Delano, the second-largest city in Kern County, is known for its vineyards and cultural heritage. Home to historical figures like Cesar Chavez, Delano’s story became public facing in the late 60s when immigrant workers’ strikes garnered national recognition. With a diverse population of around 50,000 people, Delano maintains its small-town atmosphere with a bustling Main Street and festive events throughout the year. About 32 miles north of Bakersfield, Delano is surrounded by farmland and cultivated by a well-connected community.
Visitors to East Delano are greeted by a large welcome sign along Highway 99.
Looking East from the late 20th century homes of East Delano towards the farmland beyond.
A couple of friends discuss the day while ordering lunch in Downtown Delano.
Brightly colored flowers bloom on this vining plant along an East Delano sidewalk.
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Neighborhoods with a small-town vibe
Swaying palm trees and wrought-iron fences mark the residential areas in three vital neighborhoods: East Delano, West Delano and Downtown. East Delano has single-level Craftsman and ranch-style homes with an average size of about 1,500 square feet. West Delano has more Mediterranean architecture and Spanish Revivals with tiled roofs and stucco siding. In many neighborhoods, the average price is about $324,000, and homes sell after about 42 days on the market. This is nearly $350,000 less than the state average of around $673,000. “Most people are moving to Delano to escape the bigger city,” says Eric Van Denk, CEO/Broker at Central Valley Property Advisors, who has lived in the area for 15 years. “It’s more affordable, and it’s only 30 minutes away from Bakersfield. For multifamily homes, Downtown Delano has townhouses within walking distance of retail, and homes here cost about $284,000 on average.
Large palm trees shade a mid 20th century Mediterranean home in Downtown Delano.
Some of the mid 20th century homes in West Delano are ranch style.
These Spanish style homes in East Delano have large mature palm trees for landscaping.
A white decorative iron fence adds character to this Spanish style corner home in East Delano.
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Farming and agricultural history in Delano
Farming is still a dominating industry in the valley, with table grapes, almonds, pistachios and citrus. Companies like Sunview Vineyards, Munger Farms and Wonderful Citrus offer jobs to Delano residents. In addition, two state prisons, North Kern State and Kern Valley State, are also major employers. Adventist Health Delano is a significant hospital with teaching programs and branches throughout the Central Valley. Companies are also developing more warehouses and distribution centers in Kern County, which provide the area with over 22,000 jobs. "You can live there without the high price tag," Van Denk says. "The Amazon warehouse, Wonderful Pistachios and the e-commerce center are much closer to Delano than some places in Bakersfield."
Delano has working-class roots and is famous for the Delano Grape Strike. In the 1960s, over 2,000 Filipino Americans who worked in the vineyards declared a strike in exchange for higher pay, health care and protection against pesticides. The strike happened at Forty Aces, which became the first headquarters of the United Farm Workers of America (UFW) and is now a designated historical landmark. "The legacy of activism and community organization continues to shape the city's culture today," says Sunshine Hernandez, CEO of the Delano Chamber of Commerce. "Delano has long been regarded as an 'International Community, Working Together.'" Each year, during the last weekend of July, Philippine Weekend celebrates the diversity and richness of the Filipino culture and has traditional music, an adobo cookoff and basketball tournaments to celebrate the community's triumph. Harvest Holidays is another event held during the first weekend in October that pays homage to the city's agricultural history with a parade, a tiny tots pageant and a barbecue.
Adventist Health Delano provides exceptional care for East Delano residents.
An East Delano resident enjoys his portion of the Adventist Health Community Garden.
Several Delano residents find employment working in one of the crops surrounding Munger Farms.
Wonderful Pistachios is a major employer to Delano residents and surrounding communities.
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The skate park or a nice public golf course
Delano has many neighborhood parks and green spaces that host community events. The Delano Skate Park is a fenced-in bowl with curved quarter and half pipes. Cecil Park surrounds the skate park with shady picnic tables, playgrounds and outdoor exercise equipment. Memorial Park is another 7-acre green space with a large gazebo, and the Cinco De Mayo Fiesta brings carnival games and theme park rides to Memorial Park each May. The Delano Public Golf Course has long, flat fairways.
Local youth enjoy the skate park at Cecil Park in East Delano.
East Delano residents enjoy the free workout equipment at Cecil Park.
East Delano residents enjoy shooting a round of golf with friends at the golf course.
Visitors to Delano Memorial Park are greeted by a beautiful sign at the entrance.
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Getting around Delano or shopping in Downtown
Main Street is the heart of Delano's business community, lined with small shops and brownstone buildings that have a vintage look. Many buildings have Spanish-style architecture, which complements the city's residential sectors. Delano's downtown is full of eateries, boutiques and barber shops. Nearly 75% of the population identifies as Hispanic or Latino, and the small business scene reflects this, as Mexican cafes and markets are common throughout the city.
While Downtown Delano is walkable, the other neighborhoods rely heavily on cars. The Delano Area Rapid Transit (DART) provides public transportation with stops along the city's main thoroughfares. State Route 155 and Cecil Avenue run east to west, connecting all three neighborhoods, while Highway 99 is a significant expressway heading north to Fresno and south to Bakersfield. The Bakersfield Airport (BFL), about 28 miles south, provides short passenger flights to major cities and to air travel hubs like Los Angeles.
A local vendor in West Delano delivers fresh bread and pastries to local residents.
Downtown Delano offers residents several unique clothing boutiques to shop.
Agriculture is a huge part of what makes Downtown Delano special.
Stop by and enjoy a delicious Mexican dish at Old Hacienda Restaurant in Downtown Delano.
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Schools
According to rankings from Niche, the Delano Joint Union High School District is one of the best in the Bakersfield area with an A rating. The district serves over 4,000 students and has a history of being named a statewide standout. All three high schools have a B-plus or higher from Niche. Delano Union School District earns a C-plus grade and serves over 6,000 elementary and middle school students. Attendance rates and test scores have improved significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the area's diverse population, nearly 40% of students in Delano Union are English-language learners, and the district provides translation for students who may need a helping hand. Only about 8% of Delano residents have bachelor's degrees, although senior students may choose California State University, which has campuses in Fresno and Bakersfield.
Improving crime rates and weather considerations
East and West Delano receive a crime score of 4 out of 10, aligning with the national average. Downtown Delano has a crime score of 8 out of 10, which is higher than the national average of 4. Although some neighborhoods have struggled with car theft and gun violence, crime has reduced by over 50% since 2023, according to the Delano Police Department. Delano also experiences a low desert climate with extreme heat waves and months-long periods when the average temperature is above 90°F. However, Kern County only receives about 9 inches of rainfall each year. In the winter, temperatures rarely fall under 30°F. Kern County is California's energy capital, with oil, petroleum and agriculture production at the forefront. As a result, air pollution affects Delano. However, air quality is improving due to county initiatives, such as rebates for electric vehicles.
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