Weedpatch, California

Welcome sign on California State Highway 184 for Weedpatch and the neighboring community of Lamont

Weedpatch (formerly Weed Patch<ref name=gnis /> and Alexander's Corner<ref name=CGN />) is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Kern County, California, United States. Weedpatch is Template:Convert south-southeast of Bakersfield. It is considered to be one of the poorest areas in Kern County.<ref name=WeedpatchIs/> As of the 2020 census it had a population of 2,206.<ref name=DP1/>

Geography

The community, which lies at an elevation of Template:Convert, is situated off State Route 184 (Weedpatch Highway) southeast of Bakersfield, south of Lamont and about Template:Convert south of State Route 58. It is at Template:Coord.<ref name=gnis /> According to the United States Census Bureau, Weedpatch has an area of Template:Convert.

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.<ref name=CGN>Template:California's Geographic Names</ref>

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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The camp still aids migrant workers and is Template:Convert south of Weedpatch on Sunset just off Weedpatch Highway.

Demographics

Weedpatch first appeared as a census designated place in the 1980 United States census.<ref name=1980CensusCA/>

2020

The 2020 United States census reported that Weedpatch had a population of 2,206. The population density was Template:Convert. 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.<ref name=DP1>Template:Cite web</ref>

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.<ref name=DP1/> There were 466 families (79.1% of all households).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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 65Template:Nbspyears of age or older. The median age was 30.1Template:Nbspyears. For every 100 females, there were 95.7 males.<ref name=DP1/>

There were 634 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert, of which 589 (92.9%) were occupied. Of these, 37.5% were owner-occupied, and 62.5% were occupied by renters.<ref name=DP1/>

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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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.<ref name=WeedpatchIs>"Weedpatch Is Waiting to See the Light," Bakersfield Californian, February 21, 2010Template:Dead link</ref>

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