Shafter city, California Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Shafter city is a small city located in California. The total population is 20,618. It ranks as the 344th most populous out of 1,577 cities and towns in California.

Age Demographics

The median age in Shafter city is 28.0 years. This is 26% lower than the state median of 37.6 years. With 34.4% of the population under 18, Shafter city has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Shafter city is $67,989. This is 29% lower than the state median of $96,334. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 13% lower. The poverty rate stands at 21.3%. This is 78% 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 6.5%. This is 1% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $306,800. Housing costs are 56% lower than the state median of $695,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x. 65.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% higher than the state average of 55.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Shafter city is Hispanic or Latino, making up 80.2% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 16.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (16.3%) is well below the state average of 34.6%. The Black or African American population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 5.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (80.2% vs 39.8%). The Asian population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 15.0%.

Education

10.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 71% lower than the state rate of 36.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 72.3%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Shafter city, California is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against California state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,577 Census-designated places in California. For official data, visit data.census.gov.