Edison, California

Edison, California
Edison field, Racetrack Hill area, showing steam expansion loops and widely dispersed wells.
Edison, California
Location in California
Edison, California
Edison, California (the United States)
Coordinates: 35°20′50.33″N 118°52′11.37″W / 35.3473139°N 118.8698250°W / 35.3473139; -118.8698250
CountryUnited States
StateCalifornia
CountyKern County
Area
  Total
1.012 sq mi (2.62 km2)
  Land1.012 sq mi (2.62 km2)
  Water0 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation
571 ft (174 m)
Population
 (2020)
  Total
28,390
  Density28,000/sq mi (11,000/km2)
Time zoneUTC-8 (Pacific)
  Summer (DST)UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP code
93307
Area code661
GNIS feature ID2804117

Edison (formerly, Wade) is an unincorporated community and census designated place (CDP) in the Tehachapi mountains of Kern County, California. It is located 7.5 miles (12 km) east-southeast of downtown Bakersfield, at an elevation of 571 feet (174 m).

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.

The Edison post office opened in 1903, closed in 1929, and re-opened in 1946.