If you are anti-growth, Kern County is probably not the best place for you to live over the next 10 years.  The following forecast was received today from Kern Council of Governments (Kern COG), projecting a 25% population increase during that time period.

Variables that may impact this forecast include current economic conditions and the length of the recession.  Impacts to energy, construction and other growth-related industries are certain to continue for some time.  Water supplies for this state will seriously limit development and growth unless they are resolved fairly soon.

Current Kern population is estimated to be 800,500 per the US Census .

The Kern COG forecast:

Population Explosion: The Kern region will be home to an estimated 1 million people by 2020. Learn more from Kern COG's 2009 draft Regional Growth Forecast Report. Comments are welcomed through September 17.