California City, CA

Full City Profile · California · Kern County County

2.7 /5.0
C+ Fair
14,821 Population 73/sq mi density
$55,271 Median Income $23,266 per capita
$239,600 Home Value $274,794 Zillow
$1,016 Median Rent 39.4% income on rent
63°F Avg Temperature
C+
Overall
2.7 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.1 / 5.0
$55,271 median income, 18.5% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.2 / 5.0
$239,600 home value, $1,016/mo rent
D
Education
1.9 / 5.0
11.1% bachelor's degree or higher

California City, CA

At a Glance

Median Income
$55,271
26% below
$23,266 per capita
Home Value
$239,600
15% below
Zillow: $274,794
Median Rent
$1,016/mo
13% below
39.4% of income on rent
Bachelor's Degree+
11.1%
67% below
79.5% high school+
Unemployment
18.5%
414% above
22.6% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
39.4%
23% above
18.3% smoking rate
Avg Temperature
63°F

How California City Compares to the U.S. Average

Each bar shows California City's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)

Income
74%
Home Value
85%
Rent
87%
Poverty
182%
Bachelor's
33%
Unemployment
514%
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)

Is California City a Good Place to Live?

C+
2.7 / 5.0 - Fair
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.

Economy & Jobs

California City residents earn a median household income of $55,271 , which is 26% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $23,266. The unemployment rate stands at 18.5% (414% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 22.6% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 27,950 business establishments, including 1,569 restaurants.

Housing & Cost of Living

The median home value in California City is $239,600 , 15% below the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home at $274,794. Median rent is $1,016/month, with 39.4% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 110.7 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1991.

Education

11.1% of adults in California City hold a bachelor's degree or higher (67% below the national average). 79.5% have completed high school. Local schools score 4.0/10 in standardized testing.

Climate & Weather

California City has an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 45°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 5.8 inches. Air quality is rated Moderate with a median AQI of 72.

Data Overview

People

Population14,821
Median Age33.8 yrs
Density73/mi²
Male / Female57% / 44%
Foreign Born13.3%
Veterans9.2%

Economy

C
Median Income$55,271
Per Capita$23,266
Unemployment18.5%
Poverty22.6%
County GDP$63,070M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,155

Housing

A
Home Value$239,600
Rent$1,016
Ownership57.1%
Zillow$274,794
Housing Units5,324
Rent Burden39.4%

Health

Obesity39.4%
Diabetes14.7%
Smoking18.3%
Heart Disease7.2%
Premature Death10,697/100K

Climate

Avg Temp63°F
Rain5.8 in/yr
AQI72 (Moderate)
Elevation2,497 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+11.1%
High School+79.5%
Graduate+3.0%
School Score4.0/10

Community

2024 VoteR 59% / D 38%
Commute47 min
Broadband91.8%
Internet Speed79 Mbps
EV Stations2
Libraries28

Did You Know?

The median home in California City was built in 1991.
The nearest airport is Bob Hope (71 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.470 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively High" by FEMA.
24.2% of the population has a disability.
13.3% of residents are foreign-born.
There are 1,569 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 197 fatal vehicle crashes.
273 declared natural disasters on record.