Taft, California is located along the western reaches of Kern County at an elevation of just under 1,000 feet at the eastern foot of the Temblor Range. Taft is located in the vast San Joaquin Valley. However, unlike a majority of the cites in the San Joaquin Valley, Taft is located on the westside of the valley, near the coastal ranges. Taft is approximately 30 miles west southwest of Bakersfield. Taft has a population of over 9,000. The Greater Taft area, which includes such communities as McKittrick, Maricopa, Fellows, Derby Acres, Dustin Acres, and Valley Acres, has a population of at least 19,000. Taft, as with all of Kern County, is known for its affordable housing (the second most affordable housing market in California), and its lower cost of living (36% less than in Los Angeles County). Taft is one of eleven incorporated cities in Kern County. Taft is named in honor of William Howard Taft, who was the 27th President of the United States and the tenth Chief Justice of the United States. The Tilamniu Indians were the original inhabitants of the area.
The Economy and JobsTaft has a strategic location a short distance from Interstate 5, the main north–south interstate highway on the West Coast. Access to 14% of the population of United States is within 300 miles of Taft and Kern County. Kern County is known for its business-friendly policies.
Oil IndustryOil and gas is the predominate industry in Taft. Taft is located in a major petroleum and natural gas production region. In fact, Taft is bounded by the Midway-Sunset Oilfield, one of the largest oilfields in the lower forty-eight states. Another large oilfield, nearby Elk Hills Oilfield has produced over 2 billion barrels of oil equivalent over the years. It is one of the most productive fields in the United States. Kern County is the seventh largest oil-producing county in the United States, yielding roughly 111 million barrels of oil annually. The oil industry in the Taft area arose more than a century ago and has driven the economy ever since. The West Kern Oil Museum, located in Taft, emphasizes city history and documentation of the petroleum industry. The Taft Oilworker Monument is an impressive bronze sculpture that depicts life as it existed in the oilfields of the area in 1910. The oil and gas industry is a major source of tax revenue for local governments. The average annual oil and gas wage in Kern County is more than $30,000 above the overall average annual wage in Kern County. “Oildorado” is a ten-day celebration that generally takes place once every five years. “Oildorado,” which in part pays homage to the early days of the oil industry, features a grand parade, barbecues, dances, and a civic luncheon.
Other Major Area EmployersTaft Modified Community Correctional Facility and Taft Correctional Institution are major area employers. While much of the land around Taft used by the oil and gas industry, as with most cities in the San Joaquin Valley agriculture is a significant part of the area’s economy. In fact, Kern County is second in the nation for agricultural production, leading the nation in pistachio and almond production.
The California Department of Water Resources has four pumping plants—the Buena Vista, Teerink, Chrisman, and Edmonston pumping plants—in the area, which add to the local economy. These pumping plants move water from the San Joaquin Valley, over the mountains, and into Southern California.
Taft is sometimes used as a filming location, which adds to the area’s economy.
The proposed Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon project would bring a major entertainment destination to the area.
The Taft-Kern County Airport is home to a skydiving operation.
Many young people in Taft have found jobs at the Tejon Ranch Commerce Center in Wheeler Ridge (Arvin). Tejon Ranch Commerce Center, at 1,450 acres, includes travel centers, outlets, and restaurants, as well as warehouses in the logistics park onsite.
EducationThe City of Taft School District oversees five elementary schools and one junior high school. Taft Union High School was established in around 1917. Taft College is a community college that offers a wide range of fields of study.
Local GovernmentThe City of Taft was incorporated on November 6, 1910. The city has a Mayor, a City Council, a City Attorney, and a City Treasurer. The city has a Planning Commission, which makes recommendations to the Taft City Council concerning land use, new development, and subdivisions. Taft Public Financing Authority has issued bonds to provide financing and refinancing for public capital improvements of the City of Taft and the Taft Community Development Agency. The Taft Public Improvement Corporation is a nonprofit public benefit corporation striving for the betterment of the City of Taft. Fire protection services are provided by Kern County Fire Department. Law enforcement services are provided by Taft Police Department, which was formed in 1925.
The Superior Court of California, County of Kern has a small courthouse in Taft.
Nearby AttractionsTaft acts as the gateway to Carrizo Plain National Monument, which, at over 246,000 acres, is the largest single native grassland remaining in California.
Nearby Wind Wolves Preserve is a 30-square-mile preserve that encompasses elevations from 640 to 6,005 feet. The preserve features grasslands and stands of the endangered Bakersfield cactus. California Blue Oak and Valley Oak Savannah with riparian wetlands rise above the grasslands. At higher altitudes, the savannah is replaced by forests of Pinion and Juniper, which, in turn, are replaced by Ponderosa Pine and Big Cone Spruce.
Nearby Buena Vista Aquatic Recreational Area offers boating, jet‐skiing, fishing, picnicking, and camping.
Nearby Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge serves as an important wildlife corridor.
Nearby Tule Elk State Natural Reserve protects a small herd of tule elk, once in danger of extinction.
Contact UsThe attorneys at Kokozian Law Firm, APC practice employment law and represent workers throughout Kern County, including Taft. We represent workers concerning employment discrimination and wrongful termination claims. We also represent workers who have harassment and wage and hour claims. If your employer or former employer has violated your rights, call the experienced employment law attorneys at Kokozian Law Firm, APC or Contact Us via our online form.