Weedpatch (formerly Weed Patch and Alexander's Corner) is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Kern County, California, United States. Weedpatch is 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.

Geography

The community, which lies at an elevation of , is situated off State Route 184 (Weedpatch Highway) southeast of Bakersfield, south of Lamont and about south of State Route 58. It is at . According to the United States Census Bureau, Weedpatch has an area of .

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.

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. The camp still aids migrant workers and is south of Weedpatch on Sunset just off Weedpatch Highway.

Demographics

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

Racial and ethnic composition

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Weedpatch had a population of 2,206. The population density was . 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. 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.

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).

There were 634 housing units at an average density of . 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.

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

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.

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.

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

References