11th most populous of 58
With 922,529 residents in 2024, Kern County ranks 11th by population among California's 58 counties and is home to 2.3% of the state's residents.
Kern County is home to 922,529 people (2024 estimate) on 8,135 square miles of land, with Bakersfield as county seat. This page brings together official U.S. Census Bureau population estimates since 2000, the components of change—births, deaths and migration—and American Community Survey indicators on income, housing and employment.
Key indicators
Population
922,529
July 1, 2024 estimate
2020 Census base
909,233
April 1, 2020
Change since 2020
+1.5%
2020–2024
Land area
8,135 mi²
21,069 km²
Population density
113.4 /mi²
2024 estimate ÷ land area
Births
10,582
Year to July 1, 2024
Deaths
7,224
Year to July 1, 2024
Natural change
+3,358
Births minus deaths, 2024
Net migration
+2,469
Domestic + international, 2024
Median home value
$338,300
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Unemployment rate
8.7%
BLS annual average, 2024
Per capita personal income
$50,641
BEA, 2024
Gross domestic product
$63.1 billion
BEA, current dollars, 2024
Median household income
$70,210
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Poverty rate
19.1%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Bachelor’s degree or higher
18.8%
Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Foreign-born residents
20.2%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Population
2000–2024922,529▲ 39%
U.S. Census Bureau: intercensal estimates 2000–2009, Vintage 2020 (2010–2019) and Vintage 2024 (2020–2024), July 1.
Data summary
| Indicator | Value | Year and source |
|---|---|---|
| Population estimate | 922,529 | 2024 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2010 Census | 839,631 | 2010 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2000 | 663,803 | July 1, 2000 · Census intercensal |
| Change since 2000 | +39.0% | 2000–2024 · Census |
| International migration | +4,623 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Domestic migration | −2,154 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate | 11.5 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Death rate | 7.8 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Population rank in California | 11th of 58 | 2024 · calculated |
| Density rank in California | 28th of 58 | 2024 · calculated |
| County seat | Bakersfield | California State Association of Counties |
| Per capita personal income | $50,641 | BEA, 2024 · official |
| Gross domestic product | $63.1 billion | BEA, current dollars, 2024 · official |
| Median household income | $70,210 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Poverty rate | 19.1% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 18.8% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Foreign-born residents | 20.2% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median home value | $338,300 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median gross rent | $1,300/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median age | 32.7 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Households | 284,931 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Owner-occupied homes | 60.1% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
Kern County in context
Comparable indicators for Kern County, California and the United States.
| Indicator | County | California | U.S. | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population change 2020–2024 | +1.5% | −0.3% | +2.6% | Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate (per 1,000) | 11.5 | 10.2 | 10.6 | 2024 |
| Death rate (per 1,000) | 7.8 | 7.4 | 9.1 | 2024 |
| Net migration rate (per 1,000) | 2.7 | 3.1 | 8.2 | 2024 |
| Population density (/mi²) | 113.4 | 253.0 | 96.3 | Land area, Census Gazetteer |
| Per capita personal income | $50,641 | $86,232 | $73,204 | BEA, 2024 |
| Median household income | $70,210 | $99,122 | $80,734 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Poverty rate | 19.1% | 12.0% | 12.5% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 18.8% | 37.1% | 35.7% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Foreign-born residents | 20.2% | 27.0% | 14.1% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median home value | $338,300 | $734,700 | $332,700 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median gross rent | $1,300/month | $2,036/month | $1,413/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median age | 32.7 years | 37.9 years | 38.9 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Owner-occupied homes | 60.1% | 55.9% | 65.2% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
Cities & towns
2 cities · choose how to order them
Did you know? Kern County
A quarter century of change
Its population went from 663,803 in 2000 to 922,529 in 2024, a change of +39.0%, compared with +16.0% for California as a whole.
Births and deaths
In the year to July 2024 the county recorded 10,582 births and 7,224 deaths, so births outnumbered deaths by 3,358.
Peak population in 2024
Annual Census estimates since 2000 put the county's highest population at 922,529 in 2024.
28th in density
Kern County has about 113.4 residents per square mile of land, ranking 28th of 58 counties; California averages 253.0.
Household income rank
With a median household income of $70,210 (ACS 2020–2024 5-year), the county ranks 42nd of 58 California counties; the state median is $99,122.
Size of the economy
Its economy produced $63.1 billion of GDP in 2024 (BEA), 14th largest among 58 California counties.
Latest economic growth
Real GDP grew 4.6% in 2024, adjusted for inflation (BEA, chained 2017 dollars).
Sources and methodology
- U.S. Census Bureau — County population totals and components, Vintage 2024
- U.S. Census Bureau — County estimates 2010–2020
- U.S. Census Bureau — Intercensal estimates 2000–2010
- U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey 2023 5-year
- U.S. Census Bureau — Gazetteer files
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — LAUS
- U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis — Regional economic accounts