Kern County, CA

County

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    2024 Population
    915,075
    US Senator
    Alex Padilla
    Democratic Party
    US Senator
    Adam Schiff
    Democratic Party
    2024 Median Age
    32.7
    0.926% 1-year increase
    2024 Poverty Rate
    19.1%
    0.341% 1-year increase
    2024 Median Household Income
    $70,210
    3.77% 1-year growth
    2024 Median Property Value
    $338,300
    8.92% 1-year growth
    2024 Employed Population
    365,769
    0.859% 1-year growth

    About

    None of the households in Kern County, CA reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

    88% of the residents in Kern County, CA are U.S. citizens.

    The largest universities in Kern County, CA are Bakersfield College (7,123 degrees awarded in 2024), California State University-Bakersfield (2,564 degrees), and UEI College-Bakersfield (1,113 degrees).

    In 2024, the median property value in Kern County, CA was $338,300, and the homeownership rate was 60.1%.

    Most people in Kern County, CA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 24.4 minutes. The average car ownership in Kern County, CA was 2 cars per household.

    About the photo: Tejon Pass - Tehachapi Mountains in Grapevine, CA
    Photo by Jeff Turner
    United StatesCaliforniaBakersfield, CA

    Population & Diversity

    Kern County, CA is home to a population of 915k people, from which 88% are citizens. As of 2024, 20.2% of Kern County, CA residents were born outside of the country (185k people).

    In 2024, there were 1.45 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (270k people) in Kern County, CA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 187k Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) and 171k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

    Population & Diversity

    Citizenship

    88%
    2024 Citizenship
    88.3%
    2023 Citizenship

    As of 2024, 88% of Kern County, CA residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Kern County, CA was 88.3%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

    The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Kern County, CA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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    Diversity

    Race and Ethnicity

    The 3 largest ethnic groups in Kern County, CA
    1. White (Non-Hispanic)
      270k ± 1.67k
    2. Two Races Including Other (Hispanic)
      187k ± 6.31k
    3. Other (Hispanic)
      171k ± 5.77k
    56.5%
    Hispanic Population
    517k people

    In 2024, there were 1.45 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (270k people) in Kern County, CA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 187k Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) and 171k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

    56.5% of the people in Kern County, CA are hispanic (517k people).

    The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Kern County, CA as a share of the total population.

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    Global Diversity

    The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for California.
    Most Common Origin
    1. Mexico
      3,877,888 ± 45,899 people
    2. Philippines
      827,719 ± 22,100 people
    3. China
      695,724 ± 20,296 people

    In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of California was Mexico, the natal country of 3,877,888 California residents, followed by Philippines with 827,719 and China with 695,724.

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    Foreign-Born Population

    20.2%
    2024 Foreign-Born Population
    185k people
    19.7%
    2023 Foreign-Born Population
    180k people

    As of 2024, 20.2% of Kern County, CA residents (185k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Kern County, CA was 19.7%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

    The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Kern County, CA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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    Military

    Veterans

    Most Common Service Period
    1. Gulf War (2001-)
      10,371 ± 988
    2. Vietnam
      9,252 ± 701
    3. Gulf War (1990s)
      4,697 ± 608

    Kern County, CA has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 1.12 times greater than any other conflict.

    The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Kern County, CA.

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    Health

    92.2% of the population of Kern County, CA has health coverage, with 36.8% on employee plans, 36.3% on Medicaid, 8.04% on Medicare, 9.62% on non-group plans, and 1.36% on military or VA plans.

    Primary care physicians in Kern County, CA see 2,090 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (2,090 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1901 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 393 patients per year.

    By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.8% were men and 50.2% were women.

    Coverage

    Patient to Clinician Ratios

    2,090 to 1
    Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Kern County, CA

    Primary care physicians in Kern County, CA see an average of 2,090 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (2,090 patients).

    The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Kern County, CA in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

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    Health Care Diversity

    In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 30.9% under 18 years, 22.9% between 18 and 34 years, 34.3% between 35 and 64 years, and 12% over 64 years.

    By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.8% were men and 50.2% were women.

    The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

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    Uninsured People

    7.84%
    Uninsured
    36.8%
    Employer Coverage
    36.3%
    Medicaid
    8.04%
    Medicare
    9.62%
    Non-Group
    1.36%
    Military or VA

    Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Kern County, CA declined by 0.086% from 7.85% to 7.84%.

    The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Kern County, CA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

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    Health Indicators

    Health Outcomes

    Indicator

    In 2025, the average number of mentally unhealthy days reported in past 30 days (age-adjusted) was 5.73 in Kern County, CA.

    The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Kern County, CA.

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    Health Behaviors

    Indicator

    In 2025, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 35.9% in Kern County, CA.

    The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Kern County, CA.

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    Clinical Care

    Indicator

    In 2025, the percentage of population under age 65 without health insurance was 7.73% in Kern County, CA.

    The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Kern County, CA.

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    Economy

    The economy of Kern County, CA employs 366k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Kern County, CA were Health Care & Social Assistance (45,581 people), Retail Trade (39,956 people), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (37,801 people), and the highest paying industries were Utilities ($95,745), Public Administration ($84,124), and Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($74,065).

    Employment

    Occupations

    366k
    2024 Value
    ± 5,340
    0.859%
    1 Year growth
    ± 2.11%

    From 2023 to 2024, employment in Kern County, CA grew at a rate of 0.859%, from 363k employees to 366k employees.

    The most common job groups, by number of people living in Kern County, CA, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (36,430 people), Sales & Related Occupations (30,394 people), and Management Occupations (28,539 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Kern County, CA.

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    Unemployment Insurance Claims

    Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for California.

    This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in California (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

    The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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    Industries

    Employment by Industries

    366k
    2024 Value
    ± 5,340
    0.859%
    1 Year growth
    ± 2.11%

    From 2023 to 2024, employment in Kern County, CA grew at a rate of 0.859%, from 363k employees to 366k employees.

    The most common employment sectors for those who live in Kern County, CA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (45,581 people), Retail Trade (39,956 people), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (37,801 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Kern County, CA, though some of these residents may live in Kern County, CA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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    Median Earnings by Industry

    $47,093
    Median earning men ± $944
    $33,403
    Median earning women ± $822

    The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Public Administration ($102,459), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($62,050), and Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($56,033).

    The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Public Administration ($56,026), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($48,676), and Wholesale Trade ($42,532).

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    Employment by Industry Sector

    Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for California.
    Y-Axis
    2.57%
    Year-over-year growth
    Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

    As of February 2023, there are 17.9M people employed in California. This represents a 2.57% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

    Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 14%.

    The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in California.

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    Establishments by Size

    The industries with the most establishments
    1. 856
      Health Care and Social Assistance
    2. 838
      Transportation and Warehousing
    3. 828
      Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

    The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

    The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

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    Payroll by Industry Sector

    The industries with the highest total annual payroll
    1. $2.16M
      Health Care and Social Assistance
    2. $1.2M
      Retail Trade
    3. $1.03M
      Construction

    The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

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    Civics

    In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in California went to Kamala Harris with 58.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (38.3%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.25%).

    Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff are the senators currently representing the state of California. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

    California is currently represented by 51 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

    Presidential Elections

    Voting results are not available for Kern County, CA. Showing the available data for California.
    2024 Election Results
    1. Kamala Harris (58.5%)
      Democratic Party
    2. Donald J. Trump (38.3%)
      Republican Party
    3. Robert Kennedy (1.25%)
      Independent Party

    In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in California went to Kamala Harris with 58.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (38.3%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.25%).

    The following chart shows the popular vote results in California for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

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    Senator Elections

    US Senators from California

    Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for California.
    Alex Padilla
    Senator from California3
    Assumed office on January 20, 2021
    Appointed to the seat following the resignation of Kamala Harris, who had become Vice President of the United States.
    Adam Schiff
    Senator from California1
    Assumed office on December 8, 2024
    Elected to the seat to succeed Laphonza Butler, who had been appointed to the seat following the death of Dianne Feinstein.

    Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff are the senators currently representing California.

    In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

    The following chart shows elected senators in California over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

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    Education

    In 2024, universities in Kern County, CA awarded 13,529 degrees. The student population of Kern County, CA in 2024 is skewed towards women, with 22,849 male students and 32,106 female students.

    Most students graduating from Universities in Kern County, CA are Hispanic or Latino (8,594 and 63.7%), White (2,215 and 16.4%), Unknown (989 and 7.34%), and Asian (660 and 4.9%).

    The largest universities in Kern County, CA by number of degrees awarded are Bakersfield College (7,123 and 52.6%), California State University-Bakersfield (2,564 and 19%), and UEI College-Bakersfield (1,113 and 8.23%).

    The most popular majors in Kern County, CA are Liberal Arts & Sciences (4,739 and 35%), General Psychology (716 and 5.29%), and General Business Administration & Management (631 and 4.66%).

    The median tuition cost for a public four year colleges is $1,380 for in-state students and $11,250 for out-of-state students.

    Admissions & Enrollments

    Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

    University
    Measure

    In 2024 in Kern County, CA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 93.9%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 10.4%. The number of students enrolled in 2024 was 54,955 (41.6% men and 58.4% women).

    The line chart  shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

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    Enrollments by Gender and Races

    Universities

    In 2024 there were 54,955 students enrolled in Kern County, CA, 41.6% men and 58.4% women.

    By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in Hispanic or Latino with 37,149 records, of which 60.3% were women and 39.7% men.

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    Completions

    Concentrations

    Most Common
    1. Liberal Arts & Sciences
      2,431 degrees awarded
    2. General Psychology
      414 degrees awarded
    3. General Biological Sciences
      318 degrees awarded

    In 2024, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Kern County, CA was Liberal Arts & Sciences with 2,431 degrees awarded.

    This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Associates Degree from schools in Kern County, CA according to their major.

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    Universities

    Gender
    Race
    Largest Universities by degrees awarded
    1. Bakersfield College
      7,123 degrees awarded
    2. California State University-Bakersfield
      2,564 degrees awarded
    3. UEI College-Bakersfield
      1,113 degrees awarded

    In 2024, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Bakersfield College with 7,123 degrees awarded.

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    Student Diversity

    University

    In 2024, 4,600 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Kern County, CA, which is 0.515 times less than the 8,929 female students who received degrees in the same year.

    In 2024, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was Hispanic or Latino students. These 8,594 degrees mean that there were 3.88 times more degrees awarded to Hispanic or Latino students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, White, with 2,215 degrees awarded.

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    Awarded Degrees over Time

    The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

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    Tuition

    Average Net Price by Sector

    Universities

    Private for-profit, 4-year or above ($15,030) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2024.

    Private for-profit, 4-year or above ($22,637) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2024.

    Public, 2-year ($938) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

    The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

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    Housing & Living

    The median property value in Kern County, CA was $338,300 in 2024, which is 1.02 times larger than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $310,600 to $338,300, a 8.92% increase. The homeownership rate in Kern County, CA is 60.1%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

    People in Kern County, CA have an average commute time of 24.4 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Kern County, CA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

    In 2025, 24.4% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Kern County, CA. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 2.39%.

    Housing

    Property

    $338,300
    Median Property Value 2024
    ±$2,944
    $171,133
    Median Property Taxes
    ±$3,377

    The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Kern County, CA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

    The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Kern County, CA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

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    Rent vs Own

    60.1%
    Homeownership
    2024
    66.6%
    Homeowners with Mortgage
    2024

    In 2024, 60.1% of the housing units in Kern County, CA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 59.8%.

    This chart shows the percentage of owner in Kern County, CA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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    Equity

    Household Income

    Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.
    $70,210
    Median Household Income
    ± $1,287
    285k
    Number of Households
    ± 4,437

    In 2024, the median household income of the 285k households in Kern County, CA grew to $70,210 from the previous year's value of $67,660.

    The following chart displays the households in Kern County, CA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

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    Wage Distribution

    The closest comparable wage GINI for Kern County, CA is from California.
    0.493
    2024 Wage GINI in California
    0.495
    2023 Wage GINI in California

    In 2024, the income inequality in California was 0.493 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.424% decline from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for California was higher than than the national average of 0.474. In other words, wages are distributed less evenly in California in comparison to the national average.

    This chart shows the number of workers in California across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

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    Transportation

    Commuter Transportation

    Most Common Commute in 2024
    1. Drove Alone (78.4%)
    2. Carpooled (11.4%)
    3. Worked At Home (7.47%)

    In 2024, 78.4% of workers in Kern County, CA drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (11.4%) and those who worked at home (7.47%).

    The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

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    Commute Time

    24.4 minutes
    Average Travel Time

    Using averages, employees in Kern County, CA have a shorter commute time (24.4 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 3.56% of the workforce in Kern County, CA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

    The chart below shows how the median household income in Kern County, CA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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    Car Ownership

    2 cars
    Average Number

    The following chart displays the households in Kern County, CA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Kern County, CA have 2 cars.

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    Poverty

    Severe Housing Problems

    In 2025, 24.4% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Kern County, CA. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 2.39%.

    The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

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    Poverty & Diversity

    19.1% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Kern County, CA (170k out of 891k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 35 - 44 and then Males 6 - 11.

    The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Kern County, CA is Hispanic, followed by White and Two Or More.

    The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

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    Children in Poverty

    In 2025, 24.8% of the children was living in poverty in Kern County, CA. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 8.5%.

    The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

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    Security

    Crimes & Accidents

    Indicator

    In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 545 in Kern County, CA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 22.6% per 100,000 population.

    The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

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