COUNTY · 1990 CENSUS

Kern County

California · 543,477 residents · 8,134.673 sq mi

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The short version

Kern County has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $28,634. Population has fallen 18% since 2000, a loss of 118,168 residents. Median home value is $82,400.

At a glance

Average income

near the US median

US median: $30,130

Younger

median age 29.8

US median: 33.0

Less educated

13% hold a bachelor's degree

US average: 20%

Stable housing

home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted

US median home: $93,722

Section 01

Population & growth

Total population

543,477

−18%vs 2000

vs 661,645 in 2000

1990 – 2025

Population density

67 / sq mi

−18%vs 2000

vs 81 / sq mi in 2000

US average: 221

Median age

29.8

−3%vs 2000

vs 30.6 in 2000

US average: 33.0

Population, 1990 – 2024

2024915K

Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income

$28,634

+6%inflation adjusted, since 2000

vs $35,446 in 2000

US average: $30,130

1990 – 2024

Per capita income

$12,154

−23%vs 2000

vs $15,760 in 2000

US average: $14,340

Poverty rate

16.9%

−3.8 ptsvs 2000

vs 20.8% in 2000

US average: 13.2%

Section 03

Housing

Median home value

$82,400

+21%inflation adjusted, since 2000

vs $89,400 in 2000

US average: $93,722

1990 – 2024

Median gross rent

$440

+12%inflation adjusted, since 2000

vs $518 in 2000

US average: $450

Owner-occupied

59.3%

−2.8 ptsvs 2000

vs 62.1% in 2000

40.7% rent

Afford Score

2.9

+14%vs 2000

vs 2.5 in 2000

1990 – 2024

RELATED:See current rent listings in Kern County on RentDataNow

Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000

White, non-Hispanic49.5%(327,190)

Black5.7%(37,845)

Hispanic / Latino38.4%(254,036)

Asian3.2%(21,177)

Other0%

Diversity Score72.1%(477,064)

1990

White, non-Hispanic69.8%(379,583)

Black5.5%(29,679)

Hispanic / Latino27.7%(150,558)

Asian3%(16,390)

Other21.7%(117,825)

Diversity Score77.8%(422,967)

Diversity Score

+8%vs 2000

vs 72 in 2000

1990 – 2024

Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

13.3%

−0.2 ptsvs 2000

vs 13.5% in 2000

US average: 20.3%

High school or higher

67.6%

−0.8 ptsvs 2000

vs 68.5% in 2000

US average: 75.2%

Graduate degree

4.2%

−0.3 ptsvs 2000

vs 4.5% in 2000

US average: 7.1%

Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute

18.5 min

+18%vs 2000

vs 15.7 min in 2000

US average: 21.9

Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Kern County

Head to head

Compare Kern County to nearby counties

KERN COUNTY VS

Tulare County

Income$71,300+149%

Home value$330,100+301%

Population485,146−48%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

KERN COUNTY VS

Ventura County

Income$109,797+283%

Home value$822,700+898%

Population830,851−10%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

KERN COUNTY VS

Kings County

Income$70,995+148%

Home value$324,300+294%

Population154,327−83%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

KERN COUNTY VS

Los Angeles County

Income$90,112+215%

Home value$834,200+912%

Population9,694,934+946%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

Frequently asked

How many people live in Kern County, California?

Kern County, California has about 543,477 residents according to the 1990 Census.

What is the median household income in Kern County, California?

The typical household in Kern County, California earns about $28,634 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Kern County, California expensive?

In Kern County, California, the median home is worth about $82,400, and the typical rent is about $440 a month.

How educated are people in Kern County, California?

About 13.3% of adults age 25 and over in Kern County, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Kern County, California?

About 16.9% of people in Kern County, California live below the federal poverty line.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →