Delano, California Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Delano, California had a total population of 51,679, the 183rd largest city in California, with a median household income of $67,010, which is 32% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.0%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 7.3% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 13.9% is notably above the national average.
Delano Quick Facts
How Delano 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 | 52,886 | 51,679 | -2.3% |
| Median household income | $53,709 | $67,010 | +24.8% |
| Median home value¹ | $225,096 | $301,900 | +34.1% |
| Median gross rent | $1,111 | $1,199 | No clear change (+7.9%) |
How Delano 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: 4.9%
- Black: 4.5%
- Hispanic: 76.3%
- Asian: 12.8%
- Other: 0.4%
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
- < High School: 39.2%
- HS Diploma: 30.4%
- Some College: 16.7%
- Associate's: 6.5%
- Bachelor's: 5.2%
- Graduate+: 2.0%
Delano 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 |
| 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 Delano
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cathedral City | 52,267 | $73,572 | $453,100 | 24.5% | 13.1% |
| Florin | 50,211 | $71,111 | $386,900 | 14.0% | 15.7% |
| Paramount | 52,050 | $75,250 | $533,700 | 14.9% | 12.6% |
| Colton | 53,772 | $71,208 | $443,800 | 16.6% | 13.7% |
| Palm Desert | 51,990 | $77,513 | $542,000 | 40.7% | 11.0% |
Population Overview
Delano is a mid-sized community located in California, within Kern County. The total population is 51,679. It ranks as the 183rd most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Delano is 33.9 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Delano is $67,010. This is 32% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 17% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.0%. This is 33% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 13.9%. This is 110% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $301,900. Housing costs are 59% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x. 62.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Delano is Hispanic or Latino, making up 76.3% of the population. Asian residents account for 12.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (4.9%) is well below the state average of 33.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (76.3% vs 40.2%).
Education
7.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 80% 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 60.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Delano, 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 Delano, California?
Delano, California has a population of 51,679 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Delano, CA?
The median household income in Delano is $67,010, which is 17% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Delano, CA?
The poverty rate in Delano is 16.0%. This means approximately 7,137 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Delano, California?
Delano's population is 4.9% White, 4.5% Black, 76.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 12.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Delano, CA?
The median home value in Delano is $301,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x.
How educated is Delano, California?
7.3% of adults (25+) in Delano hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.