Living in Taft, California
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Taft · Census data 2020–2024
Taft has 7,125 residents with a median age of 37.1. The median household income is $72,772 (27% lower than the California median), the median home value is $252,600, the median rent is $1,069/month.
Taft at a glance
- Population
- 7,125
- Median age
- 37.1State: 37.9
- Median household income
- $72,772State: $99,122
- Median home value
- $252,600State: $734,700
- Median rent
- $1,069/moState: $2,036
- Homeowners
- 55%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 9%
- Average commute
- 19 min
Is Taft a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 66% lower than the state median; an average commute of 19 minutes; unemployment of 6.1%.
Cons: Median household income 27% lower than the California median; a poverty rate of 16.9%.
The weather is best in March to May and October.
Cost of living in Taft
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Taft the median home value is $252,600, 24% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,069 per month, which is 31.5% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,665 a month in housing costs.
Taft median household income
The median household income in Taft is $72,772 and the income per person is $31,797. 16.9% of residents live below the poverty line (California: 12%).
Housing in Taft: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 2,876
- Owner-occupied
- 55%
- Renter-occupied
- 45%
- Vacant
- 7.8%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1971
- Average household size
- 2.47
Taft demographics
- Population
- 7,125
- Median age
- 37.1
- Under 18
- 19.1%
- 65 and older
- 14.4%
- Households
- 2,651
- Foreign-born
- 7.2%
- Veterans
- 3.5%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Taft ›
Education in Taft
9% of adults 25 and older in Taft have a bachelor's degree or higher (California: 37.1%), and 4.1% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Taft
- Unemployment rate
- 6.1%State: 6.6%
- Average commute
- 19 minState: 29 min
- Work from home
- 4.4%
- Drive alone
- 82%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 4.3%
- Homes with broadband
- 83.6%
Taft vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taft | 7,125 | $72,772 | $252,600 | $1,069 |
| South Taft | 2,939 | $43,039 | $184,600 | $955 |
| Taft Heights | 1,291 | $54,034 | $193,800 | $1,066 |
| Ford City | 4,162 | $47,214 | $207,800 | $1,075 |
| Maricopa | 984 | $39,120 | $155,500 | $1,203 |
| Valley Acres | 595 | $135,820 | $315,100 | $1,151 |
| Dustin Acres | 656 | $87,788 | $246,800 | $1,699 |
| Derby Acres | 335 | $47,000 | $230,000 | $1,183 |
| New Cuyama | 555 | $60,759 | $216,500 | — |
More for people moving to Taft
Taft ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Taft: FAQ
What is the median household income in Taft, CA?
The median household income in Taft is $72,772, 27% 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 Taft?
The median home value in Taft is $252,600, compared with $734,700 in California.
How much is rent in Taft?
The median gross rent in Taft is $1,069 per month, about 31.5% of household income.
Is Taft, CA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 66% lower than the state median; an average commute of 19 minutes; unemployment of 6.1%. Minuses: median household income 27% lower than the California median; a poverty rate of 16.9%.
What is the median age in Taft?
The median age in Taft is 37.1 years (California: 37.9).
How long is the commute in Taft?
The average commute to work in Taft is 19 minutes; 4.4% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Taft?
The unemployment rate in Taft is 6.1% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Taft?
9% of adults in Taft 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.
Last updated: