RANK #691 / 1001 NAT · #13 / 43 CA · POP 915,075
1YR FORECAST: -0.5%
5YR OUTLOOK: +26%
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.
Kern County is one of 78 U.S. counties in this market profile — stronger than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of -0.3% matches the profile's typical -0.8%.
See all 78 Western Premium Correction counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Prices declining
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 14.4x — home prices are high 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.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
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 1001 counties.
At 30/100, Kern County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 1001 counties we track. Median income of $70,210 combined with job growth of -0.2% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Kern County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $338,300 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.21 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,300/month on average.
Kern County's population is growing — up +0.5% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of -0.2%). Home values shifted -0.3% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.23% 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.