Why Live in Taft
Taft, located in western Kern County, is a small city within a vast oil production region. Despite its oil town origins, Taft boasts a vibrant and friendly community. The downtown area is bustling with shops, antique stores, restaurants, and businesses. Taft has also been a filming location for over a dozen movies, including the 1986 film “The Best of Times.” The neighborhood offers a variety of home styles, from ranches and modern Craftsman to Mediterranean-influenced homes, mostly built between 1940 and 1990. Tree-lined streets with sidewalks and private driveways are common, and some newer homes feature inground pools.
Students in Taft attend schools with high ratings, including Parkview Elementary, Lincoln Junior, and Taft Union High School, which offers the Taft Oil-Technology Academy. For things to do, residents can visit Veterans Memorial Park, the 67-acre Franklin Field Complex, and Ford City Park. The Historic Fort and the West Kern Oil Museum provide insights into the local history and oil industry. Downtown Taft features retailers like Oildorado Headquarters and Acme shop, and dining options such as Black Gold Brewing.
Taft hosts several events, including the Oildorado festival every five years, a July 4 celebration at Franklin Field, and the annual Santa Fun Run in December. The city is intersected by California highways 33 and 119, making it 35 miles from Bakersfield and 40 miles from Meadow Field Airport, with public bus service available via Kern Transit. While Taft is a walkable neighborhood, it faces challenges with air pollution and a higher-than-average asthma rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Taft a good place to live?
Taft is a good place to live. Taft is considered very car-dependent and somewhat bikeable with minimal transit options. Taft is a neighborhood with a crime score of 4, on par with the average neighborhood in the U.S. Taft has 4 parks for recreational activities. It is sparse in population with 1.0 people per acre and a median age of 32. The average household income is $57,094 which is below the national average. College graduates make up 8.1% of residents. A majority of residents in Taft are home owners, with 47.4% of residents renting and 52.6% of residents owning their home. A
local real estate agent serving Taft can help you decide if this neighborhood is the right one for you. Learn more on our
Taft neighborhood guide.
Is Taft, CA a safe neighborhood?
Taft, CA is a safe neighborhood and is on par with the average neighborhood in the United States. It received a crime score of 4 out of 10.
How much do you need to make to afford a house in Taft?
The median home price in Taft is $237,000. If you put a 20% down payment of $47,400 and had a 30-year fixed mortgage with an interest rate of 6.38%, your estimated principal and interest payment would be $1,180 a month plus property taxes, HOA fees, home insurance, PMI, and utilities. Using the 28% rule, you would need to make at least $51K a year to afford the median home price in Taft. Learn how much home you can afford with our
Home Affordability Calculator. The average household income in Taft is $57K.
What are the best public schools in Taft?
The best public schools that serve Taft are:
What are the most popular zip codes in Taft, Taft, CA?
What are the most popular neighborhoods near Taft, Taft, CA?
Home Trends in Taft, CA
On average, homes in Taft, CA sell after 56 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Taft, CA over the last 12 months is $249,000, up 22% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Median Sale Price
$249,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$235,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$394,950
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$182,500
Median 1 Bedroom Sale Price
$129,900
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$179
Number of Homes for Sale
31
Last 12 months Home Sales
115
Median List Price
$237,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
22%