Section Image

Ford City

Ford City

Neighborhood in Taft, California

Kern County 93268

$188,727 Average Value
$256 Average Price per Sq Ft
8 Homes For Sale

A town built on oil

Ford City is a neighborhood found in western Kern County. It is a close-knit town with a population of less than 5,000. Situated just to the north of the city of Taft, the neighborhood is bounded by oil fields to the southwest and northeast. The town was originally founded as a boom town following the discovery of oil in the 1890s. It was called Ford City because of the many Model T cars that arrived in the area following the discovery. “Ford City and Taft both were built on oil. Even today, oil defines the city,” says Paris Davis, an area Realtor with The Davis Group Real Estate, Inc. “Outside of medical and retail work, there’s not really any other jobs here besides the oil industry.”

Mid-size homes at modest prices

Home prices here range from about $130,000 for a 2-bedroom mobile home on a small lot to around $325,000 for a 3-bedroom California bungalow. Homes in Ford City were built in the latter half of the 20th century. They tend to be mid-sized to small and many have fenced-in yards. Most streets do not have sidewalks. Architecture styles include mobile homes, ranches, Craftsman and Mediterranean-influenced houses.

An inviting craftsman cottage with a brown fence in Ford City.
An inviting craftsman cottage with a brown fence in Ford City.
Fenced yards are a common feature in Ford City homes.
Fenced yards are a common feature in Ford City homes.
Spanish Revival elegance meets sustainability with a solar roof in Ford City.
Spanish Revival elegance meets sustainability with a solar roof in Ford City.
1/3

Getting around town

Ford City is car dependent. Highway 119 is the major thoroughfare in the town. Downtown Bakersfield is 35 miles northeast via Highways 119 and 58. The nearest airport is Meadows Field, a 40-mile drive. Public bus service to Bakersfield is available via Kern Transit.

Goods, groceries and grub

Ford City is home to a Dollar General Store and the Ford City Trading Post where customers can buy, sell or trade home goods. There is a Rite Aid in Taft for essentials, but for department store shopping, a 20-mile trip to Bakersfield is necessary. Grocery shoppers have several local options. Jalisco Meat Market is a local butcher shop in Ford City. Taft is home to an Albertson’s supermarket and a Grocery Outlet. When it comes to dining, La Brasas Mexican Grill serves authentic Mexican meals. Black Gold Brewing in nearby Taft serves up a variety of fresh-brewed beers as well as a full menu of soups, salads and sandwiches.

Indulge in authentic flavors at Las Brasas Mexican Restaurant in Ford City.
Indulge in authentic flavors at Las Brasas Mexican Restaurant in Ford City.
Savoring a mouthwatering chimichanga from Las Brasas in Ford City.
Savoring a mouthwatering chimichanga from Las Brasas in Ford City.
Enjoying the Brisket Sandwich at Black Gold Brewing Company
Enjoying the Brisket Sandwich at Black Gold Brewing Company
1/3

Parks and pastimes

Ford City Park is a 4.5-acre open space with a playground and walking area. The neighborhood is also home to the 67-acre Franklin Field. This park has walking trails, lighted baseball fields, horseshoe pits and a playground. The Historic Fort is a local stronghold that was built in the 1930s. For many years, the adobe structure and surrounding grounds housed government offices and a hospital. In 1980, it was dedicated as a State Historic Landmark and in 1985, given to the West Kern Oil Museum.

Ford City Park,
Ford City, Taft, CA
Ford City Park, Ford City, Taft, CA
Franklin Field
Ford City, Taft, CA
Franklin Field Ford City, Taft, CA
Franklin Field
Ford City, Taft, CA
Franklin Field Ford City, Taft, CA
1/3

Academics and academies

Jefferson Elementary School has a C-plus rating from Niche. The school has 245 students and a student-teacher ratio of 25-1. Lincoln Junior has a B-minus rating, 784 pupils and a student-teacher ratio of 21-1. Taft Union High School has a B rating, a student body of 1,139 and a student-teacher ratio of 19-1. The high school runs the Taft Oil-Technology Academy which gives students insight into the many aspects of working in the oil industry.

Jefferson Elementary School
Public Elementary School
Ford City, Taft CA
Jefferson Elementary School Public Elementary School Ford City, Taft CA
Lincoln Junior High School
Public Middle School
Taft, CA
Lincoln Junior High School Public Middle School Taft, CA
Taft Union High School
Public High School
Taft, CA
Taft Union High School Public High School Taft, CA
1/3

Where to go and what to do

In May, visit the Kern County Raceway for a day of music, food, vendors and good times at the annual Concert for the Cause. The event benefits the M.A.R.E. Riding Center and The Wounded Heroes Fund. In July, stroll down to Franklin Field to enjoy the local Fourth of July celebration that features family friendly activities, fireworks and local music. In December, the Taft City Chamber of Commerce sponsors the annual Santa Fun Run. Proceeds from the 5K race benefit Toys for Tots.

Extensive oil production

Kern County produces more oil than any other county in the U.S. The area often struggles with air pollution. “The percentage of people in Kern County who have been diagnosed with asthma is 17.7%. This is higher than the state average of 15.1%, but comparable to other Central Valley counties,” says Michelle Corson, Public Relations Officer at Kern County Public Health Services.

Iconic oil derricks outside of Ford City.
Iconic oil derricks outside of Ford City."
Sweeping oil fields beside the Ford City community.
Sweeping oil fields beside the Ford City community.
1/2
Robin Beres
Written By
Robin Beres
Christopher Montagne-Waggoner
Photography Contributed By
Christopher Montagne-Waggoner
Austin Lewis
Video By
Austin Lewis

Agents Specializing in this Area

See All Agents

Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Miguel A. Hernandez, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Meadows Field

60 min drive

Bus

Harrison St. & Cedar St. (Eb)

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Ford City US
Homicide 7 4
Sexual Assault 7 4
Assault with Weapon 7 4
Robbery 6 4
Burglary 5 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 6 4
Larceny 4 4
Crime Score 6 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$210,000
Median Single Family Price
$200,000
Median Townhouse Price
$260,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$256
Number of Homes for Sale
8
Last 12 months Home Sales
43
Months of Supply
2.20
Median List Price
$208,894
Median Discount From 1st List Price
2%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
9%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
1,073
Median Year Built
1931
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,142
Significantly below the national average
1,936
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,607
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,969

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Miguel A. Hernandez, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
5,007
Median Age
29
Population Density
3 ppl/acre
Population under 18
34%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
9.7%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$43,994
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$55,803

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
59.6%
Significantly below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
5.1%
Significantly below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
2.5%
% Population in Labor Force
55.2%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
6''
Average Winter Low Temperature
40°F
Average Summer High Temperature
98°F
Annual Snowfall
0''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

44 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

42 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

Nearby Neighborhoods

Reviews

Are you familiar with the Ford City neighborhood? to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Ford City
Miguel A. Hernandez
Open Door Real Estate
Section Image