Population
927,068
2025
+2.3% since 2020
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. Resident population, July 1 estimate.
Kern County, CA: population growth, jobs and income
Kern County gained 2,420 residents between 2024 and 2025 (+0.3%).
Kern County had an estimated 927,068 residents in 2025, up 2.3% (21,108 more people) since 2020. That is faster than California as a whole (−0.4%), and the 13th fastest growth of 58 counties in California.
Data as of 2025 · updated
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In the Kern County report
One-time $99 PDF: everything on this page for Kern County, ranked against California and the U.S., plus these figures that are not on the free page:
- Median gross rent$1,300/mo2020–24
- Vacant homes, incl. seasonal and second homes7.2%2020–24
- New homes permitted, last 12 months2,9222025-10/2026-09
- Rent growth, 5 yearsIn the report
- Permits in 5+ unit buildingsIn the report
- IRS income moving in (net AGI)In the report
- Neighbouring-county comparison tableIn the report
What's inside: 5 pages
- 1 Summary, headline numbers and ranks (free preview)
- 2 Ranks and the neighbouring-county table
- 3 Migration, with IRS mover and income flows
- 4 Rent, vacant homes, permits and employers
- 5 Every source and the methods
Headline numbers
Net domestic migration
−2,628
2025
−2.8 per 1,000 residents
−14,010 in total, 2021–2025
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. People moving in from other U.S. counties minus people moving out.
Unemployment rate
9.0%
2025
+1.2 pts since 2019
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2025. Annual average unemployment rate.
New homes permitted
3,159
2025
+37.8% since 2021
3.4 per 1,000 residents
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2025. Housing units authorized by building permits in the year.
Median household income
$70,210
2020–24
+28.0% since 2016–20
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020–24. American Community Survey 5-year estimate.
Private-sector employment
219,016
2023
+11.1% since 2018
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023. Paid employees of private employers in mid-March (County Business Patterns).
What the numbers say
Net domestic migration was negative in 2025: 2,628 more people moved out to other U.S. counties than moved in.
Private employers had 219,016 paid employees in mid-March 2023, +11.1% since 2018 (County Business Patterns).
Unemployment averaged 9.0% in 2025, 1.2 points higher than in 2019 (before the pandemic).
Builders were authorized to start 3,159 new homes in 2025, or 3.4 per 1,000 residents.
Median household income was $70,210 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey, +28.0% since 2016–20.
Across the 3,107 U.S. counties with a comparable estimate, its population growth ranks 1,178th.
Part of the Bakersfield-Delano, CA metro area.
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Kern County population by year
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 927,068 | +2,420 |
| 2024 | 924,648 | +7,049 |
| 2023 | 917,599 | +525 |
| 2022 | 917,074 | +4,309 |
| 2021 | 912,765 | +6,805 |
| 2020 | 905,960 | – |
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year.
What drove the change in Kern County
Kern County grew by 21,108 people since 2020 even though 14,010 more residents moved to other U.S. counties than came from them: births outnumbered deaths by 21,702, and net international migration added 12,924.
| Component | 2025 | 2020–25 | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural changebirths minus deaths | +4,322 | +21,702 | |
| International migrationfrom and to other countries | +628 | +12,924 | |
| Domestic migrationfrom and to other U.S. counties | −2,628 | −14,010 | |
| Census adjustmentbalancing residual | +98 | +492 | |
| Total change | +2,420 | +21,108 |
Census Bureau population estimates, components of change, each year July 1 to June 30. The components add up to the change in the estimate; the Census adjustment is the small balancing figure the Bureau publishes.
How it ranks
| Measure | In California | Among U.S. counties |
|---|---|---|
| Population growth | 13th of 58 | 1,178th of 3,107 |
| Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents | 26th of 58 | 2,323rd of 3,108 |
| Private-sector job growth | 12th of 58 | 594th of 3,092 |
| Median household income | 42nd of 58 | 1,172nd of 3,107 |
| Lowest unemployment rate | 53rd of 58 | 3,081st of 3,108 |
| New homes permitted per 1,000 residents | 16th of 58 | 989th of 3,005 |
1st = highest (lowest for unemployment). Counties are ranked only against others with a figure for the same period.
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The County Growth and Demographics Report for Kern County, CA as a PDF, from federal data: population and migration, housing and rents, permits, private employers and jobs, unemployment, ranks in the state and the country, and neighbouring counties, with a source next to every number. Pay once, no subscription.
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Neighbouring counties
Over 2020–25, Kern County's population change (+2.3%) was ahead of 7 of its 8 neighbouring counties and behind 1 (Tulare County).
Its median household income ($70,210, 2020–24) is lower than in all 8 of its neighbouring counties.
| County | Population2025 | Population change2020–25 | Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents2025 | Homes permitted per 1,000 residents2025 | Median household income2020–24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kern County, CA This county | 927,068 | +2.3% | −2.8 | 3.4 | $70,210 |
| Ventura County, CA | 830,851 | −1.5% | −6.0 | 1.9 | $109,797 |
| Tulare County, CA | 485,146 | +2.4% | −3.6 | 3.7 | $71,300 |
| Los Angeles County, CA | 9,694,934 | −3.0% | −10.9 | 2.3 | $90,112 |
| Kings County, CA | 154,327 | +1.0% | −7.0 | 3.3 | $70,995 |
| Santa Barbara County, CA | 442,065 | −1.4% | −8.7 | 3.1 | $98,161 |
| San Luis Obispo County, CA | 282,367 | +0.0% | 1.0 | 2.3 | $97,446 |
| Inyo County, CA | 18,158 | −4.4% | −3.0 | 0.6 | $73,991 |
| San Bernardino County, CA | 2,224,091 | +1.9% | −2.2 | 2.8 | $85,478 |
Census Bureau population estimates and building permits, American Community Survey 5-year income. Rates per 1,000 residents. – means no figure, or a base too small for a change or rate (it would swing on a few people). A figure from another period shows its year and is left out of the comparison.
Questions
Is Kern County growing?
Yes. Its population grew 2.3% between 2020 and 2025, about 21,108 more people (Census Bureau population estimates). California as a whole changed −0.4% over the same years. That ranks 13th of 58 counties in California for population growth.
How many people moved to Kern County?
On net, none in 2025: about 2,628 more people moved out to other U.S. counties than moved in (Census Bureau net domestic migration estimate).
What is the unemployment rate in Kern County?
It averaged 9.0% in 2025 (BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average).
What is the population of Kern County?
About 927,068 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's population estimate for July 1, 2025.
How many jobs are in Kern County?
Private employers there had 219,016 paid employees in mid-March 2023, +11.1% since 2018 (Census Bureau County Business Patterns; government jobs and the self-employed are not counted).
What Beacon CRE covers in California
Map, parcel and listing layers cover North and South Carolina only for now. This page and the other California county pages carry the public federal growth figures.
Kern County data alerts
Email me when Kern County gets new Census numbers: population, building permits, jobs and income. About 4 emails a year, one click to stop.
Sources and method
- U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns
Each number shows its own period. Changes compare the latest period with five years earlier (or the earliest period available). Beacon CRE last refreshed these figures on 2026-11-05. Figures come from public federal statistics and are informational only, not investment advice. Check the source before relying on a number. Methodology: how we compute every number. More on every layer: data sources and licences.
Jobs outside North and South Carolina use County Business Patterns (paid private-sector employees in mid-March); wages and government jobs are not included.