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Ridgecrest Heights, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Ridgecrest Heights is a small town in California with a population of 355. Residents earn $55,000 per year, which is 27% below the national average.

3.2 /5.0
B Good
355 Population 592/sq mi density
$55,000 Median Income $27,493 per capita
$104,400 Home Value
65°F Avg Temperature 330 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.0 / 5.0
$55,000 median income, 7.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$104,400 home value
D
Education
1.5 / 5.0
6.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $55,000
27% lower than US avg
Home Value $104,400
63% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 6.8%
80% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 34.3%
7% higher than US avg
Unemployment 7.8%
117% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 9.9%
20% lower than US avg

How Ridgecrest Heights Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population355
Median Age53.3 yrs
Density592/mi²
Male / Female45% / 55%
Largest GroupWhite 100%
Veterans29.5%

Economy

B
Median Income$55,000
Per Capita$27,493
Unemployment7.8%
Poverty9.9%
County GDP$63,070M
Commute15 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$104,400
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units218
Rent Burden33.1%

Health

Obesity34.3%
Uninsured10.4%
Smoking14.6%
Depression25.8%
Heart Disease5.9%

Climate

Avg Temp65°F (19°C)
AQI48 (Good)
Rain4.7 in/yr
Sunny Days330/yr
Elevation2,427 ft (740 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+6.8%
High School+100.0%
Graduate+0.0%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 59% / D 38%
Commute15 min
Broadband61.1%
Libraries28

Is Ridgecrest Heights a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Ridgecrest Heights receives an overall livability score of 3.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, below-average incomes. Ridgecrest Heights offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Ridgecrest Heights is $55,000, 27% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 7.8% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. 9.9% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Ridgecrest Heights is $104,400, 63% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. At just 1.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

6.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 100.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Ridgecrest Heights enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F. Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 88°F in July. With 330 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 4.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Ridgecrest Heights has a population of 355 with a density of 592 people per square mile. The median age is 53.3 years, 37% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (100%).

Population

355
Total Population
592
People / sq mi
53.3yrs
Median Age
37% above US avg
0.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 44.8%
Female 55.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Ridgecrest Heights vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Ridgecrest Heights vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Ridgecrest Heights is $55,000, which is 27% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 7.8% (above the 3.6% US average). 9.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes.

Income: Ridgecrest Heights vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$55,000
27% below US avg
Per Capita Income$27,493
Avg Weekly Wage$1,155
IRS Avg AGI$61,998

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment7.8%
117% above US avg
Poverty Rate9.9%
20% below US avg
Establishments (County)27,950
County GDP$63,070M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,569
Healthcare1,838
Retail2,004
Manufacturing417

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,285
51% above US avg
Cost of Living110.70 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate5.06%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time15.1 min
Drive Alone100.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Ridgecrest Heights is $104,400, 63% below the national average.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$104,400
63% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Rent Burden33.1%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,513
1 Bedroom$1,647
2 Bedrooms$2,053
3 Bedrooms$2,752
4 Bedrooms$3,165

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied67.9%
Housing Units218
Median Year Built1976

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,285
51% above US avg
Effective Rate5.06%
In Ridgecrest Heights, 34.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 10.4% of residents lack health insurance. 14.6% are current smokers. 25.8% report depression. 25.2% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Ridgecrest Heights vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity34.3%
7% above US avg
Diabetes10.4%
Heart Disease5.9%
High Blood Pressure30.8%
Asthma10.9%
COPD6.7%
Cancer7.1%
Stroke3.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking14.6%
4% above US avg
Binge Drinking19.4%
Physical Inactivity25.2%
Depression25.8%
Mental Distress20.5%
Physical Distress14.8%
Short Sleep37.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate100.0%
Uninsured10.4%
21% above US avg
Primary Care1:2,090
Dentists1:1,901
Mental Health1:393
Checkup Rate71.0%
Dental Visits59.6%
Premature Death10,697/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.2/10
Exercise Access85.3%
Healthcare Facilities1,838
Ridgecrest Heights has an average annual temperature of 65°F (19°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 88°F in July. Annual precipitation is 4.7 inches. The area enjoys 330 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

46°F Jan (8°C) 88°F Jul (31°C)
Annual Average65.3°F
21% above US avg
January Average46°F (8°C)
July Average88°F (31°C)
Sunny Days330 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall4.7 inches
88% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation2,427 ft (740 m)
Area0.6 sq mi (1.6 km²)
Population Density592/sq mi
Coordinates35.6019°N, 117.7042°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
County FIPS06029
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 6.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (80% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 21.1-point margin. 61.1% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 59.3%
D 38.2%

Winner: Republican by 21.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+6.8%
80% below US avg
High School+100.0%
Graduate Degree+0.0%
School Test Score4.69
D Education Grade (1.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density592/sq mi
Total Area0.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access61.1%
Public Libraries28
Healthcare Facilities1,838
Restaurants1,569
Retail Stores2,004

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)197
FEMA Disaster Declarations273

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute15.1 min
Drive Alone100.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

Ridgecrest, CA 28,138 pop · 2.9 mi China Lake Acres, CA 2,523 pop · 4.4 mi Searles Valley, CA 1,698 pop · 20.8 mi California City, CA 14,821 pop · 32.8 mi Weldon, CA 2,525 pop · 34.1 mi North Edwards, CA 1,015 pop · 38.8 mi Squirrel Mountain Valley, CA 1,020 pop · 39.4 mi Boron, CA 2,627 pop · 40.3 mi Lake Isabella, CA 3,654 pop · 43.8 mi Wofford Heights, CA 2,209 pop · 43.8 mi Bodfish, CA 2,191 pop · 44.0 mi Mojave, CA 4,442 pop · 48.9 mi Edwards AFB, CA 2,566 pop · 49.9 mi Tehachapi, CA 12,366 pop · 52.5 mi
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