Bakersfield Public RecordsCalifornia

Bakersfield, CA, relies heavily on personal vehicles, with over 90% of households owning at least one car and about 81% of commuters driving alone. Public transit, primarily operated by Golden Empire Transit (GET), serves less than 1% of daily commutes. The average commute time is around 23 minutes. The city’s transportation infrastructure includes major highways like State Routes 99 and 58. Key employment hubs are downtown Bakersfield, the California State University Bakersfield area, and industrial zones near the airport and Highway 99 corridor. Biking and walking rates for commuting remain under 2%.

As of 2022, Bakersfield, Kern County, CA, has a population of approximately 410,600. The median age is 32.4 years. The population is about 50.2% female and 49.8% male. Racial and ethnic composition includes 53% Hispanic or Latino, 29% White (Non-Hispanic), 7% Black or African American, and 8% Asian, with other races and multiracial individuals making up the remainder.

Bakersfield, Kern County, CA, offers a median home price of around $370,000 (2024), with homeownership rates near 56% and median monthly rents about $1,300. The city features a mix of single-family homes, apartments, and new developments. Popular neighborhoods include Seven Oaks, Southwest Bakersfield, and Oleander-Sunset. Property values have risen about 4% year-over-year. Property tax rates average roughly 1.15% of assessed value. Bakersfield’s affordability attracts families and professionals, with ongoing growth in suburban and residential areas.

Bakersfield, Kern County, CA, is served by major hospitals such as Adventist Health, Memorial Hospital, and Kern Medical, comprising over 1,000 beds collectively. The city has more than 50 primary care clinics, yet faces physician shortages, with just 54 primary care doctors per 100,000 residents. Nearly 93% of residents have health insurance, largely Medi-Cal (38%). Patient demographics are 54% Hispanic, 31% White, with high rates of obesity (31%), diabetes (14%), and asthma (11%). Healthcare access is challenged by poverty—over 17% live below the federal poverty line—impacting affordability and utilization of care.

Bakersfield, in Kern County, CA, has over 60 public K-12 schools, including 18 high schools, with an average graduation rate of 87%. About 19% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. The city houses Bakersfield College and CSU Bakersfield for adult and continuing education. School safety ratings are moderate; Kern High School District scores around 5/10 on GreatSchools. Educational programs include career technical education and college preparation. Bakersfield also offers adult education through Kern Adult School, serving over 5,000 adults annually.