Bakersfieldis a U.S. city in theSan Joaquin Valleyof California, where it sits on the southern end of theCentral Valleywithin theKern Countyboundaries. Aninland city,many residents consider Bakersfield to be more a part ofCentral Californiaas it is nearKingsandTularecounties and is a hub for agriculture and oil production.
Bakersfield is the focal point of the larger Bakersfield-Delano, CAMetropolitan Statistical Area, which is coextensive with Kern County. In 2010, it had a population of 839,631, making it the62nd largest metropolitan areain United States. The city has a very diverse economy. Kern County is the most productive oil producing county,and the fourth most productive agricultural county (by value) in the United States.Industries include natural gas and other energy extraction, aerospace, mining, petroleum refining, manufacturing, distribution, food processing, and corporate/regional headquarters.