RANK #688 / 996 · POP 906,883 · CA
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.1%
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.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| 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 has a Boom Town Index score of 31/100, ranking #688 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.3% and a median household income of $63,883, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Kern County is $282,800 with median rent at $1,161/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2259, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.1% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.3%. Home values changed -0.5% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.53% of Kern County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.