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CITY · 2020 ACS

Ridgecrest

California · 27,959 residents · 20.861 sq mi
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The short version

Ridgecrest has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $71,774. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $184,600. At a median age of 34.7, residents skew younger than the country as a whole.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 34.7
US median: 38.8
Average education
32% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 79%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
27,959
+12%since 2000
from 24,927 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,340 / sq mi
+12%since 2000
from 1,195 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
34.7
−2%since 2000
from 35.5 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
25K26K27K28K29K1990201020202024Ridgecrest
202428K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$71,774
+6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $44,971 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$34,783
+63%since 2000
from $21,312 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
48.1%
+12.4 ptssince 2009
from 35.7% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
11.7%
−0.6 ptssince 2000
from 12.3% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information8.4%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade6.4%
US avg: 10%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing4.2%
US avg: 1.7%
Finance & insurance3.3%
US avg: 5.5%
Other services3.3%
US avg: 6.6%
Professional, scientific, technical2.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade2.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Construction2.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing2.1%
US avg: 0.5%
Public administration1.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food0.8%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing0.6%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$184,600
+79%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $68,500 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$928
+23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $500 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
61.3%
−1.7 ptssince 2000
from 63.0% in 2000
38.7% rent
Afford Score
2.6
+69%since 2000
from 1.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Ridgecrest on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic76.5%(19,067)
Black3.4%(846)
Hispanic / Latino12%(3,001)
Asian3.8%(948)
Other0%
Diversity Score42.9%(10,683)
2020
White, non-Hispanic60%(16,763)
Black4.4%(1,222)
Hispanic / Latino21.9%(6,124)
Asian5.2%(1,457)
Other4.6%(1,300)
Diversity Score68.9%(19,270)
Diversity Score
69
+61%since 2000
from 43 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
32.0%
+7.6 ptssince 2000
from 24.4% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
91.2%
+3.8 ptssince 2000
from 87.4% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
11.0%
+2.4 ptssince 2000
from 8.5% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
15.6 min
+37%since 2000
from 11.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
72.1%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 74.3% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
8.0%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 6.5% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
8.5%
+0.3 ptssince 2011
from 8.2% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
63.7%
−0.1 ptssince 2011
from 63.8% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
49.3%
−20.3 ptssince 2009
from 69.6% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.4%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 51.1% in 2009
Female
50.6%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 48.9% in 2009
Foreign born
7.2%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 8.4% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
3.8%
−84.9 ptssince 2013
from 88.7% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Ridgecrest to nearby cities

RIDGECREST VS
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Income$60,113−16%
Home value$278,000+51%
Population13,300−53%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
RIDGECREST VS
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Income$72,957+2%
Home value$355,500+93%
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RIDGECREST VS
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Income$95,669+33%
Home value$410,300+122%
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RIDGECREST VS
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Income$76,107+6%
Home value$194,700+5%
Population8,419−70%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Ridgecrest, California?

Ridgecrest, California has about 27,959 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Ridgecrest, California?

The typical household in Ridgecrest, California earns about $71,774 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Ridgecrest, California expensive?

In Ridgecrest, California, the median home is worth about $184,600, and the typical rent is about $928 a month.

How educated are people in Ridgecrest, California?

About 32.0% of adults age 25 and over in Ridgecrest, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Ridgecrest, California?

About 11.7% of people in Ridgecrest, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Ridgecrest, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Ridgecrest, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 234 residents, a change of about 1 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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