It is the site of a vacant, 223-bed for-profit prison formerly operated by Cornell Corrections which experienced a major riot on December 2, 2003, four weeks before it was temporarily closed.

[7] Baker is located in the Mojave Desert at the junction of Interstate 15 and SR 127 (Death Valley Road).

Its elevation is approximately 930 feet (283.5 m) above sea level, which is much lower than either Barstow or Las Vegas, due to its location at the southern end of the Death Valley geological depression.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP covers an area of 2.7 square miles (7.0 km2), all of it land.

According to the 2010 United States Census, Baker had a median household income of $33,068, with 9.9% of the population living below the federal poverty line.

The town is frequently used as a stop for food and fuel by drivers on Interstate 15 between Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

Baker Airport is a small facility owned by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, but it is managed by San Bernardino County Department of airports[28] In the California State Legislature, Baker is in the 12th Senate District, represented by Republican Shannon Grove, and in the 34th Assembly District, represented by Republican Tom Lackey.

Water, Sanitary Sewers, Trash Collection Services, Fire Protection, Television Translators, Road Maintenance, Street Lighting, Park and Recreation is administered by the Baker Community Services District[31] The Mars Science Laboratory Team tested an engineering model of the Curiosity rover in the desert near Baker.