With a population of 35,000, Oildale is a city between Downtown Bakersfield and the Kern River Oil Field, which once produced as much petroleum as all of Texas. Merle Haggard grew up working in the oil fields here before finding a career as a renowned country singer. With plenty of agriculture and logistics companies, such as Amazon, Oildale captures the spirit of Bakersfield with energy, e-commerce and music. "The future is bright for Oildale," says William Gordon, an area local and Realtor at Watson Realty. "It's not Bakersfield proper, but it's part of what makes it Bakersfield, and everyone considers it that way."
The homes of Highland Knolls overlook the Oildale neighborhoods.
Oildale residents head to the Sierra Nevada foothills through the oil fields.
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Spanish Revivals and low-priced housing stock
Oildale’s housing stock features Spanish Revivals, Craftsman and ranch-style homes with low-pitched tile roofs and stucco exteriors. Meadow View is a neighborhood with 21st-century Spanish Revivals and convenient access to the oil fields and logistics centers. Parkview Estates is home to popular dining options and North Meadows Park. The median single-family price in Oildale is roughly $280,000, about $125,000 less than the nationwide median.
This Spanish style inspired home in Meadow View has drought-resistant landscaping.
The ranch style homes in North Country Meadows have large front yards.
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History of Oakdale and the "Bakersfield Sound"
The city is about 3 miles north of Downtown Bakersfield, which has a vast entertainment scene. The Historic Fox Theater is a 1930s venue restored to host live music and performances. Residents can also head to Mechanics Bank Arena to watch the Condors hockey team. The Kern County Museum showcases the country music scene and Haggard's childhood home. "Chester Avenue was the heart of the Bakersfield sound," Gordon says. "Buck Owens and Merle Haggard defined that era, and there was a debate on whether to make Nashville or Bakersfield the capital of country music."
Oildale has a complicated history. During the Great Depression, people from Oklahoma and the Dust Bowl migrated to California to work in the oil fields and pick cotton, living under less-than-adequate conditions. "The pleasant name is North Bakersfield, but its historic name is Oildale," Gordon says. "It's in better shape now than it has been in a long time, and it keeps improving."
The iconic tower outside the Kern County Museum in Homaker Park.
The Fox Theater in downtown Bakersfield was built in the early 1920's.
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Mexican grills, supermarkets and Downtown attractions
Chester Avenue is the city’s primary thoroughfare, bordered by strip malls with Pizzerias, Mexican grills and classic diners– all mainstay establishments in Oildale. Supermarkets and local convenience stores are along Chester Avenue, while Airport Drive is another commercial stretch with local businesses.
Oildale residents can get their last minute supplies at the Dollar General Market.
Tacos la Villa Mexican Grill is popular with the Oildale lunch crowd.
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Attending the B-plus-rated Kern High School District
With about 3,000 students, the Standard Elementary School District earns a C-minus grade from Niche. The Kern High School District is ranked the second-best district in Bakersfield, according to Niche, which ranks it a B-plus. High school students can earn college credit here, and the district offers intradistrict transfers.
Students arrive by bus to Standard Elementary School in Bakersfield.
A giant star highlights the welcome sign to North High School in Bakersfield.
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North Beardsley Skatepark and a 30-mile riverside trail
North Meadows Park is an ample green space with picnic areas, barbecue grills and a popular playground. One of Bakersfield’s most frequented skating areas is the North Beardsley Skatepark. Riverview Park has the Parkway Bike Trail, a 30-mile paved path along the Kern River.
An Oildale resident shows his finesse while teeing off on the first hole at Riverview Park.
North Highlands Park near Highland Knolls has large green areas and play equipment.
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Easy access to the BFL airport and the GET bus
The Golden Empire Transit (GET) District bus stops in Oildale along the 22 and 45 routes. California state Route 99 reaches Interstate 5 and Los Angeles about 115 miles south. Oildale is directly east of the Meadows Field Airport (BFL), which provides domestic flights to cities such as Phoenix, Denver and San Francisco.
Decreasing property crime, summer heat waves and air quality
According to the Bakersfield Police Department, the violent crime rate rose in 2023 to an average of 6 cases per 1,000 residents, while the property crime rate decreased to 34 cases per 1,000 residents.
Oildale has a hot desert climate with average summer highs around 98°F. Precipitation is most common during the winter, and snowfall is rare. The city also faces poor air quality due to its geography, petroleum production and agriculture. Like much of California, earthquakes are frequent in the Bakersfield metro. Residents may experience higher noise levels near Airport Drive and SR-99 west of the city.
Written By
Jackson Hardy
Photography Contributed By
Mark Huddleston
Video By
Vladislav Sedykh
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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On average, homes in Oildale, CA sell after 34 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Oildale, CA over the last 12 months is $289,950, up 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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