Weedpatch, California
Census-designated place in California, United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Weedpatch (formerly Weed Patch[4] and Alexander's Corner[6]) is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Kern County, California, United States. Weedpatch is 10 miles (16 km) south-southeast of Bakersfield. It is considered to be one of the poorest areas in Kern County.[7] As of the 2020 census it had a population of 2,206.[8]
Weedpatch, California | |
|---|---|
Location in California and in Kern County | |
  Weedpatch, California Location in the United States | |
| Coordinates: 35°14′17″N 118°54′54″W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Kern |
| Established | " |
| Government | |
| • Senate | Melissa Hurtado (D)[1] |
| • Assembly | Jasmeet Bains (D)[1] |
| • U. S. Congress | David Valadao (R)[2] |
| Area | |
• Total | 3.561 sq mi (9.224 km2) |
| • Land | 3.557 sq mi (9.212 km2) |
| • Water | 0.0046 sq mi (0.012 km2) 0.13% |
| Elevation | 387 ft (118 m) |
| Population | |
• Total | 2,206 |
| • Density | 620.2/sq mi (239.5/km2) |
| ZIP code | 93241 |
| Area code | 661 |
| FIPS code | 06-83863 |
Geography
The community, which lies at an elevation of 387 feet (118 m), is situated off State Route 184 (Weedpatch Highway) southeast of Bakersfield, south of Lamont and about 5 miles (8 km) south of State Route 58. It is at 35°14′17″N 118°54′54″W.[4] According to the United States Census Bureau, Weedpatch has an area of 3.6 square miles (9.3 km2).
History
Although the name "Weed Patch" was applied to the site as early as 1874, the community began only in 1922. The town was also named "Alexander's Corner" in honor of Cal Alexander, a resident.[6]
Weedpatch is the site of the Arvin Federal Government Camp, known colloquially (and in the John Steinbeck novel The Grapes of Wrath) as "Weedpatch Camp". This camp was a government rescue center for distressed migrant workers fleeing the Oklahoma Dust Bowl, during the Great Depression.[9] The camp still aids migrant workers and is 1 mile (1.6 km) south of Weedpatch on Sunset just off Weedpatch Highway.
Demographics
Weedpatch first appeared as a census designated place in the 1980 United States census.[23]
2020
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[28] | Pop 2010[29] | Pop 2020[27] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 232 | 150 | 92 | 8.51% | 5.64% | 4.17% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0.07% | 0.04% | 0.09% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 18 | 3 | 3 | 0.66% | 0.11% | 0.14% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 7 | 13 | 8 | 0.26% | 0.49% | 0.36% |
| Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.07% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 5 | 1 | 4 | 0.18% | 0.04% | 0.18% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 29 | 6 | 10 | 1.06% | 0.23% | 0.45% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2,431 | 2,484 | 2,087 | 89.18% | 93.45% | 94.61% |
| Total | 2,726 | 2,658 | 2,206 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
The 2020 United States census reported that Weedpatch had a population of 2,206. The population density was 620.2 inhabitants per square mile (239.5/km2). The racial makeup was 13.7% White, 0.2% African American, 2.7% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 57.3% from other races, and 25.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 94.6% of the population.[8]
There were 589 households, out of which 55.0% included children under the age of 18, 38.2% were married-couple households, 15.4% were cohabiting couple households, 24.4% had a female householder with no partner present, and 21.9% had a male householder with no partner present. 14.1% of households were one person, and 4.4% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 3.75.[8] There were 466 families (79.1% of all households).[30]
The age distribution was 32.2% under the age of 18, 11.2% aged 18 to 24, 25.8% aged 25 to 44, 21.4% aged 45 to 64, and 9.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.7 males.[8]
There were 634 housing units at an average density of 178.2 units per square mile (68.8 units/km2), of which 589 (92.9%) were occupied. Of these, 37.5% were owner-occupied, and 62.5% were occupied by renters.[8]
In 2023, the US Census Bureau estimated that the median household income was $21,450, and the per capita income was $11,063. About 41.7% of families and 48.1% of the population were below the poverty line.[31]
2010
The 2010 United States census reported that Weedpatch had a population of 2,658, with a median household income of $28,075 and just above 45.8% living at or below the poverty level. It is considered to have a young population, with a median age of 22.7.[7]
The racial makeup of Weedpatch was 1,212 (45.6%) white, 8 (0.3%) African American, 78 (2.9%) Native American, 14 (0.5%) Asian, 0 (0.0%) Pacific Islander, 1,237 (46.5%) from other races, and 109 (4.1%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2,484 persons (93.5%).
Notable people
- Rachel Hollis, author