Mojave, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Mojave, California had a total population of 5,173, the 651st largest community in California, with a median household income of $55,660, which is 44% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 44% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.5%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 8.7% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 17.8% is notably above the national average.
Mojave Quick Facts
How Mojave 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 | 4,442 | 5,173 | +16.5% |
| Median household income | $50,800 | $55,660 | +9.6% |
| Median home value | $204,400 | $213,600 | +4.5% |
How Mojave 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Mojave 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 Mojave
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palermo | 5,266 | $50,588 | $283,000 | 12.2% | 20.2% |
| Myrtletown | 5,322 | $60,457 | $453,400 | 42.2% | 17.2% |
| Mayfair | 5,044 | $62,191 | $283,300 | 11.7% | 18.9% |
| Bret Harte | 4,757 | $52,500 | $334,700 | 1.7% | 42.5% |
| Lakeport | 5,113 | $68,518 | $333,800 | 20.6% | 12.9% |
Population Overview
Mojave is a small city located in California, within Kern County. The total population is 5,173. It ranks as the 651st most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Mojave is 31.1 years. This is 18% lower than the state median of 37.9 years. With 33.6% of the population under 18, Mojave has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Mojave is $55,660. This is 44% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 31% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 25.5%. This is 112% 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 17.8%. This is 170% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $213,600. Housing costs are 71% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 38.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 32% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Mojave is Hispanic or Latino, making up 47.2% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 27.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (20.3% vs 5.2%). The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
8.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 77% 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 77.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Mojave, 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 Mojave, California?
Mojave, California has a population of 5,173 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Mojave, CA?
The median household income in Mojave is $55,660, which is 31% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Mojave, CA?
The poverty rate in Mojave is 25.5%. This means approximately 1,306 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Mojave, California?
Mojave's population is 27.9% White, 20.3% Black, 47.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Mojave, CA?
The median home value in Mojave is $213,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is Mojave, California?
8.7% of adults (25+) in Mojave hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.