Shafter is a city in Kern County, California, United States. It is located 18 miles (29 km) west-northwest of Bakersfield. The population was 12,736 at the 2000 census. Wired telephone numbers in Shafter follow the format 746-xxxx and the ZIP Code is 93263. The city is located along State Route 43. Suburbs of Shafter include areas or communities named: Myricks Corner North Shafter Smith's Corner Thomas Lane