Bear Valley Springs, California
[Image:Bvs entrance gate.JPG|thumb|Entrance gate to Bear Valley Springs]
Bear Valley Springs is a guarded-gate community in Kern County, California, United States. The unincorporated community is in the Tehachapi Mountains and is part of the greater Tehachapi area. The elevation ranges from to . 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 5,592 at the 2020 census, up from 5,172 at the 2010 census. For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau has defined Bear Valley Springs as a census-designated place. 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 communities entirely owned by residents and a private 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. A homeowner association, Bear Valley Springs Association, 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. Due to this unique arrangement preventing general public access, BVCSD cannot receive outside public funds 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. Over the years, after purchasing squatter's rights to, the Fickerts expanded their holdings until, by the 1900s their ranch encompassed a vast region of.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. 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.
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. Former President Ronald Reagan bought a ranch in BVS. A number of athletes and TV/movie stars have made BVS their home.
Geography
Bear Valley Springs is located at.According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of, of which, of it is land and of it 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.Demographics
Bear Valley Springs first appeared as a census-designated place in the 1990 United States census.2020
The 2020 United States census reported that Bear Valley Springs had a population of 5,592. The population density was. The racial makeup of Bear Valley Springs was 82.7% White, 1.5% African American, 0.7% Native American, 1.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 3.1% from other races, and 10.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.4% of the population.The census reported that 100.0% of the population lived in households, 1 person lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and no one was institutionalized.
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 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. There were 1,732 families.
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 65years of age or older. The median age was 54.9years. For every 100 females, there were 95.9 males.
There were 2,759 housing units at an average density of, of which 2,306 were occupied. Of these, 90.9% were owner-occupied, and 9.1% were occupied by renters.
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, 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.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.