Wasco, CA

Full City Profile · California · Kern County County

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
26,222 Population 2,793/sq mi density
$55,521 Median Income $17,760 per capita
$251,900 Home Value $317,130 Zillow
$991 Median Rent 35.0% income on rent
66°F Avg Temperature
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.7 / 5.0
$55,521 median income, 7.1% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.1 / 5.0
$251,900 home value, $991/mo rent
D
Education
1.6 / 5.0
7.4% bachelor's degree or higher

Wasco, CA

At a Glance

Median Income
$55,521
26% below
$17,760 per capita
Home Value
$251,900
11% below
Zillow: $317,130
Median Rent
$991/mo
15% below
35.0% of income on rent
Bachelor's Degree+
7.4%
78% below
62.3% high school+
Unemployment
7.1%
97% above
19.4% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
39.6%
23% above
16.1% smoking rate
Avg Temperature
66°F

How Wasco Compares to the U.S. Average

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

Income
74%
Home Value
89%
Rent
85%
Poverty
156%
Bachelor's
22%
Unemployment
197%
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)

Is Wasco a Good Place to Live?

C+
2.8 / 5.0 - Fair
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.

Economy & Jobs

Wasco residents earn a median household income of $55,521 , which is 26% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $17,760. The unemployment rate stands at 7.1% (97% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 19.4% 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 Wasco is $251,900 , 11% below the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home at $317,130. Median rent is $991/month, with 35.0% 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 1982.

Education

7.4% of adults in Wasco hold a bachelor's degree or higher (78% below the national average). 62.3% have completed high school. Local schools score 4.0/10 in standardized testing.

Climate & Weather

Wasco has an average annual temperature of 66°F (19°C). Winters average 49°F in January while summers reach 84°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 7.1 inches. Air quality is rated Moderate with a median AQI of 72.

Data Overview

People

Population26,222
Median Age30.4 yrs
Density2,793/mi²
Male / Female58% / 42%
Foreign Born28.6%
Veterans2.1%

Economy

C+
Median Income$55,521
Per Capita$17,760
Unemployment7.1%
Poverty19.4%
County GDP$63,070M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,155

Housing

A
Home Value$251,900
Rent$991
Ownership59.1%
Zillow$317,130
Housing Units6,584
Rent Burden35.0%

Health

Obesity39.6%
Diabetes16.5%
Smoking16.1%
Heart Disease7.2%
Premature Death10,697/100K

Climate

Avg Temp66°F
Rain7.1 in/yr
AQI72 (Moderate)
Elevation307 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+7.4%
High School+62.3%
Graduate+1.5%
School Score4.0/10

Community

2024 VoteR 59% / D 38%
Commute22 min
Broadband81.1%
Internet Speed79 Mbps
EV Stations5
Libraries28

Did You Know?

Wasco was founded in 1945.
The median home in Wasco was built in 1982.
The nearest airport is San Luis Obispo County Regional (75 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.470 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively High" by FEMA.
8.9% of the population has a disability.
28.6% 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.