfield city, California?
Bakersfield city, California has a population of 408,366 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bakersfield city, CA?
The median household income in Bakersfield city is $77,397, which is 1% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Bakersfield city, CA?
The poverty rate in Bakersfield city is 16.0%. This means approximately 64,719 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bakersfield city, California?
Bakersfield city's population is 29.0% White, 5.8% Black, 53.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 7.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bakersfield city, CA?
The median home value in Bakersfield city is $347,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x.
How educated is Bakersfield city, California?
23.3% of adults (25+) in Bakersfield city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.