Kern County

As of the 2020 U.S. Census, Kern County, CA has a population of approximately 909,235. The population is diverse, with about 50% identifying as Hispanic or Latino, 36% as White (non-Hispanic), 6% as Black or African American, 6% as Asian, and the remainder comprising various other racial and ethnic groups. The county spans 8,163 square miles and includes major cities like Bakersfield. The median household income is around $53,000, and about 20% of the population lives below the poverty line. The median age is approximately 31 years.

As of 2023, Kern County, CA has a median home price of approximately $330,000. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is around $1,100 per month. The county's homeownership rate stands at about 58.7%. Bakersfield, the largest city, has a median home price of roughly $345,000. The real estate market here has seen a year-over-year appreciation rate of around 8%. Vacancy rates for rental properties are at approximately 4.5%. Overall, housing in Kern County remains more affordable compared to California's coastal regions.

Kern County, CA, has elections for various offices, including federal, state, and local positions. In the 2020 General Election, voter turnout was around 67% with over 300,000 registered voters. Key positions up for election often include:

1. Board of Supervisors: Five districts, each with a supervisor. For example, in 2020, 1st District Supervisor Mick Gleason was re-elected.
2. Congressional Representatives: Kern County is part of multiple districts. In 2020, Republican Kevin McCarthy won the 23rd District.
3. State Assembly & Senate: Includes districts like the 32nd Assembly District.
4. Local Offices: Mayor, City Council, School boards.

Candidates vary per cycle. For detailed, current lists of candidates, visit Kern County's official elections website or the California Secretary of State's portal for updated information.

As of the latest available data, Kern County, CA, has lower educational attainment compared to national and state averages. Approximately 76.5% of Kern County residents have a high school diploma or higher, compared to 88% for California and 88.5% nationally. Around 15.2% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, significantly lower than California’s 34.7% and the national average of 32.1%. These figures indicate that Kern County lags behind both state and national standards in terms of education, which may impact local economic opportunities and quality of life.

Kern County, CA, had an unemployment rate of around 9.0% in 2021, significantly higher than the national average of approximately 6.1% and California’s state average of 7.3%. As of 2022, employment saw gradual recovery, with key industries driving the job market.

Top industries in Kern County include:

1. Agriculture: Kern is a leading agricultural hub, especially in crop production and livestock.
2. Energy: Oil and gas extraction is prominent, alongside a growing renewable energy sector.
3. Healthcare: A critical sector that provides numerous jobs through hospitals, clinics, and private practices.
4. Logistics and Transportation: Benefiting from Kern’s strategic position in Southern California.
5. Education: Employment in K-12 schools and higher education institutions is robust.

Compared to national and state averages, Kern County has a higher concentration of employment in agriculture and energy sectors but lags in sectors like technology and finance.

As of the latest data, Kern County, CA, has an average household income of approximately $60,700. This is notably lower than both the California state average of $91,377 and the national average of $68,703.

These figures highlight the economic disparities between Kern County, the state, and the nation. Kern County's income levels reflect its primarily agricultural and oil-based economy, which has different economic dynamics compared to more diversified and higher-income regions in California and across the United States.

As of 2020, Kern County, CA, had a crime rate of 3,112.9 per 100,000 residents. Here is a breakdown of crime statistics in Kern County:

Kern County has experienced both rising violent crime rates and steady property crime levels. Local authorities are actively working on strategies to address these issues. Data is sourced from the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program.