Bakersfield

by The Linguist

 

Bakersfield, California

Bakersfield is a city located in Kern County in the U.S. state of California. As of the 2020 census, Bakersfield had a population of 384,145, making it the 9th largest city in California and the 52nd largest city in the United States.

History

Bakersfield was founded in 1869 by Thomas Baker. He was drawn to the area by its abundant natural resources and excellent climate. The discovery of oil in the region in the late 19th century led to enormous growth for the city. Major oil companies like Shell, Chevron, and Aera Energy established operations in Bakersfield, cementing its status as a center of oil production.

To learn more about the history of Bakersfield, visit the Bakersfield, California Wikipedia page.

Population

The population of Bakersfield has grown substantially since its founding. As of the 2020 census, there were 384,145 people living in the city. Bakersfield is the 52nd largest city in the United States by population. The racial makeup of Bakersfield is predominantly White and Hispanic/Latino.

Bakersfield is part of the Bakersfield-Delano metropolitan statistical area, which has an estimated population of 906,563 as of 2022. Kern County, where Bakersfield is located, has an estimated population of 917,553 as of 2022.

Economy

The economy of Bakersfield relies heavily on oil, agriculture, and manufacturing. Many major oil companies have extraction operations in the Bakersfield area, employing thousands of workers. Agriculture also plays a major role, with lucrative crops like almonds, pistachios, and citrus farmed in the region. Food production and processing are also major industries. Manufacturing operations producing goods like steel pipe and fabricated metal products operate in the city.

Some of the major employers in Bakersfield include:

  • Grimmway Farms (3525 S. H St, Bakersfield, CA 93304, 661-399-7500) – Agriculture and Food Processing
  • Bolthouse Farms (11201 Hageman Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93312, 661-665-6000) – Agriculture and Food Processing
  • Amazon (2500 New Stine Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93309, 661-397-0300) – Warehousing and Distribution
  • Kern Medical (1700 Mount Vernon Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93306, 661-327-4850) – Healthcare
  • Chevron (9525 Camino Media, Bakersfield, CA 93311, 661-391-9000) – Oil and Gas

To learn more about the economy and major employers in Bakersfield, visit the Kern Economic Development Corporation website.

Attractions

Some of the top attractions and landmarks in Bakersfield include:

  • Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace (2800 Buck Owens Blvd, Bakersfield, CA 93308) – Music venue and museum dedicated to Bakersfield native and country music legend Buck Owens.
  • Kern County Museum (3801 Chester Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93301, 661-437-3330) – History and science museum covering the art, history, and culture of Kern County and Bakersfield.
  • California Living Museum (10500 Alfred Harrell Hwy, Bakersfield, CA 93306, 661-872-2256) – Zoo and botanical garden specializing in native California plants and wildlife.
  • Rabobank Arena (1001 Truxtun Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93301) – Multi-purpose arena that hosts sports, concerts, and other events.

Bakersfield also has a vibrant arts and culture scene. The city is home to the Bakersfield Museum of Art, Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra, and several live theater companies.

Public Transportation

Public transportation in Bakersfield and Kern County is provided by the Golden Empire Transit District (GET). GET operates over 35 bus routes that serve the city of Bakersfield and connect outlying communities. GET has two transit centers in downtown Bakersfield that serve as major bus hubs.

To learn more about GET bus routes, fares, and schedules, visit the GET website or call 661-869-2438.

Sports Teams

Bakersfield is home to multiple professional sports teams, including:

  • Bakersfield Condors – Minor league hockey team in the AHL. Play home games at Mechanics Bank Arena. Website: Bakersfield Condors
  • Bakersfield Train Robbers – Minor league baseball team in the Pecos League. Play home games at Sam Lynn Ballpark. Website: Bakersfield Train Robbers

Bakersfield also has a rich history of auto racing at tracks like Kern County Raceway Park and Bakersfield Speedway.

County Information

Bakersfield is located in Kern County in California. The county seat and administrative center is located in Bakersfield.

Kern County Website: www.kerncounty.com

Kern County Administrative Center address: 1115 Truxtun Ave Bakersfield, CA 93301 661-868-3011

School Districts

The primary public school districts serving Bakersfield are:

  • Bakersfield City School District – Website
  • Kern High School District – Website
  • Panama-Buena Vista Union School District – Website

There are also several private K-12 schools located in Bakersfield.

Local Resources

Here are some additional local resources for Bakersfield residents and visitors:

Landmarks

Here are some major landmarks in Bakersfield:

  • Bakersfield Sign (2201 Truxtun Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93301) – Latitude: 35.37287, Longitude: -119.01865
  • Kern County Museum (3801 Chester Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93301) – Latitude: 35.36518, Longitude: -119.01734
  • Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace (2800 Buck Owens Blvd, Bakersfield, CA 93308) – Latitude: 35.37287, Longitude: -119.01865

This embedded Google Map shows Bakersfield, California and surrounding areas.