Rooted in Kern County
Why Bakersfield?
A region shaped by agriculture, energy, and logistics, now growing into a hub for business and community.
Anchored by the Bakersfield-Delano metro area, Kern County is a $60+ billion regional economy with real momentum. In 2023, Bakersfield—California’s 9th largest city by regional labor market size—helped drive the Bakersfield MSA to approximately $59.8 billion in current-dollar GDP, while Kern County’s real GDP grew 5.2% to $46.9 billion, underscoring broad-based output across industries.
The region’s economic mix is distinctive and diversified. Kern County is California’s energy workhorse, historically producing the majority of the state’s oil and natural gas while simultaneously hosting some of the nation’s largest wind and solar assets in the Tehachapi area, earning its “Energy Capital of California” moniker. Agriculture is equally outsized: Kern’s 2023 crop value topped $8.63B, placing it among the most productive farm counties in the U.S.
Location is a structural advantage. Bakersfield sits at the crossroads of SR-99 and SR-58, minutes from I-5, and within roughly four hours of 90% of California’s population.
For employers and talent, the cost profile is compelling by California standards. The Bakersfield’s MSA Regional Price Parity index was 102.2 in 2023 (near the U.S. average and well below the state’s 112.6), and typical home values around $398K remain materially below the California average of ~$775K (as of July 2025).
Momentum in Motion
Growth & Infrastructure in Bakersfield and Kern County
Infrastructure that works — how logistics, access, and essential utilities power a population and economic growth.
A Regional Engine Accelerating Growth
Kern County continues to outpace broader California in economic expansion: between 2022 and 2023, our economy grew 5.2%, compared to the average of just 2.0%, a surge propelled by energy and agriculture sectors amid enduring industrial momentum.
Logistics & Connectivity: Built for Scale
Strategically poised, Kern County serves as one of California’s premier logistics hubs, anchored by key transportation corridors that facilitate efficient freight movement to central, southern, and eastern California.
The region hosts over 50 distribution centers (~200,000+ sq ft each), and roughly 70,000 acres entitled for industrial use. Of that, ~18,565 acres are developed, while another 2,111 acres are slated for near-term growth, underscoring strong demand for logistics space.
Key city-level initiatives such as the Thomas Roads Improvement Program (TRIP) are underway to modernize transportation corridors, reducing travel times, alleviating congestion, and enhancing regional mobility.
Multi-Modal Expansion & Air Connectivity
Kern County’s transportation assets extend vertically, too. Meadows Field Airport in Bakersfield recorded 390,000 total passengers and 3,195 scheduled flights in 2024, with significant plans for terminal and gate expansion to handle future growth.
The airport also anchors plans for an intermodal facility, facilitating seamless transfers between air, rail, and road, an integrated hub for freight and commercial connectivity.
Utilities: Upgrading to Serve Tomorrow
Utility infrastructure is on the upgrade path: Cal Water has proposed critical improvement to water systems in Bakersfield the Kern River Valley, including replacement of aging water mains to enhance reliability and resilience. Regarding energy, power throughout Kern County is serviced primarily by PG&E, with portions served by SCE and SCGC, ensuring widespread utility coverage across the region.
Why This Matters for Bolthouse Properties
Bakersfield and Kern County are growing. But beyond that, they’re building the infrastructure to support and amplify that growth. Whether thinking long-term or positioning assets today, the region offers tangible connectivity advantages, scalable industrial capacity, utility reliability, and future-forward planning, all critical for sophisticated, accessible, and creatively differentiated development.
Kern is the Middle-Man
Every parcel is placed with purpose, ensuring access to the people and services that sustain it.
Inspired Living: Lifestyle & Talent in Bakersfield & Kern County
A young, diverse, and growing community that blends affordability, cultural roots, and an expanding talent base.
A Young and Growing Population
The greater Bakersfield area is home to approximately 922,529 residents (as of 2024), with a median age of 31.9 (younger than California’s overall median), signaling a dynamic, energetic community. From 2022 to 2023, the city’s population increased by about 1%, reflecting steady, organic growth.
Cultural and Linguistic Diversity
Bakersfield’s population mosaic includes significant Hispanic representation (around 50%) with a rich mix of cultural background. In parts of the city, 43% of households speak a non-English language at home, notably Spanish, Punjabi, and Tagalog.
Kern County overall is one of the most diverse counties in California, marked by its thriving Hispanic majority and growing immigrant population.
Talent Pipeline & Education
The region benefits from local educational institutions. California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB) graduated around 2,600 students in 2023, preparing a steady flow of talent.
While Bakersfield’s educational attainment has historically lagged statewide, its younger demographic and increasing college output point toward gradual skill enrichment.
Workforce: Affordable, Motivated, and Ready
In the Bakersfield-Delano MSA, as of May 2024, the average hourly wage was $30.51, slightly below the national average of $32.66, communicating a cost-effective yet competitive labor market. Wages in management, legal, and technical sectors remain relatively strong.
Quality of Life: Affordable, Active, and Artistic
With a median home value of $353K and affordable cost of living, Bakersfield has become a magnet for those seeking space, value, and opportunity. Culturally, Bakersfield is active in the performing arts scene. It supports multiple venues, including community theaters, as well as space for smaller, experimental performances.
This local creativity is receiving fresh attention: the region’s storied “Bakersfield sound” and local arts infrastructure are being spotlighted in recent film and documentary productions, signaling a renewed cultural vibrancy.
Shaping the Future: Bolthouse’s Regional Role
A purposeful steward anchored in heritage.
Sustainability Through Stewardship
Bolthouse Properties’ roots run deep in Kern County. Since its founding 2005, our mission has been to only invest in commercial retail and office properties that will have a long-term positive impact on local communities. This is part of a legacy informed by the Bolthouse family’s storied past. Our commitment to stewardship and the local community is embodied in our operating philosophy. In agriculture, we remain grounded in heritage, intentionally holding and acquiring high-quality farmland to ensure sustainable use and community benefit for generations to come. This approach demonstrates our long-view mindset, preserving land and legacy in equal measure.
Master-Planned Neighborhoods Built to Last
Masterful planning is central to our identity, most notably exemplified in our signature Seven Oaks community. With Seven Oaks, we executed a multi-decade strategy that integrated residential neighborhoods, schools, parks, trail, and retail, all carefully harmonized over time. This dedication to thoughtful design and community fabric underscores our ambition to cultivate environments meant to thrive well into the future.
Our Values Woven Into Every Project
Our corporate vision articulates our role with clarity and conviction. We go beyond real estate, honoring values built on a tradition of integrity, honesty, humility, and compassion. These values shine through not only in land stewardship and development choices but also in our community giving.
Empowerment Through Engagement
Bolthouse Properties’ social commitment has a significant and intentional reach. Our “Bolt of Hope” philanthropic initiative supports a range of local nonprofits, such as Independence Through Grace, Magdalene Hope, the Bakersfield Museum of Art, Shielding the Frontline, and InterVarsity, demonstrating wide-ranging, tangible support for our local community’s resilience and wellbeing. This ongoing community investment reflects a broader ethos: stewardship is not only about land, but also about lifting the lives and aspirations of those who live and work in the region we serve.
Invested in Place. Inspired by Possibility.
From master-planned neighborhoods to commercial centers, Bolthouse Properties shapes spaces that endure, each rooted in stewardship, designed for growth, and built for community.
