East Niles, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, East Niles, California had a total population of 28,532, the 277th largest community in California, with a median household income of $55,124, which is 44% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 28.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 44% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (28.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 8.2% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 12.6% is notably above the national average.
East Niles Quick Facts
How East Niles 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 | 28,586 | 28,532 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $51,250 | $55,124 | +7.6% |
| Median home value | $228,100 | $251,500 | +10.3% |
How East Niles 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
East Niles 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 |
| 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 East Niles
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brawley | 27,283 | $59,311 | $290,700 | 15.9% | 21.3% |
| Wasco | 26,558 | $51,727 | $273,600 | 6.2% | 18.4% |
| Twentynine Palms | 27,355 | $62,554 | $268,200 | 26.2% | 14.5% |
| Eureka | 26,010 | $57,662 | $404,500 | 29.0% | 18.1% |
| Banning | 31,093 | $61,764 | $352,100 | 16.5% | 18.8% |
Population Overview
East Niles is a mid-sized community located in California, within Kern County. The total population is 28,532. It ranks as the 277th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in East Niles is 30.6 years. This is 19% lower than the state median of 37.9 years. With 30.4% of the population under 18, East Niles has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in East Niles is $55,124. This is 44% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 32% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 28.7%. This is 139% 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 12.6%. This is 91% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $251,500. Housing costs are 66% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.6x. 58.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in East Niles is Hispanic or Latino, making up 80.7% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 11.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (11.5%) is well below the state average of 33.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (80.7% vs 40.2%). The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
8.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 78% 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 63.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for East Niles, 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 East Niles, California?
East Niles, California has a population of 28,532 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in East Niles, CA?
The median household income in East Niles is $55,124, which is 32% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in East Niles, CA?
The poverty rate in East Niles is 28.7%. This means approximately 8,126 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of East Niles, California?
East Niles's population is 11.5% White, 5.0% Black, 80.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in East Niles, CA?
The median home value in East Niles is $251,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.6x.
How educated is East Niles, California?
8.2% of adults (25+) in East Niles hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.