Bakersfield-Kern Ranks High for 2014 Best-Performing Cities in U.S.

The Milken Institute’s annual “Best-Performing Cities” index ranks the largest 200 metros throughout the nation. Kern County’s Bakersfield MSA ranked# 28 in the U.S. and #5 in California. The most dynamic U.S. metros hold the secrets to economic success: the crucial factors that help them thrive, grow, and prosper.

Kern County Ranks 

#5 in California

#28 in U.S.

The Milken Institute’s index shows that technology and shale energy were the biggest factors behind America’s booming cities — especially technology. Tech titan San Francisco claimed the top spot and last year’s No. 1, Austin, Texas, dropped a slot. California’s top five list boasts thriving tech sectors as well: San Francisco (first, up two ranks from last year); San Jose (unchanged at fourth); San Diego(22nd, up from 43rd place); San Luis Obispo (24th, up one spot from last year); Santa Barbara (27th, up twelve spots); and Bakersfield (28th, down nine spots).

 Interactive Map

 

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2014’s Top 30 Best-Performing Large Cities in the U.S.

U.S. Rank	Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)	State	Jobs Growth (2008-13)	Wages Growth (2011-12)	Short-term job growth (2013-2014)	High-tech GDP growth (2008-13)
1	San Francisco–San Mateo–Redwood City	CA	11	1	10	2
2	Austin–Round Rock–SanMarcos	TX	1	10	9	21
3	Provo–Orem	UT	3	4	33	10
4	San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara	CA	19	34	26	16
5	Raleigh–Cary	NC	25	29	4	23
6	Salt LakeCity	UT	30	14	18	20
7	Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown	TX	4	3	6	85
8	Fort Worth–Arlington	TX	15	28	21	40
9	Dallas–Plano–Irving	TX	28	20	13	68
10	San Antonio–NewBraunfels	TX	8	56	38	38
11	Seattle–Bellevue–Everett	WA	59	9	35	26
12	Denver–Aurora–Broomfield	CO	31	16	57	80
13	Boulder	CO	36	23	24	34
14	Greeley	CO	2	7	3	45
15	Nashville–Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin	TN	7	2	14	159
16	Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro	OR–WA	79	32	32	1
17	Fort Collins–Loveland	CO	16	53	65	86
18	Laredo	TX	10	18	55	7
19	Lafayette	LA	14	12	37	124
20	Lubbock	TX	22	31	47	172
21	Baton Rouge	LA	43	45	11	99
22	San Diego–Carlsbad–San Marcos	CA	75	40	39	67
23	Charlotte–Gastonia–Rock Hill	NC–SC	51	19	52	51
24	San Luis Obispo–Paso Robles	CA	45	95	44	18
25	Grand Rapids–Wyoming	MI	17	11	36	94
26	Indianapolis–Carmel	IN	46	38	41	143
27	Santa Barbara–Santa Maria–Goleta	CA	77	39	107	25
28	Bakersfield–Delano	CA	29	6	28	76
29	Holland–Grand Haven	MI	38	62	2	28
30	Madison	WI	44	75	86	19