Kern County, CA Property Tax: $2,833/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Kern County is 0.91% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $310,600, that works out to about $2,826 per year, or $236 per month. Kern County is located in southeastern California, with Bakersfield as its county seat, and is home to approximately 910,433 residents.
About Kern County
Kern County covers approximately 8,134.7 square miles in California. The county is home to about 910,433 residents living in roughly 304,481 housing units, of which 55.3% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $67,660, and the median home was built in 1984.
The county seat is Bakersfield. Kern County borders Inyo County, Kings County, Los Angeles County, San Bernardino County, San Luis Obispo County — useful comparisons if you're considering nearby areas with potentially different tax rates.
How Property Taxes Work in California
Property taxes in California are administered at the county level. Each county sets a millage rate applied to the assessed value of real property — the effective rate above accounts for any partial assessments and exemptions already built into the local tax base. Assessed value can differ meaningfully from current market value depending on how often the county reassesses and what fraction of market value it uses.
Most counties in California offer exemptions that reduce the taxable assessed value: homestead exemptions for primary residences, senior exemptions, disability exemptions, and veteran exemptions are common. These reduce your effective rate below the county-wide average shown here. Contact the Kern County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Kern County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kern County, CA | 0.91% | $310,600 | $2,826 |
| California state average | 0.71% | — | $2,205* |
| Inyo County | 0.71% | $338,400 | $2,392 |
| Kings County | 0.75% | $305,700 | $2,295 |
| Los Angeles County | 0.69% | $783,300 | $5,438 |
| San Bernardino County | 0.70% | $475,000 | $3,346 |
| San Luis Obispo County | 0.70% | $777,200 | $5,475 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Kern County's median home value of $310,600. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Kern County's property tax rate compare to the rest of California?
At 0.91%, Kern County is higher than the California state average of 0.71%. On a home at the county median of $310,600, that means about $2,826 per year — versus $2,205 at the state average rate, a difference of $621 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Kern County is below average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Kern County?
For a home at the county median value of $310,600, the annual property tax in Kern County is approximately $2,826 — or about $236 per month. For a home worth $465,900, expect around $4,240 per year. For a $621,200 home, approximately $5,653 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Kern County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Kern County are handled by the Kern County Assessor's office in Bakersfield. Most jurisdictions require filing within 30–90 days of receiving your assessment notice — confirm the specific deadline with the assessor's office before submitting, as deadlines and procedures vary by county. A successful appeal can reduce your assessed value and lower your tax bill for the current and future tax years.
What exemptions are available in Kern County?
California counties commonly offer homestead exemptions for owner-occupied primary residences, senior citizen exemptions for qualifying homeowners aged 65 and older, exemptions for disabled residents, and veterans' exemptions. Each exemption reduces your assessed taxable value, which in turn reduces your effective tax rate below the county-wide 0.91% shown here. Contact the Kern County Assessor's office to confirm which exemptions are available and the application deadlines.
Data sources: US Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates, US Census Gazetteer (2024), County Adjacency File