Wasco, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wasco, California had a total population of 26,558, the 288th largest city in California, with a median household income of $51,727, which is 48% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 48% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 6.2% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Wasco Quick Facts
How Wasco 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 | 26,222 | 26,558 | +1.3% |
| Median household income | $55,521 | $51,727 | -6.8% |
| Median home value | $251,900 | $273,600 | +8.6% |
How Wasco 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Wasco 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 |
| 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 |
| California City | 14,414 | $60,113 | 22.8% | $278,000 |
Cities Similar to Wasco
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barstow | 25,100 | $53,380 | $245,000 | 13.2% | 23.1% |
| Eureka | 26,010 | $57,662 | $404,500 | 29.0% | 18.1% |
| Brawley | 27,283 | $59,311 | $290,700 | 15.9% | 21.3% |
| East Niles | 28,532 | $55,124 | $251,500 | 8.2% | 28.7% |
| Dinuba | 25,475 | $59,484 | $275,000 | 14.1% | 26.8% |
Population Overview
Wasco is a mid-sized community located in California, within Kern County. The total population is 26,558. It ranks as the 288th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wasco is 30.6 years. This is 19% lower than the state median of 37.9 years. With 28.4% of the population under 18, Wasco has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wasco is $51,727. This is 48% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 36% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.4%. This is 53% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 7.0%. This is 7% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $273,600. Housing costs are 63% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.3x. 58.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Wasco has a predominantly Hispanic or Latino population, comprising 87.4% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 6.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (6.7%) is well below the state average of 33.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (87.4% vs 40.2%). The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
6.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 83% 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 62.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wasco, 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 Wasco, California?
Wasco, California has a population of 26,558 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wasco, CA?
The median household income in Wasco is $51,727, which is 36% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wasco, CA?
The poverty rate in Wasco is 18.4%. This means approximately 4,164 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wasco, California?
Wasco's population is 6.7% White, 4.2% Black, 87.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wasco, CA?
The median home value in Wasco is $273,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.3x.
How educated is Wasco, California?
6.2% of adults (25+) in Wasco hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.