Kern County, California

Kern County, California. Located in the southern San Joaquin Valley, it is bordered by Los Angeles County, Kings County, Tulare County, Inyo County, San Bernardino County, and Ventura County. The county seat is Bakersfield, which is also the largest city in the county, and is home to California State University, Bakersfield and the Bakersfield Museum of Art. The county is also known for its rich oil fields, including the Midway-Sunset Oil Field and the Kern River Oil Field, which are operated by companies such as Chevron Corporation and Occidental Petroleum.

Geography

Kern County is situated in the southern San Joaquin Valley, and is bordered by the Tehachapi Mountains to the south, the Sierra Nevada mountains to the east, and the Coast Ranges to the west. The county is drained by the Kern River, which flows through the Kern River Canyon and is a popular spot for rafting and kayaking. The county is also home to several lakes, including Lake Isabella and Buena Vista Lake, which are popular spots for fishing and boating. The Sequoia National Forest and the Los Padres National Forest are also located in the county, and offer opportunities for hiking and camping in areas such as Mount Whitney and Kern Plateau. The county is also close to Yosemite National Park and Sequoia National Park, which are managed by the National Park Service.

History

The area that is now Kern County was originally inhabited by the Tataviam and Chumash Native American tribes, who lived in the area for thousands of years before the arrival of European settlers. The county was created in 1866, and was named after the Kern River, which was named after Edward Kern, a United States Navy officer who explored the area in the 1840s. The county was a major producer of grains and cotton in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and was also home to several mining operations, including the Kern River Gold Mine and the Mojave Desert borax mines, which were operated by companies such as Pacific Coast Borax Company. The county was also a major stop on the Southern Pacific Railroad and the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, which connected the county to other parts of the state and the country, including Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, the population of Kern County was 896,764, with a population density of 110 people per square mile. The county is ethnically diverse, with a population that is 52.1% Hispanic or Latino, 36.4% White American, 5.7% Asian American, and 4.3% African American. The county is also home to a large Native American population, with several reservations located in the county, including the Tejon Indian Reservation and the Tule River Indian Reservation. The county has a high percentage of residents who are veterans of the United States Armed Forces, with many residents employed at Edwards Air Force Base and the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake. The county is also home to several universities and colleges, including California State University, Bakersfield and Bakersfield College, which are part of the California State University system.

Economy

The economy of Kern County is diverse, with major industries including agriculture, oil and gas production, mining, and manufacturing. The county is a major producer of grains, cotton, and nuts, and is also home to several large dairies and ranches. The county is also a major producer of oil and natural gas, with several large oil fields located in the county, including the Midway-Sunset Oil Field and the Kern River Oil Field. The county is also home to several major manufacturing facilities, including the Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit production facility and the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II production facility, which are located at Edwards Air Force Base and the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake. The county is also a major hub for logistics and transportation, with several major highways and railroads passing through the county, including Interstate 5 and the BNSF Railway.

Government

Kern County is governed by a board of supervisors, which is composed of five members elected by district. The county is also home to several municipalities, including Bakersfield, Delano, and Ridgecrest, which have their own city councils and mayors. The county is part of California's 20th congressional district, which is represented by Kevin McCarthy in the United States House of Representatives. The county is also part of California's 16th State Senate district, which is represented by Shannon Grove in the California State Senate. The county has a sheriff's department and a district attorney's office, which are responsible for law enforcement and prosecution in the county, and are led by the Kern County Sheriff's Department and the Kern County District Attorney's Office.

Education

Kern County is served by several school districts, including the Bakersfield City School District and the Kern County Superintendent of Schools. The county is also home to several universities and colleges, including California State University, Bakersfield and Bakersfield College, which offer a range of academic programs, including business, engineering, and nursing. The county is also home to several vocational schools and technical institutes, including the Kern County Regional Occupational Program and the Bakersfield Adult School, which offer training in areas such as automotive repair and welding. The county is also served by the Kern County Library, which has several branches located throughout the county, including the Bakersfield Library and the Delano Library. Category:California counties