Bakersfield
RANK #502 / 996 NAT · #7 / 43 CA · POP 906,883
1YR FORECAST: +0.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: +24%
Home to Bakersfield, often called the "country music capital of the West Coast," Kern County spans the southern end of California's Central Valley, extending into the Sierra Nevada mountains and Mojave Desert. This diverse geography, California's third-largest county by area, offers a range of outdoor activities. Residents can enjoy whitewater rafting on the Kern River, explore hiking trails at Wind Wolves Preserve, or visit Lake Isabella for boating and fishing. The county's climate features long, warm summers and mild, wet winters, making outdoor recreation accessible for much of the year. Commute times vary, but public transportation options, including local and intercity bus services, are available throughout the county.
Life in the county is shaped by its agricultural roots and expanding industries. Kern County is a major agricultural producer, known for almonds, grapes, citrus fruits, and pistachios. Beyond agriculture, the economy is supported by petroleum extraction, as well as a growing presence in aviation, space, and military sectors, with facilities like Edwards Air Force Base. Recent economic developments include state initiatives aimed at fostering job growth and innovation across various sectors. The Kern High School District serves a large student population across numerous campuses, including comprehensive and alternative education sites.
Above national median (4.7x)
Prices declining
Below national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 5.2x relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Bellefield Solar + Storage (Phases 1 & 2)
AES Corporation
|
$2,000M | Under Construction |
|
Alta Wind Energy Center (Expansion)
Terra-Gen Power
|
$1,550M | Operating |
|
Discovery Solar PV and Storage
Terra-Gen
|
$1,400M | Proposed |
|
Pacific Steel Mill
Pacific Steel
|
$540M | Planned |
|
Rosamond Central Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)
Clearway Energy Group
|
$400M | Operating |
|
Park Center at Seven Oaks (Apartment Community)
Fuller Apartment Homes
|
$150M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Kern County scores 49/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 996 U.S. counties (#502). Median household income is $63,883 and job growth is running at +1.3%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Kern County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $282,800 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.23 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,161/month on average.
Employers in Kern County are hiring — job growth of +1.3% — but the population is close to flat (+0.1% YoY). Home values moved -0.5% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.53% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Kern County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.