Kern County Area Home Supply Charts

This page looks at a variety of Kern County California housing market data taken from the most recent 2020 American Community Survey census data. Housing units are structures such as a single family home, apartment community, mobile home park, public housing, etc. where a person or family live and live separately from other residents of the building. Figure 1 shows the total number of housing units for each city. Kern County shows it has a Housing Units of 298,117 which is the third most housing units of all other counties in the greater Kern County region.

Figure 2 illustrates the housing density in the Kern County housing market as measured by housing units per square land mile (includes single family homes, apartments, etc.) Kern County depicts it has a Housing Density of 36.7 which is less than most other counties in the area. The county with the highest housing density in the area is Los Angeles County which depicts a density of 873.0 ( substantially bigger). Comparing housing density to the United States average of 38.9, Kern County is about 6.1% smaller. Also, measured against the state of California, housing density of 91.1, Kern County is approximately half the size.

In Figure 4, Kern County area change in the number of housing units and is a forward gauge (along with population change) for any potential housing shortage. Kern County shows it has a Housing Unit Change of 4.8% which is in the mid range of other counties in the metro area. The county with the highest change in the housing units in the area is Kings County which depicts a housing units of 5.3% (9.1% larger). Comparing change in the housing units to the United States average of 5.7%, Kern County is about 17.5% smaller. Also, measured against the state of California, change in the housing units of 3.6%, Kern County is 33.4% larger.

Figure 5 shows the percentage of rental property based on that they are occupied by renters as a percent of the total number of households in the community (including homes, apartments, etc.) Kern County shows it has a Renter Percent of 41.7% which is the second smallest when sorted by renter percent of all the other counties in the surrounding region. Figure 6 illustrates the total number of housing units that are occupied by owners. it has a Owner Percent of 58.3% which is the second most owner percent of all the counties in the greater Kern County region.

Kern County Home Cost Charts

Looking at the housing data provided in Figure 7, the average Kern County home price is illustrated for this community and a useful analysis of affordable housing. Kern County depicts it has a Median Home Value of $213,900 which is the second smallest in order of median home price of all the other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest median home price in the area is Ventura County which shows a home price of $588,400 (approximately 2.8 times bigger). Figure 8 provides aggregate comparative data for the Kern County California metro area in terms of the median housing rental rate, apartment rent, etc. Kern County depicts it has a Median Gross Rent of $978 which is the second smallest in terms of rental rates of all the other counties in the area. The county with the highest rental rates in the area is Ventura County which indicates a rental rates of $1,776 (about twice as large). Comparing rental rates to the United States average of $1,062, Kern County is about 8.6% smaller. Also, versus the state of California, rental rates of $1,503, Kern County is approximately three-fourths the size.

Figure 9 provides the frequency distribution of home prices for the area and is useful for understanding affordable housing fund. Kern County has the largest proportion of home price worth less than $50,000 at 8% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of home price worth between $50,000 to $100,000 at 32% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Kings County (33%), and #1 Tulare County (36%) are larger. Third, it has one of the largest proportions of home price worth between $100,000 to $200,000 at 31% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Kings County with 36%. Also, it has the smallest proportion of home price worth between $400,000 to $500,000 at 4% of the total. In addition, it has the smallest proportion of home price worth between $750,000 to $1,000,000 at 0% of the total. Furthermore, it has the smallest proportion of home price worth between $1,000,000 to $1,500,000 at 0% of the total. Next it has the smallest proportion of home price worth between $1,500,000 to $2,000,000 at 0% of the total.

Median owner costs for the real estate market are shown in Figure 10 and include the costs associated with any mortgage, utility expenses, insurance, and other miscellaneous costs. Kern County depicts it has a Median Owner Cost of $1,199 which is less than most other counties in the local area. Figure 11 shows the median amount of cost as a percent of total household income for people who own homes in the Kern County metro area. it has a Owner Cost as % of HH Income of 20% which is the second smallest when ranked by cost as a percent of household income of all the other counties in the greater region. The next chart, Figure 12, provides a comparison chart of the median home cost as a percent of a median worker take home earnings and is thus a valuable measure of affordable housing. Kern County depicts it has a Median Home Value as Percent of Median Earnings of 500% which is the smallest as measured by median home value as a percent of median worker earnings of all the other counties in the local area.

Figure 14 depicts the median cost of housing for owners with also have a mortgages (versus those who do not have a mortgage because mortgage cost is included.) Kern County shows it has a Median Owner Costs-With Mortgage of $1,527 which is less than most other counties in the local area. Figure 15 is a chart that shows the median housing costs for owners who do not have mortgages (and therefore the cost of home ownership does not include mortgage cost.) it has a Median Owner Costs-Without Mortgage of $452 which is less than most other counties in the local area.

Figure 16 shows the distribution in total housing cost for owners of property (so not renters.) This cost includes mortgages, lines of credit interest, utilities, taxes, insurance, etc. Kern County has one of the largest proportions of owner cost less than $300 at 12% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Kings County with 13%. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of owner cost between $700 and $1,000 at 24% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Kings County (25%), and #1 Tulare County (25%) are larger. Third, it has the second smallest in terms of owner cost less than $300 of all the other counties in the local area in terms of owner cost between $3,500 and $4,000 at 1% of the total.

Next shown in Figure 17 is the housing cost as a percent of household income for people who own their homes and have a mortgages (thus the cost of financing the home is included.) Kern County depicts it has a % of Income Owner Costs-With Mortgage of 23% which is less than most other counties in the local area. The county with the highest cost as a percent of household income in the area is Los Angeles County which depicts a cost as a percent of household income of 27% (17.2% larger). Housing cost as a percent of household income for owners who do not have a mortgage is shown in Figure 18. This analysis can be useful for understanding the affordable housing for home ownership excluding any financing cost in the area shown. Kern County shows it has a % of Income Owner Costs-No Mortgage of 11% which is at the top of all other counties in the greater Kern County region.

Figure 21 shows median amount of real estate taxes paid for home owners in the region. it has a Median Real Estate Taxes Paid of $2,159 which is in the mid range of other counties in the metropolitan area. The county with the highest median real estate taxes paid in the area is Ventura County which depicts a taxes paid of $4,271 (about twice as large). Comparing median real estate taxes paid to the United States average of $2,471, Kern County is about 14.5% smaller. Also, in comparison with the state of California, median real estate taxes paid of $3,818, Kern County is approximately half the size.

Figure 23 shows the rental rate distribution for this area. Kern County California has one of the largest proportions of rent between 300 and 500 dollars at 18% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Tulare County with 19%. Second, it has the largest proportion of rent between 500 and 750 dollars at 26% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has in the mid range of other counties in the local area as measured by rent between 1000 and 1500 dollars at 14% of the total.

Kern County Home Characteristics Charts

Figure 28 shows the household size for families living in the area and it has a Family size of 3.8 which is the third most of all other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest family members per housing unit in the area is Tulare County which depicts a family members per housing unit of 3.9 ( only slightly larger). Comparing family members per housing unit to the United States average of 3.3, Kern County is 15.2% larger. Also, versus the state of California, family members per housing unit of 3.7, Kern County is only about 4.7% larger.

Figure 29 show the median number of rooms in a typical home for each location in this area. it has a Median Number of Rooms of 5.1 which is less than most other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest average number of rooms in a house in the area is Ventura County which shows an average number of rooms in a house of 5.6 (9.8% larger). Figure 30 shows, for the average house in each location, the median year that a house was built. This can be useful for understanding the relative age of one neighborhood versus another for a real estate investor. it has a Median Year Built of 1982 which is the second most year built of all the counties in the greater Kern County region. The county with the highest year built in the area is Kings County which indicates a year built of 1984 ( about the same size).

Figure 31 looks at the distribution of housing units by the median age that the homes were built. it has the largest proportion of homes built between 2010 to 2013 at 18% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the second smallest when sorted by homes built in 2014 or later of all the other counties in the local area when ranked by homes built between 1940 to 1949 at 4% of the total.

Figure 32 shows the difference in the number of housing units based on whether they are occupied by owners versus occupied by renters. it has one of the largest proportions of owner housing units at 112,728 of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Fresno County (143,782), and #1 Los Angeles County (1,797,279) are larger.

Figure 33 shows the difference in the number of housing units based on whether they are occupied by owners or renters. has the smallest proportion of 10 to 19 units at 1% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of 50 or more units at 7% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the largest proportion of mobile home at 0% of the total and is ranked #1.

Figure 34 shows the median value of homes broken down by the median year that the homes were built. has the percentage of value of homes built 2014 or later the second smallest in terms of value of homes built 2014 or later of all the other counties in the metro area at $268,000 of the total. Second, it has less than most other counties in the surrounding region in order of value of homes built 2010 to 2013 at $274,400 of the total. Third, it has less than most other counties in the surrounding region when sorted by value of homes built 2000 to 2009 at $240,200 of the total. Also, it has less than most other counties in the local area as measured by value of homes built 1990 to 1999 at $211,700 of the total. In addition, it has the second smallest when sorted by value of homes built 2014 or later of all the other counties in the local area when ranked by value of homes built 1980 to 1989 at $174,100 of the total. Furthermore, it has the smallest proportion of value of homes built 1970 to 1979 at $166,000 of the total. Next it has the smallest proportion of value of homes built 1960 to 1969 at $155,700 of the total. Additionally, it has the smallest proportion of value of homes built 1950 to 1959 at $151,200 of the total. And then, it has the smallest proportion of value of homes built 1940 to 1949 at $149,900 of the total.

Figure 35 compares the total number of occupied housing units to vacant housing units. This analysis can be used to understand any housing shortage in the community. it has the largest proportion of occupied housing units at 9% of the total and is ranked #1.

The next two charts show both the average household size of homeowners versus the average household size of renters. Starting with Figure 36 we see the household size of homeowners for Kern County residents. it has a Owner-Household Size of 3.1 which is the third most homeowner household size of all other counties in the greater Kern County region. The county with the highest homeowner household size in the area is Tulare County which depicts a homeowner household size of 3.2 (only about 3.2% larger).

Figure 37 shows the household size for renters. Kern County depicts it has a Renter-Household Size of 3.2 which is the second most renter household sizes of all the counties in the greater Kern County region. The county with the highest renter household size in the area is Tulare County which shows a renter household sizes of 3.4 (only about 5.3% larger). Figure 38 shows the year that people who own homes moved into this region. it has the largest proportion of owners moved in 2017 or later at 10% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the largest proportion of owners moved in 2015 to 2016 at 24% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the smallest proportion of owners moved in 2000 to 2009 at 15% of the total. Also, it has the smallest proportion of owners moved in 1990 to 1999 at 9% of the total. Figure 39 shows the year that people who rent moved into the area. Kern County has the largest proportion of renters moved in 2017 or later at 27% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the smallest proportion of renters moved in 1990 to 1999 at 1% of the total.

Figure 40 compares the median year that home owners moved into their home. it has a Owner Median Year Moved In of 2006 which is the highest of all counties in the greater Kern County region. Figure 41 compares the median year that renters moved into their home. Kern County indicates it has a Renter Median Year Moved In of 2014 which is at the top of all other counties in the greater Kern County region.

Figure 42 shows the frequency distribution of various types of energy sources used for homes in the community. it has one of the largest proportions of home using bottled, tank, or lp gas at 28% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Fresno County with 34%. Second, it has the largest proportion of homes using coal or coke at 2% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the largest proportion of homes using solar energy at 1% of the total and is ranked #1.

The next two charts show the number of people living in group quarters and includes temporary as well permanent housing which may be run by the Kern County housing department, California department, or other housing authority or public housing agency. beginning with Figure 43 which shows the total number of people. Kern County depicts it has a Total In Group Quarters of 30,016 which is the second most number of people in group quarters of all the counties in the greater Kern County region.