Taft Heights, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Taft Heights, California had a total population of 1,291, the 999th largest community in California, with a median household income of $54,034, which is 45% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 45% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 12.8% is notably above the national average.
Taft Heights Quick Facts
How Taft Heights 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 | 1,588 | 1,291 | -18.7% |
| Median household income | $62,125 | $54,034 | -13.0% |
| Median home value | $187,700 | $193,800 | +3.2% |
How Taft Heights 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+)
Taft Heights 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 Taft Heights
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taft Mosswood | 1,343 | $59,297 | $369,200 | 9.9% | 18.4% |
| Littlerock | 1,398 | $56,792 | $357,300 | 7.1% | 6.9% |
| Santa Margarita | 1,149 | N/A | $684,000 | 34.4% | 3.0% |
| Fairmead | 1,229 | $46,680 | N/A | 12.8% | 32.4% |
| Boronda | 1,351 | $63,125 | $578,000 | 15.1% | 10.9% |
Population Overview
Taft Heights is a small community located in California, within Kern County. The total population is 1,291. It ranks as the 999th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Taft Heights is 31.4 years. This is 17% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Taft Heights is $54,034. This is 45% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 33% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.2%. This is 35% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 12.8%. This is 93% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $193,800. Housing costs are 74% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x. 51.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Taft Heights is Hispanic or Latino, making up 52.9% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 41.1%. The Asian population (2.5%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
15.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 58% 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 69.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Taft Heights, 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 Taft Heights, California?
Taft Heights, California has a population of 1,291 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Taft Heights, CA?
The median household income in Taft Heights is $54,034, which is 33% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Taft Heights, CA?
The poverty rate in Taft Heights is 16.2%. This means approximately 209 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Taft Heights, California?
Taft Heights's population is 41.1% White, 0.0% Black, 52.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Taft Heights, CA?
The median home value in Taft Heights is $193,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x.
How educated is Taft Heights, California?
15.5% of adults (25+) in Taft Heights hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.