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CITY

Taft

California · 6,995 residents (2025 est.) · 15.271 sq mi
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#233Fastest shrinkingof 6,642-8.4%
The short version

Taft has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $72,772. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $252,600. Households here earn about 27% less than the California median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 37.1
US median: 38.9
Less educated
9% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 68%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
7,125
+11%since 2000
from 6,400 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
467 / sq mi
+11%since 2000
from 419 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
37.1
+8%since 2000
from 34.3 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:6,995 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
6K7K8K9K10K1990201020202024Taft
20247K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$72,772
+18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $33,861 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$31,797
+81%since 2000
from $17,564 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
42.4%
+8.8 ptssince 2009
from 33.6% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
16.9%
−0.6 ptssince 2000
from 17.5% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.432
Unchangedsince 2010
from 0.432 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Wholesale trade10.9%
US avg: 6.9%
Information8.9%
US avg: 10.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing8.6%
US avg: 1.6%
Finance & insurance7.6%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical7.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services5.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Manufacturing5.3%
US avg: 0.4%
Construction3.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food3%
US avg: 1.9%
Retail trade2.8%
US avg: 9.9%
Transportation & warehousing0.5%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$252,600
+68%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $82,600 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,069
+29%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $456 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
55.0%
−9.0 ptssince 2000
from 64.1% in 2000
45.0% rent
Vacancy rate
7.8%
−3.1 ptssince 2009
from 10.9% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
19.6%
−4.0 ptssince 2009
from 23.6% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
50.4%
−6.7 ptssince 2009
from 57.1% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.5
+42%since 2000
from 2.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
31
RELATED:See current rent listings in Taft on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic79.1%(5,061)
Black1.8%(117)
Hispanic / Latino15.5%(995)
Asian1%(67)
Other0%
Diversity Score39.5%(2,530)
2024
White, non-Hispanic60.5%(4,314)
Black1.2%(86)
Hispanic / Latino31.5%(2,243)
Asian0.3%(21)
Other6.5%(461)
Diversity Score66.2%(4,720)
Diversity Score
66
+68%since 2000
from 40 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
9.0%
+0.3 ptssince 2000
from 8.8% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
82.2%
+9.8 ptssince 2000
from 72.3% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
4.1%
+1.7 ptssince 2000
from 2.4% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.8 min
+66%since 2000
from 11.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
82.0%
+9.4 ptssince 2009
from 72.5% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
7.9%
−4.9 ptssince 2009
from 12.9% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
4.4%
+3.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.3% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
4.3%
−5.4 ptssince 2009
from 9.7% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
1.3%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.6% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
10.6%
−6.6 ptssince 2009
from 17.2% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.1%
−3.7 ptssince 2011
from 9.8% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
53.5%
+14.9 ptssince 2011
from 38.6% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
16.2%
−13.7 ptssince 2009
from 29.9% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
20.2%
−35.5 ptssince 2009
from 55.7% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.1%
−9.6 ptssince 2009
from 60.7% in 2009
Female
48.9%
+9.6 ptssince 2009
from 39.3% in 2009
Foreign born
7.2%
−17.5 ptssince 2009
from 24.7% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
3.5%
−63.0 ptssince 2009
from 66.5% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
23.7%
+10.3 ptssince 2012
from 13.4% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
4.1%
−76.0 ptssince 2013
from 80.1% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
83.6%
+15.7 ptssince 2017
from 67.9% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
72.9%
+12.1 ptssince 2016
from 60.8% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
26.3%
−9.8 ptssince 2016
from 36.1% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Taft to nearby cities

TAFT VS
Rosedale
Income$135,966+87%
Home value$608,900+141%
Population18,877+170%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
TAFT VS
Bakersfield
Income$80,540+11%
Home value$371,700+47%
Population422,165+5935%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
TAFT VS
Shafter
Income$71,215−2%
Home value$335,800+33%
Population23,871+241%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
TAFT VS
Lamont
Income$37,217−49%
Home value$220,700−13%
Population13,164+88%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Taft, California?

Taft, California has about 7,125 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Taft, California?

The typical household in Taft, California earns about $72,772 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Taft, California expensive?

In Taft, California, the median home is worth about $252,600, and the typical rent is about $1,069 a month.

How educated are people in Taft, California?

About 9.0% of adults age 25 and over in Taft, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Taft, California?

About 16.9% of people in Taft, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Taft, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Taft, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1,223 residents, a change of about 21 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →