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CITY · 2020 ACS

Wasco

California · 27,047 residents · 9.387 sq mi
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The short version

Wasco has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $39,291. Population has grown 27% since 2000. 4% 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 $179,500. At a median age of 29.5, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Households here earn about 50% less than the California median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 29.5
US median: 38.8
Less educated
4% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 48%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
27,047
+27%since 2000
from 21,263 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,881 / sq mi
+27%since 2000
from 2,265 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
29.5
+1%since 2000
from 29.3 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
11K15K20K24K29K1990201020202024Wasco
202427K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$39,291
−10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $28,997 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$13,965
−2%since 2000
from $14,228 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
20.0%
+3.7 ptssince 2009
from 16.3% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
19.0%
−8.6 ptssince 2000
from 27.5% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Agriculture, forestry, fishing31.6%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction28.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Information9.1%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance7.3%
US avg: 5.5%
Retail trade6.3%
US avg: 10%
Professional, scientific, technical4.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing3.2%
US avg: 2.5%
Manufacturing3.1%
US avg: 0.5%
Wholesale trade2.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Education & health services2.4%
US avg: 0.8%
Other services1.7%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration1.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$179,500
+48%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $80,700 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$785
+29%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $406 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
55.2%
−2.7 ptssince 2000
from 57.8% in 2000
44.8% rent
Afford Score
4.6
+64%since 2000
from 2.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Wasco on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic21.6%(4,588)
Black9.8%(2,088)
Hispanic / Latino66.7%(14,187)
Asian0.6%(126)
Other0%
Diversity Score60.7%(12,902)
2020
White, non-Hispanic8.3%(2,238)
Black5.3%(1,428)
Hispanic / Latino84.7%(22,922)
Asian0.5%(134)
Other2%(551)
Diversity Score35.5%(9,591)
Diversity Score
35
−42%since 2000
from 61 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
4.4%
+0.2 ptssince 2000
from 4.2% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
60.2%
+6.1 ptssince 2000
from 54.1% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
1.1%
Unchangedsince 2000
from 1.1% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
24.2 min
+46%since 2000
from 16.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
84.9%
+21.7 ptssince 2009
from 63.2% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
6.2%
−3.4 ptssince 2009
from 9.6% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
9.9%
−3.7 ptssince 2011
from 13.6% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
46.3%
+3.9 ptssince 2011
from 42.5% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
16.8%
−24.8 ptssince 2009
from 41.6% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
60.4%
−3.8 ptssince 2009
from 64.2% in 2009
Female
39.6%
+3.8 ptssince 2009
from 35.8% in 2009
Foreign born
29.8%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 28.7% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
7.4%
−65.9 ptssince 2013
from 73.3% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Wasco to nearby cities

WASCO VS
McFarland
Income$54,608+39%
Home value$272,700+52%
Population14,709−45%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WASCO VS
Shafter
Income$71,215+81%
Home value$335,800+87%
Population23,871−10%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WASCO VS
Delano
Income$67,010+71%
Home value$301,900+68%
Population52,334+97%
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WASCO VS
Rosedale
Income$135,966+246%
Home value$608,900+239%
Population18,877−29%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Wasco, California?

Wasco, California has about 27,047 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Wasco, California?

The typical household in Wasco, California earns about $39,291 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Wasco, California expensive?

In Wasco, California, the median home is worth about $179,500, and the typical rent is about $785 a month.

How educated are people in Wasco, California?

About 4.4% of adults age 25 and over in Wasco, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Wasco, California?

About 19.0% of people in Wasco, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Wasco, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Wasco, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 14,753 residents, a change of about 120 percent over that period.

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

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