Just a few minutes north of Bakersfield is the stunning city of Oildale, CA. Considered to be a Bakersfield suburb, Oildale is actually a census-designated place (CDP) and offers its residents a fairly diverse atmosphere with desirable weather year round. Barely over a hundred years old, the city was founded by Samuel Dickinson when he decided to subdivide his land. Oildale is known for attracting the Dust Bowl migrants west thanks to the city’s big oil wells. Oildale was also the birthplace of the famous singer and songwriter, Merle Haggard. Oildale has many shops, restaurants, and parks nearby that residents love to visit. The city has also been a convenient place to live for young professionals since there are smaller houses and apartments available and Oildale being in close proximity to the big city of Bakersfield.
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Oildale, CA Population & Demographics
Oildale’s population is 34,723 people with a small population growth of .658%. The city is diverse with the racial demographics in Oildale at 68.4% White, 16.5% Hispanic, 4.32% mixed races, 1.95% African American, and 4.86% other races. The median household salary in Oildale is $38,254, which is a .83% decline from the previous year. Males makeup 50.6% of Oildale’s population, while females make up 49.4%. The median age in Oildale is 32.9 and there are many young adults and families living there. The area code in Oildale is 661. Oildale’s zip code is 93308. Those living in Oildale are located in Kern County.
Oildale Cost of Living
Living in Oildale is fairly affordable when you’re comparing the cost of living to the California average. Oildale is 3% cheaper to live than the national average and 53% less expensive to live in than the rest of California. Oildale’s housing market is quite competitive, with homes being sold within 2 weeks it’s listed on the market. The average price of a house in Oildale is $190,000 or $150 per square foot. Thankfully, most homes in Oildale are sold right around the original asking price, so now is the perfect time to buy one of the many beautiful homes for sale in Oildale, CA. The homeownership rate in Oildale is 36.2%, so there are plenty of people who are also looking to rent in the area. The average rent in Oildale is around $1,102 per month. The rent trends in Oildale have been trending upwards by 1%-2% depending on the apartment size.
Fortunately, there are other essentials that are inexpensive in Oildale. Health care in Oildale is 12% cheaper than the national average and groceries are 2% less expensive compared to the rest of the nation. Transportation is also 30% less costly than the California average. For other general items in Oildale, you can anticipate to pay around these prices:
Oildale Cost of Items (Everyday Expenses)
- Meal at a restaurant: $12.00
- Fast food meal: $8.00
- Gallon of milk: $3.35
- Gallon of gas: $3.35
- Internet: $85.00
Oildale, CA Neighborhoods
One of the many reasons people are compelled to relocate to Oildale is for their friendly, yet beautiful neighborhoods. The highest rated neighborhoods in Oildale are Meadow View, Highland Knolls, and North Country Meadows. Meadow View has many single family homes available to buy and plenty of apartments in the area to rent. This neighborhood is located right near the Meadows Field Airport and California Aeronautical University, so there are many young adults residing there. Highland Knolls is one of the bigger neighborhoods in the city with larger homes available. The lots are close together, which has brought many neighbors together creating a strong sense of friendships and unity amongst the community. Highland Knolls is one of the closest neighborhoods to Bakersfield, which is nice for people who have jobs in the big city or someone who is looking to be nearby a more animated scene. North County Meadows has many smaller homes and apartments to choose from. Most residents are young professionals or young families who were looking for starter homes or places to start off on their own.
Oildale, CA Weather
If you’re looking to avoid the cold, Oildale has the perfect climate for you. Oildale’s summers are hot and arid with highs of 98°F and lows of 72°F. Meanwhile, the winters in Oildale are cool and cloudy with an average high temperature of 62°F and low temperature of 45°F. Oildale’s climate doesn’t allow for much precipitation throughout the year with the city only getting about 7 inches of rainfall. Oildale offers its residents comfortable weather year round, which allows residents to participate in their favorite outdoor activities from January to December thanks to Oildale’s Mediterranean-like climate.
Things to Do in Oildale, CA
Wondering what there is to do in Oildale, CA? Whether you’re looking for fun things to do with your family or activities for kids, we’ve got you covered! Check out some of the most popular activities to do in and near Oildale below:
North Meadows Park
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If you want a beautiful park with a playground for the kids, this is the place to be. With hundreds of positive reviews on Google, this is one of the most popular things to do in Oildale.
3300 McCray St, Bakersfield, CA 93308, (661) 392-2010
Sam Lynn Ballpark
Home to the Bakersfield minor league baseball team, this is the perfect outing for you and the kids! Everyone loves to come to the ballpark for a date night or a fun day with friends.
4009 Chester Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93301, (661) 716-4487
Oildale also has convenient shopping nearby, including Chester Loop Shopping Center, Olive Drive Towne Centre, and College Shopping Center.
Additional Things To Do Near Oildale
Oildale, CA Restaurants
What Oildale restaurants should you visit when you’re hungry? We’ve listed the top-rated restaurants near Oildale below:
Cope’s Knotty Pine Cafe
This local restaurant serves the best homestyle-cooked American food in the Oildale area with options of breakfast, burgers, and sandwiches. This cafe is only open from 7am to 1pm, so you’ll want to hurry and head on over in the morning or early afternoon to try their delicious food!
1530 Norris Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93308, (661) 399-0120
Hodel’s Country Dining
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If you’re looking for a yummy country-style buffet, Hodel’s Country Dining is the place to go! This restaurant serves all your favorites, including fried chicken, ribs, salads, mashed potatoes, and more! Not only is this place praised for its food, but is also highly complimented on its friendly staff and charming atmosphere. Some people even decide to host their wedding reception here or cater their food for special events!
5917 Knudsen Dr, Bakersfield, CA 93308, (661) 399-3341
Jobs in Oildale, CA
The median household income in Oildale is $38,254. There are currently 12,521 employees in the city. The majority of jobs found in Oildale are in retail, health care, and construction. The highest paying jobs in Oildale are in public administration, oil and gas extraction, and utilities. You can click here for Oildale Indeed jobs. Oildale’s residents have an average commute time of 23.1 minutes, however many people have a quick commute to the nearby big city of Bakersfield. If that is the case for you, you can find directions from Oildale, CA to Bakersfield, CA here, which is 8 minutes away.
Schools in Oildale, CA
There are plenty of good schools to choose from near Oildale thanks to the city’s outstanding school district. The most popular schools in Oildale are Downtown Elementary School, Almondale Elementary School, Rosedale Middle School, and Frontier High School. All of these schools are rated 8 or higher on Great Schools thanks to their diverse atmosphere, high test scores, and academic progress. There are also some great private schools to attend in the area, including Kern County Community School, Wonder Window Children’s Center, Valley Schools, and Oak Hills Christian Academy. All of these private schools are a perfect option for anyone who needs to receive extra help or attention from their teachers since they’re smaller institutions.
Living in Oildale Pros & Cons
- The cost of living in Oildale is significantly lower than the California average
- The weather is pleasant year round in Oildale
- There aren’t a ton of housing options available in the city
Convinced Oildale is the place you’ve dreamed about? If so, allow our leading Oildale moving company help get you there! Our team members are devoted to giving all of our customers a carefree move they deserve. Call Mentors Moving today at 661-215-6023 for a free quote!
