City in Kern County, California · 38.7 sq mi · 635 people per sq mi
24,575 people live in Shafter. The typical household earns $71,215, and the median resident is 28.1 years old.
2026 projection
From 19,953 in 2020
Poverty rate 20.72%
Men 29 · Women 27
1940–2026
24,575
2026 projection
23.2% since 2020 (increase)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau decennial counts and annual estimates, including 2010–2020 intercensal estimates. 2026 is a projection. Values between recorded years are interpolated.
Use the left and right arrow keys to inspect population observations.
1940–2026
24,575
2026 projection
23.2% since 2020 (increase)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau decennial counts and annual estimates, including 2010–2020 intercensal estimates. 2026 is a projection. Values between recorded years are interpolated.
Use the left and right arrow keys to inspect population observations.
| 2026 | 24,575 | +704 | 2.95% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 23,871 | +991 | 4.33% |
| 2024 | 22,880 | +945 | 4.31% |
| 2023 | 21,935 | +919 | 4.37% |
| 2022 | 21,016 | +789 | 3.90% |
| 2021 | 20,227 | +274 | 1.37% |
| 2020 | 19,953 | +237 | 1.20% |
| 2019 | 19,716 | +495 | 2.58% |
| 2018 | 19,221 | +581 | 3.12% |
| 2017 | 18,640 | +481 | 2.65% |
Showing 10 of 24 years.
The 2020 row compares the April 1 Census count with the July 1, 2019 estimate (about nine months). Its Growth and Annual change therefore do not represent a full year.
Shafter is growing faster than Kern County, California, and the U.S.
Change from July 1, 2020 to July 1, 2025 population estimates—not annualized growth or site projections.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau. U.S. totals are summed from the 50 states and D.C.; unavailable comparisons are omitted.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 5-year estimates · Table S0101
Each square is about 1% of residents (roughly 212 people).
Hispanic or Latino residents can be of any race. All other groups exclude Hispanic residents.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 5-year estimates · Table B03002
Half of households earn more, half earn less
Typical yearly pay for a worker 25 or older.
About 1 in 5 residents
46% of residents age 15 and older are married.
| Status | Overall | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| Married | 46% | 47% | 45% |
| Never married | 42% | 45% | 39% |
| Divorced | 6% | 5% | 7% |
| Widowed | 5% | 2% | 8% |
| Separated | 3% | 3% | 3% |
U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 5-year estimates · Table S1201
14 sources