Lamont, California

Lamont is a census-designated place (CDP) in Kern County, California, United States. Lamont is located south-southeast of downtown Bakersfield, at an elevation of . The population was 14,049 at the 2020 census, down from 15,120 at the 2010 census.

Geography

Lamont is located in south-central California about from Bakersfield and about from Los Angeles.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of , of which are land and of it (0.74%) is covered by water.

History

Lamont was founded in 1923. During the 1930s–1950s, large numbers of farm workers migrated to the Lamont area from the east seeking relief from the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. The first post office opened in 1947.

The first public library in Lamont was opened in June 1912. It was located in the Weedpatch home of Phoebe Wells. Growth was rapid in the Lamont region, with the influx of workers in the oil industry, and in 1935, the library was moved to a new building. In 1952, the Kern County Board of Supervisors purchased a lot to construct a building that would house the library and a public health center. The facility was opened in January 1953. The branch remained in that building until January 1974, when it was relocated to a newer and larger location. Five years later, the branch was moved yet again to the former Lamont Community Building. To meet the ever-growing needs projected for the population in 1990, construction for a new building was made possible through funds provided by the California State Library under the Library Services and Construction Act, Title II, Community Development Block Grant funds from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. The old building was demolished, the new building was built, and opened to the public in early spring of 1998.

Demographics

2020

The 2020 United States census reported that Lamont had a population of 14,049. The population density was . The racial makeup of Lamont was 18.6% White, 0.2% African American, 3.0% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 52.2% from other races, and 25.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 95.7% of the population.

The census reported that 99.9% of the population lived in households, 9 people (0.1%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and no one was institutionalized.

There were 3,519 households, out of which 56.5% included children under the age of 18, 47.2% were married-couple households, 9.7% were cohabiting couple households, 26.9% had a female householder with no partner present, and 16.3% had a male householder with no partner present. 11.5% of households were one person, and 4.7% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 3.99. There were 2,937 families (83.5% of all households).

The age distribution was 34.2% under the age of 18, 11.5% aged 18 to 24, 27.4% aged 25 to 44, 19.5% aged 45 to 64, and 7.4% who were 65years of age or older. The median age was 28.1years. For every 100 females, there were 100.4 males.

There were 3,719 housing units at an average density of , of which 3,519 (94.6%) were occupied. Of these, 42.0% were owner-occupied, and 58.0% were occupied by renters.

In 2023, the US Census Bureau estimated that 41.7% of the population were foreign-born. Of all people aged 5 or older, 17.9% spoke only English at home, 81.8% spoke Spanish, and 0.3% spoke Asian or Pacific Islander languages. Of those aged 25 or older, 40.9% were high school graduates and 3.8% had a bachelor's degree.

The median household income in 2023 was $34,436, and the per capita income was $14,691. About 34.1% of families and 34.9% of the population were below the poverty line.

2010

The 2010 United States Census reported that Lamont had a population of 15,120. The population density was . The racial makeup of Lamont was 6,677 (44.2%) White, 130 (0.9%) African American 230 (1.5%) Native American, 72 (0.5%) Asian, 9 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 7,351 (48.6%) from other races, and 651 (4.3%) from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 14,293 persons (94.5%).

The Census reported that 15,119 people lived in households, one lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and no one was institutionalized.

Of the 3,405 households, 2,250 (66.1%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 1,806 (53.0%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 740 (21.7%) had a female householder with no husband present, 413 (12.1%) had a male householder with no wife present, 349 (10.2%) were unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 15 (0.4%) were same-sex married couples or partnerships. Some 270 households (7.9%) were made up of individuals, and 122 (3.6%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.44. With 2,959 families (86.9% of all households), the average family size was 4.46.

The population was distributed as 5,411 people (35.8%) under the age of 18, 2,253 people (14.9%) aged 18 to 24, 4,194 people (27.7%) aged 25 to 44, 2,453 people (16.2%) aged 45 to 64, and 809 people (5.4%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24.7 years. For every 100 females, there were 111.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 117.9 males.

The 3,598 housing units averaged 777.8 per square mile (300.3/km), of which 1,536 (45.1%) were owner-occupied, and 1,869 (54.9%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.5%; the rental vacancy rate was 3.3%; 7,065 people (46.7% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 8,054 people (53.3%) lived in rental housing units.

Education

Lamont is served by the Lamont School District and the Kern High School District. The Lamont School District consists of Lamont Elementary School, Alicante Avenue School, Myrtle Avenue School, and Mountain View Middle School. The Kern High School District maintains Nueva High School.

Public safety

The Kern County Sheriff's Department Lamont substation is responsible for providing law enforcement. Kern County Fire Department Station 51 provides fire protection. Hall Ambulance is the provider of emergency medical services.

Media

The ''Lamont Reporter'' is the local weekly newspaper.

Events

Every December, the community gathers together to kick off the holiday season with a parade down Main Street, hosted by the Lamont Chamber of Commerce.

See also

* Camp Lamont

References

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Census-designated places in Kern County, California
Populated places established in 1923
Census-designated places in California