Population 15,441 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in McFarland
Household size in McFarland
| Period | McFarland | Bakersfield area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.23 | 3.27 | 3.04 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 4.22 | 3.34 | 3.10 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 4.13 | 3.28 | 3.09 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 3.90 | 3.26 | 3.01 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.33 | −0.01 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
Households in McFarland are large by national standards, averaging 3.90 people against 2.65 for the U.S. That usually means more families with children at home. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 4.23, a much bigger shift than nationally. Of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people, only 33 have larger households.
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 McFarland
| Period | McFarland | Bakersfield area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 26.7 | 31.8 | 35.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 24.4 | 32.2 | 36.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 26.1 | 33.0 | 37.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 26.1 | 33.9 | 39.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | −0.6 | +2.1 | +3.1 | +2.3 |
With a median age of just 26.1, McFarland is far younger than the country as a whole (40.1), a population that tilts toward families with many children. Since 2006–10, the median age has edged down from 26.7, even as the national median rose. Of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people, only five are younger.
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 McFarland
| Period | McFarland | Bakersfield area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 20.3% | 18.1% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 23.3% | 18.7% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 18.7% | 16.8% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 27.5% | 17.8% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | +7.3 pts | −0.4 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head more than a quarter of households in McFarland (27.5%), well above the national share of 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has risen 7.3 points, even as the national share fell. Of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people, only nine 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 McFarland
Renters in McFarland
| Period | McFarland | Bakersfield area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 45.2% | 38.6% | 42.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 48.9% | 42.8% | 45.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 42.5% | 41.7% | 45.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 45.5% | 39.9% | 44.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | +0.3 pts | +1.3 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting is far more common in McFarland than nationally: 45.5% of households rent their homes, against 34.8%. Among homeowners, 46.6% have no mortgage at all, above the national share of 39.8%.
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 McFarland
| Period | McFarland | Bakersfield area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.6% | 10.9% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 2.9% | 9.7% | 8.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.3% | 8.9% | 7.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 7.0% | 7.8% | 7.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | −0.6 pts | −3.1 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Fewer homes sit empty in McFarland than nationally: 7.0%, against 9.6% for the U.S. The Bakersfield area as a whole looks much the same. Vacancy is down 0.6 points from 2006–10, a smaller 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 McFarland
| Period | McFarland | Bakersfield area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1988 | 1980 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1991 | 1981 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1989 | 1982 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1992 | 1986 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +6 | +4 | +6 |
McFarland has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 1992, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1988 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the northwest, the oldest in the center.
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 McFarland
| Period | McFarland | Bakersfield area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $663 | $968 | $1,298 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $787 | $1,061 | $1,379 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $909 | $1,163 | $1,721 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,151 | $1,610 | $2,229 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$488 | +$643 | +$931 | +$606 |
The median renter in McFarland pays $1,151 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $488 a month from 2006–10, a 74% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 38.1% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Only 30 of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people have lower rents.
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 McFarland
Bachelor's degrees in McFarland
| Period | McFarland | Bakersfield area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.6% | 14.9% | 29.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 4.1% | 15.3% | 30.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 3.5% | 16.2% | 32.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 6.8% | 20.5% | 36.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +1.3 pts | +5.6 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in McFarland: 6.8% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has edged up 1.3 points since 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally. Of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people, only 21 have a lower share of college graduates.
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 McFarland
| Period | McFarland | Bakersfield area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 42.5% | 70.3% | 79.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 41.7% | 72.3% | 80.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 52.1% | 73.3% | 82.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 59.0% | 77.2% | 84.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +16.5 pts | +6.9 pts | +4.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
About four in ten adults in McFarland never finished high school, well above the national share: only 59.0% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 16.5 points, a much bigger shift than nationally. Of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people, only 34 have a lower share of high school graduates.
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 McFarland
| Period | McFarland | Bakersfield area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.0% | 11.5% | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 19.4% | 13.6% | 11.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 12.8% | 9.9% | 6.3% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.8% | 8.6% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | −9.2 pts | −2.9 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in McFarland runs well above the national rate: 7.8% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4%. Locally, though, the rate is lower than in the Bakersfield area as a whole (8.6%). Unemployment is down 9.2 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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).
McFarland 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McFarland | 3.90 | 26.1 | 27.5% | 45.5% | 7.0% | 1992 | $1,151 | 6.8% | 59.0% | 7.8% |
| Delano | 3.69 | 33.4 | 17.8% | 40.0% | 5.3% | 1986 | $1,324 | 7.8% | 60.7% | 14.0% |
| Wasco | 3.64 | 30.2 | 18.4% | 42.9% | 8.4% | 1988 | $1,122 | 7.7% | 62.6% | 7.1% |
| Richgrove | 3.48 | 35.6 | 13.1% | 55.0% | 9.8% | 1968 | $1,008 | 10.0% | 56.9% | 8.5% |
| North Shafter | 3.81 | 31.5 | 13.4% | 42.9% | 10.1% | 1975 | $1,405 | 8.9% | 72.4% | 7.8% |
| Woody | 1.70 | 64.7 | 6.4% | 10.2% | 53.1% | 1971 | $800 | 19.1% | 92.4% | 0.0% |
| Spicer City | 4.22 | 25.0 | 23.4% | 52.6% | 15.2% | 1996 | $1,041 | 8.2% | 55.0% | 9.0% |
| Lost Hills | 4.05 | 25.2 | 18.3% | 60.1% | 9.0% | 1986 | $882 | 5.0% | 37.8% | 5.8% |
| Glennville | 1.70 | 64.7 | 6.4% | 10.2% | 53.1% | 1971 | $800 | 19.1% | 92.4% | 0.0% |
| Bodfish | 2.27 | 50.4 | 18.8% | 32.6% | 23.5% | 1978 | $1,012 | 15.5% | 88.4% | 14.8% |
| Wofford Heights | 1.97 | 58.0 | 5.0% | 24.5% | 21.7% | 1977 | $888 | 14.4% | 87.2% | 19.8% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Albertville, MN · Alexander, AR · Allouez, WI · Amherst, MA · Aptos, CA · Arbutus, MD · Ardmore, PA · Arkansas City, KS · Artesia, NM · Artondale, WA
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 McFarland. 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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