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Kernville, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Kernville is a small town in California with a population of 688. Residents earn $49,489 per year, which is 34% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
688 Population 54/sq mi density
$49,489 Median Income $46,434 per capita
$357,100 Home Value $331,641 Zillow
61°F Avg Temperature 330 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.8 / 5.0
$49,489 median income, 10.2% unemployment
C+
Affordability
2.6 / 5.0
$357,100 home value
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
55.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $49,489
34% lower than US avg
Home Value $357,100
27% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 55.2%
64% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.5%
11% higher than US avg
Unemployment 10.2%
183% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.5%
80% lower than US avg

How Kernville Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population688
Median Age65.6 yrs
Density54/mi²
Male / Female53% / 47%
Largest GroupWhite 80%
Veterans5.6%

Economy

C+
Median Income$49,489
Per Capita$46,434
Unemployment10.2%
Poverty2.5%
County GDP$63,070M
Commute63 min

Housing

C+
Home Value$357,100
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$331,641
Housing Units682
Rent Burden33.1%

Health

Obesity35.5%
Uninsured7.6%
Smoking16.2%
Depression28.1%
Heart Disease6.6%

Climate

Avg Temp61°F (16°C)
AQI48 (Good)
Rain11.8 in/yr
Sunny Days330/yr
Elevation2,798 ft (853 m)

Education

A+
Bachelor's+55.2%
High School+100.0%
Graduate+20.5%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 59% / D 38%
Commute63 min
Broadband84.5%
Libraries28

Is Kernville a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Kernville receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include a highly educated population, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, below-average incomes, long commute times. Kernville offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Kernville is $49,489, 34% below the national average of $75,149. At 10.2%, unemployment is notably high. Only 2.5% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 63 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Kernville is $357,100, 27% above the national median. With a home price-to-income ratio of 7.2x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Education

Kernville is a highly educated community — 55.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 100.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Kernville enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F. Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. With 330 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 11.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Kernville has a population of 688 with a density of 54 people per square mile. The median age is 65.6 years, 69% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (79.5%), with 1.9% Hispanic, 2.6% Black.

Population

688
Total Population
54
People / sq mi
65.6yrs
Median Age
69% above US avg
12.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.6%
Female 47.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Kernville vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only93.0%
18% above US avg
Spanish7.0%
48% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Kernville vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Kernville is $49,489, which is 34% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 10.2% (above the 3.6% US average). 2.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 63 minutes.

Income: Kernville vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$49,489
34% below US avg
Per Capita Income$46,434
Avg Weekly Wage$1,155
IRS Avg AGI$61,998

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment10.2%
183% above US avg
Poverty Rate2.5%
80% below US avg
Establishments (County)27,950
County GDP$63,070M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,569
Healthcare1,838
Retail2,004
Manufacturing417

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,285
51% above US avg
Cost of Living110.70 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate1.48%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time62.5 min
Drive Alone81.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home16.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Kernville is $357,100, 27% above the national average. Zillow estimates the typical home value at $331,641.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$357,100
27% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$331,641
Median List Price$325,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$325,000
$/Sq Ft$210
Homes Sold2
Sale-to-List Ratio93.5%
Price Drops11.1%
Inventory18

Rental Costs

Rent Burden33.1%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,513
1 Bedroom$1,647
2 Bedrooms$2,053
3 Bedrooms$2,752
4 Bedrooms$3,165

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied100.0%
Housing Units682
Median Year Built1978

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,285
51% above US avg
Effective Rate1.48%
In Kernville, 35.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 7.6% of residents lack health insurance. 16.2% are current smokers. 28.1% report depression. 25.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Kernville vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.5%
11% above US avg
Diabetes11.2%
Heart Disease6.6%
High Blood Pressure32.9%
Asthma11.7%
COPD7.9%
Cancer7.4%
Stroke3.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking16.2%
16% above US avg
Binge Drinking18.4%
Physical Inactivity25.3%
Depression28.1%
Mental Distress21.7%
Physical Distress15.5%
Short Sleep38.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate100.0%
Uninsured7.6%
12% below US avg
Checkup Rate72.2%
Dental Visits55.9%
Premature Death10,697/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.2/10
Exercise Access85.3%
Healthcare Facilities1,838
Kernville has an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation is 11.8 inches. The area enjoys 330 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

46°F Jan (8°C) 81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average61.3°F
14% above US avg
January Average46°F (8°C)
July Average81°F (27°C)
Sunny Days330 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall11.8 inches
69% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation2,798 ft (853 m)
Area12.6 sq mi (32.7 km²)
Population Density54/sq mi
Coordinates35.7550°N, 118.4309°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
County FIPS06029
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 55.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (64% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 21.1-point margin. 84.5% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 59.3%
D 38.2%

Winner: Republican by 21.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+55.2%
64% above US avg
High School+100.0%
Graduate Degree+20.5%
School Test Score4.69
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density54/sq mi
Total Area12.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access84.5%
Public Libraries28
Healthcare Facilities1,838
Restaurants1,569
Retail Stores2,004

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)197
FEMA Disaster Declarations273

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute62.5 min
Drive Alone81.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home16.0%

Nearby Cities

Wofford Heights, CA 2,209 pop · 3.6 mi Lake Isabella, CA 3,654 pop · 8.6 mi Squirrel Mountain Valley, CA 1,020 pop · 9.6 mi Weldon, CA 2,525 pop · 10.3 mi Bodfish, CA 2,191 pop · 12.9 mi Terra Bella, CA 1,658 pop · 36.9 mi East Porterville, CA 4,567 pop · 37.0 mi Richgrove, CA 2,136 pop · 38.0 mi China Lake Acres, CA 2,523 pop · 38.1 mi Bakersfield Country Club, CA 1,790 pop · 38.2 mi East Niles, CA 28,586 pop · 38.4 mi Hillcrest, CA 10,203 pop · 39.4 mi Porterville, CA 62,765 pop · 39.9 mi East Bakersfield, CA 10,377 pop · 39.9 mi
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