Census-designated place · California
Cottonwood (Kern County), California
Cottonwood (Kern County), census-designated place, in Kern County, California. Cottonwood (Kern County) had 3,971 residents in the 2020 Census, a full count; the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 3,107 (±796). GEOID 0616623.
Residents, 2020 Census
3,971
Census count or controlled total
ACS 2020-2024 estimate: 3,107 ±796
Median household income
$44,247
±$6,522 (90% margin)
California: $99,122
Median home value
$321,600
±$97,315 (90% margin)
California: $734,700
Median gross rent
$1,029
±$100 (90% margin)
California: $2,036
Where is Cottonwood (Kern County) and what county is it in?
Cottonwood (Kern County) is a census-designated place: an unincorporated community the Census Bureau draws for counting, with no city government of its own, in Kern County, California. It covers 0.4 square miles of land, 10,104 residents per square mile in 2020.
Cottonwood (Kern County) is in the Bakersfield-Delano, CA metropolitan statistical area (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Cottonwood (Kern County), and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 3,971 residents in Cottonwood (Kern County), a full count rather than a sample. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a sample, estimates 3,107 (±796).
The Census Bureau publishes yearly population estimates for incorporated places only; Cottonwood (Kern County) is a census-designated place, so its figures come from the ACS and the 2020 Census.
| Measure | Cottonwood (Kern County) | Kern County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 3,107 ±796 | 915,075 | – |
| Households | 772 ±178 | 284,931 | – |
| Average household size | 4.02 ±0.53 | 3.12 | – |
| Housing units | 799 ±168 | 306,999 | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Cottonwood (Kern County)?
The median resident of Cottonwood (Kern County) is 18.3 years old. The largest group is Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 72.3%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 21.0%. 23.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Cottonwood (Kern County) | Kern County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 18.3 ±5.3 | 32.7 | – |
| Under 18 years | 49.6% ±8.7 pts | 28.6% | – |
| 65 years and over | 6.1% ±4.4 pts | 11.9% | – |
| Male | 46.2% ±8.0 pts | 50.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 72.3% ±12.0 pts | 56.5% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 2.9% ±2.5 pts | 29.6% | – |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 21.0% ±13.1 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.4 pts | 5.1% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.4 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.4 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.8% ±4.8 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.4 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 23.9% ±11.2 pts | 20.2% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 66.3% ±11.3 pts | 45.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 2.6% ±3.1 pts | 4.9% | – |
| With a disability | 7.2% ±3.8 pts | 12.4% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 15.0% ±9.2 pts | 7.8% | – |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 60.0% ±13.6 pts | 77.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 5.8% ±4.4 pts | 18.8% | – |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.2% ±4.0 pts | 6.5% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 97.0% ±4.9 pts | 91.1% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.0% ±1.4 pts | 0.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Cottonwood (Kern County) earn?
Half of Cottonwood (Kern County)'s 772 households earn less than $44,247 a year (±$6,522), against $70,210 in Kern County and $99,122 in California. 46.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Cottonwood (Kern County) | Kern County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $44,247 ±$6,522 | $70,210 | – |
| Mean household income | $47,538 ±$10,735 | $93,147 | – |
| Per capita income | $12,008 ±$3,016 | $29,699 | – |
| People below the poverty line | 46.5% ±16.8 pts | 19.1% | – |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 55.3% ±20.2 pts | 25.6% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 45.3% ±13.4 pts | 20.2% | – |
| Households with a computer | 98.8% ±2.4 pts | 95.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 96.5% ±3.7 pts | 91.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Cottonwood (Kern County)?
Owners occupy 16.5% of Cottonwood (Kern County)'s occupied homes and renters 83.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $321,600 by its owner (±$97,315). The median renter pays $1,029 a month including utilities, and 42.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Cottonwood (Kern County) | Kern County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $321,600 ±$97,315 | $338,300 | – |
| Median gross rent | $1,029 ±$100 | $1,300 | – |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 42.5% ±14.1 pts | 48.3% | – |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,838 ±$521 | $1,968 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 16.5% ±8.3 pts | 60.1% | – |
| Renter-occupied homes | 83.5% ±8.3 pts | 39.9% | – |
| Housing units | 799 ±168 | 306,999 | – |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±27.8 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.0% ±5.0 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 48.8% ±12.5 pts | 72.4% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.0% ±5.2 pts | 7.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0% ±5.2 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 3.0% ±4.0 pts | 8.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 0.0% ±5.2 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 13.3% ±7.8 pts | 6.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How do people in Cottonwood (Kern County) work and get to work?
90.3% of Cottonwood (Kern County)'s workers drive alone. The average trip to work takes 22.3 minutes.
| Measure | Cottonwood (Kern County) | Kern County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 47.5% ±9.0 pts | 58.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 16.0% ±12.7 pts | 8.6% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 90.3% ±11.7 pts | 78.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 0.0% ±6.0 pts | 11.4% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.9% ±3.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 0.0% ±6.0 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.4% ±10.6 pts | 7.5% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.3 min ±3.6 | 24.4 min | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Cottonwood (Kern County)?
No census tract lies mostly in Cottonwood (Kern County); 2 tracts reach into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 25.01Kern County | 4,443 | $45,063 |
| Tract 24.03Kern County | 2,847 | $50,076 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Cottonwood (Kern County)) · Census block assignment files
How does Cottonwood (Kern County) compare with other places in California?
Cottonwood (Kern County) ranks 1,001st of 1,037 places in California with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population (ACS 2020-2024) | 784th | 1,076 |
| Residents per square mile | 65th | 1,077 |
| Median household income | 1,001st | 1,037 |
| Per capita income | 1,068th | 1,073 |
| Median home value | 889th | 1,054 |
| Median gross rent | 931st | 987 |
| Poverty rate | 5th | 836 |
| Median age | 1,075th | 1,075 |
| Owner-occupied share | 1,061st | 1,064 |
| Travel time to work | 871st | 1,069 |
Cottonwood (Kern County)'s figures with every place in California (CSV)
Every place in California, sortable · Compare Cottonwood (Kern County) with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Cottonwood (Kern County)?
22 of the 57 figures for Cottonwood (Kern County) on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Cottonwood (Kern County) are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.