Cities and Towns in Kern County, California
Founded in 1866, Kern County is one of 58 counties in the state of California. Historically, Kern County was formed from Los Angeles and Tulare. The city of Bakersfield is the county seat. With FIPS code of 29, Kern County has a population of 917,673 and area of 8,142 square miles (21,088 km²).
List of all cities in Kern County, CA alphabetically
| City/Town | Postal Code | Area Code |
| Aerial Acres, CA | 93523 | 661 |
| Alpine Forest, CA | 93561 | 661 |
| Arvin, CA | 93203 | 661 |
| Bakersfield, CA | 93263 | 661 |
| 93301 | 661 | |
| 93302 | 661 | |
| 93303 | 661 | |
| 93304 | 661 | |
| 93305 | 661 | |
| 93306 | 661 | |
| 93307 | 661 | |
| 93308 | 661 | |
| 93309 | 661 | |
| 93311 | 661 | |
| 93312 | 661 | |
| 93313 | 661 | |
| 93314 | 661 | |
| 93380 | 661 | |
| 93383 | 661 | |
| 93384 | 661 | |
| 93385 | 661 | |
| 93386 | 661 | |
| 93387 | 661 | |
| 93388 | 661 | |
| 93389 | 661 | |
| 93390 | 661 | |
| Bear Valley Springs, CA | 93561 | 661 |
| Bodfish, CA | 93205 | 760 |
| Boron, CA | 93516 | 760 |
| 93596 | 760 | |
| Buttonwillow, CA | 93206 | 661 |
| Caliente, CA | 93518 | 661 |
| California City, CA | 93504 | 760 |
| 93505 | 760 | |
| California Correctional Inst, CA | 93561 | 661 |
| Cantil, CA | 93519 | 760 |
| China Lake, CA | 93555 | 760 |
| Del Kern, CA | 93307 | 661 |
| Delano, CA | 93215 | 661 |
| 93216 | 661 | |
| Desert Lake, CA | 93516 | 760 |
| Di Giorgio, CA | 93203 | 661 |
| Edison, CA | 93220 | 661 |
| Edward, CA | 93523 | 661 |
| 93524 | 661 | |
| 93523 | 661 | |
| 93524 | 661 | |
| Edwards Air Force Base, CA | 93523 | 661 |
| 93524 | 661 | |
| Fellows, CA | 93224 | 661 |
| Four Corners, CA | 93516 | 760 |
| Frazier Park, CA | 93222 | 661 |
| 93225 | 661 | |
| Fremont Valley, CA | 93501 | 661 |
| Garlock, CA | 93554 | 760 |
| Glennville, CA | 93226 | 661 |
| Golden Hills, CA | 93561 | 661 |
| Gorman, CA | 93243 | 661 |
| Havilah, CA | 93518 | 661 |
| Inyokern, CA | 93527 | 760 |
| Johannesburg, CA | 93528 | 760 |
| 93554 | 760 | |
| Keene, CA | 93531 | 661 |
| Kernville, CA | 93238 | 760 |
| Kramer Junction, CA | 93516 | 760 |
| Lake Isabella, CA | 93240 | 760 |
| Lamont, CA | 93241 | 661 |
| Lebec, CA | 93243 | 661 |
| Loraine, CA | 93518 | 661 |
| Lost Hills, CA | 93249 | 661 |
| Maricopa, CA | 93252 | 661 |
| Mc Farland, CA | 93250 | 661 |
| Mc Kittrick, CA | 93251 | 661 |
| Mettler, CA | 93313 | 661 |
| Mojave, CA | 93501 | 661 |
| 93502 | 661 | |
| 93519 | 760 | |
| Monolith, CA | 93561 | 661 |
| Mountain Mesa, CA | 93240 | 760 |
| North Edwards, CA | 93523 | 661 |
| Onyx, CA | 93255 | 760 |
| Pearsonville, CA | 93527 | 760 |
| Pine Mountain Club, CA | 93222 | 661 |
| Pumpkin Center, CA | 93313 | 661 |
| 93383 | 661 | |
| Randsburg, CA | 93554 | 760 |
| Ridgecrest, CA | 93555 | 760 |
| 93556 | 760 | |
| River Kern, CA | 93238 | 760 |
| Rosamond, CA | 93560 | 661 |
| Sand Canyon, CA | 93561 | 661 |
| Shafter, CA | 93263 | 661 |
| Shafter, CA | 93314 | 661 |
| Stallion Springs, CA | 93561 | 661 |
| Taft, CA | 93268 | 661 |
| Tehachapi, CA | 93561 | 661 |
| 93581 | 661 | |
| Tropico Village, CA | 93560 | 661 |
| Tupman, CA | 93276 | 661 |
| Wasco, CA | 93280 | 661 |
| Weldon, CA | 93283 | 760 |
| Willow Springs, CA | 93560 | 661 |
| Wofford Heights, CA | 93285 | 760 |
| Woody, CA | 93287 | 661 |
Major Cities and Towns in Kern County, California
Bakersfield
Area, Population, and Geographic Coordinates
- Area: 151.2 square miles
- Population: Approximately 403,455 (as of 2020)
- Zip Codes: 93301, 93304, 93305, 93306, 93307, 93308, 93309, 93311, 93312, 93313, 93314, 93390
- Latitude: 35.3733° N
- Longitude: 119.0187° W
Location and History
Bakersfield is the county seat and largest city in Kern County, located in the southern part of the San Joaquin Valley. The city was founded in 1869 by Thomas Baker, who reclaimed swampland along the Kern River, creating a settlement that became known as “Baker’s Field.” Bakersfield quickly grew as a center for agriculture and later as a hub for oil production after significant oil discoveries in the early 20th century. The city has a rich cultural heritage, with influences from the Dust Bowl migrants of the 1930s and the development of the “Bakersfield Sound,” a genre of country music popularized by artists like Buck Owens and Merle Haggard. Today, Bakersfield is a diverse and growing city, with a strong economy based on agriculture, energy, and manufacturing.
Major Schools and Landmarks
Bakersfield is served by multiple school districts, including the Bakersfield City School District and the Kern High School District, with notable schools such as Bakersfield High School, Centennial High School, and Stockdale High School. The city is also home to California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB), which offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. Major landmarks in Bakersfield include the Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace, a music venue and museum dedicated to the Bakersfield Sound, and the Kern County Museum, which preserves the history of the region through exhibits and historic buildings. The Rabobank Arena, Theater, and Convention Center is a key venue for concerts, sports, and events, while the nearby Kern River offers opportunities for outdoor recreation. Bakersfield’s combination of cultural heritage, educational institutions, and economic vitality makes it the heart of Kern County.
Ridgecrest
Area, Population, and Geographic Coordinates
- Area: 21.4 square miles
- Population: Approximately 27,959 (as of 2020)
- Zip Codes: 93555, 93556
- Latitude: 35.6225° N
- Longitude: 117.6709° W
Location and History
Ridgecrest is located in the Indian Wells Valley, in the northeastern part of Kern County. The city was established in 1941 as a support community for the nearby Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, a major military installation focused on research, development, and testing of weapons systems. Ridgecrest quickly grew as military personnel and their families settled in the area, leading to the city’s incorporation in 1963. The city’s economy is heavily influenced by the presence of the naval base, which remains the largest employer in the area. Ridgecrest’s location in the Mojave Desert provides stunning natural landscapes, with nearby attractions such as the Trona Pinnacles and the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Major Schools and Landmarks
Ridgecrest is served by the Sierra Sands Unified School District, with Burroughs High School and Murray Middle School being the primary educational institutions. Major landmarks in Ridgecrest include the Maturango Museum, which showcases the natural and cultural history of the Indian Wells Valley and the Mojave Desert, and the Petroglyph Festival, an annual event that celebrates the area’s rich Native American heritage with tours of ancient rock art sites. The nearby Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake is a key facility, known for its role in developing advanced weapons systems and providing significant economic support to the region. Ridgecrest’s combination of military significance, educational institutions, and desert beauty make it an important city in Kern County.
Delano
Area, Population, and Geographic Coordinates
- Area: 14.4 square miles
- Population: Approximately 52,838 (as of 2020)
- Zip Codes: 93215, 93216
- Latitude: 35.7688° N
- Longitude: 119.2471° W
Location and History
Delano is located in the northern part of Kern County, in the San Joaquin Valley. The city was founded in 1873 as a railroad town by the Southern Pacific Railroad and named after Columbus Delano, the U.S. Secretary of the Interior at the time. Delano quickly developed as an agricultural community, with its economy centered on the production of table grapes, citrus, and other crops. The city is historically significant as a center of the farm labor movement in the 1960s, where Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers led strikes and boycotts that brought national attention to the plight of farmworkers. Delano remains an important agricultural hub in the region, with a diverse population and a strong sense of community.
Major Schools and Landmarks
Delano is served by the Delano Union School District and the Delano Joint Union High School District, with Delano High School and Cesar E. Chavez High School being the primary educational institutions. Major landmarks in Delano include the Forty Acres, a historic site where Cesar Chavez fasted in 1968 to bring attention to the struggles of farmworkers, and the annual Philippine Weekend celebration, which honors the city’s large Filipino community with parades, cultural events, and entertainment. The nearby Kern National Wildlife Refuge offers opportunities for birdwatching and wildlife observation, while the city’s proximity to the Sierra Nevada mountains provides access to outdoor recreation. Delano’s combination of agricultural significance, historical importance, and cultural diversity makes it a key city in Kern County.
Tehachapi
Area, Population, and Geographic Coordinates
- Area: 10.1 square miles
- Population: Approximately 12,939 (as of 2020)
- Zip Codes: 93561, 93581
- Latitude: 35.1322° N
- Longitude: 118.4485° W
Location and History
Tehachapi is located in the Tehachapi Mountains, southeast of Bakersfield. The town was founded in the 1860s as a stop along the Southern Pacific Railroad and developed as a small farming and ranching community. Tehachapi is known for its unique climate and elevation, which provides a cooler environment compared to the surrounding desert and valley areas. The town is historically significant for the Tehachapi Loop, a famous spiral railroad track that allows trains to climb the steep grade of the mountains. Tehachapi’s location makes it a popular destination for those seeking a mountain lifestyle, with access to outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, and camping. The town’s wind farms, which generate renewable energy, are also a notable feature of the landscape.
Major Schools and Landmarks
Tehachapi is served by the Tehachapi Unified School District, with Tehachapi High School and Jacobsen Middle School being the primary educational institutions. Major landmarks in Tehachapi include the Tehachapi Depot Railroad Museum, which preserves the town’s railroad history, and the Tehachapi Mountain Park, offering trails and picnic areas with scenic views of the surrounding mountains. The nearby Cesar Chavez National Monument, located in Keene, honors the life and legacy of the labor leader and civil rights activist. Tehachapi’s combination of historical significance, educational institutions, and natural beauty make it an important community in Kern County.
Wasco
Area, Population, and Geographic Coordinates
- Area: 9.8 square miles
- Population: Approximately 28,710 (as of 2020)
- Zip Codes: 93280
- Latitude: 35.5941° N
- Longitude: 119.3401° W
Location and History
Wasco is a small city located in the San Joaquin Valley, northwest of Bakersfield. The city was founded in the early 20th century as a farming community and was originally known as “Deweyville” before being renamed Wasco in 1907. Wasco’s economy is heavily based on agriculture, with the surrounding farmland producing a wide range of crops, including cotton, almonds, and roses. The city is known as the “Rose Capital of the World” due to its significant production of roses, with many of the nation’s roses being grown in the area. Wasco’s agricultural heritage is a central part of its identity, and the city continues to be an important hub for farming in Kern County.
Major Schools and Landmarks
Wasco is served by the Wasco Union High School District and the Wasco Union Elementary School District, with Wasco High School and Thomas Jefferson Middle School being the primary educational institutions. Major landmarks in Wasco include the Wasco Rose Festival, an annual event that celebrates the city’s status as a major producer of roses with parades, entertainment, and community activities. The nearby Buttonwillow Raceway Park offers opportunities for motorsports enthusiasts, with racing events and driving experiences. Wasco’s combination of agricultural significance, educational institutions, and community events make it a key city in Kern County.
Taft
Area, Population, and Geographic Coordinates
- Area: 15.1 square miles
- Population: Approximately 9,327 (as of 2020)
- Zip Codes: 93268
- Latitude: 35.1428° N
- Longitude: 119.4565° W
Location and History
Taft is a small city located in the southwestern part of Kern County, in the Midway-Sunset Oil Field, one of the largest oil fields in the United States. The city was founded in the early 20th century as a company town for the oil industry and was originally known as “Moron” before being renamed Taft in 1910 in honor of President William Howard Taft. Taft developed as a key center for oil production, with the local economy heavily dependent on the oil industry. The town’s history is closely tied to the development of California’s petroleum industry, and it continues to play a significant role in the region’s energy production.
Major Schools and Landmarks
Taft is served by the Taft Union High School District and the Taft City School District, with Taft Union High School and Lincoln Junior High School being the primary educational institutions. Major landmarks in Taft include the West Kern Oil Museum, which preserves the history of the local oil industry with exhibits and historic equipment, and the annual Oildorado Days, a celebration of the town’s oil heritage with parades, rodeos, and community events. The nearby Carrizo Plain National Monument, a vast expanse of grasslands and wildflowers, offers opportunities for hiking, wildlife viewing, and exploring one of California’s last remaining undeveloped landscapes. Taft’s combination of historical significance, educational institutions, and connection to the oil industry makes it an important community in Kern County.
Map of Cities in Kern County, CA
