La Cresta, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, La Cresta, California had a total population of 8,389, the 532nd largest community in California, with a median household income of $49,605, which is 50% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 50% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
La Cresta Quick Facts
How La Cresta 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 | 8,558 | 8,389 | -2.0% |
| Median household income | $49,836 | $49,605 | -0.5% |
| Median home value | $236,800 | $262,000 | +10.6% |
How La Cresta 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+)
La Cresta 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 La Cresta
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Firebaugh | 8,392 | $47,734 | $242,400 | 4.8% | 36.6% |
| California Polytechnic State University | 7,915 | N/A | $564,700 | 77.5% | 7.5% |
| August | 8,825 | $53,173 | $296,100 | 3.9% | 26.9% |
| Corning | 8,155 | $56,627 | $313,100 | 14.5% | 17.9% |
| Orosi | 8,966 | $54,604 | $227,100 | 4.4% | 22.0% |
Population Overview
La Cresta is a small city located in California, within Kern County. The total population is 8,389. It ranks as the 532nd most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in La Cresta is 29.1 years. This is 23% lower than the state median of 37.9 years. With 32.2% of the population under 18, La Cresta has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in La Cresta is $49,605. This is 50% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 39% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.3%. This is 69% 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 5.8%. This is 12% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $262,000. Housing costs are 64% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.3x. 43.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in La Cresta is Hispanic or Latino, making up 70.0% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 20.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (70.0% vs 40.2%). The Asian population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
16.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 56% 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 68.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for La Cresta, 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 La Cresta, California?
La Cresta, California has a population of 8,389 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in La Cresta, CA?
The median household income in La Cresta is $49,605, which is 39% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in La Cresta, CA?
The poverty rate in La Cresta is 20.3%. This means approximately 1,696 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of La Cresta, California?
La Cresta's population is 20.9% White, 4.3% Black, 70.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in La Cresta, CA?
The median home value in La Cresta is $262,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.3x.
How educated is La Cresta, California?
16.3% of adults (25+) in La Cresta hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.