Bakersfield Local News and Weather

Bakersfield. The mere word to most Californians brings a chuckle and usually some kind of derisive comment. The simple truth is the town gets no respect from anyone, unless you live there of course. To the residents of Bakersfield, the city is a hidden gem that gets overshadowed from the glitz of Hollywood to the breakers at the Golden Gate Bridge. No other town in the state is the butt of more jokes than Bakersfield. This is just fine, however, as the residents of this proud town don't mind this one little bit. Beneath the surface you will find a thriving economy powered by abundant natural resources, and active family neighborhoods with some of the most affordable housing in the entire state.

Bakersfield is the 63rd most populous city in the nation, with 323,000 residents as of 2007, and it is the 11th fastest growing American city. The city has the state's most affordable housing with the median sales price of $263,000, while the California median price is $477,700, again this 2007 data. The average daily temperature is 78 degrees, however in the Summer months daily highs can exceed 100 degrees, and in the Winter night time lows can extend below freezing. The climate is arid with an average annual rainfall of only 5 to 6 inches, the public water is dependent upon the nearby Sierra Nevada mountain range snow pack. One significant area in dire need of improvement is the air quality, which is ranked as the second worst in the nation. The local air quality district is making stides of improvement in this area. Bakersfield is the seat of Kern County, the state's third largest county in terms of square mileage, with a population of over 800,000 people.

Bakersfield supports a thriving economy heavily dependent upon the natural resources of the region. Oil, agriculture, and farming are the biggest generators of jobs and revenue for the city. Kern County is the largest oil producing county in the nation, and it's output ranks fourth among states. The county is also the fourth largest agricultural producer in the nation, with the biggest crops being table grapes, cotton, almonds, pistachios, and tree fruit. Dairy production is also large as it is the fifth highest in milk production in the state. The retail sector also impacts the local economy as retail sales grow at a 5 percent rate annually.

Affordable housing, a growing economy, and clean family oriented neighborhoods are what the city of Bakersfield is all about. It is perhaps a secret unknown to the rest of the state and nation, but there are many aspects of Bakersfield that make this town a hidden gem to the residents there. Take a trip some time and see for yourself, and you might just find yourself moving there.