Bakersfield, California

Bakersfield is a city in Kern County, California, United States. It covers about 151 square miles near the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley, which is part of the Central Valley region.

According to the 2020 Census, Bakersfield had a population of 403,455, making it the 47th-most populous city in the United States and the 9th-most populous in California. The larger area around Bakersfield, called the Bakersfield–Delano Metropolitan Statistical Area, includes all of Kern County and had a population of 909,235, making it the 62nd largest metropolitan area in the country.

Bakersfield is important for agriculture and energy. Kern County is the most productive oil-producing county in California and one of the top agricultural counties in the United States. The city is also known for its energy industries, including natural gas, mining, and petroleum refining. Additionally, Bakersfield is famous for starting a special style of country music called the Bakersfield sound.

History

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Bakersfield, California.

Archaeological evidence shows that Native American people lived in the area for thousands of years. When Spanish explorers arrived, the Yowlumne, a group of the Yokuts people, lived there. They lived in small villages along the Kern River and hunted animals like antelope and deer.

In 1776, Spanish explorer Francisco Garcés was the first European to visit the area. After the Mexican War of Independence, Mexican settlers began to move there. The discovery of gold in California in 1848 brought many new people to the region. In 1851, gold was found in the Kern River, and in 1865, oil was discovered in the valley. The area was often flooded by the Kern River and had outbreaks of a sickness called malaria.

Bakersfield is one of the largest cities in the United States with many Hispanic residents, with over half of its people identifying as Hispanic.

Founding

In 1861, floods destroyed the first settlement. Thomas Baker, a lawyer from Ohio, moved to the area in 1863. By 1870, the town had grown to 600 people and became the main town in Kern County. Bakersfield was officially made a city in 1873 but later stopped being a city for 22 years before becoming one again in 1898.

Establishment of rail connection

In 1874, a railroad first came to the area but was placed far from town. Local people raised money to build a second railroad, which arrived in 1898. This new railroad helped the town grow and brought many new visitors.

1952 earthquake

Main article: 1952 Kern County earthquake

On July 21, 1952, a big earthquake struck near Bakersfield. It damaged buildings and caused problems in nearby towns but did not hurt anyone in Bakersfield. A later earthquake on August 22 caused some damage and sadly led to a few deaths, but most of the city's historic buildings were damaged.

1970 to 2010

Between 1970 and 2010, Bakersfield grew very quickly, becoming one of the fastest-growing cities in California. Its location near mountain passes made it an important place for transportation.

Historic architecture and preservation

Main article: Bakersfield Register of Historic Places and Areas of Historic Interest

Bakersfield has several important historic buildings and places. Some are recognized nationally, statewide, and locally, though the city has been noted for having fewer historic sites compared to other cities.

Geography

Bakersfield is found near the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley. The Sierra Nevada mountains are just to the east, and the Sequoia National Forest starts at the foot of the Greenhorn Mountains. To the south are the Tehachapi Mountains, which rise very high and include the historic Tejon Ranch. West of the city is the Temblor Range, and beyond that are the Carrizo Plain National Monument and the San Andreas Fault.

The Kern River once created a rich area with wetlands and lakes. Today, most of the river’s water is used for farms and drinking water, leaving parts of the riverbed dry.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Bakersfield covers 143.6 square miles (372 km²), with most of it being land and a small part covered by water.

Communities and neighborhoods

See also: List of neighborhoods in Bakersfield

Bakersfield has areas known by directions, such as North, Northeast, Southeast, South, Southwest, and Northwest. East Bakersfield was once a town called Sumner.

Climate

Bakersfield has a hot desert climate (Köppen BWh), meaning very hot, dry summers and mild winters with cool nights. The city gets only about 6.36 inches (161.5 mm) of rain each year, mostly in winter, and has around 191 sunny days a year. The weather there is good for growing many types of crops.

Summers in Bakersfield can be extremely hot, often reaching temperatures above 90 °F (32.2 °C). Winters are mild during the day but can be quite cold at night. Frost and fog are common in winter, sometimes causing delays for schools. Spring and fall are usually mild but can vary in temperature and rain.

Snow is rare in the valley, but frost can happen. The city’s record high temperature was 118 °F (47.8 °C) in 1908, and the record low was 12 °F (−11.1 °C), also in 1908.

Air quality

Further information: Air pollution in the United States

Air quality in Bakersfield can be poor, especially in fall and winter. Wildfires and cold temperatures can trap pollution in the valley for days. Farms, factories, trains, and cars all add to the air pollution. Oil and gas drilling also plays a part. Planting trees and returning water to the Kern River are ways people try to improve the air.

Demographics

2020

2010

In 2010, Bakersfield had a population of 347,483 people. Many people in Bakersfield come from different backgrounds. Most people identified as White, but there were also many African American, Native American, Asian, and Hispanic residents. The city had many families with children, and most people lived in homes with others.

Bakersfield has had challenges with education and health. Studies have shown that not many adults in the area have finished college, and the city has higher rates of health issues like being overweight, having diabetes, and high blood pressure compared to the rest of the country.

Housing and development

Bakersfield has grown a lot over the years, from about 105,000 people in 1980 to over 400,000 in 2020. But growing has become harder because of money problems and many people losing their homes. Rents have gone up a lot, making it hard for many local people to afford to live there. New homes are often built for people who come from far away to work.

There have also been disagreements between Bakersfield and nearby towns about growing and using land and water. The city has been trying to develop areas while also protecting important views and spaces.

Economy

Bakersfield's main industries come from Kern County's top two areas: oil and farming. In 2013, Kern County was the most oil-producing county in the United States. It is also one of the best farming areas, growing crops like grapes, citrus, almonds, carrots, alfalfa, cotton, and roses. Many big companies in these fields have their offices in Bakersfield.

The city is also growing in making and moving goods. Some companies choose Bakersfield because it has cheap land and is close to big ports in Los Angeles and Oakland. Others start businesses here because there are no extra taxes on utilities or supplies. Things made in Bakersfield include ice cream (the world's biggest ice cream factory), cleaning machines for homes, special paint for roads, and race cars.

Sales tax in Bakersfield is 8.25%.

Top employers

According to the Bakersfield Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, as of 2022, the top employers in the county based in Bakersfield were:

Arts and culture

Main article: Arts and culture of Bakersfield, California

Bakersfield has many old and historic restaurants with a special style of food. The Kern County Museum shows items from the area, including a special exhibit about oil and a children’s museum. The city is also known for a special kind of country music called the Bakersfield Sound, made famous by musicians like Buck Owens, Dwight Yoakam, and Merle Haggard.

Bakersfield holds many events throughout the year. There are horse shows, Scottish games, festivals, and fairs. The city also has theaters for movies, concerts, and live performances. Bakersfield has a rich music history, including country, rock, and metal, with famous bands and musicians starting their careers there.

Sports

Main article: Sports in Bakersfield

Bakersfield does not have teams in the big five sports leagues like the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, or MLS. The nearest big teams are in Los Angeles, but many people in Bakersfield support them. The city has three smaller professional teams: the Bakersfield Condors in hockey, the Bakersfield Train Robbers in baseball, and the Bakersfield Majestics in basketball.

The city also has two colleges with strong sports programs. Bakersfield College has 19 sports teams, including football, while California State University, Bakersfield has 15 teams, with basketball being very popular.

Bakersfield is close to many places where motor racing happens, like drag racing at Famoso Raceway and dirt track racing at Bakersfield Speedway. The city has been home to famous racers like Rick Mears and Kevin Harvick.

The city has many places to watch and play sports, including the Dignity Health Arena, which can host many different events. There are also many fields for soccer and other sports, with more being built at the Bakersfield Sports Village.

Government and politics

For current elected officials and representative districts (all levels of government), see List of elected officials in Bakersfield.

Local government

Bakersfield uses the Council-Manager form of government, in which the City Council is the primary governing authority. The City Council consists of seven members elected from seven wards (or districts). The Mayor is elected at large and is the presiding member of the City Council, although she does not cast a vote except in a few instances. The City Council appoints and confirms (which the mayor does cast a vote) both the City Attorney and the City Manager.

The City Manager appoints (does not require confirmation from the City Council) the Finance Director, City Clerk, and Deputy City Clerk. In addition to these positions, Bakersfield has several departments that provide the services necessary to the city. They are: Department of Development Services, Department of Economic and Community Development, Fire Department, Police Department, Department of Public Works, Department of Recreation and Parks, and Department of Water Resources.

The framework for the city government is defined in the City Charter. The current version was adopted in January 1915. The City Charter has been amended several times since it was adopted. One of the more definitive amendments was to change the Mayor from an appointed position (by the City Council) to an elected position in 1956, which was done as a result of the 1952 Kern County earthquake.

The City Manager of Bakersfield is the appointed head of the executive branch. Under the council-manager form of government, the City Manager is responsible for executing ordinances passed by the city council and running the departments that make up the city. His office is currently located in City Hall North.

The city council appoints the city manager. His service can end in one of two ways. Either he resigns or by a vote of removal by the city council. The vote to appoint and remove is one of the few votes the mayor can cast.

For a list of past and present mayors, see List of mayors of Bakersfield.

State and federal

Federally, Bakersfield is split between California's 20th congressional district, which is represented by Republican Vince Fong, and California's 22nd congressional district, which is represented by Republican David Valadao.

Political makeup

An August 2005 article in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer listed Bakersfield as the eighth-most-conservative city in the United States and the most conservative city in California. In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 55.6% of the city's votes to Democrat Barack Obama's 42.9%. The same year, Bakersfield cast 75.2% of its votes in favor of Proposition 8, which amended the California Constitution to ban same-sex marriage. In the 2016 presidential election, Donald Trump received 50.4% of the vote to Hillary Clinton's 44.0%. In 2020, Trump's vote share remained at 50.4%, while Joe Biden increased the Democratic showing to 47.2%.

Public safety

Law enforcement within the city limits is provided by the Bakersfield Police Department. Fire protection within the city is provided jointly by the Bakersfield Fire Department and by the Kern County Fire Department, which protects the county as a whole.

Bakersfield is traditionally acknowledged as the frontier delineating Sureño and Norteño gang territories.^{[citation needed]}

Police

Main article: Bakersfield Police Department

The Bakersfield Police Department (BPD) is the agency responsible for law enforcement. It has over 363 officers and 100 professional staff, covering an area of 145 square miles (380 km²), serving an urban population of more than 800,000. The current chief of the department is Greg Terry. The department protects the city, split between two areas: West area and East area, with police headquarters in the east and the west substation serving west Bakersfield. The department administration comprises the police chief, one assistant chief, four captains, and eleven lieutenants.

The department headquarters are located at 1601 Truxtun Avenue. The West Substation is located at 1301 Buena Vista Road. Satellite offices are located on E. 11th Street and E. White Lane. The department pistol range is located on Truxtun Avenue, with the K-9 training grounds next door to the range. The department training academy is located on Norris Road and is in conjunction with the Kern County Sheriff's Department.

Fire

The Bakersfield Fire Department has 14 stations spread across the city.

The Bakersfield Fire Department's communications division, known as ECC (Emergency Communications Center), is located in the Whiting Communications Center in Northeast Bakersfield. ECC is a joint dispatch center for the Kern County, Bakersfield City, and California City Fire Departments. Built in 1988, ECC is responsible for dispatching resources over approximately 8,100 square miles (21,000 km²), including 65 fire stations. ECC's approximate call volume is 82,000 calls annually, and it processes emergency and non-emergency fire and medical 911 calls for the entire county of Kern.

The Kern County Fire Department (KCFD) is the agency that provides fire protection and emergency medical services for the county of Kern, California, USA. With over 625 permanent employees and 100 extra help employees protecting an area spanning over 8,000 square miles (21,000 km²). KCFD provides fire protection services for over 500,000 citizens living in the unincorporated areas of Kern County and the cities of Arvin, Delano, Maricopa, McFarland, Ridgecrest, Shafter, Taft, Tehachapi and Wasco. This agency is contracted to provide dispatch services for the California City Fire Department, Kern Ambulance based in Wasco, and Care Ambulance based in Lake Isabella. Over 546 uniformed firefighters are stationed in 46 fire stations throughout the county.

Due to the vast number of county islands and jagged city limit lines in the south part of Bakersfield, the closest fire station is dispatched to incidents. This often results in city resources being dispatched to county locations and vice versa.

Crime

Further information: Bakersfield Police Department

The number of violent crimes recorded by the Bakersfield Police Department in its 2008 Crime Reports was 5,961. Data collected by Bakersfield Police Department, an anti-gang program under the city of Bakersfield, shows that the city of Bakersfield has experienced an increase in gang membership and gang activity since the early 2000s.

Jails

The Bakersfield Police Department has a holding area, but inmates are transported to the Kern County Central Receiving Facility in Bakersfield. Sentenced criminals are held outside the city's limits at the Lerdo Detention Facility. The Kern County Sheriff's Office, Detentions Bureau has an average daily inmate population of approximately 2,500 inmates.

The primary facility for receiving inmates arrested in the Bakersfield area is the Central Receiving Facility. There is the Lerdo Complex, which consists of three facilities:

1. The Lerdo Minimum Security Facility holds inmates of lower security levels.
2. The Lerdo Pre-Trial Facility holds inmates of higher security levels.
3. The Lerdo Max/Med Security Facility holds overflow inmates from the Pre-Trial Facility.

Education

Two of the first schools in Kern County opened in the 1800s. Bakersfield has grown to have many schools and colleges. The Bakersfield City School District is the largest elementary school district in the state. The first high school opened in 1893 and was later named Bakersfield High School.

Bakersfield College was founded in 1913 and moved to its current location in 1956. It serves over 16,000 students. The Kern High School District, serving over 35,000 students, is the largest high school district in California.

In 1965, California State University, Bakersfield was founded, and it now serves about 10,000 students. The university offers many degree programs and has grown to become a Division I athletic school.

Bakersfield is home to many high schools, including Arvin High School, Bakersfield High School, Centennial High School, and others. There are also private high schools such as Garces Memorial High School and Bakersfield Christian High School.

Other colleges and universities with campuses in Bakersfield include National University, University of Phoenix, University of LaVerne, Fresno Pacific University, Point Loma Nazarene University, San Joaquin Valley College, and Santa Barbara Business College.

Accredited colleges and universities

California State University, Bakersfield

Main article: California State University, Bakersfield

California State University, Bakersfield ("CSUB," "CSU Bakersfield," or "Cal State Bakersfield") is a public university founded in Bakersfield in 1965. CSUB opened in 1970 on a campus of 375 acres (1.52 km²), becoming the 19th school in the California State University system. The university offers 31 bachelor's and 22 master's degree programs. As of fall 2017, over 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students attended CSUB at either the main campus in Bakersfield or the satellite campus, Antelope Valley Center in Lancaster, California.

Bakersfield College

Main article: Bakersfield College

Bakersfield College ("BC") is a public community college located in Bakersfield, California. Its main campus is on a 153-acre (0.62 km²) campus in northeast Bakersfield, with two satellite campuses: the Weill Institute in downtown Bakersfield, and the Delano Center in Delano, California, approximately 35 miles (56 km) north of Bakersfield. BC serves more than 18,000 students each semester and is part of the Kern Community College District. Currently, there are 184 Associate's degree and certificate programs for students to choose from. BC is a part of the California Community Colleges system.

Other colleges and universities

National University and University of Phoenix maintains a campus in Bakersfield, while the University of LaVerne, Fresno Pacific University, and Point Loma Nazarene University all have branch campuses located in Bakersfield. San Joaquin Valley College and Santa Barbara Business College also have campuses in Bakersfield.

Media

Bakersfield has many media outlets. The main newspaper is The Bakersfield Californian, which started as The Weekly Courier in 1866.

The city has several TV stations and network affiliates, including KERO-TV (ABC), KBAK-TV (CBS), KGET-TV (NBC), KBFX-CD (Fox), KABE-CD (Univision), KKEY-LP (Telemundo), KNXT-LD (MyNetworkTV), KGET-DT2 (CW+), and PBS from KVPT in Fresno.

Bakersfield also has many radio stations, such as KNZR (AM), KKXX-FM, KUZZ, KERN, KLLY, and many more.

Transportation

See also: Transportation in Kern County

Highways

Bakersfield has many highways that help people travel in and out of the city. Three major freeways help with this. State Route 99 runs north to south through the middle of the city. State Route 58 is a freeway east of SR 99 and goes over the Tehachapi mountains to places like Tehachapi, Mojave, and Barstow. State Route 178 is a short freeway that starts near downtown and goes to the northeastern part of the city. Interstate 5 passes by the city to the west.

There is also a shorter freeway called Alfred Harrell Highway that runs from China Grade Loop to Hart Park, a big park in the northeast part of Bakersfield.

Bus

Main article: Golden Empire Transit

Bakersfield has many bus services to help people get around. Golden Empire Transit runs 18 routes mostly in the city. Kern Transit connects Bakersfield to other places in Kern County. There are also buses that go to other cities, like Amtrak Thruway, Greyhound, Flixbus, Orange Belt Stages, National Charter Bus, Intercalifornias, TUFESA, and Fronteras del Norte.

Rail

Bakersfield has trains for moving goods and for passengers. Two big railroad companies, Union Pacific and BNSF, run trains through the area. Passengers can ride the Gold Runner train, which stops at the Bakersfield Amtrak station in the downtown area. There are also bus services that connect to other places. A new train station is planned as part of the California High-Speed Rail system.

Airport

Meadows Field Airport in Bakersfield was rebuilt and dedicated as the William M. Thomas Terminal in 2012. The airport has many aviation schools and services.

Sites of interest

Bakersfield has many interesting places to visit. Some popular spots include the Bakersfield Sign, Beale Memorial Clock Tower, and Buck Owens Crystal Palace, all located in the central part of the city. Downtown areas feature the Fox Theater, Kern Veterans Memorial, Padre Hotel, and Mill Creek. Additionally, you can explore the Kern County Museum and relax at The Park at River Walk in the southwest.

Notable people

Main article: List of people from Bakersfield, California

Bakersfield, California, has been home to many famous people who have made their mark in different fields. Some of these individuals have become well-known actors, musicians, and athletes, bringing attention to the city and inspiring others.

In popular culture

Bakersfield has been featured in some fun shows and games. In the 1997 role-playing video game Fallout, the city appears under the name Necropolis. It was also the main setting for a short-lived sitcom from the early 1990s called Bakersfield P.D., and later for the 2010s sitcom Baskets.

Sister cities

Bakersfield has six sister cities around the world. These cities work together to build friendly relationships and share ideas. The sister cities of Bakersfield are:

• Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
• Minsk, Belarus (inactive since June 1999)
• Wakayama, Japan (since July 14, 1961)
• Cixi, Zhejiang, China
• Santiago de Querétaro, Querétaro, Mexico
• Amritsar, Punjab, India
• Ciudad De Salta, Salta, Argentina