Kern County, California

Kern County is a large area in the U.S. state of California. As of the 2020 census, it was home to 909,235 people. The main city, called the county seat, is Bakersfield.

The county is part of the Bakersfield, California, metropolitan statistical area and sits at the southern end of the Central Valley. It covers a huge space of 8,161.42 square miles (21,138.0 km²), stretching from the Coast Ranges on the west to the Mojave Desert on the east, near the city of Ridgecrest. Its northernmost city is Delano, and it reaches south past Frazier Park into the Antelope Valley.

Kern County's economy is strong in farming and oil. It is also important for aviation, space, and military work, with places like Edwards Air Force Base, the China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station, and the Mojave Air and Space Port.

Many people in Kern County speak Spanish at home. As of 2020, over half of the county’s people, or 54.9%, have Hispanic backgrounds. This makes Kern County California's third-most populous majority-Hispanic county and the sixth-largest nationwide.

History

Indigenous Era

For many years, Native Americans lived in this area. Groups included the Chumash and tribes known as the Yokuts.

Spanish era

Spain claimed this land in 1769. In 1772, a commander named Don Pedro Fages was the first European known to visit the area, coming through Grapevine Canyon.

In March 1824, the Battle of San Emigdio happened. Native Americans from Mission Santa Barbara stood up against changes made by the Mexican government. The battle took place near San Emigdio Mountain. Mexican leaders tried to control the situation, and a few Native Americans were hurt during the conflict.

American era

Kern County began as a place where people searched for minerals in the mountains and desert. It officially became a county in 1866. At first, the main town was Havilah. But when people started farming in the valley, the important town moved to Bakersfield.

In 1899, oil was found in the Kern River Oil Field, leading to new towns like Oil City, Oildale, and Oil Center.

Etymology

The county is named after the Kern River, which was named after Edward Kern, a mapmaker who traveled through the area.

Earthquakes

Kern County has experienced strong earthquakes. One big earthquake happened on July 21, 1952, about 23 miles south of Bakersfield. It caused damage and injuries, and was one of the strongest earthquakes in California’s history. After this earthquake, scientists studied the area to learn more about how earthquakes affect the land.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, Kern County has a total area of 8,163 square miles (21,140 km²), with 31 square miles (80 km²) covered by water. It is the third-largest county by area in California. The tallest peak in the county is Sawmill Mountain, which rises to 2,689 metres (8,822 feet). The county is nearly as big as the state of New Hampshire. It stretches east beyond the Sierra Nevada range into the Mojave Desert, including parts of the Indian Wells Valley and Antelope Valley. It also extends west across the San Joaquin Valley to the Temblor Range, part of the Coast Ranges, and south over the Tehachapi Mountains.

Kern County has serious air pollution problems. Tiny particles in the air often make it hard to see, especially in winter. The shape of the land in western Kern County, especially in the San Joaquin Valley, traps these particles. Even in eastern parts of the county, the air quality is often poor. The air can be unhealthy about 40 days each year.

The natural areas of Kern County include lots of chaparral, but there are fewer different kinds of plants here than in other parts of California. One common plant is whitethorn, which grows on rocky slopes. Another special tree is the California buckeye, found in both chaparral and forests, and Kern County marks the southern end of where this tree grows.

Kern County is home to several important natural areas, including the Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge, part of the Carrizo Plain National Monument, the César E. Chávez National Monument, part of the Giant Sequoia National Monument, the Kern National Wildlife Refuge, part of the Los Padres National Forest, and part of the Sequoia National Forest.

Demographics

See also: List of populated places in Kern County, California

Kern County was the 11th-largest county by population in California. The center of population of California is located in Kern County, in the town of Buttonwillow.

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 909,235. The median age was 32.8 years. 28.3% of residents were under the age of 18 and 11.8% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 102.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 101.9 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was 40.9% White, 5.5% Black or African American, 2.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 5.1% Asian, 0.2% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 30.2% from some other race, and 16.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 54.9% of the population.

86.6% of residents lived in urban areas, while 13.4% lived in rural areas.

There were 281,498 households in the county, of which 42.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 25.5% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 19.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 301,009 housing units, of which 6.5% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 59.2% were owner-occupied and 40.8% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.5% and the rental vacancy rate was 4.8%.

Racial and ethnic composition

Racial / Ethnic Profile of places in Kern County, California

2010 census

The 2010 United States census reported that Kern County had a population of 839,631. The racial makeup of Kern County was 499,766 (59.5%) White, 48,921 (5.8%) African American, 12,676 (1.5%) Native American, 34,846 (4.2%) Asian, 1,252 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 204,314 (24.3%) from other races, and 37,856 (4.5%) from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 413,033 persons (49.2%); 43.4% of Kern County residents are of Mexican heritage, 1.0% Salvadoran, 0.5% Colombian, and 0.4% Guatemalan.

2000 census

According to the 2000 United States census, 661,645 people, 208,652 households, and 156,489 families resided in the county. The population density was 81 people per square mile (31 people/km²). The 231,564 housing units had an average density of 28 units per square mile (11 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 61.6% White, 6.0% Black or African American, 3.4% Asian, 1.5% Native American, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 23.2% from other races, and 4.1% from two or more races. About 38.4% of the population were Hispanics or Latinos of any race; 8.4% were of German, 7.2% American, and 5.7% Irish ancestry, according to the census, and 66.8% spoke English, 29.1% Spanish, and 1.0% Tagalog as their first language.

Of the 208,652 households, 42.2% had children under 18 living with them, 54.6% were married couples living together, 14.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.0% were not families. About 20.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.8% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 3.03 and the average family size was 3.50.

In the county, the age distribution was 31.9% under 18, 10.2% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 18.7% from 45 to 64, and 9.4% who were 65 or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 105.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.3 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,446, and for a family was $39,403. Males had a median income of $38,097 versus $25,876 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,760. About 16.8% of families and 20.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.8% of those under 18 and 10.5% of those 65 or over.

Arts and culture

Kern County is known for the Bakersfield sound. A popular music venue, the Buck Owens Crystal Palace, is located in Bakersfield.

Metropolitan statistical area

The United States Office of Management and Budget has named Kern County as the Bakersfield, CA metropolitan statistical area. According to the United States Census Bureau, the Bakersfield, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area was ranked the 63rd most populous metropolitan statistical area and the 68th most populous primary statistical area in the United States as of July 1, 2012.

Government, policing, and politics

Government

Kern County is a regular county in California run by a group of five elected leaders called a board of supervisors. These leaders are chosen by different areas of the county and serve four-year terms. The county government helps with important services like voting, public safety, health, and taxes. It also takes care of areas that are not part of any city.

Safety

Fire

The Kern County Fire Department helps keep people safe from fires and emergencies in many parts of the county and in several cities including Arvin, Delano, Maricopa, McFarland, Ridgecrest, Shafter, Taft, Tehachapi and Wasco. The city of Bakersfield has its own fire department, called the Bakersfield Fire Department.

Sheriff

The Kern County Sheriff's Office looks after courts, jails, and safety for the whole county. It also helps with patrolling and solving crimes in areas that are not part of any city and works with some cities by agreement. The main office is in Bakersfield, and there are 15 smaller offices across the county.

Municipal police

Different cities in Kern County have their own police departments. These include Bakersfield, Delano, Ridgecrest, Wasco, Arvin, Shafter, McFarland, California City, Tehachapi, Taft, and Maricopa.

Politics and voter registration

Cities by population and voter registration

Federal

Kern County usually votes for Republican candidates in big elections like choosing the president or representatives in Congress. The last time a Democratic candidate won here was in 1964. Recently, the margins have changed a bit, but Republican support remains strong. Some areas, especially smaller farming towns, tend to vote Democratic, while other parts of the county, like the foothills and mountain areas, vote Republican.

In the United States House of Representatives, Kern County is divided among three districts, all represented by Republicans: Vince Fong for the 20th, David Valadao for the 22nd, and Jay Obernolte for the 23rd.

State

In the State Assembly, Kern County is split among three districts. Two are represented by Republicans, Stan Ellis for the 32nd and Tom Lackey for the 34th, and one by a Democrat, Jasmeet Bains for the 35th.

In the State Senate, the county is divided between the 12th district, represented by Republican Shannon Grove, and the 16th district, represented by Democrat Melissa Hurtado.

County

Kern County is led by a five-member Board of Supervisors. As of December 17, 2024, the members are:

• District 1, Philip Peters (chair)
• District 2, Chris Parlier
• District 3, Jeff Flores
• District 4, David Couch
• District 5, Leticia Perez

Crime and public safety

Fire protection in Kern County is handled by the Kern County Fire Department. They help keep people safe and provide emergency care across a large area of over 8,000 square miles (21,000 km²). Many firefighters work in stations all around the county to protect the communities there.

The Kern County Sheriff's Department is in charge of keeping the peace and enforcing laws. They work in many places across the county, including areas not part of any city, and they also take care of the jails. The department has many deputies and workers who help keep everyone safe.

Economy

Kern County has a strong economy based on farming and energy. It grows many crops and produces oil, natural gas, and renewable energy like solar and wind power. The county is also rich in minerals such as gold and borax.

The county is important for aerospace and military activities, with major bases like Edwards Air Force Base and China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station. It was the site of the first supersonic flight and the first Space Shuttle landing.

Agriculture is a big part of Kern County's economy. It grows many vegetables, including most of the carrots in the United States, as well as almonds, pistachios, and watermelons. The county also has many farms and ranches.

Kern County is California's top oil-producing area. It has many oil fields, including some of the largest in the United States. Oil production here has been important for over a hundred years.

Transportation

Main article: Transportation in Kern County

Kern County has many roads that connect it to other places. Some of the main highways include I-5, US 395, SR 14, SR 33, SR 41, SR 43, SR 46, SR 58, SR 65, SR 99, SR 119, SR 155, SR 166, SR 178, SR 184, SR 202, SR 204, and SR 223.

There are also bus services to help people get around. For example, Arvin Transit serves Arvin, Delano Area Rapid Transit serves Delano, Golden Empire Transit serves Bakersfield, Kern Transit offers service across the whole county, and Taft Area Transit serves Taft. You can also ride buses from Greyhound, FlixBus, and Orange Belt Stages, or take Amtrak trains from the station in Bakersfield.

The main airport in Kern County is Meadows Field in Bakersfield, which has flights to other places. There are also many smaller airports around the county, like California City Municipal Airport, Delano Municipal Airport, Inyokern Airport, Kern Valley Airport, Lost Hills Airport, Mojave Airport, Shafter Airport, Taft Airport, Tehachapi Municipal Airport, and Wasco Airport.

Main article: List of airports in Kern County, California

Recreation

Kern County, California, offers many fun outdoor activities for families and friends. You can enjoy horseback riding and water skiing at places like Lake Isabella, Lake Ming, and other lakes. For those who like speed, there are places to do off-roading and motorsports, such as at Jawbone Canyon and Kevin Harvick's Kern Raceway.

The area is also great for hunting, paintball, and outdoor adventures like white-water rafting and kayaking on the Kern River. In winter, you can try snow skiing at Shirley Meadows and Mount Pinos. Other popular activities include visiting shooting ranges, hiking, biking on various trails, camping, and fishing.

Media

Magazines

Some magazines in Kern County include Bakersfield Life Magazine, Bakersfield Magazine, and Kern County Family Magazine.

Newspapers

Newspapers in Kern County include The Bakersfield Californian, Mountain Enterprise, Mojave Desert News, The Daily Independent, The Kern Valley Sun, Kern River Courier, Tehachapi News, Taft Midway Driller, Taft Independent, and The Delano Record.

TV stations

Kern County gets its TV from stations in Bakersfield, such as KBAK-TV (CBS), KBFX-TV (FOX), KERO-TV (ABC), and KGET-TV (NBC/CW). Some areas in the eastern part of Kern County, like California City and Ridgecrest, might watch stations from Los Angeles instead.

Communities

Kern County in California has many places where people live. Some of these places are called cities, like Arvin, Bakersfield (which is also the county seat), California City, Delano, Maricopa, McFarland, Ridgecrest, Shafter, Taft, Tehachapi, and Wasco. There are also many smaller places called census-designated places, such as Alta Sierra, Bakersfield Country Club, Bear Valley Springs, and many more.

There are also unincorporated communities, which are places that are not officially part of a city but still have people living there. Examples include Actis, Aerial Acres, Bealville, and others. Some places that used to exist but no longer do are called former places, like Adobe Station and Glenburn.

The list of these places is based on information from the 2020 census.

Education

Kern County has many school districts that help children learn. Some of these are unified districts, which handle all levels of schooling in one area. Others are secondary or elementary districts, focusing on specific grade levels.

Here are some of the school districts you might find in Kern County:

In popular culture

The 2015 Disney film McFarland, USA, starring Kevin Costner, tells a story about a cross-country team from the city of McFarland, California. McFarland is located in the northern part of Kern County.