Bakersfield, the “Country Music Capital of the West Coast”, has a thriving art and culture scene, rich history, world-class cultural and historical attractions, and plenty of outdoor adventures. Its country-western music adds to its appeal. Did you know that Bakersfield is known as the birthplace of popular country western music stars? Let’s unearth a few hidden facts about this friendly city-
Image by nickchapman via Wikimedia Commons
Bakersfield's Geographic and Demographic Fast Facts
- Bakersfield is located in the southern California near the south end of the San Joaquin Valley.
- It lies between Los Angeles and Fresno.
- Bakersfield is the ninth largest city in the California and 52nd largest city in the US.
- It is the County seat of Kern County, which is the third largest county in CA.
- The metro Bakersfield area has a population of more than 450,000 people.
- The city’s elevation is 404 feet above sea level.
- The ethnic composition of Bakersfield includes: 56.8%-White, 37.8%-Non-Hispanic, 8.2%-Black or African American, 45.5%-Latino or Hispanic, and 6.2%-Asian.
Bakersfield's History Fast Facts
- Yokuts Indians were the original inhabitants of Bakersfield about 8000 years ago.
- In 1851, gold was discovered on the Kern River which attracted several pioneers.
- In 1858, Bakersfield was established.
- The city is named after an early settler, Colonel Thomas Baker, who settled in the South end of San Joaquin Valley in the mid-nineteenth century. His field “Baker’s Field” was a stopover for weary travelers.
- It was formally incorporated as a city in 1873.
- In 1898, the City of Bakersfield was officially reincorporated.
- In 1899, the Kern River oil field was discovered.
- In 1952, an earthquake and its aftershock caused substantial damage to downtown Bakersfield.
- The city received the “All America City Award” from the National Civic League in 1990.
Bakersfield's Government and Economy Fast Facts
- Bakersfield lies in the California’s twenty-third congressional district.
- It has a Council-Manager form of government.
- The city has a diverse economy with oil industry and agriculture as the mainstays of the city’s economy.
- Other industries are aerospace, food processing, mining, natural gas and energy extraction, petroleum refining, and manufacturing and distribution sector.
- It is one of the fastest growing cities in the US.
- Some of the top employers of Bakersfield are: County of Kern, Grimmway Farms, The Giumarra Companies, Bolthouse Farms, City of Bakersfield, and many more.
Bakersfield's Important and Interesting Fast Facts
- Bakersfield is nicknamed as the “Nashville West”, and is also known as the "California’s Country Music Capital”.
- The city has about 54 city parks.
- The city hosts Bakersfield Jazz Festival since 1986, which attracts people from across the world.
- The city is home to the two biggest carrot producing farms in the world- Bolthouse Farms and Grimmway Farms.
- The only baseball stadium in the US facing the west is in Bakersfield-the Sam Lynn Ballpark.
- “Korn”, the Grammy award-winning band that sparked “nu-metal” music was formed in Bakersfield.
- Musicians Merle Haggard and Buck Owen lived in this city for much of their lives, creating the Bakersfield Sound.
- The Midway-Sunset oil field close to Bakersfield is the largest in the CA.
- The main newspaper in Bakersfield is the “The Bakersfield Californian”.