City · California
Tehachapi, California
Tehachapi, city, in Kern County, California. Tehachapi had 11,852 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 8.4% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 12,939 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 11,946 (±42). GEOID 0678092.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
11,852
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 12,939 · ACS 2020-2024: 11,946 ±42
Median household income
$72,957
±$12,522 (90% margin)
California: $99,122
Median home value
$355,500
±$12,590 (90% margin)
California: $734,700
Median gross rent
$1,295
±$129 (90% margin)
California: $2,036
Where is Tehachapi and what county is it in?
Tehachapi is a city in Kern County, California. It covers 10.3 square miles of land, 1,259 residents per square mile in 2020.
Tehachapi 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 Tehachapi, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 11,852 people lived in Tehachapi on July 1, 2025, down 8.4% since 2020, a steeper fall than California's (−0.5%). The 2020 Census counted 12,939 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 11,946 (±42).
| Measure | Tehachapi | Kern County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 11,946 ±42 | 915,075 | −734 |
| Households | 3,610 ±350 | 284,931 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.42 ±0.21 | 3.12 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 3,901 ±386 | 306,999 | no clear change |
Tehachapi's population since 2000
From 10,957 in 2000 to 11,852 in 2025: up 8.2%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Tehachapi as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
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 Tehachapi?
The median resident of Tehachapi is 39.1 years old; 19.8% are under 18 and 13.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 50.0%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 37.7%. 13.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Tehachapi | Kern County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.1 ±2.7 | 32.7 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 19.8% ±3.8 pts | 28.6% | – |
| 65 years and over | 13.4% ±2.7 pts | 11.9% | – |
| Male | 61.9% ±3.3 pts | 50.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 37.7% ±5.7 pts | 56.5% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 50.0% ±6.0 pts | 29.6% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 6.0% ±1.4 pts | 4.8% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.7% ±0.9 pts | 5.1% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.2 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.6% ±1.6 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.9% ±0.7 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 13.4% ±3.8 pts | 20.2% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 27.8% ±5.1 pts | 45.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.9% ±1.8 pts | 4.9% | – |
| With a disability | 17.4% ±3.7 pts | 12.4% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.3% ±3.7 pts | 7.8% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 79.0% ±3.7 pts | 77.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 15.5% ±4.0 pts | 18.8% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.6% ±2.7 pts | 6.5% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 87.9% ±3.0 pts | 91.1% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.6% ±0.7 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 Tehachapi earn?
Half of Tehachapi's 3,610 households earn less than $72,957 a year (±$12,522), against $70,210 in Kern County and $99,122 in California. In 2015-2019 it was $66,560 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 13.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Tehachapi | Kern County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $72,957 ±$12,522 | $70,210 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $79,711 ±$8,461 | $93,147 | – |
| Per capita income | $25,361 ±$3,132 | $29,699 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 13.9% ±5.0 pts | 19.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 8.6% ±6.1 pts | 25.6% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 8.4% ±3.5 pts | 20.2% | – |
| Households with a computer | 95.8% ±2.4 pts | 95.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 90.3% ±4.1 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 Tehachapi?
Owners occupy 58.5% of Tehachapi's occupied homes and renters 41.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $355,500 by its owner (±$12,590). The median renter pays $1,295 a month including utilities, and 35.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Tehachapi | Kern County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $355,500 ±$12,590 | $338,300 | +$95,577 |
| Median gross rent | $1,295 ±$129 | $1,300 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 35.8% ±13.9 pts | 48.3% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,970 ±$145 | $1,968 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 58.5% ±7.6 pts | 60.1% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 41.5% ±7.6 pts | 39.9% | – |
| Housing units | 3,901 ±386 | 306,999 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.7% ±2.4 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.3% ±8.2 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 74.6% ±5.1 pts | 72.4% | – |
| Mobile homes | 6.5% ±2.8 pts | 7.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0% ±1.1 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 6.3% ±2.8 pts | 8.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 4.0% ±2.6 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 2.1% ±2.0 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 many new homes is Tehachapi building?
Builders took permits for 9 new housing units in Tehachapi in 2025 (9 in single-family houses), 0.8 per 1,000 residents against 2.6 across California.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Tehachapi work and get to work?
77.0% of Tehachapi's workers drive alone and 7.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 27.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.4%.
| Measure | Tehachapi | Kern County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 36.5% ±3.8 pts | 58.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.4% ±3.3 pts | 8.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 77.0% ±6.0 pts | 78.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.1% ±5.1 pts | 11.4% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±1.3 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 1.8% ±1.6 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.2% ±3.3 pts | 7.5% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 27.0 min ±3.5 | 24.4 min | no clear change |
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 Tehachapi?
3 census tracts lie mostly in Tehachapi, and 3 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $57,895 (Tract 61.01) to $86,261 (Tract 61.02).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 61.02Kern County | 4,674 | $86,261 |
| Tract 61.01Kern County | 3,804 | $57,895 |
| Tract 60.02Kern County | 3,188 | not published |
| Tract 60.03Kern County | 5,923 | $58,668 |
| Tract 60.04Kern County | 1,440 | $62,317 |
| Tract 60.12Kern County | 2,827 | $118,750 |
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 Tehachapi) · Census block assignment files
How does Tehachapi compare with other places in California?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Tehachapi is the 2,854th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 355th-most populous of 483 in California.
Tehachapi ranks 761st of 1,037 places in California with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 355th | 483 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 461st | 469 |
| Residents per square mile | 699th | 1,077 |
| Median household income | 761st | 1,037 |
| Per capita income | 896th | 1,073 |
| Median home value | 839th | 1,054 |
| Median gross rent | 795th | 987 |
| Poverty rate | 307th | 836 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 794th | 988 |
| Median age | 567th | 1,075 |
| Owner-occupied share | 714th | 1,064 |
| Work from home | 720th | 822 |
| Travel time to work | 587th | 1,069 |
Tehachapi's figures with every place in California (CSV)
Every place in California, sortable · Compare Tehachapi 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 Tehachapi?
11 of the 57 figures for Tehachapi 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 Tehachapi 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' public schools in Tehachapi.