Kern County encompasses diverse landscapes in the Southern San Joaquin Valley, Tehachapi and Sierra Nevada mountain ranges and the Western Mojave Desert. Spanning 8,161 square miles, Kern ranks as California's third largest county by area. As of the 2020 United States Census, Kern County boasts an estimated population of 909,235 residents.

The county's economy is historically intertwined with agriculture and petroleum extraction, yet it is also a significant producer of natural gas, hydroelectric power, biomass, solar, and wind power. The eastern side of Kern County hosts strong presences in experimental aviation, spaceports, and hosts two large military bases.

With its strategic location, Kern County is emerging as a vital distribution hub, offering easy access to Southern California, the San Francisco Bay Area, the western coastline, and routes to eastern markets.