Housing
Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.
Amenities
The majority of amenities will be difficult to reach within a short walk, often requiring residents to use a vehicle or public transportation for access.
Commute
Low commute scores could be due to limited access to public transit in this area, as well as longer-than-average work commute times for residents.
Crime
Reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people, this area may be perceived as an unsafe place to reside. These statistics encompass both violent and property crime rates.
Health & Safety
Subpar air quality and the limited availability of certain health-related facilities such as hospitals, police stations, doctors and pharmacies may have contributed to the low score in this category.
Ratings
Through surveys and polls, AreaVibes obtained feedback from local residents in the area, and the results did not indicate a favorable outlook on factors like local amenities and the safety of the area.
Taft, California is a smaller city with a population of 9,189 residents. According to the most recent Census, 81% of Taft residents are White, 3% Asian and 2% Black. Additionally, more than a quarter of the population of Taft are of Hispanic or Latino origin, and 20% of the population also speak Spanish. Single men and women might be happy to hear that in Taft, only 44% of the population is married. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Taft. With an average one way commute time of only 20 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.
Whether you’re relocating to a new town to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Taft could be a positive experience compared to other cities in California if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. With useful information like commute, health & safety, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Taft and in the areas around Taft is a much easier task.
With a livability score of 57 out of 100, Taft is ranked #20,862 in the United States and #769 in California. This score ranks well below the US average. With such a low livability score, it might be worth investigating a little further. If we consider each of the categories on their own, we see that Taft ranks well for education (A+) and housing (A-). On a less positive note, Taft does not have favorable scores for the following: amenities (F), crime (D-) and employment (D). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.
The unemployment rate in Taft has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 2.22%. This downward trend holds the potential to reduce poverty and inequality within the region, promote higher wage levels and stimulate greater economic growth. Such positive indicators signal the overall robust health of the local economy, offering a promising outlook for its residents and fostering an environment of financial well-being and prosperity.
Finding affordable real estate and housing in Taft can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.
There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Taft is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in Taft come in at $182,200, which is 55.5% lower than the California average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Taft, the home price to income ratio is 3.9, which is 39.1% lower than the California average.
| Statistic | Taft | California | National |
| Average one way commute | 20min | 28min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 80.5% | 73.5% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 10.7% | 10.6% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.0% | 5.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 1.1% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.4% | 2.7% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 0.5% | 5.4% | 4.6% |
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