Kern County comprises the Bakersfield, California,metropolitan statistical area. The county spans the southern end of theCentral Valley. Covering 8,161.42 square miles (21,138.0 km2), it ranges west to the southern slope of theCoast Ranges, and east beyond the southern slope of the easternSierra Nevada into theMojave Desert, at the city ofRidgecrest. Its northernmost city isDelano, and its southern reach extends to just beyondFrazier Park, and the northern extremity of the parallelAntelope Valley.
Native Americans lived in this region for hundreds of years:[citation needed]Chumash, tribes grouped together under the settler nameYokuts, and others.[8]
Spain claimed the area in 1769. Entering fromGrapevine Canyon to the south in 1772, CommanderDon Pedro Fages became the first European known to set foot in the area.
The Battle of San Emigdio took place in Kern County in March 1824. The Chumash Native Americans ofMission Santa Barbara rebelled against the Mexican government and its taking over mission property and ejecting the natives. The battle occurred in the canyon where San Emigdio Creek flows downSan Emigdio Mountain and the Blue Ridge, south of Bakersfield near today's Highway 166. Mexican forces fromMonterey were commanded by Carlos Carrillo and the conflict was a low-casualty encounter, with only four Native Americans being killed and no Mexicans. The surviving Native Americans were pacified and brought back to Santa Barbara in June 1824 after a pursuit and negotiation, in which many were allowed to keep their arms for the return march over the mountains.[9]
The Havilah Court Building was restored in the 1970s and now serves as a museum: Photocirca 2007.
In the beginning, what was to become Kern County was dominated by mining in the mountains and in the desert. In 1855, the California legislature attempted to form a county in the area by giving the southeastern territory of Tulare County on the west of the Sierra Nevada Mountains toBuena Vista County. it was never officially organized prior to 1859, though, when the enabling legislation expired. The south of Tulare County was later organized as Kern County in 1866, with additions fromLos Angeles andSan Bernardino Counties. Its first county seat was the mining town ofHavilah, in the mountains east of Bakersfield and north ofTehachapi.[10]
Settlers considered the flat land of the valley inhospitable and impassable at the time due to swamps, lakes, tule reeds, and diseases such as malaria. This changed when residents started draining land for farming and constructing canals, most dug by hired Chinese laborers. Within 10 years, the valley surpassed the mining areas as the economic power of the county, and as a result, the county seat was moved from Havilah to Bakersfield in 1874.[citation needed]
Throughout recorded history, severe earthquakes have struck Kern County, including the1857 Fort Tejon earthquake.
On July 21, 1952, an earthquake occurred with theepicenter about 23 miles (37 km) south of Bakersfield. It measured 7.3 on themoment magnitude scale and killed 12 people. In addition to the deaths, it was responsible for hundreds of injuries and more than $60 million in property damage. The main shock was felt over much of California and as far away as Phoenix, Arizona, and Reno, Nevada. The earthquake occurred on the White Wolf Fault and was the strongest to occur in California since the1906 San Francisco earthquake. Tehachapi suffered the greatest damage and loss of life from the earthquake, though its effects were widely felt throughout central and southern California. The event had a significantaftershock sequence that persisted into July and August, with the strongest coming on August 22, an M5.8 event with a maximum perceived intensity of VIII (severe) and resulted in two additional deaths and an additional $10 million in property damage. Repercussions of the sequence of earthquakes were still being felt in the heavily damaged downtown area of Bakersfield well into the 1990s, as city leaders attempted to improve safety of the surviving unreinforced masonry buildings.
Following the event, a field survey was conducted along the fault zone, with the goal of estimating the peak ground acceleration of the shock based on visually evaluating rock formations and other indicators. Ground disturbances that were created by the earthquakes were also surveyed, both in the valley and in the foothills, with both vertical and horizontal displacements present in the epicenter area. The motion records that were acquired from the event were significant, and a reconnaissance report was recognized for its coverage of the event, and its setting a standard for similar engineering or scientific papers.
Between 1983 and 1986, several ritual sex ringchild-abuse cases occurred in Kern County, resulting in numerous long prison sentences, all of which were overturned—some of them decades later, because the prosecutors had coerced false testimonies from the purported child victims.[12] The details of these false accusations are covered extensively in the 2008 documentaryWitch Hunt, narrated bySean Penn.[13]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 8,163 square miles (21,140 km2), of which 31 square miles (80 km2) (0.4%) is covered by water.[14] It is the third-largest county by area in California. The tallest peak in the county is Sawmill Mountain with an elevation of 8822 ft. Its area is nearly the size of the state ofNew Hampshire; it extends:
Particulate pollution in Kern County varies with the seasons.
Kern County suffers from severe air pollution. Particulates cause poor visibility, especially in the winter. Western Kern County lies in theSan Joaquin Valley and the topography traps pollutants. Although the topography is not as unfavorable in eastern Kern County, it is anon-attainment area for particulates.[15] Air pollution caused byparticulates is "in the unhealthy range an average of 40 days a year, according to theAmerican Lung Association's2018 State of the Air Report.[16]
Chaparral comprises a considerable portion of the natural area within Kern County; the species diversity within these chaparral habitats, however, is considerably less than in many other regions of California.[17]Whitethorn is a prominent example of chaparral species on the rocky slopes of the Sierra Nevada and the Inner Coastal Ranges.[18]California buckeye is a notable tree found in both chaparral and forests and whose southern range terminates in Kern County.[19]
Kern County, California – Racial and ethnic composition Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
The2010 United States census reported that Kern County had a population of 839,631. Theracial makeup of Kern County was 499,766 (59.5%) White, 48,921 (5.8%) African American, 12,676 (1.5%) Native American, 34,846 (4.2%) Asian, 1,252 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 204,314 (24.3%) from other races, and 37,856 (4.5%) from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 413,033 persons (49.2%); 43.4% of Kern County residents are of Mexican heritage, 1.0% Salvadoran, 0.5% Colombian, and 0.4% Guatemalan.[45]
According to the2000 United States census[46] of 2000, 661,645 people, 208,652 households, and 156,489 families resided in the county. The population density was 81 people per square mile (31 people/km2). The 231,564 housing units had an average density of 28 units per square mile (11 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 61.6% White, 6.0% Black or African American, 3.4% Asian, 1.5% Native American, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 23.2% from other races, and 4.1% from two or more races. About 38.4% of the population were Hispanics or Latinos of any race; 8.4% were of German, 7.2% American, and 5.7% Irish ancestry, according to the census, and 66.8% spoke English, 29.1% Spanish, and 1.0%Tagalog as their first language.
Of the 208,652 households, 42.2% had children under 18 living with them, 54.6% were married couples living together, 14.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.0% were not families. About 20.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.8% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 3.03 and the average family size was 3.50.[47]
In the county, the age distribution was 31.9% under 18, 10.2% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 18.7% from 45 to 64, and 9.4% who were 65 or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 105.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.3 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $35,446, and for a family was $39,403. Males had a median income of $38,097 versus $25,876 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $15,760. About 16.8% of families and 20.8% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 27.8% of those under 18 and 10.5% of those 65 or over.
Kern County is aCalifornia Constitution-defined general-law county and is governed by an elected board of supervisors. The board consists of five members, elected by districts, who serve four-year, staggered terms. The county government provides countywide services such as elections and voter registration, some law enforcement, jails, vital records, property records, tax collection, public health, and social services. In addition, the county serves as the local government for all unincorporated areas.
The Kern County Sheriff provides court protection, jail administration, and coroner services for the entire county of around 900,000 in population. It provides patrol and detective services for the unincorporated areas of the county and by contract to certain municipalities. The main sheriff's office and station is at Bakersfield, with 15 sheriff substations for the widespread county.
Municipal police departments in the county are Bakersfield, population 384,000; Delano, 54,000; Ridgecrest, 29,000; Wasco, 28,000; Arvin, 21,000; Shafter, 20,000; McFarland, 15,000; California City, 14,671; Tehachapi, 13,000; Taft, 9,327; and Maricopa (sheriff contract city), 1,200.
Kern is a stronglyRepublican county inPresidential andcongressional elections. The last Democratic candidate for president to win a majority in the county wasLyndon Johnson in1964. The county is also a Republican stronghold at the state level, with Jerry Brown being the last Democrat to win the county in a gubernatorial election in 1978. Kern remains the only county in Southern California that consistently votes Republican in recent elections. While Republican margins in the county had been shrinking, withDonald Trump's 10.2% margin of victory in2020 being the smallest sinceGerald Ford's 6.7% majority in1976, Trump regained his margins in 2024 and even surpassed previous performances, with his 21% margin being the best since George Bush in 2004. Some constituencies in Kern County in particular some of the most widely contested in California, and the United States as of the early 2020s,[54][55] with the2022 race for the 22nd US House district being close, and the26th Senate District having one of the tightest margins in electoral history, with incumbent DemocratMelissa Hurtado retaining her seat by 13 votes.[56]
Democratic strength is concentrated in the small agricultural towns in the San Joaquin Valley portion of the county, such as Arvin, Delano, McFarland, Shafter, and Wasco. Unincorporated communities close to agricultural areas, such as Lamont and Lost Hills, are Democratic strongholds. The eastern and southern parts of Bakersfield, along with unincorporated East Bakersfield, have also become reliably Democratic. Republican strength is found in the foothill, mountain, and high desert communities of the county. The cities of Maricopa, Ridgecrest, Taft, and Tehachapi are Republican strongholds. Along with the northern parts of Bakersfield, the wealthy unincorporated area of Rosedale and working-class Oildale are also seen as being strongly Republican. Cities including California City and the western areas of Bakersfield are seen as competitive in most elections. Bakersfield as a whole is seen as being competitive with a Republican lean. The rest of the unincorporated areas of Kern County is seen as strongly Republican.
United States presidential election results for Kern County, California[57]
Kern County is governed by a five-memberBoard of Supervisors. Leticia Perez of District 5 currently serves as chair. As of December 17, 2024, they are:[61]
The Kern County Fire Department (KCFD) is an agency that provides fire protection and emergency medical services for the county of Kern, California, USA. Over 625 permanent employees and 100 extra help employees protect an area which spans over 8,000 square miles (21,000 km2). KCFD provides fire protection services for over 500,000 citizens living in the unincorporated areas of Kern County and the cities ofArvin,Delano,Maricopa,McFarland,Ridgecrest,Shafter,Taft,Tehachapi andWasco. This agency is contracted to provide dispatch services for the California City Fire Department. Over 546 uniformed firefighters are stationed in 46 fire stations throughout the county.
The Kern County Sheriff's Department is the agency responsible for law enforcement within the county of Kern. The department provides law enforcement within the county, maintains the jails used by both the county and municipal cities, and provides search and rescue. The department contains over 1,200 sworn deputies and civilian employees. Its jurisdiction contains all of the unincorporated areas of Kern County, approximately 8,000 square miles (21,000 km2). The department headquarters is located at 1350 Norris Road in Bakersfield. There are 15 additional substations located throughout the county. The metro patrol area is divided into four regions: north, south, east, and west.
In 2009, the district attorney claimed "the highest per capita prison commitment rate of any major California county." Kern County contains multiple state and federal prisons, including two private prisons. The county is among the most prolific with the death penalty, assigningdeath penalty sentences in 26 cases since 1976. In 2015 Kern County policemen from all departments killed more people per capita than any other American county. Because of the very harsh local criminal justice system, Kern County has been dubbed "the most punitive authoritarian jurisdiction on the west coast" and "Oklahoma of the west".[62] In 2015, it was revealed that the Kern County Sheriff's office engaged in a longstanding program of attempted cash payoffs to women who had accused deputies of sexual assault. In the same year, a civil lawsuit filed by a survivor of a sexual assault committed by Kern County Sheriff's deputy Gabriel Lopez was settled for $1 million.[63]
Kern County had the most deaths per capita in the US by police shooting per an article published inThe Guardian on December 1, 2015.[64] In 2015 to the date of publication of the article, there have been 13 deaths by police shootings in a county of less than 875,000 population, or 0.016 per thousand persons. By comparison, during the same period of time in New York City, a population 10 times the size with a police force more than 20 times the size, there were 9 such deaths.[65]
The following table includes the number of incidents reported and the rate per 1,000 persons for each type of offense.
This has long been one of the county's biggest industries.[74] Between 2012 and 2013 the produced value of ag products increased 6%, to a total of $6.8 billion.[74] Grape is 31%,almond is 17%,milk is 13%, citrus is 11%,cattle +calves andpistachio are both 7%,carrots are only 6% (but that's 80% of carrots for the entire United States),hay is 4%, andcotton andpotatoes are both 2%, of that.[74] This is one of the highest-producing locations in the United States forvegetables, and also forwatermelons.[75] Vegetables are estimated to total $320 million every year.[75] There are about 1,938 farms, at an average size of 1,202 acres (486 ha) (however 41% are smaller than 50 acres (20 ha)), being the primary employment of 63% of operators.[74]
Major producer ofalmonds[76] with production greater than 100 million pounds (45,000 t; 50,000 short tons) annually.[74] That is third of all the counties, 16% of the state's production.[74] (See alsoalmond in California.)
Pistachio is another important employer here.[77] The Michailides & Avenot group finds severeboscalid resistance inisolates ofAlternaria alternata pathogenic on pistachio here.[77] They find extensive such resistance in a swathe from the center down into the central southern part of the state, but especially here.[77] (See alsoPistachio in California andboscalid in California.)
As of 2015[update], Kern is California's top oil-producing county, with 78% of the state's 56,653 activeoil wells and 71% of oil production.[79][80] The county produced 144.5 million barrels of oil in 2015, accounting for about 4% of overall U.S. oil production.[79][81]
Oil development began with the 1894 discovery of theMidway-Sunset Oil Field, now the third-largest in the United States, in the southwestern portion of Kern County near Maricopa. The 1899 discovery along the Kern River was a breakthrough in oil production.[11] Oil was refined here even before the establishment of the county.[11] The Buena Vista Petroleum Company was organized and incorporated in 1864.[11] Soon thereafter a refinery was built that operated until April 1867 when work ceased because of high freight charges.[11]
The 1910Lakeview Gusher was the largest recordedoil strike in U.S. history. The well spewed approximately nine million barrels for 18 months before workers finally were able to cap it.[82]
Other big oil fields in southwestern Kern County discovered early in the 20th century include theBuena Vista, theSouth Belridge and theCymric fields. The latter is the fastest-growing field in California in terms of barrels produced per year.[83] Later large fields include theKern River Oil Field, the fifth-largest in the U.S., the adjacentKern Front Oil Field, theMount Poso Oil Field in the lower foothills of the Sierra north-northeast of Bakersfield and theFruitvale Oil Field, which underlies much of the city of Bakersfield, along and north of the Kern River.[84][85]
On July 22, 2009,Occidental Petroleum announced it had discovered the equivalent of 150 million to 250 million barrels of oil in Kern County, which the company called the largest oil discovery in California in 35 years. The find added about 10 percent to California's known reserves. Occidental'sRay Irani said it is likely that more oil would be found in the areas outside the initial six wells that tapped the discovery. Occidental has not revealed the exact location of the find, two-thirds of which is natural gas.BNET, an industry web publication, said the find would add to the company's 708 million barrels of proven reserves in California.[citation needed]
The county today contributes more than three-quarters of all the oil produced onshore in California.[83] Some of the large oil fields in Kern County which are still active include:
^abcdefghijklmnopqU.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B02001.U.S. Census website. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
^abU.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B03003.U.S. Census website. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
^abU.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B19301.U.S. Census website. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
^abU.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B19013.U.S. Census website. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
^abU.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B19113.U.S. Census website. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
^abU.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates.U.S. Census website. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
^U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B01003.U.S. Census website. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
^"Table 1: Number and Capacity of In-State Renewable Projects On-Line as of October 31, 2016".Tracking Progress: Renewable Energy – Overview(PDF) (Report). California Energy Commission. December 22, 2016.
.JPG)
_(cropped).jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.png)
