Shafter is a city in Kern County, California, United States. It is located 18 miles (29 km) west-northwest of Bakersfield. The population was 19,953 at the 2020 census, up from 16,988 at the 2010 census. The city is located along State Route 43. Suburbs of Shafter include Myricks Corner, North Shafter, Smith Corner, and Thomas Lane.

Official town website ↗

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

How Shafter ranks

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#3Most new homes in CA #76Fastest growing in CA #114Cheapest rent in CA All CA rankings →

Town numbers

ZIP code93263

Area code661

Living in Shafter

Housing in Shafter

$387K≈ same as a year ago Typical home value · Zillow

The typical Shafter home is worth about $387,000, about the same as a year ago, 49% below the California typical home.

A seller's market

Buyer’sBalancedSeller’s

Days on market73

Sale-to-list97.7%

Sold in May19

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →

Safety in Shafter

Safety Grade C

Shafter reports more crime per resident than most U.S. towns we grade: about 69% report less. Within California, it does better than 52% of towns.

Violent crime per 1,000

Shafter 3.2

California 4.3

U.S. 3.3

Property crime per 1,000

Shafter 12.1

California 18.2

U.S. 15.5

FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to policeCrime & safety →

Work & commute in Shafter

Full picture →

Most working residents leave Shafter for work: only 17% work in town. The top destinations are Bakersfield (23%), Wasco (4%) and Delano (3%). Half commute less than 15 miles.

Bakersfield

23%

Wasco

Delano

Los Angeles

17%Work in townlive and work in Shafter 15 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 11,674Jobs based herea job hub

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Shafter →

Health in Shafter

Health Grade D

Healthier than 15% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates.

Compared with California

3better than CA·18worse

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 11 are too close to call.

Conditions 3▲ 3▼ 6 close Habits 2▼ 2 close Care 6▼ 1 close Mind 3▼ 2 close Everyday needs 4▼ 0 close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

4.2%Fewer adults who have had cancerCA 6.4% · better 30.9%Fewer adults with high cholesterolCA 35.4% · better 23.4%More uninsured adultsCA 10.6% · worse

Care nearby

Mercy HospitalBakersfield · 12.2 mi · ER

Omni Family HealthShafter · 3.7 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careShortage · part of Shafter

DentalShortage · part of Shafter

Mental healthShortage · part of Shafter

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CDC's estimate for Shafter · CMS · HRSAHealth in Shafter →

Natural hazards in Shafter

Moderate

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 56% of U.S. communities.

🏚️ Earthquakes🌊 Inland flooding🌡️ Heat waves

0Does Shafter flood?no paid flood claims on record 2Disasters that paid out herefederal disasters sent FEMA money to Shafter

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Shafter →

Climate in Shafter

Full climate →

Shafter has mild winters and hot summers, with very little rain. A typical July afternoon reaches 99°, a January night drops to 40°, and snow is almost unheard of.

61° / 40°Winter

78° / 51°Spring

97° / 67°Summer

81° / 54°Fall

How much snow does Shafter get?Almost none.Rain & snow →Does it ever freeze?In about 90% of years.Frost →Is it warmer than it used to be?+1.9° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Shafter →

Schools in Shafter

All Shafter schools →

C⁻

School Grade C-

The public schools Shafter’s kids attend, from kindergarten through graduation, trail 80% of California’s districts on state tests and graduation. Among towns with similar incomes, they rank near the bottom.

See how Shafter’s schools compare in CA →

DistrictRichland Union ElementarySchools8

Golden Oak Elementary CElementary · Grades K–6 · 717 students Redwood Elementary C-Elementary · Grades K–6 · 601 students Sequoia Elementary CElementary · Grades K–6 · 534 students Grow Academy Shafter B-Elementary · Grades K–8 · 80 students Richland Junior High CMiddle · Grades 7–8 · 558 students Shafter High BHigh · Grades 9–12 · 1,599 students

School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results and graduation rates, graded within CA. Ratings are from neighbors.