Shafter, California

Shafter is a city located in Kern County, California. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 12,736.

Geography

Shafter is located at 35°29'45" North, 119°14'52" West (35.495893, -119.247908)¹.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 46.6 km² (18.0 mi²). 46.6 km² (18.0 mi²) of it is land and none of it is covered by water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there are 12,736 people, 3,293 households, and 2,759 families residing in the city. The population density is 273.5/km² (708.4/mi²). There are 3,624 housing units at an average density of 77.8/km² (201.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 44.52% White, 1.60% African American, 1.25% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.14% Pacific Islander, 48.36% from other races, and 3.82% from two or more races. 68.05% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 3,293 households out of which 52.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.7% are married couples living together, 15.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 16.2% are non-families. 13.3% of all households are made up of individuals and 7.4% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 3.67 and the average family size is 3.98.

In the city the population is spread out with 36.6% under the age of 18, 11.7% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 15.0% from 45 to 64, and 8.1% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 26 years. For every 100 females there are 104.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 106.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $29,515, and the median income for a family is $31,457. Males have a median income of $31,605 versus $21,603 for females. The per capita income for the city is $10,961. 29.2% of the population and 22.5% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 36.8% are under the age of 18 and 11.0% are 65 or older.