Keene is a census-designated place located in Kern County, California, situated within the foothills of the Tehachapi Mountains at the southern extreme of the San Joaquin Valley. It lies approximately eight and a half miles northwest of Tehachapi at an elevation of 2,602 feet. The community occupies a total area of 9.4 square miles, with over ninety-nine percent of that space consisting of land.

The settlement was founded in 1876 under the name Wells to serve as a railroad town, honoring local rancher Madison P. Wells. A post office operated there from 1879 to 1881 before reopening in 1885. The community was later renamed Keene to honor financier James P. Keene, marking a significant shift in its historical identity and administrative naming conventions during the late nineteenth century.

The area is defined by the presence of the United Farm Workers headquarters, which serves as a major landmark and cultural anchor. The site includes the National Chavez Center, opened in 2004, featuring a visitor center, memorial garden, and the grave of civil rights leader César Chávez. A small former community called Woodford once existed nearby, adding to the region's layered local history.

Visitor appeal centers on the heritage of labor rights and the legacy of César Chávez, who spent his final years in Keene. The National Chavez Center explores his work through exhibits and conferences, while the surrounding campus preserves his personal library and living quarters. The site was designated as a national monument in 2012, drawing those interested in social justice history and agricultural labor movements.

The population of Keene was recorded at 469 in the 2020 census, reflecting a modest growth from previous decades. The community falls within the Tehachapi Unified School District for educational services. Classified in the 8b USDA hardiness zone, the climate allows temperatures to drop as low as fifteen to twenty degrees Fahrenheit, influencing the region's agricultural and residential character.