Tehachapi, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Tehachapi, California had a total population of 11,946, the 454th largest city in California, with a median household income of $72,957, which is 26% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Tehachapi Quick Facts
How Tehachapi 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 | 12,366 | 11,946 | -3.4% |
| Median household income | $67,785 | $72,957 | +7.6% |
| Median home value | $344,700 | $355,500 | +3.1% |
How Tehachapi 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+)
Tehachapi 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 Tehachapi
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muscoy | 12,025 | $71,458 | $422,600 | 5.8% | 26.7% |
| Commerce | 11,993 | $77,064 | $598,700 | 11.0% | 12.4% |
| University of California-Santa Barbara | 12,121 | $69,327 | $452,900 | 80.6% | 17.5% |
| Big Bear City | 11,431 | $71,511 | $463,500 | 30.7% | 16.1% |
| Newman | 12,316 | $78,906 | $412,700 | 11.3% | 12.2% |
Population Overview
Tehachapi is a small city located in California, within Kern County. The total population is 11,946. It ranks as the 454th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Tehachapi is 39.1 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Tehachapi is $72,957. This is 26% 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 13.9%. This is 16% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 6.4%. This is 3% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $355,500. Housing costs are 52% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.9x. 58.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Tehachapi is White (non-Hispanic), making up 50.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 37.7%. The Asian population (1.7%) 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 79.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Tehachapi, 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 Tehachapi, California?
Tehachapi, California has a population of 11,946 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Tehachapi, CA?
The median household income in Tehachapi is $72,957, which is 10% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Tehachapi, CA?
The poverty rate in Tehachapi is 13.9%. This means approximately 1,216 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Tehachapi, California?
Tehachapi's population is 50.0% White, 6.0% Black, 37.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Tehachapi, CA?
The median home value in Tehachapi is $355,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.9x.
How educated is Tehachapi, California?
15.5% of adults (25+) in Tehachapi hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.