The Bakersfield metro area: Kern County · Population 915,075 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in the Bakersfield area
Household size in the Bakersfield area
| Period | Bakersfield area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.27 | 3.04 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 3.34 | 3.10 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 3.28 | 3.09 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 3.26 | 3.01 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.01 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
The Bakersfield area is a place of big households: 3.26 people per home on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. Numbers like that usually point to plenty of families with kids. Few large metro areas have larger households: only four of 100.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in the Bakersfield area
| Period | Bakersfield area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 31.8 | 35.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 32.2 | 36.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 33.0 | 37.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 33.9 | 39.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.1 | +3.1 | +2.3 |
The Bakersfield area is young: half of its residents are under 33.9, compared with a national median of 40.1. The population tilts toward young families with children. The median age has climbed from 31.8 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Of the 100 large U.S. metro areas, only three are younger.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in the Bakersfield area
| Period | Bakersfield area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.1% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 18.7% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 16.8% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 17.8% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.4 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are common in the Bakersfield area: 17.8% of all households, against 11.6% nationally. Only one other large metro area has a higher share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in the Bakersfield area
Renters in the Bakersfield area
| Period | Bakersfield area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 38.6% | 42.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 42.8% | 45.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 41.7% | 45.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 39.9% | 44.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | +1.3 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting is a bit more common in the Bakersfield area than nationally: 39.9% of households rent their homes, against 34.8% for the U.S. Still, renters make up a smaller share here than in California overall (44.1%). More than a third of owners (36.1%) have paid off their mortgages, below the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has edged up 1.3 points, mirroring the country.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in the Bakersfield area
| Period | Bakersfield area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.9% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 9.7% | 8.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 8.9% | 7.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 7.8% | 7.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | −3.1 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Fewer homes sit empty in the Bakersfield area than nationally: 7.8%, against 9.6% for the U.S. California comes in at about the same level. Vacancy has fallen 3.1 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in the Bakersfield area
| Period | Bakersfield area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1980 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1981 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1982 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1986 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +6 | +4 | +6 |
The housing in the Bakersfield area is younger than the country's: half of it was built after 1986, against 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1980 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the west, the oldest in the north.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in the Bakersfield area
| Period | Bakersfield area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $968 | $1,298 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,061 | $1,379 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,163 | $1,721 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,610 | $2,229 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$643 | +$931 | +$606 |
The median renter in the Bakersfield area pays $1,610 a month for rent and utilities, close to the national median of $1,571. Rents here are lower than in California overall ($2,229). Rent has climbed $643 a month since 2006–10, up 66%, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 33.9% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in the Bakersfield area
Bachelor's degrees in the Bakersfield area
| Period | Bakersfield area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.9% | 29.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 15.3% | 30.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 16.2% | 32.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 20.5% | 36.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +5.6 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in the Bakersfield area: 20.5% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 5.6 points, mirroring the country. Only one other large metro area has a lower share of college graduates.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in the Bakersfield area
| Period | Bakersfield area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 70.3% | 79.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 72.3% | 80.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 73.3% | 82.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 77.2% | 84.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +6.9 pts | +4.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
More than one in five adults in the Bakersfield area never finished high school, well above the national share: only 77.2% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. The share with a diploma has risen 6.9 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Only one other large metro area has a lower share of high school graduates.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in the Bakersfield area
| Period | Bakersfield area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.5% | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 13.6% | 11.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 9.9% | 6.3% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.6% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.9 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in the Bakersfield area runs well above the national rate: 8.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4%. Only one other large metro area has higher unemployment. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 2.9 points, mirroring the country.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Largest cities in the Bakersfield area
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield area (all) | 3.26 | 33.9 | 17.8% | 39.9% | 7.8% | 1986 | $1,610 | 20.5% | 77.2% | 8.6% |
| Delano | 3.69 | 33.4 | 17.8% | 40.0% | 5.3% | 1986 | $1,324 | 7.8% | 60.7% | 14.0% |
| Oildale | 2.72 | 36.7 | 16.8% | 59.2% | 7.9% | 1970 | $1,340 | 13.8% | 82.1% | 11.1% |
| Ridgecrest | 2.51 | 35.7 | 11.6% | 38.0% | 9.1% | 1979 | $1,240 | 31.7% | 91.0% | 7.9% |
| Wasco | 3.64 | 30.2 | 18.4% | 42.9% | 8.4% | 1988 | $1,122 | 7.7% | 62.6% | 7.1% |
| Shafter | 3.65 | 28.2 | 18.4% | 36.7% | 5.2% | 1991 | $1,693 | 14.5% | 75.7% | 5.5% |
| Rosamond | 3.21 | 30.9 | 16.3% | 22.9% | 9.7% | 1992 | $1,796 | 17.7% | 83.8% | 8.8% |
| Arvin | 4.07 | 26.5 | 25.7% | 46.3% | 6.2% | 1989 | $1,182 | 5.5% | 47.4% | 15.4% |
| Tehachapi | 2.52 | 42.8 | 9.9% | 28.7% | 12.1% | 1987 | $1,505 | 21.2% | 86.3% | 7.2% |
| Taft | 2.97 | 33.3 | 22.2% | 49.7% | 11.4% | 1964 | $1,110 | 8.4% | 70.5% | 12.7% |
| Lamont | 3.59 | 32.1 | 19.8% | 55.3% | 10.8% | 1972 | $1,106 | 5.4% | 43.7% | 10.6% |
All figures 2020–24.
Metro areas of similar size: El Paso area · Baton Rouge area · McAllen area · Albany area · Knoxville area · Albuquerque area · Greenville area · Bridgeport area · Omaha area · New Orleans area
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up the Bakersfield area. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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