Ridgecrest ZIP Codes — Kern County, CA

There are 2 unique ZIP codes in Ridgecrest, California. Area code: 760.

ZIP codes

78.09

sq mi land

0.75

sq mi water

760

area code

Ridgecrest, CA ZIP code map

About Ridgecrest, CA

Ridgecrest, California, is a vibrant city located in the eastern part of Kern County. Nestled near the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Ridgecrest offers a unique blend of desert and mountain landscapes. Known for its rich history and strong community spirit, the city serves as a gateway to many outdoor activities and attractions.

Location & geography

Ridgecrest is situated in the Indian Wells Valley and is surrounded by stunning natural beauty. It is approximately 90 miles north of Bakersfield and is near neighboring cities such as California City, about 30 miles to the west, and Barstow, roughly 70 miles to the south. The total land area of Ridgecrest is 78.09 square miles, complemented by a water area of 0.75 square miles, providing both arid desert terrain and limited water features.

Community & economy

The character of Ridgecrest is defined by its welcoming residents and a blend of civilian and military life, largely due to the proximity of the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake. The local economy is supported by various industries, including defense, aerospace, and tourism, with many residents engaged in these sectors. Daily life in Ridgecrest balances small-town charm with access to essential amenities, contributing to a strong sense of community.

Transportation

Ridgecrest is accessible primarily via U.S. Route 395, which connects the city to larger California urban centers. The nearest commercial airport is the Meadows Field Airport in Bakersfield, located approximately 90 miles away. Public transportation options include bus services that provide connectivity within the city and to nearby areas.

History

Ridgecrest was founded during the establishment of the railroad in the early 20th century, initially serving as a logistical hub for travelers. The city’s development accelerated due to the presence of the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, which became a core part of the local economy and workforce. Notable events in Ridgecrest's history include its involvement in military testing and training as well as its continuous growth due to the nearby Mojave Desert's influence.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Ridgecrest is that it is located near the China Lake Naval Weapons Station, which covers over 1.1 million acres, making it one of the largest military installations in the United States. This proximity has shaped not only the economy but also the culture and community dynamic of Ridgecrest.

ZIP codes for Ridgecrest, CA (2)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
93555	Ridgecrest	Kern	View map
93556	Ridgecrest	Kern	View map

Demographics & statistics

33,490

Population

36.2

Median age

$81,824

Median household income

$40,401

Per capita income

$222,800

Median home value

$1,139

Median monthly rent

62.7%

Home ownership

11.6%

Poverty rate

9.0%

Unemployment

9,683

Housing units

32.2%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

1,151

Under 5

1,251

1,122

5–9

1,219

1,244

10–14

1,352

1,097

15–19

1,193

874

20–24

950

2,282

25–34

2,481

2,304

35–44

2,505

1,611

45–54

1,751

1,080

55–59

1,174

872

60–64

948

1,267

65–74

1,378

827

75–84

899

315

85+

343

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	8,700	26.0%
18 and over	24,790	74.0%
65 and over	5,029	15.0%
Median age	36.2 years

Race & ethnicity

White 64.2%

Hispanic or Latino 11.8%

Two or more races 8.5%

Other race 7.7%

Black or African American 3.8%

Asian 3%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.7%

Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.3%

Group	Count	%
White	24,397	64.2%
Hispanic or Latino	4,487	11.8%
Two or more races	3,247	8.5%
Other race	2,909	7.7%
Black or African American	1,446	3.8%
Asian	1,142	3%
American Indian / Alaska Native	251	0.7%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	98	0.3%

Household income

Under $10k 5.5%

$10k–$15k 3.7%

$15k–$25k 6.6%

$25k–$35k 5.6%

$35k–$50k 8.6%

$50k–$75k 16.1%

$75k–$100k 13.0%

$100k–$150k 20.0%

$150k–$200k 9.4%

$200k+ 11.5%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	5.5%
$10k–$15k	3.7%
$15k–$25k	6.6%
$25k–$35k	5.6%
$35k–$50k	8.6%
$50k–$75k	16.1%
$75k–$100k	13.0%
$100k–$150k	20.0%
$150k–$200k	9.4%
$200k+	11.5%
Median income	$81,824

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 6.6%

$50k–$100k 6.2%

$100k–$150k 13.4%

$150k–$200k 12.5%

$200k–$300k 36.7%

$300k–$500k 19.0%

$500k–$1M 4.5%

$1M+ 1.1%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$222,800
Median rent / month	$1,139
Owner occupied	62.7%
Renter occupied	37.3%
Vacant	9.5%
Single-family detached	65.5%
Large apartment buildings	2.3%
Mobile homes	13.4%
Median rooms	5.4
Avg household size (owned)	2.54

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.2%
2010–2019	3.3%
2000–2009	6.0%
1990–1999	7.9%
1980–1989	34.3%
1970–1979	27.1%
1960–1969	9.5%
1950–1959	8.9%
1940–1949	2.0%
1939 or earlier	0.8%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.5%
1 bedroom	5.4%
2 bedrooms	23.5%
3 bedrooms	50.5%
4 bedrooms	17.9%
5+ bedrooms	1.2%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	6.9%
1 vehicle	32.9%
2 vehicles	39.5%
3 or more	20.7%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	76.4%
Electricity	17.5%
Propane / LP gas	2.7%
Wood	1.9%
Solar	0.2%
No fuel used	0.6%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	5,851	44.2%
Cohabiting couple	897	6.8%
Male householder, no spouse	3,123	23.6%
Female householder, no spouse	3,363	25.4%
Households with children under 18	4,251	32.1%
Households with seniors (65+)	3,725	28.1%
Average household size	2.51

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	34.6%	30.6%
Married	49.5%	48.9%
Separated	2.0%	1.8%
Widowed	2.4%	7.7%
Divorced	11.5%	11.0%

Education

Less than 9th grade 2.9%

Some HS, no diploma 6.6%

HS graduate 20.9%

Some college, no degree 23.2%

Associate's degree 14.2%

Bachelor's degree 21.2%

Graduate / professional 11.0%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	90.5%
Bachelor's or higher	32.2%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	797	8.8%
Kindergarten	331	3.7%
Elementary school	4,085	45.3%
High school	1,763	19.6%
College / grad school	2,037	22.6%

Employment

Industry of employment

Public administration 29.3%

Education & healthcare 18.8%

Professional & management 11.7%

Retail trade 8.3%

Arts, food & hospitality 7.0%

Transportation & utilities 5.5%

Construction 4.3%

Manufacturing 4.1%

Other services 3.8%

Finance & real estate 3.1%

Agriculture & mining 2.5%

Information 1.3%

Wholesale trade 0.3%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	50.5%
Service	12.9%
Sales & office	17.7%
Natural resources & construction	9.7%
Production & transportation	9.2%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	47.8%
Government	47.2%
Self-employed	4.9%
Unpaid family workers	0.1%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	77.2%
Carpool	9.6%
Public transit	0.3%
Walk	2.3%
Other means	1.7%
Avg commute (minutes)	16.4

Poverty

All people 11.6%

Under 18 years 9.3%

18 and over 12.3%

Married-couple families 5.1%

Female-led households 14.9%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	27.0%
Retirement income	27.5%
Supplemental Security	6.5%
Cash public assistance	3.3%
Food stamps / SNAP	13.2%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	28.2%
High cholesterol	31.9%
Heart disease	6.0%
Stroke	2.9%
Asthma	10.0%
Arthritis	21.8%
Kidney disease	2.8%
Pulmonary disease	6.7%
Cancer	6.4%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	18.5%
No physical activity	19.5%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	32.2%
Fair or poor health	14.1%
Poor mental health	15.5%
Poor physical health	10.3%
No health insurance	10.6%
Visited doctor (checkup)	69.0%
Visited dentist	65.6%
Cholesterol screening	90.3%
Teeth loss	11.4%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	4,096	16.9%

Disability	%
Any disability	15.1%
Under 18	5.0%
18–64 years	14.3%
65 and over	36.3%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	72.3%
Public insurance	41.3%
Uninsured under 19	1.9%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	31,088	92.8%
Spanish	1,473	4.7%
Other Indo-European	1,078	3.5%
Asian & Pacific Islander	70	0.2%
Other languages	325	1.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	31,233	93.3%
Born in same state	30,886	92.2%
Born in different state	21,156	63.2%
Foreign born	347	1.0%
Naturalized citizen	2,257	6.7%
Not a US citizen	1,167	51.7%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	4,695	14%
French	3,021	9%
Arab	1,478	4.4%
Polish	683	2%
English	329	1%

Ancestry	Count	%
Dutch	289	0.9%
German	150	0.4%
Irish	54	0.2%
Norwegian	13	0%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	39.5%
Internet access	94.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Ridgecrest, CA have?

Ridgecrest, CA has one ZIP code: 93555. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.