Population 32,307 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Barstow
Household size in Barstow
| Period | Barstow | Riverside area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.83 | 3.35 | 3.04 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.94 | 3.43 | 3.10 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.87 | 3.42 | 3.09 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.78 | 3.34 | 3.01 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.05 | −0.01 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
The typical household in Barstow holds 2.78 people, slightly more than the U.S. average of 2.65. Locally, though, the typical household here is smaller than in the wider Riverside area, where it has 3.34 people. Since 2006–10, household size has edged down from 2.83, as it has nationally.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Barstow
| Period | Barstow | Riverside area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 35.1 | 33.6 | 35.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 34.0 | 34.6 | 36.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 32.5 | 35.9 | 37.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 35.1 | 37.0 | 39.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | −0.0 | +3.4 | +3.1 | +2.3 |
Barstow is young: half of its residents are under 35.1, compared with a national median of 40.1. The population tilts toward young families with children. Barstow is younger than the great majority of California cities.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Barstow
| Period | Barstow | Riverside area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.4% | 15.2% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 18.4% | 15.7% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 25.0% | 14.4% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 21.4% | 14.8% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | +3.0 pts | −0.3 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are common in Barstow: 21.4% of all households, against 11.6% nationally. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has risen 3.0 points, even as the national share fell. Only 47 of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people have a higher share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Barstow
Renters in Barstow
| Period | Barstow | Riverside area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 45.1% | 32.3% | 42.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 49.2% | 36.6% | 45.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 53.0% | 36.7% | 45.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 50.5% | 34.2% | 44.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | +5.4 pts | +1.9 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Barstow rent: 50.5% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. Among homeowners, 53.0% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is up 5.4 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Barstow
| Period | Barstow | Riverside area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.5% | 11.8% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 17.0% | 10.9% | 8.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 13.1% | 9.4% | 7.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 10.3% | 7.8% | 7.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | −6.2 pts | −4.0 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy in Barstow is close to the national rate: 10.3% of homes are empty, against 9.6%. The rate is higher than in the wider Riverside area (7.8%). Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 6.2 points, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Barstow
| Period | Barstow | Riverside area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1969 | 1983 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1970 | 1984 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1971 | 1984 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1971 | 1986 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +3 | +3 | +4 | +6 |
The housing in Barstow is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1971, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. Newer construction is concentrated in the south, while the north has the oldest housing.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Barstow
| Period | Barstow | Riverside area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $853 | $1,287 | $1,298 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $837 | $1,332 | $1,379 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $869 | $1,549 | $1,721 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,232 | $2,083 | $2,229 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$380 | +$796 | +$931 | +$606 |
The median renter in Barstow pays $1,232 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $380 a month since 2006–10, up 45%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 29.5% of household income on rent, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. Rents run highest in the southeast and lowest in the southwest.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Barstow
Bachelor's degrees in Barstow
| Period | Barstow | Riverside area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.4% | 19.2% | 29.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 11.5% | 19.4% | 30.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 10.4% | 21.2% | 32.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 15.2% | 24.0% | 36.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +4.8 pts | +4.8 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Barstow: 15.2% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 4.8 points, as it has nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the south and least in the north.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Barstow
| Period | Barstow | Riverside area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 77.5% | 77.9% | 79.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 80.3% | 78.6% | 80.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 78.7% | 80.6% | 82.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 87.3% | 82.5% | 84.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +9.8 pts | +4.6 pts | +4.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
About one in eight adults in Barstow never finished high school, a bit more than nationally: 87.3% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% across the U.S. Even so, the rate is higher than in the Riverside area overall (82.5%). The share with a diploma is up 9.8 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Barstow
| Period | Barstow | Riverside area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.5% | 11.4% | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 14.7% | 14.4% | 11.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.5% | 7.7% | 6.3% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 10.6% | 6.8% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | +1.1 pts | −4.6 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Barstow runs well above the national rate: 10.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4%. Of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people, only 61 have higher unemployment. Unemployment has edged up 1.1 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Barstow compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barstow | 2.78 | 35.1 | 21.4% | 50.5% | 10.3% | 1971 | $1,232 | 15.2% | 87.3% | 10.6% |
| Lenwood | 2.68 | 38.7 | 10.6% | 41.7% | 13.5% | 1976 | $1,079 | 15.3% | 85.5% | 10.9% |
| Nebo Center | 2.51 | 40.9 | 11.0% | 48.7% | 8.9% | 1977 | $1,553 | 14.3% | 90.3% | 11.6% |
| Daggett | 2.05 | 47.0 | 10.2% | 42.4% | 24.8% | 1970 | $876 | 9.7% | 86.5% | 30.0% |
| Hinkley | 3.03 | 52.8 | 11.3% | 33.9% | 17.7% | 1975 | $1,260 | 9.8% | 82.3% | 9.2% |
| Hodge | 2.86 | 37.4 | 24.6% | 32.3% | 16.6% | 1980 | $1,067 | 7.4% | 80.2% | 6.7% |
| Yermo | 3.04 | 32.5 | 1.9% | 45.6% | 4.3% | 1966 | $1,751 | 8.0% | 84.6% | 32.7% |
| Newberry Springs | 2.26 | 50.7 | 11.8% | 29.5% | 24.8% | 1983 | $942 | 10.6% | 84.8% | 33.5% |
| Helendale | 2.98 | 37.4 | 23.7% | 16.0% | 16.4% | 1993 | $1,763 | 25.0% | 92.9% | 5.6% |
| Ludlow | 2.08 | 47.2 | 11.3% | 57.4% | 38.0% | 1982 | $825 | 11.8% | 72.0% | 53.3% |
| Edwards Air Force Base | 3.07 | 25.1 | 12.0% | 93.3% | 11.6% | 1999 | $2,388 | 48.8% | 79.4% | 15.4% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Sapulpa, OK · Kaysville, UT · Knightdale, NC · La Verne, CA · Spotsylvania, VA · Texarkana, AR · Watertown, NY · Montrose, CO · Graham, WA · Banning, CA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Barstow. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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