Cottonwood
Single-story homes with new construction
Most homes in Cottonwood are clustered in the northwestern corner of the neighborhood, where a collection of residential streets branch off from South Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Most homes were built in the mid-1900s and sit on modest lots enclosed by chain-link fences. Homebuyers can find two-to-three-bedroom bungalows for about $145,000 to $240,000 depending on the number of renovations done to the home. New construction is also common, and homebuyers can find three-bedroom ranch-style homes with neutral stucco exteriors, concrete driveways and attached garages starting at around $295,000.
Access to Route 58 and the city bus
Cottonwood is just south of State Route 58, which connects Bakersfield to nearby thoroughfares such as I-15. “It’s easy to get out of town that way,” says Mitchell. There are several bus stops scattered throughout the community and the Golden Empire Transit connects residents to nearby shopping centers, Bakersfield College and more.Public school district with vocational training
Children in the area attend the Bakersfield City School District, which earned a C from Niche and has an average student-teacher ratio of 21 to 1. Younger kids in grades K-6 attend Mt. Vernon Elementary School, which earned a C-minus from Niche, before moving on to Sequoia Junior High School, which earned a C. Teens attend the nearby Mira Monte High School, which earned a C-plus and offers students the opportunity to take Dual Enrollment courses at the nearby California State University, Bakersfield. Students may also enroll in vocational training courses at the Kern High Regional Occupation Center, which offers programs in fields such as cosmetology, culinary arts and dentistry.
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Local markets and restaurants
South Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard runs through Cottonwood and is an active spot for shopping and dining. For everyday needs, Dollar Plus Mart sells the basics and Fiesta Food Market is the area’s largest grocer. The Mexican grocer sells fresh produce, smoked meats and more. Local favorites for dining include Mariscos La Cazuela, a Mexican restaurant known for its seafood specials.Community park undergoing renovations
Residents are within walking distance of the nearby Belle Terrace Park, which will be completely renovated in 2024 as part of Kern County’s $49 million project to improve public spaces. The park will feature brand-new playground equipment, basketball courts, soccer fields and more for locals to explore. In the meantime, residents are just minutes away from nearby green spaces with 61 parks scattered throughout Bakersfield.Year-round festivities at the fairgrounds
The community is about 2 miles east of the nearby Kern County Fairgrounds and Event Center, where the county holds year-round events. Locals gather at the facility for livestock shows, seasonal festivities, concerts and more.Community resources and environmental concerns
Beyond its residential streets, Cottonwood is largely industrial and is home to several government buildings. America’s Job Center of California offers free training, job-hunting resources and job-placement resources to residents seeking employment. The Kern Agricultural Pavilion is a gathering place for locals involved with the county’s large agricultural base. While this industry supports the county’s economic development, intensive farming practices have contributed to the county’s poor air quality, and in the 2023 State of the Air report, the American Lung Association declared Bakersfield as the city with the worst year-round particle pollution.
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Written By
Sally Stimpson
Photography Contributed By
Elliott McCracken
Video By
Peter Medawar
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Hialys Sousa
Hialys Sousa
Responds QuicklyKeller Williams Realty Tulare County
(559) 471-3468
290 Total Sales
2 in Cottonwood
$161,500 Price Range
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Karla Salazar
Karla Salazar
Capitol Real Estate Group
(888) 764-8232
307 Total Sales
3 in Cottonwood
$116K - $180K Price Range
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Greg Holland
Greg Holland
Coldwell Banker Preferred Realtors
(661) 218-2406
238 Total Sales
2 in Cottonwood
$175K - $225K Price Range
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Armando Villareal
Armando Villareal
Open Door Real Estate
(661) 748-0975
52 Total Sales
2 in Cottonwood
$171K - $237K Price Range
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Darron Mason
Darron Mason
eXp Realty - Bakersfield
(661) 404-7530
76 Total Sales
1 in Cottonwood
$141,000 Price
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Neftali Hernandez
Neftali Hernandez
Infinity Real Estate Services
(661) 451-6299
106 Total Sales
1 in Cottonwood
$257,000 Price
Schools
Source:
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- 6th to 8th
- Public
- K to 6th
- Public
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Parks in this Area
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Park
Virginia Avenue County Park
Wayside Park
- Baseball/Softball
- Basketball
- Picnic Area
Belle Terrace Park
- Picnic Area
- Playground
- Parking Lot
Transit
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Cottonwood | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 8 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 6 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 7 | 4 |
| Robbery | 7 | 4 |
| Burglary | 5 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 6 | 4 |
| Larceny | 3 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 6 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Cottonwood Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Cottonwood, Bakersfield sell after 63 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Cottonwood, Bakersfield over the last 12 months is $850,000, up 257% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$179,900
Median Sale Price
$850,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$179,900
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$150,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
6
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
257%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$375
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
322
Number of Homes for Sale
2
Median Year Built
1962
Months of Supply
4.00
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,031
Significantly below the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,183
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,534
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
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Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
3,009
Median Age
26
Population Density
3 ppl/acre
Population under 18
39.4%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
8.4%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$35,993
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$47,854
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
49.3%
Significantly below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
4.1%
Significantly below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
0.5%
% Population in Labor Force
48.2%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
6''
Average Winter Low Temperature
40°F
Average Summer High Temperature
98°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
32
/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
27
/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
28
/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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