South Taft, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, South Taft, California had a total population of 2,939, the 797th largest community in California, with a median household income of $43,039, which is 57% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 35.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 57% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (35.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 7.8% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 13.6% is notably above the national average.
South Taft Quick Facts
How South Taft 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 | 2,534 | 2,939 | +16.0% |
| Median household income | $41,875 | $43,039 | +2.8% |
| Median home value | $155,700 | $184,600 | +18.6% |
How South Taft 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
South Taft 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 South Taft
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tipton | 2,851 | $45,243 | $243,900 | 6.4% | 31.1% |
| Cottonwood (Kern County) | 3,107 | $44,247 | $321,600 | 5.8% | 46.5% |
| Strathmore | 2,675 | $43,387 | $213,200 | 1.5% | 32.6% |
| San Andreas | 2,979 | $51,684 | $419,700 | 21.4% | 28.1% |
| Bayview (Humboldt County) | 2,803 | $48,406 | $416,400 | 26.3% | 22.9% |
Population Overview
South Taft is a small community located in California, within Kern County. The total population is 2,939. It ranks as the 797th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in South Taft is 26.1 years. This is 31% lower than the state median of 37.9 years. With 30.6% of the population under 18, South Taft has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in South Taft is $43,039. This is 57% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 47% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 35.0%. This is 192% 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 13.6%. This is 105% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $184,600. Housing costs are 75% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x. 39.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in South Taft is Hispanic or Latino, making up 67.0% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 28.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (67.0% vs 40.2%).
Education
7.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 79% 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 58.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for South Taft, 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 South Taft, California?
South Taft, California has a population of 2,939 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in South Taft, CA?
The median household income in South Taft is $43,039, which is 47% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in South Taft, CA?
The poverty rate in South Taft is 35.0%. This means approximately 1,029 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of South Taft, California?
South Taft's population is 28.2% White, 0.0% Black, 67.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in South Taft, CA?
The median home value in South Taft is $184,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x.
How educated is South Taft, California?
7.8% of adults (25+) in South Taft hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.