Kern County

CaliforniaFIPS 06029

Pop. 909,23514 HospitalsSVI 0.97RUCC 2 (Metro)PC HPSADental HPSAMH HPSA

Health Snapshot

MetricKern CountyState Avg 
Diabetes Prevalence13.0%10.3%
Adult Obesity35.9%30.4%
Uninsured Rate7.7%7.2%
PCPs per 10K4.86.9
Premature Death (YPLL)10,697.187

Source: County Health Rankings (2025)

Workforce Supply

442
Primary Care Physicians
48.4 per 100k
868
NPs & PAs
95.0 per 100k
501
Dentists
1,676
Hospital Beds
1.8 per 1,000
$14,536.88
Medicare Per Capita
1859.0%
Readmission Rate

Source: Area Health Resources File (AHRF) 2024-2025

CDC PLACES Health Indicators

IndicatorKern CountyState Avg 
Diabetes13.6%
Obesity36.3%
Depression23.3%
Frequent Mental Distress20.5%
COPD6.8%
Current Smoking15.2%
Heart Disease6.4%
Stroke3.6%
High Blood Pressure32.3%
Poor General Health29.1%
Disability38.0%
No Leisure Physical Activity32.4%
Binge Drinking16.8%
Uninsured17.2%

Source: CDC PLACES 2023-2024. Values are age-adjusted prevalence (%).

Social Vulnerability Index

Overall0.97
Socioeconomic Status0.96
Household Composition & Disability0.83
Minority Status & Language0.95
Housing Type & Transportation0.93

Source: CDC/ATSDR SVI 2022. Score 0-1; higher = more vulnerable.

Health Professional Shortage Areas

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Primary Care
Designated Shortage Area
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Dental Health
Designated Shortage Area
!
Mental Health
Designated Shortage Area

Source: HRSA Bureau of Health Workforce

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Data from CMS Provider of Services, County Health Rankings, CDC Social Vulnerability Index, HRSA Bureau of Health Workforce, AHRF 2024-2025, CDC PLACES 2023-2024, and UNC Sheps Center. Last updated: 2026-03-11.