Bakersfield, California Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Bakersfield, California is 408,366 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 48th-largest city in the United States and the 9th-largest in California. The median household income is $77,397, the median home value is $347,300, and the median age is 31.9.
The population has grown 19.6% since 2010 (348,987 → 417,468).
408,366
Population
2717
People / sq mi
$77,397
Median Income
$347,300
Median Home Value
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Bakersfield covers 150.3 sq mi of land at 2717 people per square mile.
About Bakersfield, CA
Bakersfield skews on age — the median resident is 31.9, younger than the national median. Bakersfield is a city in California with a population of 408,366. That makes it one of the ten largest cities in California in the country, at #9 by population.
The typical household here earns about $77,397, near the US median of $78,538. Roughly 12.4% of residents fall below the poverty line, close to the national 12.4%. The typical home is valued at $347,300, with typical rent around $1,371.
Fewer adults hold degrees here than in most comparable places — 23.3%, below the national 35.0%. Just 7.1% of workers are home-based, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 24 minutes each way.
Bakersfield city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Bakersfield city had a population of 348,987 in 2010 and 417,468 in 2024, a 19.6% growth over 14 years. The peak was 417,468 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 1.29%.
417,468
Population (2024)
348,987
Population (2010)
417,468
Peak (2024)
1.29%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 348,987 |
| 2011 | 353,221 |
| 2012 | 357,312 |
| 2013 | 362,834 |
| 2014 | 366,954 |
| 2015 | 371,348 |
| 2016 | 374,699 |
| 2017 | 377,940 |
| 2018 | 381,714 |
| 2019 | 384,145 |
| 2020 | 405,220 |
| 2021 | 409,542 |
| 2022 | 412,996 |
| 2023 | 414,626 |
| 2024 | 417,468 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 46.9% |
| Black or African American | 6.1% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.0% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$77,397
Median Household Income
$32,956
Per Capita Income
12.4%
Poverty Rate
4.4%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$347,300
Median Home Value
$1,371
Median Rent
60.1%
Owner-Occupied
Education
81.9%
High School+
23.3%
Bachelor's+
Commute
0.5%
Drive Alone
80.4%
Public Transit
7.1%
Work From Home
24.1 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
10.7%
Foreign Born
56.4%
Non-English at Home
4.6%
Veterans
11.0%
With Disability
92.1%
Health Insurance
96.7%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 24.7% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 9.3% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 8.7% |
| Retail Trade | 7.9% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 7.9% |
| Construction | 7.3% |
| Manufacturing | 5.8% |
| Public Administration | 5.4% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 4.6% |
| Information | 3.8% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 1.0% |
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Common questions about Bakersfield, CA
Frequently Asked Questions
Bakersfield, California has a population of 408,366 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 48th-largest city in the United States and the 9th-largest in California.
The median household income in Bakersfield, California is $77,397, with 12.4% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Bakersfield, California is $347,300, with median monthly rent at $1,371 and a homeownership rate of 60.1%.
The median age in Bakersfield, California is 31.9 years. The population is 49.5% male and 50.5% female.
The population has grown 19.6% since 2010 (348,987 → 417,468).
Where to stay in Bakersfield
Visiting or relocating to Bakersfield, CA? Compare hotels and short-term rentals across the metro — live availability and prices.
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.