Ridgecrest city, California Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Ridgecrest city, California has a total population of 28,138, the 280th largest city in California, with a median household income of $88,107, which is 9% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.7%.
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 8.6% is notably above the national average.
Ridgecrest city Quick Facts
How Ridgecrest city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 69 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Ridgecrest city Rankings in California
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Cities Similar to Ridgecrest city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atascadero city | 29,735 | $88,830 | $673,400 | 30.2% | 10.0% |
| Lemoore city | 27,023 | $82,189 | $319,200 | 21.3% | 14.9% |
| Lemon Grove city | 27,489 | $79,278 | $640,600 | 20.3% | 10.3% |
| Suisun City city | 29,205 | $97,083 | $551,000 | 21.1% | 8.7% |
| Galt city | 25,665 | $86,327 | $465,700 | 21.1% | 7.3% |
Population Overview
Ridgecrest city is a mid-sized community located in California. The total population is 28,138. It ranks as the 280th most populous out of 1,577 cities and towns in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ridgecrest city is 34.8 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 37.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ridgecrest city is $88,107. This is 9% lower than the state median of $96,334. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 12% higher. The poverty rate stands at 11.7%. This is 3% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 8.6%. This is 35% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $235,800. Housing costs are 66% lower than the state median of $695,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Ridgecrest city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 59.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% higher than the state average of 55.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Ridgecrest city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 64.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 21.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (64.3% vs 34.6%). The Asian population (3.6%) is well below the state average of 15.0%.
Education
31.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 13% lower than the state rate of 36.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 91.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ridgecrest city, California is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against California state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,577 Census-designated places in California. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Ridgecrest city, California?
Ridgecrest city, California has a population of 28,138 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ridgecrest city, CA?
The median household income in Ridgecrest city is $88,107, which is 12% higher the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Ridgecrest city, CA?
The poverty rate in Ridgecrest city is 11.7%. This means approximately 3,243 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ridgecrest city, California?
Ridgecrest city's population is 64.3% White, 4.4% Black, 21.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ridgecrest city, CA?
The median home value in Ridgecrest city is $235,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Ridgecrest city, California?
31.7% of adults (25+) in Ridgecrest city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.