Bakersfield, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bakersfield, California had a total population of 411,986, the 9th largest city in California, with a median household income of $80,540, which is 19% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Bakersfield Quick Facts
How Bakersfield Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 411,986 | +0.9% |
| Median household income | $77,397 | $80,540 | +4.1% |
| Median home value | $347,300 | $371,700 | +7.0% |
How Bakersfield Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
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: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bakersfield Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Kern County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delano | 51,679 | $67,010 | 16.0% | $301,900 |
| Oildale | 34,687 | $51,298 | 25.2% | $238,800 |
| East Niles | 28,532 | $55,124 | 28.7% | $251,500 |
| Ridgecrest | 28,225 | $89,250 | 12.5% | $253,900 |
| Wasco | 26,558 | $51,727 | 18.4% | $273,600 |
| Rosamond | 21,473 | $79,386 | 17.1% | $352,600 |
| Shafter | 21,193 | $71,215 | 20.7% | $335,800 |
| Arvin | 19,539 | $49,183 | 34.6% | $262,700 |
| Rosedale | 18,877 | $135,966 | 6.4% | $608,900 |
| California City | 14,414 | $60,113 | 22.8% | $278,000 |
Cities Similar to Bakersfield
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long Beach | 455,548 | $87,430 | $806,600 | 35.6% | 14.8% |
| Oakland | 439,418 | $101,600 | $929,900 | 48.8% | 13.4% |
| Stockton | 322,326 | $79,907 | $440,900 | 20.0% | 15.5% |
| Anaheim | 344,521 | $95,227 | $831,200 | 29.7% | 12.4% |
| Sacramento | 528,706 | $87,321 | $506,300 | 37.1% | 13.9% |
Population Overview
Bakersfield is a major urban center located in California, within Kern County. The total population is 411,986. It ranks as the 9th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bakersfield is 32.1 years. This is 15% lower than the state median of 37.9 years. With 29.2% of the population under 18, Bakersfield has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bakersfield is $80,540. This is 19% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also about the same as the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.3%. This is 36% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 7.0%. This is 6% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $371,700. Housing costs are 49% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.6x. 60.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Bakersfield is Hispanic or Latino, making up 54.7% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 27.6%.
Education
23.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 36% lower than the state rate of 37.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 81.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bakersfield, California is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against California state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,570 Census-designated places in California. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Bakersfield, California?
Bakersfield, California has a population of 411,986 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bakersfield, CA?
The median household income in Bakersfield is $80,540, which is about the same as the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bakersfield, CA?
The poverty rate in Bakersfield is 16.3%. This means approximately 66,735 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bakersfield, California?
Bakersfield's population is 27.6% White, 5.7% Black, 54.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 7.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bakersfield, CA?
The median home value in Bakersfield is $371,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.6x.
How educated is Bakersfield, California?
23.6% of adults (25+) in Bakersfield hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.