Taft, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Taft, California had a total population of 7,125, the 577th largest city in California, with a median household income of $72,772, which is 27% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 9.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Taft Quick Facts
How 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 | 7,228 | 7,125 | -1.4% |
| Median household income | $64,479 | $72,772 | +12.9% |
| Median home value | $246,400 | $252,600 | +2.5% |
How 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+)
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 Taft
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oceano | 7,128 | $71,598 | $556,100 | 21.2% | 17.2% |
| Heber | 7,312 | $72,028 | $335,600 | 24.1% | 10.6% |
| Mira Monte | 6,888 | $72,879 | $812,200 | 42.6% | 16.3% |
| Garnet | 7,382 | $72,694 | $267,900 | 11.4% | 11.2% |
| Piñon Hills | 7,065 | $68,289 | $440,600 | 17.0% | 18.6% |
Population Overview
Taft is a small city located in California, within Kern County. The total population is 7,125. It ranks as the 577th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Taft is 37.1 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Taft is $72,772. This is 27% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 10% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.9%. This is 41% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 6.0%. This is 8% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $252,600. Housing costs are 66% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 55.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 1% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Taft is White (non-Hispanic), making up 60.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 31.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (60.6% vs 33.8%). The Black or African American population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
9.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 76% 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 82.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for 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 Taft, California?
Taft, California has a population of 7,125 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Taft, CA?
The median household income in Taft is $72,772, which is 10% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Taft, CA?
The poverty rate in Taft is 16.9%. This means approximately 1,087 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Taft, California?
Taft's population is 60.6% White, 1.2% Black, 31.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Taft, CA?
The median home value in Taft is $252,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is Taft, California?
9.0% of adults (25+) in Taft hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.