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CITY · 2020 ACS

Tehachapi

California · 12,939 residents · 10.256 sq mi
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The short version

Tehachapi has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $47,039. Population has grown 18% since 2000. 15% 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 $229,100. Households here earn about 40% less than the California median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 37.6
US median: 38.8
Less educated
15% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 75%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
12,939
+18%since 2000
from 10,957 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,262 / sq mi
+18%since 2000
from 1,068 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
37.6
+13%since 2000
from 33.2 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
5K8K10K13K15K1990201020202024Tehachapi
202412K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$47,039
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $29,208 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$21,408
+17%since 2000
from $18,220 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
31.7%
+2.7 ptssince 2009
from 29.0% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
11.4%
−9.1 ptssince 2000
from 20.4% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Finance & insurance10.7%
US avg: 5.5%
Retail trade8.6%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade7.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services5.9%
US avg: 6.6%
Education & health services5.4%
US avg: 0.8%
Professional, scientific, technical5.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Information5%
US avg: 11.1%
Public administration2.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2%
US avg: 1.7%
Manufacturing1.3%
US avg: 0.5%
Construction0.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing0.6%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food0.6%
US avg: 2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$229,100
+75%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $87,000 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,052
+47%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $477 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
56.6%
+2.1 ptssince 2000
from 54.5% in 2000
43.4% rent
Afford Score
4.9
+64%since 2000
from 3.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic47.8%(6,183)
Black7.9%(1,025)
Hispanic / Latino36.6%(4,737)
Asian2.1%(278)
Other3.3%(428)
Diversity Score76.6%(9,911)
Diversity Score
77
+2%since 2000
from 75 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
14.7%
+8.3 ptssince 2000
from 6.4% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
80.2%
+8.2 ptssince 2000
from 71.9% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
6.2%
+4.4 ptssince 2000
from 1.8% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
24.6 min
+41%since 2000
from 17.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
83.6%
+3.4 ptssince 2009
from 80.3% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
6.0%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 4.5% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
10.7%
+4.1 ptssince 2011
from 6.6% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
29.6%
−4.7 ptssince 2011
from 34.3% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
34.0%
−28.4 ptssince 2009
from 62.4% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
68.8%
−7.3 ptssince 2009
from 76.0% in 2009
Female
31.2%
+7.3 ptssince 2009
from 24.0% in 2009
Foreign born
13.0%
−2.8 ptssince 2009
from 15.8% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
4.1%
−80.9 ptssince 2013
from 85.0% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Tehachapi

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Head to head

Compare Tehachapi to nearby cities

TEHACHAPI VS
Golden Hills
Income$95,669+103%
Home value$410,300+79%
Population9,891−17%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
TEHACHAPI VS
Arvin
Income$49,183+5%
Home value$262,700+15%
Population19,820+67%
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TEHACHAPI VS
Rosamond
Income$79,386+69%
Home value$352,600+54%
Population21,473+81%
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TEHACHAPI VS
Lamont
Income$37,217−21%
Home value$220,700−4%
Population13,164+11%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Tehachapi, California?

Tehachapi, California has about 12,939 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Tehachapi, California?

The typical household in Tehachapi, California earns about $47,039 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 $229,100, and the typical rent is about $1,052 a month.

How educated are people in Tehachapi, California?

About 14.7% 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 11.4% 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 7,148 residents, a change of about 123 percent over that period.

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

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