California City, California Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, California City, California had a total population of 14,414, the 411th largest city in California, with a median household income of $60,113, which is 39% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.8%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 39% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- One of the most racially diverse communities in California (diversity index: 70/100).
- Unemployment rate of 18.7% is notably above the national average.
California City Quick Facts
How California City Changed
Change from the non-overlapping 2015–2019 ACS period to 2020–2024. Earlier dollar figures are adjusted to 2024 dollars; changes marked “no clear change” are within the combined 90% margins of error.
| Metric | 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 13,826 | 14,414 | +4.3% |
| Median household income | $60,332 | $60,113 | No clear change (-0.4%) |
| Median home value¹ | $153,223 | $278,000 | +81.4% |
| Median gross rent | $1,189 | $1,300 | No clear change (+9.3%) |
How California City Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
- White: 28.2%
- Black: 23.5%
- Hispanic: 39.6%
- Asian: 2.0%
- Other: 0.6%
Diversity Index
This community is exceptionally diverse, with no single racial or ethnic group dominating the population.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
- < High School: 20.9%
- HS Diploma: 33.7%
- Some College: 24.6%
- Associate's: 8.3%
- Bachelor's: 9.3%
- Graduate+: 3.2%
California City Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Kern County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield | 411,986 | $80,540 | 16.3% | $371,700 |
| 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 |
Cities Similar to California City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Susanville | 14,177 | $61,641 | $235,500 | 11.4% | 17.6% |
| McFarland | 14,222 | $54,608 | $272,700 | 6.0% | 24.1% |
| Parlier | 14,507 | $52,357 | $256,400 | 5.6% | 27.1% |
| Red Bluff | 14,549 | $51,529 | $299,900 | 11.7% | 18.8% |
| Grass Valley | 14,113 | $51,764 | $482,200 | 32.8% | 22.1% |
Population Overview
California City is a small city located in California, within Kern County. The total population is 14,414. It ranks as the 411th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in California City is 33.5 years. This is 12% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in California City is $60,113. This is 39% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 26% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.8%. This is 90% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 18.7%. This is 183% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $278,000. Housing costs are 62% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.6x. 55.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
California City is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 28.2%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (23.5% vs 5.2%). The Asian population (2.0%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
12.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 66% 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 79.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for California City, 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 California City, California?
California City, California has a population of 14,414 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in California City, CA?
The median household income in California City is $60,113, which is 26% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in California City, CA?
The poverty rate in California City is 22.8%. This means approximately 2,946 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of California City, California?
California City's population is 28.2% White, 23.5% Black, 39.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in California City, CA?
The median home value in California City is $278,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.6x.
How educated is California City, California?
12.5% of adults (25+) in California City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.