City | Bakersfield Chamber

History

In 1861, disastrous floods swept away the original settlement founded in 1860 by the German-born Christian Bohna. Among those attracted to the area by the California gold rush was Thomas Baker, a lawyer and former colonel in the militia of Ohio, his home state. Baker moved to the banks of the Kern River in 1863, at what became known as Baker's Field, which became a stopover for travelers. By 1870, with a population of 600, what is now known as Bakersfield was becoming the principal town in Kern County.

Bakersfield is a significant hub for both agriculture and energy production. Kern County is the most productive oil-producing county in California and the fourth-most productive agricultural county in the United States. Industries in and around Bakersfield include natural gas and other energy extraction, mining, petroleum refining, distribution, food processing, and corporate regional offices. The city is the birthplace of the country music genre known as the Bakersfield sound.

Demographics

2000 Population

247,100

2010 Population

349,000

2020 Population

386,600

Current Events

Bakersfield PD seeking help to find 18-year-old reported missing

The Bakersfield Police Department is asking for the community’s assistance in finding a woman who was reported missing...

Independence holds on to win SoCal Regional Bowl Game, advances to state championship

Ladon Denmark ran for three touchdowns and D’amonte Moten had two interceptions, including one in the end zone as time expired, as Independence held on for a 19-14 victory over host Venice in the Southern California Division 5-AA Bowl Game on Friday night...

City of Bakersfield seeks input on redrawing of ward boundaries

Every 10 years, U.S. census data is used to redraw Bakersfield City Council ward boundaries. The City Council is now seeking public input on how these boundaries should be drawn, according to a news release on Friday...

Fun Facts

53rd largest city by population in the United States, 9th in California
Guy Fieri spotlighted eight Bakersfield restaurants for his “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives” on the Food Network in 2015
Kern County, where Bakersfield city resides, is home to the most productive oil producing county in the country
Hometown of 2007 Daytona 500 winner and 2014 NASCAR Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick
Hometown of 4-time Indianapolis 500 winner Rick Mears