Is Lamont Safe, Pros and cons of living in Lamont

Lamont, a census-designated place in Kern County, California, offers a glimpse into a community shaped by its agricultural roots and proximity to larger urban centers. Situated southeast of Bakersfield, Lamont provides a distinct living experience with its own set of characteristics that potential residents often weigh when considering a move.

The town’s identity is closely tied to the surrounding agricultural landscape, influencing its economy and the daily lives of its inhabitants. Understanding the various facets of Lamont, from its safety and cost of living to its job market and community services, is essential for anyone contemplating a new chapter in this part of California.

Is it Safe to Live in Lamont?

Crime Rates

Lamont experiences a crime rate that is notably higher than both the national and state averages. The overall crime rate is 84% higher than the national average, with violent crimes being 106% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). Your chance of becoming a victim of any crime in Lamont is approximately 1 in 26, and it is considered safer than only 6% of cities in the United States (as reported by AreaVibes).

Analysis of FBI reported crime data indicates that your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in Lamont is 1 in 88. The property crime rate in Lamont is 20 per one thousand population, making it a place where there is an above-average chance of becoming a victim of property crime when compared to all other communities in America of all population sizes (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). However, year-over-year crime in Lamont has decreased by 10% (as reported by AreaVibes).

Neighborhood Safety

While Lamont as a whole faces significant crime challenges, safety can vary by neighborhood. Residents generally consider the west part of the city to be the safest. Your chance of being a victim of crime in Lamont varies by neighborhood, ranging from 1 in 30 in the northwest neighborhoods to 1 in 37 in the west (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). The overall crime rate is 29.54 per 1,000 residents in a typical year (as reported by CrimeGrade.org).

Lamont’s crime safety grade is a C+ as of 2026, indicating that crime is near the national average, though safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Some areas are considered safer than others. The overall crime rate is 8% below the national average, with your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime being 1 in 372, and property crime being 1 in 55 (as reported by DoorProfit). Vehicle theft is notably higher than the national average, at 38% above average, while assault is 50% below the national average (as reported by DoorProfit).

Cost of Living

Housing Expenses

Lamont’s housing expenses are significantly lower than the national average. Housing costs in Lamont are 55% lower than the national average, and monthly rent prices are 15.6% lower than typical rates (as reported by Payscale and AreaVibes). The median home price in Lamont is 20.2% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes).

The median home value in Lamont is $242,510 (as reported by Livability.com). For renters, the median gross rent is $991 per month (as reported by Point2Homes). The median listing price for homes in Lamont is $320,000 (as reported by realtor.com®).

Overall Affordability

Lamont’s overall cost of living is generally considered affordable, with some variations depending on the source. One report indicates Lamont’s cost of living is 7% lower than the national average (as reported by Payscale). Another source states that the cost of living in Lamont is 6% higher than the national average, with housing being 19% lower (as reported by AreaVibes).

Living costs in Lamont are 1% lower than the U.S. national average and significantly lower than California’s state average (as reported by Salary.com). This affordability is influenced by lower housing costs, though transportation and food expenses can be higher than the national average (as reported by Payscale and Salary.com).

Job Market and Economy

Employment and Unemployment

The employment rate in Lamont is currently 89.96% (as reported by BestNeighborhood.org). The unemployment rate stands at 10% (as reported by Point2Homes and Labor Market Information – CA.gov). This figure represents the share of the workforce currently without a job and actively looking for one.

The economy of Lamont employs approximately 5.3 thousand people. From 2023 to 2024, employment in Lamont grew at a rate of 2.64% (as reported by Data USA). The largest industries in Lamont are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, followed by Retail Trade and Health Care & Social Assistance (as reported by Data USA).

Major Employers and Salaries

Major employers in Lamont are often tied to the agricultural sector, with significant employment also found in education, healthcare, and construction (as reported by Labor Market Information – CA.gov). Specific major employers listed include McDonald’s, Dollar Tree, AutoZone, and Subway (as reported by Indeed.com).

The average annual salary in Lamont is approximately $48,939, which equates to about $23.53 per hour (as reported by ZipRecruiter). Most salaries in Lamont range between $34,849 and $58,533 annually (as reported by ZipRecruiter). The median household income was reported as $37,217 (as reported by Point2Homes and Labor Market Information – CA.gov), though other sources indicate a median household income of $64,432 (as reported by AreaVibes).

Climate

Temperatures

Lamont experiences a climate characterized by hot summers and cold, partly cloudy winters. Over the course of the year, temperatures typically range from 42°F to 99°F, and are rarely below 34°F or above 105°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather and AccuWeather). The hot season lasts from June to September, with July being the hottest month, averaging a high of 98°F and a low of 72°F (as reported by AccuWeather).

The cool season lasts from November to February, with December being the coldest month, averaging a low of 43°F and a high of 60°F (as reported by AccuWeather). The average annual temperature range is from 37°F in December to 97°F in July (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Precipitation and Weather Patterns

Annual precipitation in Lamont averages around 8 inches (as reported by Livability.com and myPerfectWeather). The rainy period typically spans from late October to late April, with February being the month with the most rainfall, averaging about 1.8 inches (as reported by AccuWeather). The drier period extends from April to November, with July having the least rainfall, often registering 0.0 inches (as reported by AccuWeather).

Lamont experiences approximately 147 days per year with comfortable weather, with the most pleasant times generally being March to May and October to November (as reported by myPerfectWeather). Summers are typically arid and clear, while winters are colder and partly cloudy (as reported by AccuWeather).

Education

School District and Ratings

Lamont is served by the Lamont School District and the Kern High School District. The Lamont School District includes Lamont Elementary School, Alicante Avenue School, Myrtle Avenue School, and Mountain View Middle School (as reported by Wikipedia). Lamont Elementary School has a C- rating on Niche and a 2/10 GreatSchools Rating (as reported by Homes.com).

The Lamont Elementary School District itself receives an overall Niche grade of D+ or D- depending on the source, and is ranked #407 of 670 for districts with the best teachers in California (as reported by Niche). State test scores indicate that 16% of students are proficient in math and 25% in reading within the district (as reported by Niche).

Student Performance

Lamont Elementary School shows lower proficiency rates in standardized testing, with 17% of students proficient in math and 17% in reading (as reported by Homes.com). In comparison to other schools nationwide, Lamont Elementary School performs better than 7.7% of all U.S. schools and 13.0% of all California schools (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

The student-teacher ratio at Lamont Elementary School is 20:1 (as reported by Niche). For high schools, Arvin High School, which serves the area, has a B- overall Niche grade and a rating of 3.73 out of 5 based on 366 reviews (as reported by Niche).

Demographics

Population and Age Distribution

Lamont has a population of approximately 13,164 residents, according to the most recent Census data (as reported by Point2Homes). The population has seen a slight decrease, with a projected population of 12,582 for 2026 (as reported by Census Reporter). The median age in Lamont is around 31.6 years (as reported by Livability.com and ZipRecruiter).

The age distribution shows about 26.4% of the population are children under 15, with a significant portion aged 15 to 44. Adults between 25 and 64 make up a substantial part of the population, while around 9.9% are 65 or older (as reported by Point2Homes). There are more males than females in Lamont, with approximately 111.8 males for every 100 females (as reported by ZipRecruiter).

Race and Ethnicity

The racial and ethnic makeup of Lamont is diverse, with a significant Hispanic population. Hispanic residents constitute 94.3% of the population (as reported by Data USA and Census Reporter). Other racial groups include White (3.1%), Asian (1.4%), and smaller percentages for Native American and Black or African American populations (as reported by Census Reporter).

Regarding citizenship, 67.3% of Lamont residents are U.S. citizens (as reported by Data USA). Approximately 43% of residents were born outside the United States (as reported by Data USA).

Household Income and Poverty

The median household income in Lamont was reported as $37,217 in 2024 (as reported by Point2Homes and Labor Market Information – CA.gov). However, other sources indicate a median household income of $64,432 (as reported by AreaVibes). A significant portion of families, around 35.37%, live below the poverty line (as reported by ZipRecruiter and Labor Market Information – CA.gov).

For renters, the median household income was $29,764 in 2022 (as reported by Point2Homes). The rent-to-income ratio in the area is around 40%, indicating the portion of earnings that goes toward housing expenses.