Buttonwillow (formerly, Buena Vista) is a census-designated place (CDP) in Kern County, California, United States. Buttonwilliow is located 26 miles (42 km) west of Bakersfield, at an elevation of 269 feet (82 m). The population was 1,266 at the 2000 census. The center of population of California is located in Buttonwillow .