Oildale, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Oildale, California had a total population of 34,687, the 241st largest community in California, with a median household income of $51,298, which is 48% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 48% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.2%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 11.6% is notably above the national average.
Oildale Quick Facts
How Oildale 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 | 34,971 | 34,687 | -0.8% |
| Median household income | $49,622 | $51,298 | +3.4% |
| Median home value | $225,000 | $238,800 | +6.1% |
How Oildale 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+)
Oildale 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 |
| 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 |
| California City | 14,414 | $60,113 | 22.8% | $278,000 |
Cities Similar to Oildale
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westmont | 34,123 | $50,509 | $653,800 | 12.8% | 25.3% |
| Desert Hot Springs | 33,200 | $52,761 | $354,800 | 16.7% | 18.0% |
| Calexico | 38,585 | $49,783 | $313,600 | 18.9% | 19.7% |
| Bell | 32,476 | $61,020 | $591,600 | 9.7% | 21.6% |
| Atwater | 32,162 | $64,472 | $363,400 | 12.9% | 20.9% |
Population Overview
Oildale is a mid-sized community located in California, within Kern County. The total population is 34,687. It ranks as the 241st most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Oildale is 35.9 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Oildale is $51,298. This is 48% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 36% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 25.2%. This is 110% 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 11.6%. This is 76% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $238,800. Housing costs are 67% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x. 40.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 27% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Oildale is White (non-Hispanic), making up 56.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 33.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (56.5% vs 33.8%). The Black or African American population (2.5%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Asian population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
12.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 67% 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 80.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Oildale, 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 Oildale, California?
Oildale, California has a population of 34,687 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Oildale, CA?
The median household income in Oildale is $51,298, which is 36% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Oildale, CA?
The poverty rate in Oildale is 25.2%. This means approximately 8,707 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Oildale, California?
Oildale's population is 56.5% White, 2.5% Black, 33.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Oildale, CA?
The median home value in Oildale is $238,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x.
How educated is Oildale, California?
12.3% of adults (25+) in Oildale hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.