What's the jobs picture in Bakersfield?

Unemployment rate, labor force participation and employment-to-population ratio for Bakersfield, CA, compared with the county, the state and the United States.

U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, table B23025.

This story was assembled using AI and public data sources.

The jobs picture in Bakersfield.

Unemployment rate: 7.0% — U.S.: 5.2%

Labor force participation: 62.6% — U.S.: 63.0%

Employed share of adults 16+: 58.2% — U.S.: 59.8%

Unemployment rate

Bakersfield: 7
Kern County: 8.4
CA: 6.4
U.S.: 5.2

What it means

Bakersfield's unemployment rate is 7.0% — 1.8 points above the national 5.2%.

Labor force participation tracks the national rate.

These figures come from the Census Bureau's household survey, not the monthly employer survey. They measure the city as a place of residence, so some residents commute elsewhere for work.

Sources

U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates — Population, income, housing, education, commuting and poverty figures
Census Bureau API — ACS Detailed Tables — The endpoint these pages are generated from
data.census.gov — Look up the same tables for any place yourself
ACS accuracy statement — Estimates carry margins of error; small places vary the most

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