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Bakersfield Introduction
Bakersfield, the county seat of Kern County, is the third largest inland city in California (after Fresno and Sacramento). Bakersfield is also one of the fifteen largest cities in California and 60 largest cities in the united States. US Census 2005 estimates place the population of Bakersfield at nearly 290,000 people. This is an increase of approximately 40,000 people since the 2000 census. Bakersfield is located an hour and fifty minutes north of Los Angeles, an hour and forty-five minutes south of Fresno, and nearly four hours southeast of San Jose.
Bakersfield Neighborhoods
Bakersfield is a one-time past finalist, and one-time winner of the prestigious "All-America City Award" awarded by the National Civic League. Neighborhoods in Bakersfield include: Alta Vista, Amberton, Avalon, Bakersfield College, Benton Park, Brighton Estates, Brimhall Classics, Burlington Homes, Campus Park, Central, Coral Keys, Downtown Bakersfield, Fairfax, Fairgrounds, Fox Run, Fruitvale, Gosford, Grand Island, Granite Pointe, Greenacres, Greystone, Haggin Oaks, Hidden Cove, Kayandee, Kern City, La Cresta, Laurelglen, Madison Grove, Meadow Stone, North Bakersfield, North Meadows, Northeast, Northwest, Northwoods, Oleander, Olive Drive, Olive Park, Park Stockdale, Pheasant Run, Polo Grounds, Quailwood, Rio Bravo, River Oaks, River Walk, Riverlakes, Seven Oaks, Shilo Estates, Silver Creek, Silver Oak, Southeast, Southwest, Spring Meadows, Stockdale Estates, Stockdale Ranch, Stockdale Villa, Stonecreek, The Oaks, The Seasons, The Vineyards, Venola, Villages of Brimhall, West, Westchester, Westdale, Westwood, and Wible Orchard, Winter Ridge Estates.
Bakersfield Real Estate
According to US Census estimates, there were 100,583 housing units in Bakersfield in 2005. Of those, 93.6 were occupied (above the national average - 89.2%), and 63% were owner occupied (below the national average - 66.9%).
Bakersfield's rapid growth is evident in the relative youth of its housing. Over a third of Bakersfield housing units have been built since 1990, with 13.7% having been built since the turn of the century. 19.9% of Bakersfield homes were built in the 1980s, 25% were built in the 1960s and '70s, and 21% were built prior to 1960.
69.0% of the housing units in Bakersfield are heated by utility gas, with the majority of the remainder (28.5%) being heated by electricity.
By California standards, Bakersfield homes are very affordable. The median price of an owner occupied home in Bakersfield was $263,000, which is above the national average of $167,500. 2005 home values represent appreciation from 2000, when the median price was $106,500, which was below the national average at that time.
In 2005, the median monthly owner costs for a Bakersfield owner occupied home were $1,409, which was above the national average of $1,295 at that time. 78.6% of Bakersfield's owner occupied homes had a mortgage in 2005 according to US Census estimates. In addition, 23.4% had a second mortgage and/or a home equity line.
Bakersfield Property Taxes
In 2005, the median property tax bill for an owner occupied home in Bakersfield was $1,862. The Kern County Treasurer and Tax Collector collects the taxes for Bakersfield. The Kern County Assessor/Recorders Office is responsible property assessments in Bakersfield.
Bakersfield Schools
Bakersfield's school age children are served by several school districts, including the Bakersfield City School District (BCSD) and the Kern County High School District. BCSD has 33 elementary schools, 8 middle schools, 2 alternative schools, and 1 magnet school. BCSD has six schools that have earned Distinguished School Awards from the California School Recognition Program since 2000.
There are several colleges and universities in Bakersfield, including Bakersfield College and California State University at Bakersfield (CSUB).
Bakersfield Economy
Oil and agriculture are big drivers of the Bakersfield economy. Kern County is the leading oil producing county in the continental United States and among the top agricultural producers. The largest carrot-producing operations in the world, Grimmway Farms and Bolthouse Farms are located in Bakersfield.
The industries that employ the largest number of workers in Bakersfield are: government; agriculture; and trade, transportation and utilities. Some of the largest employers in Bakersfield include: the County of Kern, Giumarra Farms, Grimmway Farms, Bolthouse Farms, Bakersfield Memorial Hospital, and the City of Bakersfield. The fastest growing occupations in Bakersfield include: Systems Analysts, computer support specialists, petroleum refinery control panel operations, computer engineers, and respiratory care practitioners.
In 2005, the median family income in Bakersfield, California was $51,601. This was below the national average at that time ($55,832).
Bakersfield and California Mortgage and/or Real Estate Organizations
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Homes With No Mortgage | 18% |
| With A Mortgage | 82% |
| First Mortgage Only | 63% |
| Second Mortgage or Home Equity Loan | 19% |
| Second Mortgage Only | 14% |
| Home Equity Loan Only | 5% |
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Owner Costs as % of Income | 22% |
| Median Real Estate Taxes (2000) | $1,422 |
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Occupied | 83,428 |
| 1-Person Households | 22% |
| 2-Person Households | 28% |
| 3-Person Households | 17% |
| 4-Person Households | 17% |
| 5-Person Households | 9% |
| 6-Person Households | 4% |
| 7+-Person Households | 3% |
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Year Built | 1979 |
| Median Year Built (Owner Occupied) | 1982 |
| Median Year Built (Renter Occupied) | 1975 |
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Using Utility Co. Gas Heat | 78% |
| Using Bottled/Tank Gas Heat | 1% |
| Using Electric Heat | 20% |
| Using Oil Heat | 0% |
| Using Coal | 0% |
| Using Wood Heating | 0% |
| Using Solar Heat | 0% |
| Other Heating | 0% |
| No Heating | 0% |
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| No Bedrooms | 2% |
| 1 Bedroom | 3% |
| 2 Bedrooms | 14% |
| 3 Bedrooms | 56% |
| 4 Bedrooms | 22% |
| 5+ Bedrooms | 2% |
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