Downtown Bakersfield
From bungalows to custom homes
“With new multifamily builds, there’s lots of opportunity,” says Adam Belter, Broker Associate and managing partner of the Belter Group at Coldwell Banker. Fenced-in 1,000- to 1,500-square-foot ranch homes and bungalows are typically priced between $200,000 and $300,000. West of Chester Avenue in an area called Westchester are some of Bakersfield’s original custom homes, dating back as early as the 1910s. Lots are much larger, and no two houses are the same. “They all have their own characteristics, even personalities,” Belter says, “which means they can get pricey.” The largest homes, especially those near the banks of the Kern River, can spike upwards of $500,000.
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Walking from winery to creamery
Residents head to 18th Street and Chester Avenue, where multiple wine bars offer evening tastings. Tlo Wines is family-owned and gets its grapes locally, and The 18hundred serves burgers and shakes in an industrial atmosphere. On 19th Street, friends gather for some savory Latin American bites and craft cocktails at Zama. Nearby on Wall Street, a neon sign welcomes locals to Guthrie’s Alley Cat, a retro, cash-only dive bar. For dessert, residents go to the north side for homemade ice cream at Rosemary’s Family Creamery. On the east side of town, residents grab groceries and essentials at Superior Grocers.
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Historic theaters and art museums
Locals can catch a movie at Maya Cinemas or a live performance at the historic Bakersfield Fox Theater. Originally opened in 1930, the since-renovated theater retains its Art Deco signage and trim, including a tall clock tower above the marquee. Residents can also peruse the collections at the Bakersfield Museum of Art, which often hosts studio classes for kids and after-hours events like Art After Dark and First Fridays.
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B-plus-graded public schools
Bakersfield City School District and Kern High School District serve students living downtown. Learners can attend kindergarten through eighth grade under the bright teal roofs of Downtown Elementary School, which Niche grades a B-plus and ranks among the best public schools in Bakersfield. Students can progress to Bakersfield High School, also graded a B-plus and ranked among the best public high schools in the area, according to Niche.
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A peaceful escape at Central Park
On the west side, families enjoy the lighted athletic courts, splash pad and playground at Jastro Park. Cyclists take advantage of the Kern River Parkway Bike Trail, a 30-mile trail that runs along the river. On the eastern side of town, the linear Central Park at Mill Creek offers a nice escape from the streets with sparkling creek views and paved paths that meander through the grass.
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Getting around town on bus or train
Memorial Hospital is to the north, and several GET bus stops are peppered throughout town. The Bakersfield Amtrak station is also centrally located in town. With such a diverse collection of restaurants, entertainment options and homes to choose from, Downtown Bakersfield is a beacon of variety in the Central Valley.
Written By
Mary Beth Greene
Photography Contributed By
Joseph Choo
Video By
Zack Kojoyian
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Miguel A. Hernandez
Miguel A. Hernandez
Diamond Realty Group
(661) 370-2820
231 Total Sales
6 in Downtown Bakersfield
$37K - $190K Price Range
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William Gordon
William Gordon
Watson Realty
(805) 918-8011
571 Total Sales
1 in Downtown Bakersfield
$235,000 Price
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Eric Van Denk
Eric Van Denk
Central Valley Property Advisors
(661) 218-1053
247 Total Sales
2 in Downtown Bakersfield
$530K - $960K Price Range
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Eric Mora
Eric Mora
The Mora Partners Inc.
(661) 535-1530
586 Total Sales
2 in Downtown Bakersfield
$215K - $288K Price Range
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Shane Alan Proctor
SA
Shane Alan Proctor
Responds QuicklyWayside, Realtors®
(805) 262-9159
54 Total Sales
1 in Downtown Bakersfield
$62,500 Price
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Carlos Cardenas
Carlos Cardenas
Responds QuicklyLegacy Real Estate Inc
(661) 387-3440
41 Total Sales
1 in Downtown Bakersfield
$195,000 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 8th
- Public
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Stramler Park
Children's Discovery Center and Kern County Museum
Beale Park
- Basketball
- Picnic Area
- Tennis
Lowell Park
- Basketball
- Picnic Area
- Playground
Central Park at Mill Creek
- Trails
- Playground
- Museum
Transit
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Downtown Bakersfield | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 10 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 9 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 10 | 4 |
| Robbery | 10 | 4 |
| Burglary | 10 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 10 | 4 |
| Larceny | 10 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 10 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Downtown Bakersfield Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Downtown Bakersfield, Bakersfield sell after 90 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Downtown Bakersfield, Bakersfield over the last 12 months is $787,500, up 75% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$444,000
Median Sale Price
$787,500
Median Single Family Sale Price
$284,990
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$787,500
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
3
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
75%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$181
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
390
Number of Homes for Sale
2
Median Year Built
1937
Months of Supply
8.00
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,068
Significantly below the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,322
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,859
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
5,227
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
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Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
4,629
Median Age
35
Population Density
5 ppl/acre
Population under 18
27.8%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
12.9%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$21,866
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$33,877
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
66.5%
College Graduates
1.9%
Significantly below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
0.9%
% Population in Labor Force
35.9%
Significantly below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
6''
Average Winter Low Temperature
40°F
Average Summer High Temperature
98°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
50
/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
76
/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
46
/ 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.
Nearby Neighborhoods
East Bakersfield
A community with a diverse population, strong dining scene and large hospital
Homaker Park
Active adult community and condos just minutes from Downtown Bakersfield
Lakeview
Suburban area undergoing revitalization in Southeast Bakersfield
Oildale
Northern neighborhood of Bakersfield next to acres of oil fields
Oleander-Sunset
One of Bakersfield's oldest neighborhoods with diverse eats and a variety of homes
Riviera/Westchester
Early 20th-century homes within walking distance of downtown Bakersfield
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