Kern County

Kern County
Name	Kern County
State	California
Founded	1866
County seat	Bakersfield
Largest city	Bakersfield
Area total sq mi	8119
Population	917673
Pop year	2020

Kern County is a county in the southern part of the U.S. state of California, with its county seat and largest city at Bakersfield, California. The county is a major center for oil production, agriculture and transportation, situated at the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley and reaching into the Sierra Nevada and the Tehachapi Mountains. Kern County's economy, demography, and environment intersect with institutions such as Cal State Bakersfield, infrastructure corridors like Interstate 5, and historical events including the California Gold Rush and the development of the Southern Pacific Railroad.

History

The area now within Kern County has prehistoric occupation by Native American groups such as the Yokuts, Kawaiisu, Tübatulabal and Tubatulabal peoples before contact with Spanish explorers like Gaspar de Portolá and missionaries tied to Mission San Buenaventura. Spanish and Mexican land grants such as Rancho El Tejon and Rancho Buena Vista shaped settlement patterns until the incorporation of California into the United States after the Mexican–American War and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. The county was established in 1866 during the era of figures like John C. Frémont and political changes surrounding Governor Frederick Low. The discovery of oil near Bakersfield in the late 19th and early 20th centuries involved companies including Union Oil Company of California and later Chevron Corporation, producing booms similar to those seen in Titusville, Pennsylvania and impacting migration associated with events like the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression. Labor conflicts and agricultural organizing linked to leaders such as Cesar Chavez and organizations like the United Farm Workers influenced rural areas; water projects including the Kern River diversions and federal programs tied to the Bureau of Reclamation and the Central Valley Project reshaped irrigation and settlement.

Geography and Climate

Kern County spans from the western Mojave Desert and the floor of the San Joaquin Valley to peaks in the Sierra Nevada and traverses the Tehachapi Mountains; notable protected areas include Sequoia National Forest, Sequoia National Park, and parts of the Mojave National Preserve. The county contains the Kern River, Lake Isabella, and the oil-rich Kern River Oil Field as well as desert features near Edwards Air Force Base and Mojave Air and Space Port. Climate zones range from Mediterranean conditions in the valley like those around Bakersfield, California to alpine climates near Mount Whitney approaches and arid conditions near California City. Seismic activity relates to the San Andreas Fault system and the Garlock Fault, with notable earthquakes in California history such as the 1872 Lone Pine earthquake and later regional seismic events prompting building codes influenced by standards from agencies like the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Demographics

The county's population includes diverse communities with roots in migration waves tied to agricultural labor, energy industries, and military presence, reflecting groups such as Mexican Americans, Filipino Americans, African Americans, Hispanic and Latino Americans, and immigrants from Oaxaca and other regions. Urban concentrations around Bakersfield, California and Delano, California contrast with rural towns like Taft, California, Kernville, California, and Ridgecrest, California. Population changes have been influenced by economic cycles seen in oil booms, dust bowl migration noted in literature by John Steinbeck, and New Deal-era programs associated with Franklin D. Roosevelt. Social services and health trends in the county are connected to institutions such as Kern Medical Center and statewide initiatives from the California Department of Public Health.

Economy

Kern County's economy historically centers on oil extraction from fields such as the Kern River Oil Field and Midway-Sunset Oil Field, with operators including Chevron Corporation, Aera Energy LLC, and smaller independents. Agriculture produces crops like almonds, grapes, and citrus marketed through cooperatives like Sun-Maid and corporations like Del Monte Foods and links to commodity markets in Chicago Board of Trade and logistics via hubs such as the Port of Long Beach. Aerospace and defense sectors tie to Edwards Air Force Base, Mojave Air and Space Port, and companies like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. Energy diversification includes projects in solar power and initiatives by utilities such as Pacific Gas and Electric Company and Southern California Edison. Economic policy and incentives have involved state programs like the California Competes Tax Credit and federal agencies including the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Government and Politics

County administration operates from Bakersfield, California with elected bodies comparable to boards found in other California counties and interaction with state entities such as the California State Legislature and federal representation in the United States Congress. Political trends have varied across urban and rural areas, with electoral participation in presidential and gubernatorial contests featuring candidates like Ronald Reagan, Jerry Brown, Gavin Newsom, and Joe Biden. Law enforcement agencies include the Kern County Sheriff's Office and coordination with federal agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Bureau of Land Management for public lands issues. Courts in the county are part of the California superior courts system.

Transportation

Major corridors include Interstate 5, State Route 99 (California), and State Route 58 (California), facilitating freight flows to the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach. Rail service involves freight operators like Union Pacific Railroad and BNSF Railway with connections to the Transcontinental Railroad network and passenger services tied historically to Amtrak. Air transportation centers on Meadows Field, Edwards Air Force Base, and Mojave Air and Space Port, supporting commercial, military, and aerospace test flights; cargo logistics connect to Ontario International Airport. Public transit agencies and regional planning coordinate with entities such as the California Department of Transportation and metropolitan planning organizations.

Education and Culture

Higher education institutions include California State University, Bakersfield (Cal State Bakersfield) and branches of the California Community Colleges system like Bakersfield College. Cultural life features museums and venues such as the Kern County Museum, Fox Theater (Bakersfield), and music scenes influenced by artists like Buck Owens and Merle Haggard who shaped the Bakersfield sound. Festivals and fairs include events at the Kern County Fairgrounds and agricultural exhibitions tied to organizations like the American Farm Bureau Federation. Libraries and arts organizations work with bodies such as the California Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts, while conservation groups engage with agencies like the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and nonprofits focused on habitats in the Kern River Canyon.

Category:Counties of California