Cottonwood CDP (Kern County), California Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Cottonwood CDP (Kern County) is a small community located in California. The total population is 3,102. It ranks as the 788th most populous out of 1,577 cities and towns in California.

Age Demographics

The median age in Cottonwood CDP (Kern County) is 21.7 years. This is 42% lower than the state median of 37.6 years. With 46.6% of the population under 18, Cottonwood CDP (Kern County) has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Cottonwood CDP (Kern County) is $40,339. This is 58% lower than the state median of $96,334. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 49% lower. The poverty rate stands at 47.3%. This is 295% 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 15.7%. This is 145% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $256,400. Housing costs are 63% lower than the state median of $695,400. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 10.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 81% lower than the state average of 55.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Cottonwood CDP (Kern County) is Hispanic or Latino, making up 79.7% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 12.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (3.1%) is well below the state average of 34.6%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (12.7% vs 5.3%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (79.7% vs 39.8%).

Education

6.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 83% 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 47.2%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Cottonwood CDP (Kern County), 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.