Bakersfield is a city located in Kern County California. It is also the county seat of Kern County. With a 2020 population of 389,007, it is the 9th largest city in California and the 51st largest city in the United States . Bakersfield is currently growing at a rate of 0.63% annually and its population has increased by 11.95% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 347,483 in 2010. Bakersfield reached it's highest population of 389,007 in 2021. Spanning over 151 miles, Bakersfield has a population density of 2,598 people per square mile.
The average household income in Bakersfield is $83,985 with a poverty rate of 17.40%. The median rental costs in recent years comes to $1,104 per month, and the median house value is $247,000. The median age in Bakersfield is 30.8 years, 29.9 years for males, and 31.7 years for females.
There are two interesting statistics about the population of Bakersfield. Multiple studies have found that it is one of the least educated metro areas in the country, having one of the lowest populations of adults with bachelor’s degrees when compared to other metropolitan areas. The city was ranked as one of the most obese metro areas in the US, with over 33% of inhabitants classified as obese, exceeding the national average of 26.5%.
Bakersfield Population Growth
Bakersfield has seen steady growth throughout its history, with each 10-year census reflecting increase since 1990. The highest rate of growth was recorded between the 1880 and 1890 censuses – over 227% growth recorded during this time. While the population has not grown at such a rapid rate, double-digit percentage growths have been observed every ten years. The population in 2016 was already up over 8% from the census data taken in 2010. Based on the past growth of this city, the population is only expected to continue to grow and will soon hit the next milestone of 400,000 residents.
Bakersfield history dates back thousands of years. However, it was first explored by the Europeans in 1776. It wasn’t until the discovery of oil and gold that the city became settled. The original settlement was washed away in floods in the 1860s and was moved in 1863. By the 1870s, the settlement had a population of several hundred people. It was incorporated as a city in 1873 and the following year was designated as the county seat.
Throughout the 1800s, the city’s population continued to grow. Many people moved to Bakersfield from states including Oklahoma, Texas and Louisiana, as well as other cities in California, due to the employment opportunities offered within the oil industry. The city’s population has continued to grow, and it has been one of the fastest-growing cities in the state. Not only does it still have a thriving oil industry, but it is also a regional transportation hub. The city has lots to do for both tourists and residents, including annual events, historic restaurants and landmarks, and multiple theaters.