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CITY · 2020 ACS

Bakersfield

California · 403,455 residents · 150.273 sq mi
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The short version

Bakersfield has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $65,687. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 63% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $258,700. At a median age of 32.4, residents skew younger than the country as a whole.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 32.4
US median: 38.8
Less educated
23% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 66%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
403,455
+63%since 2000
from 247,057 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,685 / sq mi
+63%since 2000
from 1,644 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
32.4
+8%since 2000
from 30.1 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
151K222K293K365K436K1990201020202024Bakersfield
2024412K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$65,687
+9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $39,982 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$27,309
+54%since 2000
from $17,678 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
43.7%
+10.4 ptssince 2009
from 33.3% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
17.2%
−0.8 ptssince 2000
from 18.0% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information11.6%
US avg: 11.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing8.7%
US avg: 1.7%
Wholesale trade7%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance6.7%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical5.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Construction5.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Retail trade5.1%
US avg: 10%
Other services4.6%
US avg: 6.6%
Manufacturing3.3%
US avg: 0.5%
Public administration2.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.6%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.4%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.8%
US avg: 0.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$258,700
+66%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $103,500 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,124
+33%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $564 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
59.2%
−1.4 ptssince 2000
from 60.5% in 2000
40.8% rent
Afford Score
3.9
+52%since 2000
from 2.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Bakersfield on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic51.1%(126,183)
Black8.9%(21,987)
Hispanic / Latino32.5%(80,170)
Asian4.1%(10,239)
Other0%
Diversity Score74.6%(184,372)
2020
White, non-Hispanic28.8%(116,311)
Black6.5%(26,402)
Hispanic / Latino52.7%(212,822)
Asian7.5%(30,268)
Other3.4%(13,765)
Diversity Score77.5%(312,819)
Diversity Score
78
+4%since 2000
from 75 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
22.6%
+3.3 ptssince 2000
from 19.3% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
81.4%
+5.5 ptssince 2000
from 75.9% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
7.7%
+1.3 ptssince 2000
from 6.4% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
23.4 min
+63%since 2000
from 14.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
82.0%
+3.3 ptssince 2009
from 78.7% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
6.4%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 7.1% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.6%
−3.7 ptssince 2011
from 11.3% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
63.2%
−2.0 ptssince 2011
from 65.2% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
32.7%
−26.4 ptssince 2009
from 59.1% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.4%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 49.1% in 2009
Female
50.6%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 50.9% in 2009
Foreign born
19.2%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 17.4% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
7.4%
−74.4 ptssince 2013
from 81.8% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Explore

Neighborhoods in Bakersfield

Benton ParkCampus ParkHomaker ParkLakeviewLaurelglenOleander SunsetPark StockdaleRio BravoSeven OaksSouthgateSpice TractStone MeadowsTerra VistaVillages of Brimhall - Brimhall ClassicsNeighborhoods in Bakersfield
Drill deeper

Places similar to Bakersfield

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Pop 430,324
Tampa
Pop 413,554
Arlington
Pop 402,134
Aurora
Pop 410,053
Places similar to Bakersfield
Head to head

Compare Bakersfield to nearby cities

BAKERSFIELD VS
La Cresta
Income$49,605−24%
Home value$262,000+1%
Population8,389−98%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BAKERSFIELD VS
East Bakersfield
Income$38,644−41%
Home value$208,700−19%
Population11,062−97%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BAKERSFIELD VS
Potomac Park
Income$51,166−22%
Home value$219,600−15%
Population10,138−98%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BAKERSFIELD VS
Hillcrest
Income$46,285−30%
Home value$272,700+5%
Population10,511−98%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Bakersfield, California?

Bakersfield, California has about 403,455 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Bakersfield, California?

The typical household in Bakersfield, California earns about $65,687 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Bakersfield, California expensive?

In Bakersfield, California, the median home is worth about $258,700, and the typical rent is about $1,124 a month.

How educated are people in Bakersfield, California?

About 22.6% of adults age 25 and over in Bakersfield, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Bakersfield, California?

About 17.2% of people in Bakersfield, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Bakersfield, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Bakersfield, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 228,635 residents, a change of about 131 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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