China Lake Acres, California Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, China Lake Acres, California had a total population of 2,594, the 840th largest community in California, with a median household income of $68,594, which is 31% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.9%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 31% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x.
China Lake Acres Quick Facts
How China Lake Acres 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 | 2,136 | 2,594 | No clear change (+21.4%) |
| Median home value¹ | $163,930 | $160,300 | No clear change (-2.2%) |
| Median gross rent | $1,131 | $1,283 | No clear change (+13.4%) |
How China Lake Acres 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: 63.4%
- Black: 7.6%
- Hispanic: 12.7%
- Asian: 0.0%
- Other: 4.4%
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+)
- < High School: 20.1%
- HS Diploma: 23.9%
- Some College: 26.9%
- Associate's: 14.1%
- Bachelor's: 7.9%
- Graduate+: 7.1%
China Lake Acres 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 China Lake Acres
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kennedy | 2,576 | $70,213 | $355,000 | 5.5% | 12.0% |
| Burney | 2,668 | $65,969 | $234,100 | 11.9% | 19.0% |
| Kings Beach | 2,736 | $68,153 | $772,100 | 30.8% | 6.8% |
| Desert View Highlands | 2,613 | $76,094 | $360,400 | 15.7% | 0.9% |
| East Quincy | 2,723 | $70,213 | $322,600 | 20.4% | 5.6% |
Population Overview
China Lake Acres is a small community located in California, within Kern County. The total population is 2,594. It ranks as the 840th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in China Lake Acres is 36.1 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 37.9 years. With 30.1% of the population under 18, China Lake Acres has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in China Lake Acres is $68,594. This is 31% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 15% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.9%. This is 82% 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 4.7%. This is 28% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $160,300. Housing costs are 78% lower than the state median of $734,700. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, China Lake Acres is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 67.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in China Lake Acres is White (non-Hispanic), making up 63.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 12.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (63.4% vs 33.8%). The Hispanic or Latino population (12.7%) is well below the state average of 40.2%.
Education
15.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 59% 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 79.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for China Lake Acres, 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 China Lake Acres, California?
China Lake Acres, California has a population of 2,594 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in China Lake Acres, CA?
The median household income in China Lake Acres is $68,594, which is 15% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in China Lake Acres, CA?
The poverty rate in China Lake Acres is 21.9%. This means approximately 513 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of China Lake Acres, California?
China Lake Acres's population is 63.4% White, 7.6% Black, 12.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in China Lake Acres, CA?
The median home value in China Lake Acres is $160,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is China Lake Acres, California?
15.1% of adults (25+) in China Lake Acres hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.