Kernville ZIP Codes — Kern County, CA

There is one unique ZIP code in Kernville, California and it is 93238. Area code: 760.

ZIP codes

109.62

sq mi land

6.98

sq mi water

760

area code

Kernville, CA ZIP code map

About Kernville, CA

Kernville, California, is a charming town nestled within the scenic Kern River Valley. Known for its beautiful landscapes and outdoor recreational opportunities, it attracts visitors year-round. The town exudes a small-town vibe that captures the essence of rural California life.

Location & geography

Kernville is located in Kern County, in the southern part of the state of California. It is approximately 24 miles northeast of Bakersfield, 21 miles from Lake Isabella, and about 45 miles southwest of Ridgecrest. The area covers a diverse terrain featuring mountainous landscapes with a land area of 109.62 square miles and a water area of 6.98 square miles.

Community & economy

The community of Kernville is characterized by its friendly atmosphere and strong ties among residents. Predominantly dependent on tourism, especially outdoor activities like white-water rafting and hiking, it also supports local crafts and small businesses. Daily life here revolves around local gatherings, community events, and enjoying the natural beauty that surrounds them.

Transportation

Kernville is accessible via Highway 155, which connects to other major roads leading to nearby cities. The nearest airport is Meadows Field Airport in Bakersfield, approximately 24 miles away, which provides regional air service. Public transportation options are limited, so having a car is beneficial for exploring the area.

History

Kernville was founded during the gold rush era, initially serving as a mining town. The town's history is closely linked to the nearby Kern River and its abundant natural resources, which have influenced local industries such as logging and tourism. Over the decades, Kernville has transformed into a hub for outdoor recreation and remains a popular destination for adventure seekers.

Did you know?

A little-known fact about Kernville is that it hosts the annual Kern River Music Festival, which celebrates local music, art, and culture. Additionally, the picturesque landscapes around the town have been featured in various film productions over the years.

ZIP codes for Kernville, CA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
93238	Kernville	Kern	View map

Demographics & statistics

866

Population

59.8

Median age

$41,563

Median household income

$21,236

Per capita income

$244,500

Median home value

Median monthly rent

98.8%

Home ownership

12.7%

Poverty rate

17.8%

Unemployment

788

Housing units

60.3%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

25–34

35–44

45–54

55–59

60–64

65–74

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	220	25.4%
18 and over	646	74.6%
65 and over	357	41.2%
Median age	59.8 years

Race & ethnicity

White 94%

Asian 2.5%

Hispanic or Latino 1.3%

Other race 1.3%

Black or African American 0.9%

Two or more races 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	824	94%
Asian	22	2.5%
Hispanic or Latino	11	1.3%
Other race	11	1.3%
Black or African American	8	0.9%
Two or more races	1	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 9.5%

$10k–$15k 15.0%

$15k–$25k 8.8%

$25k–$35k 1.8%

$35k–$50k 39.0%

$50k–$75k 23.5%

$100k–$150k 0.5%

$150k–$200k 0.5%

$200k+ 1.5%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	9.5%
$10k–$15k	15.0%
$15k–$25k	8.8%
$25k–$35k	1.8%
$35k–$50k	39.0%
$50k–$75k	23.5%
$100k–$150k	0.5%
$150k–$200k	0.5%
$200k+	1.5%
Median income	$41,563

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 27.6%

$150k–$200k 9.1%

$200k–$300k 14.9%

$300k–$500k 14.4%

$500k–$1M 16.7%

$1M+ 17.2%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$244,500
Median rent / month	$0
Owner occupied	98.8%
Renter occupied	1.3%
Vacant	49.6%
Single-family detached	73.0%
Large apartment buildings	1.0%
Mobile homes	20.6%
Median rooms	4.8
Avg household size (owned)	2.08

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	0.5%
2000–2009	9.0%
1990–1999	0.8%
1980–1989	34.6%
1970–1979	16.4%
1960–1969	10.0%
1950–1959	6.8%
1940–1949	19.7%
1939 or earlier	2.4%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.9%
1 bedroom	18.4%
2 bedrooms	29.0%
3 bedrooms	41.1%
4 bedrooms	10.6%
5+ bedrooms	0.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	14.8%
1 vehicle	38.8%
2 vehicles	36.3%
3 or more	10.3%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	37.3%
Electricity	15.0%
Propane / LP gas	17.5%
Wood	27.3%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	154	38.5%
Cohabiting couple	33	8.3%
Male householder, no spouse	27	6.8%
Female householder, no spouse	186	46.5%
Households with children under 18	63	15.8%
Households with seniors (65+)	272	68.0%
Average household size	2.06

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	3.7%	14.6%
Married	65.2%	39.0%
Separated	0.0%	0.0%
Widowed	1.6%	42.2%
Divorced	29.5%	4.2%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.0%

Some HS, no diploma 0.3%

HS graduate 11.3%

Some college, no degree 18.0%

Associate's degree 10.0%

Bachelor's degree 40.0%

Graduate / professional 20.4%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	99.7%
Bachelor's or higher	60.3%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	0	0.0%
Kindergarten	0	0.0%
Elementary school	137	97.2%
High school	2	1.4%
College / grad school	2	1.4%

Employment

Industry of employment

Other services 23.6%

Education & healthcare 22.8%

Arts, food & hospitality 22.5%

Professional & management 16.5%

Retail trade 8.6%

Finance & real estate 2.6%

Agriculture & mining 1.5%

Manufacturing 1.1%

Construction 0.7%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	76.0%
Service	20.2%
Sales & office	3.7%
Natural resources & construction	0.0%
Production & transportation	0.0%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	74.9%
Government	3.0%
Self-employed	22.1%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	83.3%
Carpool	1.4%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	3.3%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	54.4

Poverty

All people 12.7%

Under 18 years 0.0%

18 and over 17.0%

Married-couple families 0.0%

Female-led households 0.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	56.0%
Retirement income	9.8%
Supplemental Security	3.0%
Cash public assistance	0.0%
Food stamps / SNAP	1.8%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	42.8%
High cholesterol	41.8%
Heart disease	11.9%
Stroke	5.7%
Asthma	10.8%
Arthritis	35.5%
Kidney disease	5.0%
Pulmonary disease	13.4%
Cancer	10.0%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	13.3%
No physical activity	27.1%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	32.4%
Fair or poor health	23.2%
Poor mental health	15.2%
Poor physical health	16.5%
No health insurance	10.0%
Visited doctor (checkup)	75.4%
Visited dentist	58.5%
Cholesterol screening	93.2%
Teeth loss	17.6%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	21	3.3%

Disability	%
Any disability	15.5%
Under 18	0.0%
18–64 years	5.2%
65 and over	33.3%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	40.0%
Public insurance	71.4%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	785	90.6%
Spanish	0	0.0%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	844	97.5%
Born in same state	844	97.5%
Born in different state	393	45.4%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	22	2.5%
Not a US citizen	22	100.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	119	13.7%
Italian	47	5.4%

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	43	5%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	46.2%
Internet access	84.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Kernville, CA have?

Kernville, CA has one ZIP code: 93238. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.