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Ridgecrest, CA


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Ridgecrest, California

Introduction to Ridgecrest, California

Ridgecrest, California, in Kern county, is 69 miles NE of Lancaster, California and 113 miles N of Los Angeles, California. The city benefits from easy access to the nearby cities and towns with which it shares the Bakersfield metropolitan area. Ridgecrest contains a population of approximately 24,927.

Ridgecrest History

Ridgecrest is located in the beautiful Indian Wells Valley, surrounded on all four sides by mountain ranges. The Sierra Nevada lies on the west, the Argus Range on the east, the Cosos on the north, and the El Paso Mountains on the south. The evolution of Ridgecrest into a growing and dynamic city happened in the 1950s and 60s. It was incorporated in 1963, and provides housing and services to Federal employees and contractors. Ridgecrest is the only incorporated community in the Indian Wells Valley, and acts as the business and shopping center for Kern County.

Ridgecrest and nearby Attractions

  • Satellite Lake
  • Jornales Studio
  • Grace Lutheran Church
  • Desert Empire Fairgrounds
  • Stauffer Park
  • Sierra Vista Shopping Center

Things To Do In Ridgecrest

Visitors at Ridgecrest can enjoy the picturesque beauty of Satellite Lake, or go shopping in the numerous plazas like the Heritage Square Shopping Center, the Sierra Vista Shopping Center or the Ridgecrest Plaza. Besides, there are quite a few parks in the neighboring area that offer excellent recreational facilities for adults and children alike. Art lovers can also take a tour of the Jornales Studio.

Ridgecrest Transportation

Air transportation is available from Edwards Afb Airport.

Ridgecrest Higher Education

The city is served by the Cerro Coso Community College.

High Points

Ridgecrest strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in California):

CategoryTrophy
Short Commute Times
(vs. Peers)
Top 7%Ridgecrest Short Commute Times
Walking and Biking to Work
(vs. Peers)
Top 11%Ridgecrest Walking and Biking to Work
Affordability of Rents
(vs. State)
Top 12%Ridgecrest Affordability of Rents
Affordability of Property Taxes
(vs. State)
Top 18%Ridgecrest Affordability of Property Taxes

Comparative Profile of Ridgecrest, CA

Comparing Ridgecrest to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in California (State):

Ratings range from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).


The People

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Male Share of the Population98
Racial Diversity83
Children Under 5 Years Old86
Well-Paid Single Men77
Well-Paid Single Women66
Age of the Population46
Senior Citizens36
Female Share of the Population23

Families

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Portion of People Married65
Average Household Size63

Wealth

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
College Educated Adults76
Median Family Income66
People in Middle Class or Better56
People Above Poverty45

Commute & Sprawl

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Short Commute Times1010
Walking and Biking to Work98
Working at Home63
Public Transportation Use42

Housing

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Housing Recently Built99
Seasonal and Vacation Housing77
Affordability of Property Taxes79
Affordability of Rents79
People Living Alone68
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals42

Crime

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Low Property Crime67
Low Violent Crime23
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