Ford City, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ford City, California had a total population of 4,162, the 697th largest community in California, with a median household income of $47,214, which is 52% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 36.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 52% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (36.6%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 3.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 18.7% is notably above the national average.
Ford City Quick Facts
How Ford City 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 | 4,310 | 4,162 | -3.4% |
| Median household income | $45,976 | $47,214 | +2.7% |
| Median home value | $197,500 | $207,800 | +5.2% |
How Ford 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
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Ford 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 Ford City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bystrom | 4,143 | $49,094 | $319,400 | 6.2% | 33.5% |
| Kelseyville | 4,011 | $45,663 | N/A | 6.3% | 23.1% |
| Morongo Valley | 4,209 | $51,949 | $285,400 | 17.4% | 24.9% |
| Oasis | 4,051 | $38,769 | $34,800 | 2.0% | 34.7% |
| Ivanhoe | 4,629 | $52,179 | $228,100 | 12.1% | 17.9% |
Population Overview
Ford City is a small community located in California, within Kern County. The total population is 4,162. It ranks as the 697th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ford City is 27.0 years. This is 29% lower than the state median of 37.9 years. With 28.8% of the population under 18, Ford City has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ford City is $47,214. This is 52% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 42% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 36.6%. This is 205% 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 $207,800. Housing costs are 72% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x. 37.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 33% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Ford City is Hispanic or Latino, making up 54.0% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 44.7%. The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
3.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 92% 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 Ford 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 Ford City, California?
Ford City, California has a population of 4,162 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ford City, CA?
The median household income in Ford City is $47,214, which is 42% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ford City, CA?
The poverty rate in Ford City is 36.6%. This means approximately 1,524 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ford City, California?
Ford City's population is 44.7% White, 0.0% Black, 54.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ford City, CA?
The median home value in Ford City is $207,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x.
How educated is Ford City, California?
3.0% of adults (25+) in Ford City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.