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Wasco, CA
City in Kern County, California.
Population
26,558
Land area
9.4sq mi
People per sq mi
2,829
ZIP codes
0
Wasco and its ZIP codes
Wasco at a glance
- Wasco is about 11 times as dense as California as a whole.
- By population, it ranks 288th among 1,570 cities and towns in California.
- The median household income is $51,727, 48% below the California median of $99,122.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $273,600 (63% below California) and median rent is $1,089 a month.
Local data for Wasco, CA
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Wasco, CA, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$51,727
Poverty rate
18.4%
Median home value
$273,600
Median rent
$1,089/mo
Homeownership
58.3%
Bachelor's or higher
6.2%
Median age
30.6
Average commute
23.3 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Mexican Americans (21,797), German Americans (265), Salvadoran Americans (261).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Kern County. PPP loans are for Wasco.
Unemployment rate
8.4%
Aug 2026, -0.3 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$61,737
347,044 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$50,641
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$4.8B
FY 2026, $5,245 per person
How people get to work
Wasco, CA, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone78.4%
- Carpooled16.0%
- Public transit0.2%
- Walked2.0%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.4%
- Worked from home2.9%
Average one-way commute: 23.3 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Wasco, CA, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively High
Top: wildfire
Storm events since 1996
2,501
Countywide, mostly high wind
Flood insurance policies
2,955
1.1% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
100° / 39°F
7.1 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone1 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Wasco, CA, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
38.9%
U.S. 33.3% +5.6 pts
Diabetes
13.4%
U.S. 12.1% +1.3 pts
Smoking
15.7%
U.S. 12.8% +2.9 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
26.1%
U.S. 11.1% +15.0 pts
Cities near Wasco
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| Smith CornerCensus-designated place | 8.5 mi | 0.2 |
| McFarlandCity | 8.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Mexican ColonyCensus-designated place | 9.1 mi | 0 |
| Cherokee StripCensus-designated place | 9.3 mi | 0.1 |
| ShafterCity | 9.6 mi | 38.7 |
| ButtonwillowCensus-designated place | 13 mi | 6.9 |
| StebbinsCensus-designated place | 13 mi | 1 |
| DelanoCity | 13 mi | 14.7 |
| RosedaleCensus-designated place | 16 mi | 29.3 |
| JovistaCensus-designated place | 17 mi | 0.1 |
| AllensworthCensus-designated place | 18 mi | 3.1 |
| GreenacresCensus-designated place | 19 mi | 1.9 |
| Lost HillsCensus-designated place | 19 mi | 5.6 |
| Rodriguez CampCensus-designated place | 19 mi | 0.3 |
| TupmanCensus-designated place | 20 mi | 0.5 |
| RichgroveCensus-designated place | 20 mi | 0.5 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Wasco, CA in?
- Wasco is in Kern County, California.
- What is the population of Wasco, CA?
- About 26,558 people live in Wasco, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Wasco?
- Nearby places include Smith Corner (8.5 mi), McFarland (8.8 mi), Mexican Colony (9.1 mi), Cherokee Strip (9.3 mi), Shafter (9.6 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023