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CITY

Tehachapi

California · 11,852 residents (2025 est.) · 10.256 sq mi
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Notable rankings
#142Fastest shrinkingof 6,642-10.2%
The short version

Tehachapi has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $72,957. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than tripled since 2000, reaching $355,500. Households here earn about 26% less than the California median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 39.1
US median: 38.9
Less educated
15% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 124%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
11,946
+9%since 2000
from 10,957 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,165 / sq mi
+9%since 2000
from 1,068 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
39.1
+18%since 2000
from 33.2 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:11,852 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
5K8K10K13K15K1990201020202024Tehachapi
202412K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$72,957
+37%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $29,208 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$25,361
+39%since 2000
from $18,220 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
47.9%
+18.9 ptssince 2009
from 29.0% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
13.9%
−6.5 ptssince 2000
from 20.4% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.417
−3%since 2010
from 0.431 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information9.8%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade8.8%
US avg: 9.9%
Other services6%
US avg: 6.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing5.1%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction4.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Wholesale trade3.4%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance2.6%
US avg: 5.9%
Education & health services2.1%
US avg: 0.9%
Public administration2%
US avg: 4.8%
Transportation & warehousing1.5%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1.1%
US avg: 1.9%
Professional, scientific, technical0.5%
US avg: 5.1%
Manufacturing0.4%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$355,500
+124%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $87,000 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,295
+49%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $477 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
58.5%
+4.0 ptssince 2000
from 54.5% in 2000
41.5% rent
Vacancy rate
7.5%
−4.0 ptssince 2009
from 11.5% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
30.8%
−3.5 ptssince 2009
from 34.4% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
39.4%
−11.7 ptssince 2009
from 51.1% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
4.9
+64%since 2000
from 3.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
63
RELATED:See current rent listings in Tehachapi on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic50.2%(5,497)
Black13.7%(1,497)
Hispanic / Latino32.7%(3,583)
Asian0.7%(77)
Other0%
Diversity Score75.1%(8,230)
2024
White, non-Hispanic50%(5,976)
Black6%(713)
Hispanic / Latino37.7%(4,503)
Asian1.7%(201)
Other4.6%(553)
Diversity Score75.2%(8,984)
Diversity Score
75
Unchangedsince 2000
from 75 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
15.5%
+9.1 ptssince 2000
from 6.4% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
79.0%
+7.0 ptssince 2000
from 71.9% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
6.6%
+4.9 ptssince 2000
from 1.8% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
27.0 min
+55%since 2000
from 17.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
77.0%
−3.2 ptssince 2009
from 80.3% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
10.1%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 8.5% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
7.2%
+4.5 ptssince 2009
from 2.7% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.8%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 3.1% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.6% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
2.1%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 4.5% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.4%
−0.2 ptssince 2011
from 6.6% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
36.5%
+2.1 ptssince 2011
from 34.3% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
20.5%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 19.5% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
38.5%
−23.9 ptssince 2009
from 62.4% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
61.9%
−14.1 ptssince 2009
from 76.0% in 2009
Female
38.1%
+14.1 ptssince 2009
from 24.0% in 2009
Foreign born
13.4%
−2.3 ptssince 2009
from 15.8% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.9%
−72.9 ptssince 2009
from 79.8% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
17.4%
+2.4 ptssince 2012
from 15.0% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
7.3%
−77.7 ptssince 2013
from 85.0% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
90.3%
+21.7 ptssince 2017
from 68.6% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
72.2%
+0.5 ptssince 2016
from 71.7% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
23.6%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 23.5% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Tehachapi to nearby cities

TEHACHAPI VS
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Home value$410,300+15%
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TEHACHAPI VS
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TEHACHAPI VS
Rosamond
Income$79,386+9%
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TEHACHAPI VS
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Home value$220,700−38%
Population13,164+11%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Tehachapi, California?

Tehachapi, California has about 11,946 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Tehachapi, California?

The typical household in Tehachapi, California earns about $72,957 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Tehachapi, California expensive?

In Tehachapi, California, the median home is worth about $355,500, and the typical rent is about $1,295 a month.

How educated are people in Tehachapi, California?

About 15.5% of adults age 25 and over in Tehachapi, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Tehachapi, California?

About 13.9% of people in Tehachapi, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Tehachapi, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Tehachapi, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 6,155 residents, a change of about 106 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 →