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Ridgecrest, CA

View of Ridgecrest, CA
Image credit: JMBeggs'nCali / CC BY-SA 4.0
Population
28,333
U.S. Census Population Estimates Program · 2025
Elevation
2,294 ft
Median Home Value
$253,900
U.S. Census American Community Survey 5-Year · 2024
Median Rent
$1,186/mo
U.S. Census American Community Survey 5-Year · 2024
Median Income
$89,250
U.S. Census American Community Survey 5-Year · 2024

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Ridgecrest in context.

OverallBest places in CaliforniaPopulation rankingHighest population places in CaliforniaNearest larger communityLancaster, California71 miles away · 170,084 residents.

About Ridgecrest

Ridgecrest is a desert city in eastern Kern County, closely tied to Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake. The base is the major local institution, shaping the economy, workforce, and technical character of the city. Ridgecrest sits near the El Paso Mountains and the high-desert landscapes between the Sierra Nevada and Death Valley region. The Maturango Museum and nearby petroglyph sites add a deeper cultural layer, connecting the modern defense town to older desert history.

Top Rating Signals

Highest current ratings for this town.

Lower FEMA County Hurricane Risk IndexA+100.0ratingLower Projected Late-Century County-Area Exposure to Sea-Level RiseA+100.0ratingLow PrecipitationA+99.1rating

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