Shafter, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Shafter, California had a total population of 21,193, the 342nd largest city in California, with a median household income of $71,215, which is 28% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Shafter Quick Facts
How Shafter 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 | 20,618 | 21,193 | +2.8% |
| Median household income | $67,989 | $71,215 | +4.7% |
| Median home value | $306,800 | $335,800 | +9.5% |
How Shafter 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+)
Shafter 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 |
| 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 Shafter
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rosamond | 21,473 | $79,386 | $352,600 | 16.2% | 17.1% |
| South Lake Tahoe | 21,269 | $82,002 | $682,400 | 35.9% | 9.3% |
| Willowbrook | 21,681 | $62,582 | $559,200 | 11.4% | 18.3% |
| South El Monte | 19,287 | $72,990 | $601,000 | 10.5% | 20.9% |
| Ashland | 22,210 | $81,702 | $775,800 | 20.8% | 16.4% |
Population Overview
Shafter is a small city located in California, within Kern County. The total population is 21,193. It ranks as the 342nd most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Shafter is 28.1 years. This is 26% lower than the state median of 37.9 years. With 33.5% of the population under 18, Shafter has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Shafter is $71,215. This is 28% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 12% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.7%. This is 73% 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 5.9%. This is 11% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $335,800. Housing costs are 54% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x. 64.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Shafter is Hispanic or Latino, making up 80.6% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 14.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (14.8%) is well below the state average of 33.8%. The Black or African American population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (80.6% vs 40.2%). The Asian population (2.5%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
12.2% 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 73.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Shafter, 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 Shafter, California?
Shafter, California has a population of 21,193 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Shafter, CA?
The median household income in Shafter is $71,215, which is 12% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Shafter, CA?
The poverty rate in Shafter is 20.7%. This means approximately 4,294 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Shafter, California?
Shafter's population is 14.8% White, 1.3% Black, 80.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Shafter, CA?
The median home value in Shafter is $335,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x.
How educated is Shafter, California?
12.2% of adults (25+) in Shafter hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.