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Kern County, California

FIPS 06029

Juniper

Kern County is in the highest 1% nationally for FEMA risk score. It also sits in the highest 10% nationally for home price against income. And it sits in the highest 13% nationally for median rent.

Typical Home Valuemedian home value (ACS), re-priced to today on the FHFA index

$378,541

Higher than 84% of U.S. counties
Home Price Growth, Past Five Years

51%

Lower than 57% of U.S. counties
FEMA Risk Score0–100; 0 = lowest modelled risk, 100 = highest, vs places of the same type

98.9

Higher than 99% of U.S. counties

The boundary of Kern County.

The basics

Total Population

915,075

Median Age

32.7

Population Density

112.49

Home values & property tax

Median Property Tax

$2,984

Property Tax Rateyearly tax as a share of home value

0.88%

Cost of living & affordability

Home Price vs Incomeyears of income to buy a typical home

4.82×

Higher than 90% of U.S. counties
Median Income

$70,210

Higher than 63% of U.S. counties
Median Rent

$1,300

Higher than 87% of U.S. counties

Home prices & appreciation

Home Price Growth, Past Year

2%

Lower than 69% of U.S. counties
Pandemic Price Run-Up2019–20 low → 2022–23 peak

49%

2008 Crash: Peak-to-Trough Drophow far prices fell, 2007 → 2011

51%

Climate & weather

Summer Avg High (°F)

94.8

Winter Avg Low (°F)

38.2

Avg Temperature (°F)

64.4

Hot Days/yr (>90°F)

108.8

Freezing Days/yr (<32°F)

24.5

Annual Precipitation (in)

7.9

Annual Snowfall (in)

0.3

Flood & disaster risk

FEMA Risk Score0–100; 0 = lowest modelled risk, 100 = highest, vs places of the same type

98.9

Higher than 99% of U.S. counties

The full report

Six pillars — each with percentile benchmarks, 16-year trends, and per-metric detail.

  • People

  • Work & Money

  • Housing

  • Amenities

  • Climate

  • Environment & Risk

Kern County: frequently asked questions

What is the typical home value in Kern County?
The estimated median home value in Kern County today is $378,541, higher than 84% of U.S. counties.
How much is property tax in Kern County?
The median annual property tax in Kern County is $2,984, an effective rate of 0.88% of home value.
Is Kern County expensive to live in?
Homes in Kern County cost about 4.82× the median household income, higher than 90% of U.S. counties.
What is the average rent in Kern County?
The median gross rent in Kern County is $1,300 a month, higher than 87% of U.S. counties.
How much have home prices grown in Kern County?
Home prices in Kern County have moved 51% over the past five years (2% in the past year), per the FHFA House Price Index.
How many people live in Kern County?
Kern County has a population of 915,075, about 112.49 people per square mile, per the U.S. Census American Community Survey. The median age is 32.7.
What is the weather like in Kern County?
Kern County averages 64.4°F year-round, summer highs near 94.8°F, winter lows around 38.2°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It sees about 0.3 inches of snow a year.
Is Kern County at risk of flooding or natural disasters?
Kern County's FEMA National Risk Index score is 98.9 (higher than 99% of U.S. counties). Its greatest modeled natural hazard is inland flooding.

Sources: U.S. Census ACS, FEMA National Risk Index, FHFA House Price Index, OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), EPA. Explore the map →

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