Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 5, 2026

Weedpatch, California

Weedpatch 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. As of the 2020 census it had a population of 2,206.

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Weedpatch, California
Census-designated place
Location in California and in Kern County
Location in California and in Kern County
Weedpatch, California
Location in the United States
Coordinates: 35°14′17″N 118°54′54″W / 35.23806°N 118.91500°W / 35.23806; -118.91500
CountryUnited States
StateCalifornia
CountyKern
Established"
Government
 • SenateMelissa Hurtado (D)1
 • AssemblyJasmeet Bains (D)1
 • U. S. CongressDavid Valadao (R)2
Area
3
 • Total
3.561 sq mi (9.224 km2)
 • Land3.557 sq mi (9.212 km2)
 • Water0.0046 sq mi (0.012 km2)  0.13%
Elevation
4
387 ft (118 m)
Population
 (2020)5
 • Total
2,206
 • Density620.2/sq mi (239.5/km2)
ZIP code
93241
Area code661
FIPS code06-83863
Welcome sign on California State Highway 184 for Weedpatch and the neighboring community of Lamont source ↗

Weedpatch (formerly Weed Patch4 and Alexander's Corner6) 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

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 / 35.23806°N 118.91500°W / 35.23806; -118.91500.4 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

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
19801,553—
19901,89221.8%
20002,72644.1%
20102,658−2.5%
20202,206−17.0%
U.S. Decennial Census10
1860–18701112 1880-189013
190014 191015 192016
193017 194018 195019
19602021 197022 198023
199024 200025 201026
202027

Weedpatch first appeared as a census designated place in the 1980 United States census.23

Racial and ethnic composition

Weedpatch CDP, California – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 200028 Pop 201029 Pop 202027 % 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%

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Weedpatch had a population of 2,206.3031 The population density was 620.2 inhabitants per square mile (239.5/km2).8 The median age was 30.1 years; 32.2% of residents were under age 18, 11.2% were ages 18 to 24, 25.8% were ages 25 to 44, 21.4% were ages 45 to 64, and 9.4% were age 65 or older.308 For every 100 females, there were 95.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.3 males age 18 and over.30

There were 589 households, of which 55.0% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 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. About 14.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.4% had someone living alone who was age 65 or older. The average household size was 3.75, and there were 466 families (79.1% of all households).30832

There were 634 housing units at an average density of 178.2 units per square mile (68.8 units/km2). Of these units, 589 (92.9%) were occupied and 45 (7.1%) were vacant; the homeowner vacancy rate was 1.8% and the rental vacancy rate was 1.3%. Of occupied units, 37.5% were owner-occupied and 62.5% were occupied by renters.3031338

70.4% of residents lived in urban areas, while 29.6% lived in rural areas.33

Income and poverty

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.34

2010 census

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

References

References

  1. "Final Maps | California Citizens Redistricting Commission". Retrieved October 19, 2025.
  2. "California's 22nd Congressional District - Representatives & District Map". Civic Impulse, LLC.
  3. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
  4. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Weedpatch, California
  5. "US Census Bureau". www.census.gov. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  6. Durham, David L. (1998). California's Geographic Names: A Gazetteer of Historic and Modern Names of the State. Clovis, California: Word Dancer Press. p. 1125. ISBN 1-884995-14-4.
  7. "Weedpatch Is Waiting to See the Light," Bakersfield Californian, February 21, 2010
  8. "Weedpatch CDP, California; DP1: Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics - 2020 Census of Population and Housing". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
  9. BRANSON-POTTS, HAILEY (November 10, 2019). "Okies disappearing from Dust Bowl Festival, replaced by Latino migrants tending California's fields". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  10. "Decennial Census by Decade". United States Census Bureau.
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  14. "1900 Census of Population - Population of California by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2025 – via Wayback Machine.
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  17. "1930 Census of Population - Number and Distribution of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 17, 2025 – via Wayback Machine.
  18. "1940 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 26, 2025 – via Wayback Machine.
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  22. "1970 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 26, 2025 – via Wayback Machine.
  23. "1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 26, 2025 – via Wayback Machine.
  24. "1990 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 26, 2025 – via Wayback Machine.
  25. "2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 22, 2025 – via Wayback Machine.
  26. "2010 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 28, 2025 – via Wayback Machine.
  27. "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Weedpatch CDP, California". United States Census Bureau.
  28. "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Weedpatch CDP, California". United States Census Bureau.
  29. "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Weedpatch CDP, California". United States Census Bureau.
  30. "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
  31. "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
  32. "Weedpatch CDP, California; P16: Household Type - 2020 Census of Population and Housing". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
  33. "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
  34. "Weedpatch CDP, California; DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics - 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates Comparison Profiles". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 14, 2025.