Edison (formerly, Wade) is an unincorporated community and census designated place (CDP) in the Tehachapi mountains of Kern County, California. It is located east-southeast of downtown Bakersfield, at an elevation of . As of the 2020 census, Edison had a population of 255.
In 1902, the Edison Electric Company built a substation on the site. The Southern Pacific Railroad arrived at Wade in 1903, and changed the name to Edison. In 1928 oil was found nearby, and the Edison Oil Field gradually developed, peaking in the 1950s. The community is within the administrative boundaries of the oilfield, and active wells surround the town.Kasline, Fred A. Edison Oil Field: California Division of Oil and Gas, Summary of Operations. 1940. Vol. 26 p 12-18White, J. Lloyd. Edison Oil Field: California Division of Oil and Gas, Summary of Operations. 1955. Vol. 41 No. 2, p 5-9
The Edison post office opened in 1903, closed in 1929, and re-opened in 1946.
Demographics
Edison first appeared as a census designated place in the 2020 U.S. census.
2020 Census +Edison CDP, California – Racial and ethnic compositionRace / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)Pop 2020% 2020White alone (NH)8232.16%Black or African American alone (NH)62.35%Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)00.00%Asian alone (NH)31.18%Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH)00.00%Other race alone (NH)10.39%Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)62.35%Hispanic or Latino (any race)15761.57%Total255100.00%
References