Wasco city, California Demographics & Population 2026

Name: Wasco city, California Demographics
Creator: U.S. Census Bureau
License: https://www.census.gov/data/developers/about/terms-of-service.html

As of 2026, Wasco city, California has a total population of 26,222, the 291st largest city in California, with a median household income of $55,521, which is 42% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.1%.

Key Takeaways

Household income is 42% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Only 7.4% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.0%.

Wasco city Quick Facts

Population 26,222

Median Household Income $55,521

Median Home Value $251,900

Poverty Rate 19.1%

Unemployment Rate 7.1%

Median Age 30.4 years

Homeownership Rate 59.1%

Affordability Ratio 4.5x

Bachelor's Degree or Higher 7.4%

High School Graduation Rate 62.3%

Diversity Index 23/100

Population 26,222 291st of 1,577

Median Income $55,521 bottom 20%

Poverty Rate 19.1% 54% higher national

Median Home Value $251,900 bottom 20%

How Wasco city Compares

Median Household Income

Wasco city

$55,521

$96,334

National

$78,538

Median Home Value

Wasco city

$251,900

$695,400

National

$303,400

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 22.7%

$25K-$50K 23.9%

$50K-$100K 28.6%

$100K+ 24.8%

Employment

7.1% Unemployment Rate State: 6.4% | National: 5.2%

48.9% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 59.1%

Renter 40.9%

Affordability Index Moderate

4.5x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Age Distribution

Under 18

28.3%

18-34

31.9%

35-54

25.8%

55-74

11.7%

75+

2.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Diversity Index

Very Low Diversity

A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.

State average: 69 | National average: 60

Education

Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)

Wasco city Rankings in California

#291 Population of 1,577

#1144 Median Income of 1,577

#1345 Education of 1,577

#1177 Home Value of 1,577

Explore California Rankings

Cities by Population All cities ranked by size Richest Cities Ranked by median income Most Educated By bachelor's degree rate Most Affordable By housing affordability

Cities Similar to Wasco city

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

City	Population	Median Income	Home Value	Bachelor's+	Poverty
Eureka city	26,302	$60,253	$375,800	31.3%	17.5%
Selma city	24,586	$55,839	$288,700	11.3%	19.8%
Brawley city	26,934	$60,370	$270,100	13.8%	20.9%
Dinuba city	25,201	$59,048	$267,300	13.6%	28.1%
Barstow city	25,198	$51,811	$222,600	11.1%	23.2%

Population Overview

Wasco city is a mid-sized community located in California. The total population is 26,222. It ranks as the 291st most populous out of 1,577 cities and towns in California.

Age Demographics

The median age in Wasco city is 30.4 years. This is 19% lower than the state median of 37.6 years. With 28.3% of the population under 18, Wasco city has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Wasco city is $55,521. This is 42% lower than the state median of $96,334. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 29% lower. The poverty rate stands at 19.1%. This is 60% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 7.1%. This is 10% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $251,900. Housing costs are 64% lower than the state median of $695,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x. 59.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% higher than the state average of 55.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

Wasco city has a predominantly Hispanic or Latino population, comprising 87.3% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 7.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (7.1%) is well below the state average of 34.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (87.3% vs 39.8%). The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 15.0%.

Education

7.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 80% 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 62.3%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Wasco 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 Wasco city, California?

Wasco city, California has a population of 26,222 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Wasco city, CA?

The median household income in Wasco city is $55,521, which is 29% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Wasco city, CA?

The poverty rate in Wasco city is 19.1%. This means approximately 4,233 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Wasco city, California?

Wasco city's population is 7.1% White, 4.0% Black, 87.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.

What is the median home value in Wasco city, CA?

The median home value in Wasco city is $251,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x.

How educated is Wasco city, California?

7.4% of adults (25+) in Wasco city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.