Bakersfield Information

Bakersfield, incorporated in 1898, is located in the County of Kern and is the county seat. The City of Bakersfield covers approximately 114 sq. miles, (metro area is 224 sq. miles) and is 492 ft. above sea level. It is located at the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley. The valley is partially surrounded by three mountain ranges. The Temblor Range is to the west, the Tehachapis to the south and the Sierra Nevadas to the east. The Kern River flows through the valley adding natural beauty to the area. Bakersfield was designated an All America City in 1990 by the National Civic League.

Population

Housing

Bakersfield's median home sales price is $263,000.  Homes are within reach for buyers earning the median local income of $45,174 per year. The average gross rent is $732 per month.
     Source: Builders Industry Association

Tax Rate

All Property (residential, commercial and industrial) is assessed at 1% of the assessed value. For questions regarding property taxes call the Kern County Tax Collector/Treasurer, (661) 868-3490. For property valuation information, call the Kern County Assessor's office, (661) 868-3485. Retail Sales Tax: State sales tax is 6.75%. The city and county share a 1% local sales tax, which brings the total sales tax to 7.25%. Bakersfield has a City Council/Manager form of government. 

Education

Bakersfield has 12 school districts with 56 elementary schools (K-6), 17 junior high schools (7th and 8th) and 15 high schools.  The community also has 2 continuation high schools, 1 community college,1 state university, numerous vocational schools, and one adult school.

Culture and Recreation

Bakersfield enjoys a wide variety of entertainment with the Centennial Garden arena, convention center, theaters, museums, and art galleries. Bakersfield residents are very active in sports, taking advantage of 2 lakes, 5 private and 7 public golf courses, 5 private and 13 public tennis facilities, 5 private country clubs, 2 roller skating rinks, 3 bowling facilities, 3 auto race tracks and over 50 neighborhood community parks. The Kern River, which flows through the Bakersfield area, offers an adventurous time of whitewater rafting. The community has its own minor league baseball team, (The Bakersfield Blaze), an Ice hockey team,(The Bakersfield Condors), a arena football team,(The Bakersfield Blitz), and a soccer park where local, regional, and state tournaments are held. Bakersfield also has over 300 churches and 28 libraries.

The Fox Theater of Bakersfield epitomizes an era of elegance, romance and big screen entertainment otherwise impossible to experience this side of Hollywood.  Today, the Bakersfield Fox is recognized for its fine acoustics and as the only remaining Fox with its Skouras signature intact.

Stars Theatre Restaurant features dinner and a live theater show, all from the comfort of your dining table!  The productions at Stars Theatre Restaurant keep Bakersfield Music Theatre in operation 52 weeks a year. More than 30,000 people participate in our programs annually, on-stange and in the audience.

Located in the Historic Hayden Atrium Building in downtown Bakersfield, Spotlight Theatre showcases performances on weekend evenings and Sunday matinees throughout the year. Every seat in the ninety-nine seat theatre offers a great view and excellent acoustics. Enjoy the constantly changing shows in our art gallery while you sip on espresso and eat a gourmet chocolate chip cookie. And the Spotlight School of Arts offers a full range of classes for pre-school through adult in acting, singing, dancing, and piano. 

Mileage Distances From Bakersfield

Information from The Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce