Shafter, CA
Full City Profile · California · Kern County County
2.5
/5.0
C+
Fair
20,618
Population
533/sq mi density
$67,989
Median Income
$22,147 per capita
$306,800
Home Value
$386,543 Zillow
$1,140
Median Rent
30.0% income on rent
63°F
Avg Temperature
288
Violent Crime/100K
1,400 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.5 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.1 / 5.0
$67,989 median income, 6.5% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.1 / 5.0
$306,800 home value, $1,140/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
288 violent crimes/100K
D
Education
1.9 / 5.0
10.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Shafter enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 47°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 7.7 inches. The area receives 0.1 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Moderate with a median AQI of 72.
Temperature
47°F Jan (8°C)
80°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 62.9°F |
| 16% above US avg | |
| January Average | 47°F (8°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (26°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 371 ft (113 m) |
| Area | 27.9 sq mi (72.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 533/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.4794°N, 119.2013°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Kern County County |
| Nearest Airport | San Luis Obispo County Regional (SBP) 81 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 72.0 |
| Rating | Moderate |
| Good Days % | 20.8% |
| Unhealthy Days | 94 |
Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)
| Ozone (O₃) | 0.0483 ppm |
| NO₂ (Nitrogen Dioxide) | 15.9 ppb |
| CO (Carbon Monoxide) | 0.25 ppm |
| PM2.5 (Fine Particles) | 8.9 μg/m³ |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 98.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 61.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 6.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively High |
| Wildfire | Relatively High |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively High |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively High |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Tsunami History
2 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 1.0 m (3 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1878 | S. CALIFORNIA | Meteorological | 1.0 m | 1 | 143 km |
| 1901 | MONTEREY BAY, N. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | - | - | 131 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Golden Trout Creek (126 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Golden Trout Creek | Volcanic field | 2,886 m (9,469 ft) | -5550 | 126 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP). Sorted by distance.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 47°F (8°C) | 1.3 in | |
| February | 52°F (11°C) | 1.5 in | Wettest |
| March | 57°F (14°C) | 1.4 in | |
| April | 61°F (16°C) | 0.7 in | |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 0.3 in | |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 0.1 in | |
| July | 80°F (26°C) | 0.0 in | |
| August | 80°F (27°C) | 0.0 in | Warmest, Driest |
| September | 74°F (24°C) | 0.1 in | |
| October | 63°F (17°C) | 0.3 in | |
| November | 53°F (12°C) | 0.7 in | |
| December | 47°F (8°C) | 1.4 in | Coldest |
Shafter has a seasonal temperature swing of 33°F / from 47°F in December to 80°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 7.7 inches, with February being the wettest month (1.5") and August the driest (0.0").