Lost Hills, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lost Hills, California had a total population of 1,926, the 907th largest community in California, with a median household income of $45,976, which is 54% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 54% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 1.9% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Lost Hills Quick Facts
How Lost Hills 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 | 1,861 | 1,926 | +3.5% |
| Median household income | $42,333 | $45,976 | +8.6% |
| Median home value | $169,900 | $187,500 | +10.4% |
How Lost Hills 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+)
Lost Hills 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 Lost Hills
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richgrove | 1,960 | $44,950 | $203,500 | 1.9% | 32.8% |
| Cabazon | 1,887 | $48,704 | $270,400 | 8.4% | 24.3% |
| Thermal | 1,800 | N/A | $187,000 | 8.7% | 19.3% |
| London | 1,800 | $48,750 | $215,300 | 6.6% | 44.4% |
| Chester | 1,759 | $47,129 | $304,800 | 18.8% | 11.3% |
Population Overview
Lost Hills is a small community located in California, within Kern County. The total population is 1,926. It ranks as the 907th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lost Hills is 25.1 years. This is 34% lower than the state median of 37.9 years. With 42.2% of the population under 18, Lost Hills has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lost Hills is $45,976. This is 54% 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 24.3%. This is 102% 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 $187,500. Housing costs are 74% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x. 40.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 27% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Every resident counted in Lost Hills was recorded as Hispanic or Latino. A figure of exactly 100.0% reflects a survey sample too small to capture the community's full composition rather than a precise measurement.
Education
1.9% 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 95% 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 29.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lost Hills, 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 Lost Hills, California?
Lost Hills, California has a population of 1,926 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lost Hills, CA?
The median household income in Lost Hills is $45,976, which is 43% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lost Hills, CA?
The poverty rate in Lost Hills is 24.3%. This means approximately 467 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lost Hills, California?
Lost Hills's population is 0.0% White, 0.0% Black, 100.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lost Hills, CA?
The median home value in Lost Hills is $187,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x.
How educated is Lost Hills, California?
1.9% of adults (25+) in Lost Hills hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.