South Taft, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

South Taft is a small town in California with a population of 2,534. Residents earn $41,875 per year, which is 44% below the national average.

2.7 /5.0
C+ Fair
2,534 Population 2,346/sq mi density
$41,875 Median Income $15,263 per capita
$155,700 Home Value
$892 Median Rent
66°F Avg Temperature
C+
Overall
2.7 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
D
Economy
1.8 / 5.0
$41,875 median income, 7.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.6 / 5.0
$155,700 home value, $892/mo rent
D
Education
1.7 / 5.0
9.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $41,875
44% lower than US avg
Home Value $155,700
45% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 9.2%
73% lower than US avg
Median Rent $892
23% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.6%
20% higher than US avg
Unemployment 7.5%
108% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 35.6%
187% higher than US avg

How South Taft Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population2,534
Median Age25.8 yrs
Density2,346/mi²
Male / Female45% / 55%
Largest GroupWhite 48%

Economy

D
Median Income$41,875
Per Capita$15,263
Unemployment7.5%
Poverty35.6%
County GDP$63,070M
Commute38 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$155,700
Rent$892
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity38.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.6%
Heart Disease7.2%

Climate

Avg Temp66°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain6.0 in/yr
Elevation1,117 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+9.2%
High School+57.0%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 59% / D 38%
Commute38 min
Libraries28

Is South Taft a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, South Taft receives an overall livability score of 2.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. South Taft has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in South Taft is $41,875, 44% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 7.5% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. The poverty rate of 35.6% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 38 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in South Taft is $155,700, 45% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $892 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.7x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

9.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 57.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

South Taft enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 66°F. Winters average 50°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 6.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

South Taft has a population of 2,534 with a density of 2,346 people per square mile. The median age is 25.8 years, 34% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (48.1%), with 2.2% Hispanic.

Population

2,534
Total Population
2,346
People / sq mi
25.8yrs
Median Age
34% below US avg
1.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 44.7%
Female 55.3%

Race & Ethnicity

South Taft vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only39.3%
50% below US avg
Spanish60.7%
353% above US avg

Social Characteristics

South Taft vs U.S. Average

The median household income in South Taft is $41,875, which is 44% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 7.5% (above the 3.6% US average). 35.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 38 minutes.

Income: South Taft vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$41,875
44% below US avg
Per Capita Income$15,263
Avg Weekly Wage$1,155
IRS Avg AGI$61,998

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment7.5%
108% above US avg
Poverty Rate35.6%
187% above US avg
Establishments (County)27,950
County GDP$63,070M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,569
Healthcare1,838
Retail2,004
Manufacturing417

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,285
51% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.39%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time38.1 min
Work from Home7.9%

Walkability

The median home value in South Taft is $155,700, 45% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $892 (23% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$155,700
45% below US avg
Median List Price$99,990

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$99,990
$/Sq Ft$119
Homes Sold2
Sale-to-List Ratio97.8%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory6

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$892
23% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,513
1 Bedroom$1,647
2 Bedrooms$2,053
3 Bedrooms$2,752
4 Bedrooms$3,165

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied40.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,285
51% above US avg
Effective Rate3.39%
In South Taft, 38.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 24.6% report depression. 35.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: South Taft vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.6%
20% above US avg
Diabetes14.3%
Heart Disease7.2%
High Blood Pressure33.6%
Asthma11.0%
COPD8.0%
Stroke4.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.7%
Physical Inactivity35.3%
Depression24.6%
Mental Distress21.6%
Physical Distress18.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate88.3%
Checkup Rate70.1%
Premature Death10,697/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.2/10
Exercise Access85.3%
Healthcare Facilities1,838

Crime Rates: South Taft vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)197
FEMA Disasters273

Safety Score

South Taft has an average annual temperature of 66°F (19°C). Winters average 50°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. Annual precipitation is 6.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

50°F Jan (10°C) 83°F Jul (29°C)
Annual Average65.7°F
22% above US avg
January Average50°F (10°C)
July Average83°F (29°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall6.0 inches
84% below US avg
Snowfall0.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,117 ft (340 m)
Area1.1 sq mi (2.8 km²)
Population Density2,346/sq mi
Coordinates35.1293°N, 119.4575°W
County FIPS06029
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 9.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (73% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 21.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 59.3%
D 38.2%

Winner: Republican by 21.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+9.2%
73% below US avg
High School+57.0%
School Test Score4.69
D Education Grade (1.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density2,346/sq mi
Total Area1.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries28
Healthcare Facilities1,838
Restaurants1,569
Retail Stores2,004

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)197
FEMA Disaster Declarations273

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute38.1 min
Work from Home7.9%

Nearby Cities

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