Living in Shafter, California
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Shafter · Census data 2020–2024
Shafter has 21,193 residents with a median age of 28.1. The median household income is $71,215 (28% lower than the California median), the median home value is $335,800, the median rent is $1,253/month.
Shafter at a glance
- Population
- 21,193
- Median age
- 28.1State: 37.9
- Median household income
- $71,215State: $99,122
- Median home value
- $335,800State: $734,700
- Median rent
- $1,253/moState: $2,036
- Homeowners
- 64.7%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 12.2%
- Average commute
- 23 min
Is Shafter a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 54% lower than the state median; an average commute of 23 minutes; unemployment of 5.8%.
Cons: Median household income 28% lower than the California median; a poverty rate of 20.7%.
The weather is best in March to May and October.
Cost of living in Shafter
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Shafter the median home value is $335,800, about the same as the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,253 per month, which is 29.9% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,015 a month in housing costs.
Shafter median household income
The median household income in Shafter is $71,215 and the income per person is $24,156. 20.7% of residents live below the poverty line (California: 12%).
Housing in Shafter: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 5,924
- Owner-occupied
- 64.7%
- Renter-occupied
- 35.3%
- Vacant
- 4.2%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1993
- Average household size
- 3.64
Shafter demographics
- Population
- 21,193
- Median age
- 28.1
- Under 18
- 33.5%
- 65 and older
- 7.5%
- Households
- 5,677
- Foreign-born
- 23.7%
- Veterans
- 3.3%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Shafter ›
Education in Shafter
12.2% of adults 25 and older in Shafter have a bachelor's degree or higher (California: 37.1%), and 4.4% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Shafter
- Unemployment rate
- 5.8%State: 6.6%
- Average commute
- 23 minState: 29 min
- Work from home
- 4.4%
- Drive alone
- 81%
- Public transit
- 0.5%
- Walk to work
- 1.1%
- Homes with broadband
- 87.9%
Shafter vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shafter | 21,193 | $71,215 | $335,800 | $1,253 |
| Mexican Colony | 148 | $54,375 | — | — |
| Smith Corner | 718 | $48,281 | $115,800 | — |
| Rosedale | 18,877 | $135,966 | $608,900 | $1,637 |
| Greenacres | 4,906 | $91,528 | $351,800 | $1,761 |
| Stebbins | 967 | $68,029 | — | — |
| Oildale | 34,687 | $51,298 | $238,800 | $1,281 |
| Olde Stockdale | 349 | $166,987 | $717,100 | — |
| Wasco | 26,558 | $51,727 | $273,600 | $1,089 |
More for people moving to Shafter
Shafter ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Shafter: FAQ
What is the median household income in Shafter, CA?
The median household income in Shafter is $71,215, 28% lower than the California median of $99,122 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Shafter?
The median home value in Shafter is $335,800, compared with $734,700 in California.
How much is rent in Shafter?
The median gross rent in Shafter is $1,253 per month, about 29.9% of household income.
Is Shafter, CA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 54% lower than the state median; an average commute of 23 minutes; unemployment of 5.8%. Minuses: median household income 28% lower than the California median; a poverty rate of 20.7%.
What is the median age in Shafter?
The median age in Shafter is 28.1 years (California: 37.9).
How long is the commute in Shafter?
The average commute to work in Shafter is 23 minutes; 4.4% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Shafter?
The unemployment rate in Shafter is 5.8% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Shafter?
12.2% of adults in Shafter have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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