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Ridgecrest, incorporated as a city in 1963 as Crumville, is located in the Indian Wells Valley in northeastern Kern County, California adjacent to the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake. It is the only incorporated city in Kern County along US 395. The population was 24,927 at the 2000 census.
Geography
Demographics As of the census of 2000, there were 24,927 people, 9,826 households, and 6,691 families residing in the city. The population density was 455.5/km² (1,179.9/mi²). There were 11,309 housing units at an average density of 206.6/km² (535.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 82.02% White, 3.53% Black or African American, 1.08% Native American, 3.88% Asian, 0.58% Pacific Islander, 4.93% from other races, and 3.98% from two or more races. 12.04% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 9,826 households out of which 35.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.2% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.9% were non-families. 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.06. In the city the population was spread out with 29.1% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 11.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 99.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.9 males. The median income for a household in the city was $44,971, and the median income for a family was $52,725. Males had a median income of $46,993 versus $29,558 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,312. About 10.2% of families and 12.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.5% of those under age 18 and 5.1% of those age 65 or over. Education Local schools are Cerro Coso Community College, St. Ann Elementary and Middle School, Las Flores Elementary, Faller Elementary, Richmond Elementary, Immanuel Christian School, Gateway Elementary, and Pierce Elementary. Ridgecrest Charter School, Monroe Jr. High, and Murray Jr. High serve middle-schoolers, and Burroughs High School serves all students from Ridgecrest, China Lake NAWC, Inyokern, Buttermilk Acres, Red Mountain, and Randsburg. Mesquite High School is a school for troubled kids, including drug addicts, and students who are pregnant or have infants. Notable residents | ||||||||||
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