Weedpatch, California | |
|---|---|
 Location inCalifornia and inKern County | |
  Weedpatch, California Location in the United States | |
| Coordinates:35°14′17″N118°54′54″W / 35.23806°N 118.91500°W /35.23806; -118.91500 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Kern |
| Government | |
| • Senate | Melissa Hurtado (D)[1] |
| • Assembly | Jasmeet Bains (D)[1] |
| • U. S. Congress | David Valadao (R)[2] |
| Area | |
• Total | 3.561 sq mi (9.224 km2) |
| • Land | 3.557 sq mi (9.212 km2) |
| • Water | 0.0046 sq mi (0.012 km2) 0.13% |
| Elevation | 387 ft (118 m) |
| Population | |
• Total | 2,206 |
| • Density | 620.2/sq mi (239.5/km2) |
| ZIP code | 93241 |
| Area code | 661 |
| FIPS code | 06-83863 |
Weedpatch (formerlyWeed Patch[4] andAlexander's Corner[6]) is anunincorporated community andcensus-designated place (CDP) inKern County,California, United States. Weedpatch is 10 miles (16 km) south-southeast ofBakersfield. It is considered to be one of the poorest areas in Kern County.[7] As of the2020 census it had a population of 2,206.[8]
The community, which lies at an elevation of 387 feet (118 m), is situated offState Route 184 (Weedpatch Highway) southeast of Bakersfield, south ofLamont and about 5 miles (8 km) south ofState Route 58. It is at35°14′17″N118°54′54″W / 35.23806°N 118.91500°W /35.23806; -118.91500.[4] According to theUnited States Census Bureau, Weedpatch has an area of 3.6 square miles (9.3 km2).
Although the name "Weed Patch" was applied to the site as early as 1874, the community began only in 1922. The town was also named "Alexander's Corner" in honor of Cal Alexander, a resident.[6]
Weedpatch is the site of theArvin Federal Government Camp, known colloquially (and in theJohn Steinbeck novelThe Grapes of Wrath) as "Weedpatch Camp". This camp was a government rescue center for distressedmigrant workers fleeing the OklahomaDust Bowl, during theGreat Depression.[9] The camp still aids migrant workers and is 1 mile (1.6 km) south of Weedpatch on Sunset just off Weedpatch Highway.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 1,553 | — | |
| 1990 | 1,892 | 21.8% | |
| 2000 | 2,726 | 44.1% | |
| 2010 | 2,658 | −2.5% | |
| 2020 | 2,206 | −17.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[10] 1960[11] 1970[12] 1980[13] 1990[14] 2000[15] 2010[16] | |||
The2020 United States census reported that Weedpatch had a population of 2,206. The population density was 620.2 inhabitants per square mile (239.5/km2). The racial makeup was 13.7%White, 0.2%African American, 2.7%Native American, 0.5%Asian, 0.0%Pacific Islander, 57.3% fromother races, and 25.6% from two or more races.Hispanic or Latino of any race were 94.6% of the population.[8]
There were 589 households, out of which 55.0% included children under the age of 18, 38.2% were married-couple households, 15.4% werecohabiting couple households, 24.4% had a female householder with no partner present, and 21.9% had a male householder with no partner present. 14.1% of households were one person, and 4.4% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 3.75.[8] There were 466families (79.1% of all households).[17]
The age distribution was 32.2% under the age of 18, 11.2% aged 18 to 24, 25.8% aged 25 to 44, 21.4% aged 45 to 64, and 9.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.7 males.[8]
There were 634 housing units at an average density of 178.2 units per square mile (68.8 units/km2), of which 589 (92.9%) were occupied. Of these, 37.5% were owner-occupied, and 62.5% were occupied by renters.[8]
In 2023, the US Census Bureau estimated that the median household income was $21,450, and theper capita income was $11,063. About 41.7% of families and 48.1% of the population were below the poverty line.[18]
The2010 United States census reported that Weedpatch had a population of 2,658, with amedian household income of $28,075 and just above 45.8% living at or below thepoverty level. It is considered to have a young population, with a median age of 22.7.[7]
The racial makeup of Weedpatch was 1,212 (45.6%)white, 8 (0.3%)African American, 78 (2.9%)Native American, 14 (0.5%)Asian, 0 (0.0%)Pacific Islander, 1,237 (46.5%) fromother races, and 109 (4.1%) from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 2,484 persons (93.5%).
