Editing Bear Valley Springs, California

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Bear Valley Springs, California 
|settlement_type          = [[Unincorporated area#United States|unincorporated community]]<br/>[[census-designated place]]
|image_skyline            = 
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = 
|image_seal               = 
|image_map                = Kern_County_California_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Bear_Valley_Springs_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250x200px
|map_caption              = Location in [[Kern County, California|Kern County]] and the state of [[California]]
|image_map1               = 
|mapsize1                 = 
|map_caption1             = 
| pushpin_map = USA
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in the United States
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = United States 
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[California]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in California|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Kern County, California|Kern]]
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = N/A
|leader_name              = 
|leader_title1            = [[California's 16th State Senate district|State senator]]
|leader_name1             = {{Representative|casd|16|fmt=sleader}}<ref name=swd>{{Cite web |url=http://statewidedatabase.org/gis/gis2011/index_2011.html |title=Statewide Database |publisher=[[Regents of the University of California]] |access-date=May 16, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150201113744/http://statewidedatabase.org/gis/gis2011/index_2011.html |archive-date=February 1, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|leader_title2            = [[California's 34th State Assembly district|Assemblymember]]
|leader_name2             = {{Representative|caad|34|fmt=sleader}}<ref name=swd/>
|leader_title3            = [[California's 23rd congressional district|U. S. rep.]]
|leader_name3             = {{Representative|cacd|23|fmt=usleader}}<ref>{{Cite GovTrack|CA|23}}</ref>
|established_date         = 
|area_magnitude           = 
<!-- Area------------------>
| unit_pref               = Imperial
| area_footnotes          = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_06.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 30, 2021}}</ref>
| area_total_sq_mi        = 38.94
| area_land_sq_mi         = 38.88
| area_water_sq_mi        = 0.07
| area_total_km2          = 100.86
| area_land_km2           = 100.69
| area_water_km2          = 0.17
| area_water_percent      = 0.16
| area_note               =

|elevation_ft             = 4121
|elevation_m              = 1256
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_total         = 5592
|population_metro         = 
|population_density_km2   = 55.54
|population_density_sq_mi = 143.85
|timezone                 = [[Pacific Time Zone|PST]]
|utc_offset               = -8
|coordinates              = {{coord|35|9.5|N|118|37.7|W|region:US-CA|display=inline,title}}
|elevation_footnotes    =  <ref name=gnis>{{gnis|1866997}}</ref>
|timezone_DST             = PDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -7
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 93561
|area_code                = [[Area code 661|661]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 06-04734
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 1866997
|footnotes                = 
|website                  = 
|pop_est_as_of = 
|pop_est_footnotes = 
|population_est = 
}}
[[Image:Bvs entrance gate.JPG|thumb|Entrance gate to Bear Valley Springs]]
'''Bear Valley Springs''' is a [[Gated community|guarded-gate community]] in [[Kern County, California]], United States. The [[Unincorporated area#United States|unincorporated community]] is in the [[Tehachapi Mountains]] and is part of the greater [[Tehachapi, California|Tehachapi]] area. The elevation ranges from {{convert|4121|ft|m}} to {{Convert|6934|feet|}} ([[Bear Mountain (Kern County, California)|Bear Mountain]]). The population fluctuates between a low during the winter months when snow is common, to a high in the summer months when its elevation keeps it much cooler than surrounding areas and major cities. The population was 5,172 at the 2010 census, up from 4,232 at the 2000 census. For statistical purposes, the [[United States Census Bureau]] has defined Bear Valley Springs as a [[census-designated place]] (CDP). The census definition of the area may not precisely correspond to local understanding of the area with the same name.

'''A "Semi-Public" Community.''' Unlike [[private community|private communities]] entirely owned by residents and a private [[homeowner association|homeowner association (HOA)]] or other private entity, Bear Valley Springs is "semi-public". Roads and infrastructure are owned by a public governmental agency—Bear Valley Community Services District (BVCSD).<ref>{{cite web|title=Bear Valley Community Services District|url=https://www.bvcsd.com/}}</ref> A homeowner association, Bear Valley Springs Association,<ref>{{cite web|title=Bear Valley Springs Association|url=https://www.bvsa.org/}}</ref> exists and has authority over residential lots, but not the streets and public areas owned by BVCSD. BVCSD is one of only seven Community Services Districts authorized by California law to limit access to landowners and residents of the district.<ref>{{cite web|title=California Government Code § 61105, subdivision (g)|url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=GOV&sectionNum=61105.}}</ref> Due to this unique arrangement preventing general public access, BVCSD cannot receive outside public funds (i.e., county, state) for road maintenance. Instead, maintenance is entirely funded by local property taxes.

==History==
While the nation had pushed to the western coast, the land the Fickert family settled in 1869 was still isolated and remote. For centuries, it had been the realm of [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]]. Over the years, after purchasing squatter's rights to {{convert|160|acre|km2}}, the Fickerts expanded their holdings until, by the 1900s their ranch encompassed a vast region of {{convert|25,000|acre|km2}}.

By 1959, the last of the immediate Fickert family were gone, joining their kin who had gone before in the tiny family cemetery just up the hill from the main house.

Dart Resorts purchased the ranch from the Fickert heirs. Resource Ecology Associates was employed by Dart to plan and maintain the original natural value of the property, including wildlife. Bear Valley Springs was born.

The first sales of property were in late 1970 with a full sales team starting January 1971. The project was sold out in November 1977. The Bear Valley Springs Community Services District was formed to act as a nonprofit organization for management and maintenance of the water, roads, and police protection.<ref>{{cite web|title=What is a Community Services District? |publisher=California Tax Data |access-date=27 September 2016 |url=http://www.californiataxdata.com/pdf/CSD.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160323015225/http://www.californiataxdata.com/pdf/CSD.pdf |archive-date=23 March 2016 }}</ref> The Bear Valley Springs Property Owners Association was formed to administer the amenity package. Together they insure the upkeep of the facilities of Bear Valley Springs.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.tehachapinews.com/news/bvcsd-to-close-post-office-outsource-dispatch-to-balance-budget/article_74318bd0-81da-11e6-b57b-c3a7c1263219.html |title=BVCSD to close post office, outsource dispatch to balance budget |date= September 23, 2016 |work=[[Tehachapi News]] |first=J.W. |last=Burch IV |access-date=27 September 2016}}</ref>

The original concept was a second home destination resort where families could come to spend a weekend or longer and have a complete amenities package. The concept changed from second homes to full-time residents, approximately 3,700 homes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bearvalleysprings.com/ |title=Bear Valley Springs |department=The History of Bear Valley Springs |publisher=Solveig A. Thompson |access-date=27 September 2016}}</ref> Former [[President of the United States|President]] [[Ronald Reagan]] bought a ranch in BVS {{Citation needed|reason=nothing says bvs on the official Reagan’s library site. |date=January 2025}}. A number of athletes and TV/movie stars have made BVS their home.

==Geography==
Bear Valley Springs is located at {{Coord|35|09.5|N|118|37.7|W|type:city}}.<ref name=gnis />

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the CDP has a total area of {{convert|41.6|sqmi|km2}}, of which, {{convert|41.5|sqmi|km2}} of it is land and {{convert|0.07|sqmi|km2}} of it (0.16%) is water.

===Climate===
According to the [[Köppen Climate Classification]] system, Bear Valley Springs has a [[semi-arid climate]], abbreviated "BSk" on climate maps with a climate similar to Tehachapi, CA.<ref>[http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=723833&cityname=Bear+Valley+Springs%2C+California%2C+United+States+of+America&units= Climate Summary for Bear Valley Springs, California]</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|2000= 4232
|2010= 5172
|2020= 5592
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade.html|title=Decennial Census by Decade|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=}}</ref><br>1850–1870<ref name=1870CensusCA1>{{Cite web|title= 1870 Census of Population - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties - California - Almeda County to Sutter County |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1870/population/1870a-12.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref><ref name=1870CensusCA2>{{Cite web|title= 1870 Census of Population - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties - California - Tehama County to Yuba County  |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1870/population/1870a-13.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1880-1890<ref name=1890CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1890 Census of Population - Population of California by Minor Civil Divisions |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1890/bulletins/demographics/134-population-of-ca.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref><br> 1900<ref name=1900CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1900 Census of Population - Population of California by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1900/bulletins/demographic/10-population-ca.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1910<ref name=1910CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1910 Census of Population - Supplement for California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1910/abstract/supplement-ca.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1920<ref name=1920CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1920 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1920/bulletins/demographics/population-ca-number-of-inhabitants.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref><br> 1930<ref name=1930CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1930 Census of Population - Number and Distribution of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1930/population-volume-1/03815512v1ch03.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1940<ref name=1940CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1940 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1940/population-volume-1/33973538v1ch03.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1950<ref name=1950CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1950 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1950/population-volume-1/vol-01-08.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref><br> 1960<ref name=1960CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1960 Census of Population - General population Characteristics - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1960/population-volume-1/vol-01-06-d.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1970<ref name=1970CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1970 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1970a_ca1-01.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1980<ref name=1980CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1980a_caAB-01.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref><br> 1990<ref name=1990CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1990 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/cen1990/cph2/cph-2-6.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
2000<ref name=2000CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/2003/dec/phc-3-6.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 2010<ref name=2010CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 2010 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/2010/cph-2/cph-2-6.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
}}

===2020===
The [[2020 United States census]] reported that Bear Valley Springs had a population of 5,592. The population density was {{convert|143.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of Bear Valley Springs was 82.7% [[White Americans|White]], 1.5% [[African Americans|African American]], 0.7% [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]], 1.6% [[Asian Americans|Asian]], 0.1% [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]], 3.1% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 10.3% from two or more races. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] of any race were 12.4% of the population.<ref name=DP1>{{cite web |title=Bear Valley Springs CDP, California; DP1: Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics - 2020 Census of Population and Housing |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALDP2020.DP1?g=1600000US0604734 |website=US Census Bureau |access-date=May 17, 2025}}</ref>

The census reported that 100.0% of the population lived in households, 1 person (0.0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and no one was institutionalized.<ref name=DP1/>

There were 2,306 households, out of which 21.4% included children under the age of 18, 66.8% were married-couple households, 3.6% were [[cohabitation|cohabiting]] couple households, 16.1% had a female householder with no partner present, and 13.4% had a male householder with no partner present. 21.0% of households were one person, and 13.0% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.42.<ref name=DP1/> There were 1,732 [[family (U.S. Census)|families]] (75.1% of all households).<ref>{{cite web |title=Bear Valley Springs CDP, California; P16: Household Type - 2020 Census of Population and Housing |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALDHC2020.P16?g=1600000US0604734 |website=US Census Bureau |access-date=May 17, 2025}}</ref>

The age distribution was 18.7% under the age of 18, 4.9% aged 18 to 24, 16.6% aged 25 to 44, 29.6% aged 45 to 64, and 30.1% who were 65{{nbsp}}years of age or older. The median age was 54.9{{nbsp}}years. For every 100 females, there were 95.9 males.<ref name=DP1/>

There were 2,759 housing units at an average density of {{convert|71.0|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}, of which 2,306 (83.6%) were occupied. Of these, 90.9% were owner-occupied, and 9.1% were occupied by renters.<ref name=DP1/>

===2023 estimates===
In 2023, the US Census Bureau estimated that 16.2% of the population were foreign-born. Of all people aged 5 or older, 89.0% spoke only English at home, 5.2% spoke [[Spanish language|Spanish]], 2.5% spoke other [[Indo-European languages]], 3.0% spoke Asian or Pacific Islander languages, and 0.3% spoke other languages. Of those aged 25 or older, 95.1% were high school graduates and 42.1% had a bachelor's degree.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bear Valley Springs CDP, California; CP02: Comparative Social Characteristics in the United States - 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates Comparison Profiles |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSCP5Y2023.CP02?g=1600000US0604734 |website=US Census Bureau |access-date=May 17, 2025}}</ref>

The median household income was $121,069, and the [[per capita income]] was $54,722. About 2.3% of families and 4.7% of the population were below the poverty line.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bear Valley Springs CDP, California; DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics - 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates Comparison Profiles |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSDP5Y2023.DP03?g=1600000US0604734 |website=US Census Bureau |access-date=May 17, 2025}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*[http://www.bvcsd.com/ Bear Valley Community Services District]
*[http://www.bvsa.org/ Bear Valley Springs Association]

{{Kern County, California}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Census-designated places in Kern County, California]]
[[Category:Tehachapi Mountains]]
[[Category:Tehachapi, California]]
[[Category:1869 establishments in California]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1869]]
[[Category:Census-designated places in California]]