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Ridgecrest, CA

Frequently asked questions

Ridgecrest, CA

Ridgecrest is a city in Kern County, California, United States, along U.S. Route 395 in the Indian Wells Valley in northeastern Kern County, adjacent to the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake (NAWS, or China Lake). It was incorporated as a city in 1963. The population was 27,959 at the 2020 census, up slightly from 27,616 at the 2010 census.

Ridgecrest is surrounded by four mountain ranges; the Sierra Nevada on the west, the Cosos on the north, the Argus Range on the east, and the El Paso Mountains on the south. It is approximately 82 miles (132 km) from the Lancaster/Palmdale area, 110 miles (177 km) from Bakersfield, and 120 miles (193 km) from San Bernardino, the three nearest major urban centers. Private air travel in and out of the city is provided through the Inyokern Airport. There are currently no scheduled commercial flights. The city has been near the epicenter of major earthquakes, including one in 1995 and a series of quakes in July 2019.

The settlement began as a farming community called Crumville in 1912, honoring James and Robert Crum, local dairymen. The first post office opened in 1941. By 1943, Ridgecrest had grown to 115 homes and 196 residents. NOTS (Naval Ordnance Test Station) was established in November 1943, providing a strong job base for the years to come.

Ridgecrest was incorporated in 1963. During this era, the growth of Ridgecrest was governed by the continuing needs of the high-tech industries coupled with the Naval Air Weapons Station (NAWS) programs for testing arms and guidance systems.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 21.4 square miles (55.4 km2), of which 20.8 sq mi (53.9 km2) is land and 0.7 sq mi (1.8 km2) of it (3.04%) is water. Ridgecrest is located in Indian Wells Valley, which is a southern extension of Owens Valley, broken up by the volcanic Coso Range.

The area, associated with the Eastern California Shear Zone, has in the past experienced numerous earthquake swarms, groups of several thousand quakes under magnitude 6.0 or so, often with no obvious mainshock. The 1995 Ridgecrest earthquake sequence started on August 17, when a magnitude 5.4 quake, centered 18 kilometers (11 mi) north of the town of Ridgecrest, shook the area and spawned over 2,500 aftershocks over the following five weeks. Then, on September 20, 1995, the second large quake struck the area: it measured magnitude 5.8 and was at that time the largest earthquake to hit southern California since the 1994 Northridge earthquake.

Ridgecrest focuses on health and wellness. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs offered by the Ridgecrest Recreation and Community Services Department. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include 760 Fitness, High Desert Fitness, and Jackd Studio. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Ridgecrest, such as the Lone Ridge and Freedom Park. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

The top sites in Ridgecrest, CA are the Maturango Museum, California Living Museum, and China Lake Museum Foundation.

Population: 28,105 (2021). Elevation: 2,290′. ZIP Codes: 93555 & 93556. Area code: 760. Area: 21.53 sq mi (55.76 km2).

FAQs

Is Ridgecrest, CA a good place to live?

Ridgecrest is in Kern County and is one of California's best places to live. Living in Ridgecrest offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Ridgecrest, there are a lot of parks. Many families and young professionals live in Ridgecrest and residents tend to lean conservative. 

What is Ridgecrest, CA is known for?

Ridgecrest is surrounded by four mountain ranges; the Sierra Nevada on the west, the Cosos on the North, the Argus Range on the east, and the El Paso Mountains to the South. Ridgecrest is the only incorporated community in the Indian Wells Valley and is located in the Mojave Desert, west of Death Valley National Park. Ridgecrest is known for its beautiful sunsets and its warm, sunny days. Many of the residents enjoy these things about their hometown. In 2000, the population was 24,927.

What is the average household income in Ridgecrest, CA?

In 2021, the median household income of Ridgecrest households was $77,534. Ridgecrest households made slightly more than Rosemont households ($77,495) and La Riviera households ($77,493). However, 7.9% of Ridgecrest families live in poverty.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Ridgecrest

Ridgecrest’s Recreation and Community Services Department

760 Fitness

High Desert Fitness

Jackd Studio

Lone Ridge 

Freedom Park

Maturango Museum

California Living Museum

China Lake Museum Foundation

Niche

Ridgecest-ca.gov

California Demographics

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