Kern County Air Pollution Control District

Nestled in the beautiful southern edge of the San Joaquin Valley, the County of Kern is the third largest county in California geographically with 8,100+ square miles of mountains, valleys, and desert communities. As one of the richest agricultural and crude oil producing regions in the nation, Kern County enjoys an expanding economy diversified with tourism, distribution centers, aerospace and defense, energy and natural resources, and an emerging tech scene. As the area has evolved, Kern County has maintained a business-friendly atmosphere and offers an enterprising approach to growth and development.
With one of the most affordable residential areas in California, Kern County is the ideal place to raise a family. Kern residents possess strong community pride and family, education, and tradition are highly valued. Kern County is ethnically diverse and largely rural, with a population of 875,000. Bakersfield, with a population of nearly 370,000 residents, is Kern County’s government and metropolitan center. Bakersfield is located two hours north of Los Angeles and two hours south of Fresno, with ample opportunities for recreation, tourism, and entertainment.