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CITY · 2020 ACS

Taft

California · 8,546 residents · 15.271 sq mi
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The short version

Taft has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $46,980. Population has grown 34% since 2000. 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $182,200. The poverty rate of 28.4% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 40% less than the California median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 35.2
US median: 38.8
Less educated
10% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 47%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
8,546
+34%since 2000
from 6,400 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
560 / sq mi
+34%since 2000
from 419 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
35.2
+3%since 2000
from 34.3 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
6K7K8K9K10K1990201020202024Taft
20247K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$46,980
−8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $33,861 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$22,934
+31%since 2000
from $17,564 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
32.5%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 33.6% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
28.4%
+10.9 ptssince 2000
from 17.5% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Agriculture, forestry, fishing22.5%
US avg: 1.7%
Manufacturing13.9%
US avg: 0.5%
Construction8.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Wholesale trade7.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance4.9%
US avg: 5.5%
Retail trade3.8%
US avg: 10%
Professional, scientific, technical3.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Education & health services1.7%
US avg: 0.8%
Other services1.2%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration1.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing0.2%
US avg: 2.5%
Information0%
US avg: 11.1%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$182,200
+47%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $82,600 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$783
+14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $456 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
58.2%
−5.9 ptssince 2000
from 64.1% in 2000
41.8% rent
Afford Score
3.9
+59%since 2000
from 2.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic48.5%(4,149)
Black1.6%(133)
Hispanic / Latino43.6%(3,724)
Asian1.6%(136)
Other5.3%(457)
Diversity Score72%(6,156)
Diversity Score
72
+82%since 2000
from 40 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
9.6%
+0.8 ptssince 2000
from 8.8% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
83.5%
+11.2 ptssince 2000
from 72.3% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
2.6%
+0.2 ptssince 2000
from 2.4% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.8 min
+75%since 2000
from 11.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
80.5%
+7.9 ptssince 2009
from 72.5% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
14.7%
−2.5 ptssince 2009
from 17.2% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.6%
−4.2 ptssince 2011
from 9.8% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
40.2%
+1.6 ptssince 2011
from 38.6% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
17.3%
−38.4 ptssince 2009
from 55.7% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
57.3%
−3.4 ptssince 2009
from 60.7% in 2009
Female
42.7%
+3.4 ptssince 2009
from 39.3% in 2009
Foreign born
11.8%
−12.9 ptssince 2009
from 24.7% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
6.1%
−74.0 ptssince 2013
from 80.1% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Taft to nearby cities

TAFT VS
Rosedale
Income$135,966+189%
Home value$608,900+234%
Population18,877+170%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
TAFT VS
Bakersfield
Income$80,540+71%
Home value$371,700+104%
Population422,165+5935%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
TAFT VS
Shafter
Income$71,215+52%
Home value$335,800+84%
Population23,871+241%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
TAFT VS
Lamont
Income$37,217−21%
Home value$220,700+21%
Population13,164+88%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Taft, California?

Taft, California has about 8,546 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Taft, California?

The typical household in Taft, California earns about $46,980 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 $182,200, and the typical rent is about $783 a month.

How educated are people in Taft, California?

About 9.6% 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 28.4% 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 2,644 residents, a change of about 45 percent over that period.

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

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