Ridgecrest, California Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Ridgecrest, California is 28,138 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 280th-largest city in California. The median household income is $88,107, the median home value is $235,800, and the median age is 34.8.
The population has grown 2.5% since 2010 (27,684 → 28,373).
28,138
Population
1349
People / sq mi
$88,107
Median Income
$235,800
Median Home Value
Get Ridgecrest's next ACS population data
Subscribe for Population Review updates by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Ridgecrest covers 20.9 sq mi of land at 1349 people per square mile.
About Ridgecrest, CA
Age is the most distinctive thing about Ridgecrest: a median age of 34.8, younger than the national median. Ridgecrest is a city in California with a population of 28,138.
Median household income is $88,107, above the US median of $78,538. About 7.7% of residents live below the federal poverty level, below the national 12.4%. The typical home is valued at $235,800, with typical rent around $1,178.
31.7% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree, below the national average of 35.0%. Remote work is below the national 14.0% at 9.6%, and the average commute runs about 16 minutes each way.
Ridgecrest city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Ridgecrest city had a population of 27,684 in 2010 and 28,373 in 2024, a 2.5% growth over 14 years. The peak was 28,973 in 2019. Average annual growth rate: 0.18%.
28,373
Population (2024)
27,684
Population (2010)
28,973
Peak (2019)
0.18%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 27,684 |
| 2011 | 27,904 |
| 2012 | 28,275 |
| 2013 | 28,569 |
| 2014 | 28,591 |
| 2015 | 28,616 |
| 2016 | 28,604 |
| 2017 | 28,699 |
| 2018 | 28,851 |
| 2019 | 28,973 |
| 2020 | 27,994 |
| 2021 | 28,223 |
| 2022 | 28,233 |
| 2023 | 28,212 |
| 2024 | 28,373 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 68.7% |
| Black or African American | 4.9% |
| Asian | 0.1% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.0% |
| Two or More Races | 0.1% |
Economy & Income
$88,107
Median Household Income
$40,173
Per Capita Income
7.7%
Poverty Rate
5.3%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$235,800
Median Home Value
$1,178
Median Rent
59.7%
Owner-Occupied
Education
91.8%
High School+
31.7%
Bachelor's+
Commute
0.1%
Drive Alone
75.5%
Public Transit
9.6%
Work From Home
15.8 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
27.8%
Foreign Born
83.9%
Non-English at Home
15.3%
Veterans
14.6%
With Disability
96.5%
Health Insurance
95.0%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Public Administration | 30.4% |
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 19.9% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 11.6% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 4.4% |
| Retail Trade | 4.2% |
| Construction | 4.2% |
| Information | 4.0% |
| Manufacturing | 3.5% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 3.4% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 2.4% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 1.5% |
Largest cities in California
Largest counties in California
Part of California
Metro areas in California
City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Ridgecrest, California has a population of 28,138 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 280th-largest city in California.
The median household income in Ridgecrest, California is $88,107, with 7.7% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Ridgecrest, California is $235,800, with median monthly rent at $1,178 and a homeownership rate of 59.7%.
The median age in Ridgecrest, California is 34.8 years. The population is 50.3% male and 49.7% female.
The population has grown 2.5% since 2010 (27,684 → 28,373).
Ridgecrest city, CA Climate
Ridgecrest city, CA has an average annual temperature of 18.4°C (65°F) and receives about 77 mm of precipitation per year. The warmest month is July and the coldest is January. Figures are 1970–2000 climate normals.
18.4°C
Avg Temp
77
Precip (mm/yr)
Jul
Hottest Month
Jan
Coldest Month
| Month | Avg (°C/°F) | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| January | 8° / 46° | 14 mm |
| February | 11° / 51° | 14 mm |
| March | 13° / 56° | 7 mm |
| April | 17° / 62° | 3 mm |
| May | 22° / 71° | 1 mm |
| June | 27° / 80° | 1 mm |
| July | 30° / 86° | 3 mm |
| August | 29° / 85° | 6 mm |
| September | 25° / 78° | 5 mm |
| October | 19° / 66° | 3 mm |
| November | 12° / 53° | 9 mm |
| December | 8° / 46° | 11 mm |
1970–2000 normals from WorldClim 2.1 (~9 km grid). Precipitation can be less precise near mountains or coastlines, where rainfall varies sharply over short distances.
Best time to visit Ridgecrest city, CA
The most comfortable months to visit Ridgecrest city, CA are typically May, October and April, when temperatures are mildest and rainfall is relatively low. The hottest month is July (around 39°C high). The coldest is January (near 1°C low). January is usually the wettest month.
Where to stay near Ridgecrest
Visiting or relocating to Ridgecrest, CA? Compare hotels and short-term rentals across the metro — live availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Ridgecrest
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a move to Ridgecrest?
Get relocation and cost-of-living insights for Ridgecrest, CA by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
More from California
Population 3,857,897
Population 1,385,061
Population 990,054
Population 836,321
Population 543,615
Full rankings of California cities by population
Statewide data for California
Population, race, income, age, and trends across California
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.