Median Income
$64,479
14% lower than US avg
Home Value
$246,400
13% lower than US avg
Violent Crime
517/100K
36% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+
11.0%
67% lower than US avg
Median Rent
$989
15% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate
35.3%
10% higher than US avg
Unemployment
2.2%
39% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate
9.3%
25% lower than US avg
How Taft Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)
People
Population7,228
Median Age36.2 yrs
Density473/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 77%
Economy
A
Median Income$64,479
Per Capita$31,344
Unemployment2.2%
Poverty9.3%
County GDP$63,070M
Commute20 min
Housing
A+
Home Value$246,400
Rent$989
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$201,442
Crime
F
Violent517/100K
Property3,103/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault483/100K
Burglary663/100K
Health
Obesity35.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.3%
Heart Disease6.3%
Climate
Avg Temp66°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain6.0 in/yr
Elevation831 ft
Education
D
Bachelor's+11.0%
High School+84.3%
School Score4.69
Community
2024 VoteR 59% / D 38%
Commute20 min
EV Stations2
Libraries28
Is Taft a Good Place to Live?
Based on current data, Taft receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates. Taft has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.
Economy & Jobs
The median household income in Taft is $64,479, 14% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.2%. 9.3% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.
Cost of Living & Housing
The median home value in Taft is $246,400, 13% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $989 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.8x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.
Safety & Crime
The violent crime rate of 517 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,103 per 100,000, 58% above the national average.
Education
11.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 84.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.
Climate & Weather
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.
Taft has a population of 7,228 with a density of 473 people per square mile. The median age is 36.2 years, 7% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (76.6%), with 3.3% Hispanic, 1.6% Black.
Population
36.2yrs
Median Age
7% below US avg
Language Spoken at Home
| English Only | 79.3% |
| 1% above US avg |
| Spanish | 20.7% |
| 54% above US avg |
The median household income in Taft is $64,479, which is 14% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 9.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.
Income
| Median HH Income | $64,479 |
| 14% below US avg |
| Per Capita Income | $31,344 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $1,155 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $61,998 |
Employment & Poverty
| Unemployment | 2.2% |
| 39% below US avg |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% |
| 25% below US avg |
| Establishments (County) | 27,950 |
| County GDP | $63,070M |
Business (County)
| Restaurants | 1,569 |
| Healthcare | 1,838 |
| Retail | 2,004 |
| Manufacturing | 417 |
Tax & Cost of Living
| Property Tax (IRS) | $5,285 |
| 51% above US avg |
| Effective Tax Rate | 2.14% |
Commute & Transportation
| Commute Time | 20.3 min |
| Work from Home | 3.4% |
The median home value in Taft is $246,400, 13% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $989 (15% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $201,442.
Home Values
| Census Median | $246,400 |
| 13% below US avg |
| Zillow ZHVI | $201,442 |
| Median List Price | $375,000 |
Real Estate Market (Redfin)
| Median List Price | $375,000 |
| $/Sq Ft | $190 |
| Homes Sold | 5 |
| Sale-to-List Ratio | 100.7% |
| Price Drops | 42.1% |
| Inventory | 19 |
Rental Costs
| Census Median Rent | $989 |
| 15% below US avg |
| Zillow Rent (ZORI) | $1,296 |
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
Property Tax
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $5,285 |
| 51% above US avg |
| Effective Rate | 2.14% |
In Taft, 35.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 23.3% report depression. 28.8% are physically inactive.
Health Metrics: Taft vs U.S. Average (%)
Chronic Conditions
| Obesity | 35.3% |
| 10% above US avg |
| Diabetes | 11.9% |
| Heart Disease | 6.3% |
| High Blood Pressure | 31.9% |
| Asthma | 10.2% |
| COPD | 6.6% |
| Stroke | 3.4% |
Behaviors & Mental Health
| |
| Binge Drinking | 18.9% |
| Physical Inactivity | 28.8% |
| Depression | 23.3% |
| Mental Distress | 20.1% |
| Physical Distress | 15.6% |
Healthcare Access
| Insurance Rate | 95.2% |
| |
| Checkup Rate | 69.6% |
| Premature Death | 10,697/100K |
Food & Exercise
| Food Environment | 7.2/10 |
| Exercise Access | 85.3% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 1,838 |
Taft has a violent crime rate of 517 per 100,000 residents, 36% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,103 per 100,000 (58% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.
Crime Rates: Taft vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)
Violent Crime
| Total Violent | 517.1/100K |
| 36% above US avg |
| Murder | 0.0/100K |
| 100% below US avg |
| Rape | 22.5/100K |
| Robbery | 11.2/100K |
| Assault | 483.4/100K |
Property Crime
| Total Property | 3,102.9/100K |
| 58% above US avg |
| Burglary | 663.3/100K |
| Theft | 2,282.2/100K |
| Vehicle Theft | 157.4/100K |
| Arson | 0.0/100K |
Traffic Safety
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 197 |
| FEMA Disasters | 273 |
Safety Score
| Safety Grade | F |
| Safety Score | 1.0 / 5.0 |
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 Average | 65.7°F |
| 22% above US avg |
| January Average | 50°F (10°C) |
| July Average | 83°F (29°C) |
Precipitation & Snow
| Annual Rainfall | 6.0 inches |
| 84% below US avg |
| Snowfall | 0.2 inches/yr |
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 48.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Geography
| Elevation | 831 ft (253 m) |
| Area | 15.3 sq mi (39.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 473/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.1267°N, 119.4242°W |
| County FIPS | 06029 |