Tehachapi city, California Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Tehachapi city, California has a total population of 12,366, the 447th largest city in California, with a median household income of $67,785, which is 30% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.9%.
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 8.9% is notably above the national average.
Tehachapi city Quick Facts
How Tehachapi city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 69 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Tehachapi city Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Cities Similar to Tehachapi city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Bear City CDP | 12,493 | $72,457 | $427,700 | 28.4% | 15.3% |
| Fortuna city | 12,413 | $61,603 | $353,200 | 22.8% | 16.8% |
| Commerce city | 12,072 | $71,768 | $583,200 | 11.4% | 13.7% |
| Newman city | 12,299 | $75,344 | $381,900 | 8.5% | 13.3% |
| Marysville city | 12,703 | $58,150 | $282,700 | 16.6% | 22.5% |
Population Overview
Tehachapi city is a small city located in California. The total population is 12,366. It ranks as the 447th most populous out of 1,577 cities and towns in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Tehachapi city is 39.2 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 37.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Tehachapi city is $67,785. This is 30% lower than the state median of $96,334. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 14% lower. The poverty rate stands at 11.9%. This is about average than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 8.9%. This is 39% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $344,700. Housing costs are 50% lower than the state median of $695,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.1x. 61.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% higher than the state average of 55.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Tehachapi city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 48.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 39.2%. The Asian population (2.4%) is well below the state average of 15.0%.
Education
14.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 60% 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 78.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Tehachapi 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Tehachapi city, California?
Tehachapi city, California has a population of 12,366 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Tehachapi city, CA?
The median household income in Tehachapi city is $67,785, which is 14% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Tehachapi city, CA?
The poverty rate in Tehachapi city is 11.9%. This means approximately 1,058 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Tehachapi city, California?
Tehachapi city's population is 48.4% White, 6.7% Black, 39.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Tehachapi city, CA?
The median home value in Tehachapi city is $344,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.1x.
How educated is Tehachapi city, California?
14.4% of adults (25+) in Tehachapi city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.