At a Glance
Median Income
$77,397
$32,956 per capita
Home Value
$347,300
Zillow: $388,250
Median Rent
$1,371/mo
32.3% of income on rent
Violent Crime
557/100K
2,489/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
23.3%
81.9% high school+
Unemployment
7.0%
12.4% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
34.7%
13.5% smoking rate
How Bakersfield Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Bakersfield's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Bakersfield a Good Place to Live?
C+
2.9 / 5.0 - Fair
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Bakersfield residents earn a median household income of $77,397 , which is 3% above the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $32,956. The unemployment rate stands at 7.0% (94% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 12.4% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 27,950 business establishments, including 1,569 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Bakersfield is $347,300 , 23% above the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $388,250. Median rent is $1,371/month, with 32.3% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 110.7 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1989.
Safety & Crime
Bakersfield reports 557 violent crimes per 100,000 residents
, which is 47% above the national average of 380/100K.
Property crime is 2,489/100K. The murder rate is 6.7/100K.
Education
23.3% of adults in Bakersfield hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(31% below the national average).
81.9% have completed high school. Local schools score 4.0/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Bakersfield has an average annual temperature of 66°F (19°C).
Winters average 50°F in January while summers reach 85°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 6.4 inches. Air quality is rated Moderate with a median AQI of 72.
Data Overview
People
Population408,366
Median Age31.9 yrs
Density2,718/mi²
Male / Female50% / 51%
Foreign Born19.9%
Veterans4.6%
Economy
B
Median Income$77,397
Per Capita$32,956
Unemployment7.0%
Poverty12.4%
County GDP$63,070M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,155
Housing
A
Home Value$347,300
Rent$1,371
Ownership60.1%
Zillow$388,250
Housing Units131,310
Rent Burden32.3%
Crime
F
Violent557/100K
Property2,489/100K
Murder6.7/100K
Assault382/100K
Burglary539/100K
Health
Obesity34.7%
Diabetes12.6%
Smoking13.5%
Heart Disease5.8%
Premature Death10,697/100K
Climate
Avg Temp66°F
Rain6.4 in/yr
AQI72 (Moderate)
Elevation384 ft
Education
C+
Bachelor's+23.3%
High School+81.9%
Graduate+8.1%
School Score4.0/10
Community
2024 VoteR 59% / D 38%
Commute24 min
Broadband92.9%
Internet Speed79 Mbps
EV Stations129
Libraries28
Did You Know?
Bakersfield was founded in 1869.
The median home in Bakersfield was built in 1989.
The nearest airport is Santa Barbara Municipal (79 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.470 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively High" by FEMA.
11.0% of the population has a disability.
19.9% of residents are foreign-born.
There are 1,569 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 197 fatal vehicle crashes.
273 declared natural disasters on record.