Hillcrest, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Hillcrest, California had a total population of 10,511, the 486th largest community in California, with a median household income of $46,285, which is 53% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 31.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 53% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (31.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 9.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 8.7% is notably above the national average.
Hillcrest Quick Facts
How Hillcrest 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 | 10,203 | 10,511 | +3.0% |
| Median household income | $44,954 | $46,285 | +3.0% |
| Median home value | $250,300 | $272,700 | +8.9% |
How Hillcrest 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+)
Hillcrest 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 Hillcrest
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson | 11,255 | $47,375 | $283,000 | 15.6% | 21.2% |
| Orange Cove | 9,695 | $46,629 | $254,000 | 10.1% | 34.0% |
| Potomac Park | 10,138 | $51,166 | $219,600 | 3.9% | 20.9% |
| East Bakersfield | 11,062 | $38,644 | $208,700 | 4.1% | 42.6% |
| Farmersville | 10,397 | $60,804 | $248,500 | 6.1% | 22.9% |
Population Overview
Hillcrest is a small city located in California, within Kern County. The total population is 10,511. It ranks as the 486th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Hillcrest is 30.2 years. This is 20% lower than the state median of 37.9 years. With 32.7% of the population under 18, Hillcrest has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Hillcrest is $46,285. This is 53% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 43% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 31.4%. This is 162% 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 8.7%. This is 31% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $272,700. Housing costs are 63% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.9x. 50.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Hillcrest is Hispanic or Latino, making up 81.2% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 14.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (14.2%) is well below the state average of 33.8%. The Black or African American population (2.3%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (81.2% vs 40.2%).
Education
9.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 76% 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 65.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Hillcrest, 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 Hillcrest, California?
Hillcrest, California has a population of 10,511 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Hillcrest, CA?
The median household income in Hillcrest is $46,285, which is 43% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Hillcrest, CA?
The poverty rate in Hillcrest is 31.4%. This means approximately 3,301 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Hillcrest, California?
Hillcrest's population is 14.2% White, 2.3% Black, 81.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Hillcrest, CA?
The median home value in Hillcrest is $272,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.9x.
How educated is Hillcrest, California?
9.0% of adults (25+) in Hillcrest hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.