Lake Isabella, California Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lake Isabella, California had a total population of 4,059, the 704th largest community in California, with a median household income of $26,661, which is 73% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 40.7%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 73% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (40.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 8.6% is notably above the national average.
Lake Isabella Quick Facts
How Lake Isabella 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 | 3,495 | 4,059 | No clear change (+16.1%) |
| Median household income | $43,690 | $26,661 | -39.0% |
| Median home value¹ | $103,749 | $132,900 | No clear change (+28.1%) |
| Median gross rent | $1,062 | $1,163 | No clear change (+9.5%) |
How Lake Isabella 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: 74.6%
- Black: 0.6%
- Hispanic: 15.5%
- Asian: 0.4%
- Other: 0.0%
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: 8.1%
- HS Diploma: 47.6%
- Some College: 27.6%
- Associate's: 5.8%
- Bachelor's: 5.7%
- Graduate+: 5.3%
Lake Isabella 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 Lake Isabella
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oasis | 4,051 | $38,769 | $34,800 | 2.0% | 34.7% |
| Desert Edge | 3,778 | $37,429 | $76,300 | 17.5% | 17.8% |
| Kelseyville | 4,011 | $45,663 | N/A | 6.3% | 23.1% |
| Ford City | 4,162 | $47,214 | $207,800 | 3.0% | 36.6% |
| Bystrom | 4,143 | $49,094 | $319,400 | 6.2% | 33.5% |
Population Overview
Lake Isabella is a small community located in California, within Kern County. The total population is 4,059. It ranks as the 704th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lake Isabella is 36.3 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 37.9 years. With 36.5% of the population under 18, Lake Isabella has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lake Isabella is $26,661. This is 73% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 67% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 40.7%. This is 239% 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 8.6%. This is 30% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $132,900. Housing costs are 82% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x. 58.8% 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 Lake Isabella is White (non-Hispanic), making up 74.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 15.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (74.6% vs 33.8%). The Black or African American population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (15.5%) is well below the state average of 40.2%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
11.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 70% 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 91.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lake Isabella, 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 Lake Isabella, California?
Lake Isabella, California has a population of 4,059 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lake Isabella, CA?
The median household income in Lake Isabella is $26,661, which is 67% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lake Isabella, CA?
The poverty rate in Lake Isabella is 40.7%. This means approximately 1,627 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lake Isabella, California?
Lake Isabella's population is 74.6% White, 0.6% Black, 15.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lake Isabella, CA?
The median home value in Lake Isabella is $132,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x.
How educated is Lake Isabella, California?
11.0% of adults (25+) in Lake Isabella hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.