Ridgecrest, CA Demographics

A map of Ridgecrest's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	17,180	16,763	60.9%	60.0%
Hispanic	6,674	6,124	23.6%	21.9%
Multiracial	1,770	1,920	6.3%	6.9%
Asian	1,186	1,457	4.2%	5.2%
Black	1,086	1,222	3.8%	4.4%
Native American/Other	329	473	1.2%	1.7%

Ridgecrest, California has an estimated population of 28,225, a less than 1% change from the 27,959 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 60.9% White, 23.6% Hispanic, 6.3% Multiracial, 4.2% Asian, 3.8% Black, and 1.2% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Ridgecrest, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Ridgecrest has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than California overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Ridgecrest, that probability was 58.3% in 2020 and 56.6% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Ridgecrest is ranked the 279th most populous place in California, out of 1,618 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Ridgecrest was ranked the 281st most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Ridgecrest's White Population

17,180 residents of Ridgecrest, or 60.9% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Ridgecrest is significantly higher than in California overall, where 33.8% of the population is White. Ridgecrest ranks 774th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Ridgecrest's White population has grown by an estimated 2.5%. White residents' share of Ridgecrest's population has increased from 60.0% to 60.9%.

Ridgecrest is more White than neighboring Johannesburg (0% White). Ridgecrest is less White than neighboring Ridgecrest Heights (89.2% White), China Lake Acres (63.4% White), Inyokern (76.6% White), and Randsburg (100% White).

Ridgecrest's Black Population

1,086 residents of Ridgecrest, or 3.8% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Ridgecrest is comparable to the share in California overall, where 5.2% of the population is Black. Ridgecrest ranks 236th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Ridgecrest's Black population has declined by an estimated 11.1%. Black residents' share of Ridgecrest's population has decreased from 4.4% to 3.8%.

Ridgecrest is more Black than neighboring Inyokern (0% Black), Johannesburg (0% Black), and Randsburg (0% Black). Ridgecrest is less Black than neighboring Ridgecrest Heights (10.8% Black), and China Lake Acres (7.6% Black).

Ridgecrest's Asian Population

1,186 residents of Ridgecrest, or 4.2% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Ridgecrest is considerably lower than in California overall, where 15.3% of the population is Asian. Ridgecrest ranks 466th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Ridgecrest's Asian population has declined by an estimated 18.6%. Asian residents' share of Ridgecrest's population has decreased from 5.2% to 4.2%.

Ridgecrest is more Asian than neighboring Ridgecrest Heights (0% Asian), China Lake Acres (0% Asian), Inyokern (1.1% Asian), and Randsburg (0% Asian). Ridgecrest is less Asian than neighboring Johannesburg (100% Asian).

Ridgecrest's Hispanic Population

6,674 residents of Ridgecrest, or 23.6% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Ridgecrest is significantly lower than in California overall, where 40.2% of the population is Hispanic. Ridgecrest ranks 818th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Ridgecrest's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 9.0%. Hispanic residents' share of Ridgecrest's population has increased from 21.9% to 23.6%.

Ridgecrest is more Hispanic than neighboring Ridgecrest Heights (0% Hispanic), China Lake Acres (12.7% Hispanic), Inyokern (9.1% Hispanic), Johannesburg (0% Hispanic), and Randsburg (0% Hispanic).

Ridgecrest's Native American/Other Population

329 residents of Ridgecrest, or 1.2% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Ridgecrest is comparable to the share in California overall, where 1.2% of the population is Native American/Other. Ridgecrest ranks 515th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Ridgecrest's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 30.4%. Native American/Other residents' share of Ridgecrest's population has decreased from 1.7% to 1.2%.

Ridgecrest is more Native American/Other than neighboring Ridgecrest Heights (0% Native American/Other), Inyokern (0% Native American/Other), Johannesburg (0% Native American/Other), and Randsburg (0% Native American/Other). Ridgecrest is less Native American/Other than neighboring China Lake Acres (4.4% Native American/Other).

Ridgecrest's Multiracial Population

1,770 residents of Ridgecrest, or 6.3% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Ridgecrest is comparable to the share in California overall, where 4.4% of the population is Multiracial. Ridgecrest ranks 298th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Ridgecrest's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 7.8%. Multiracial residents' share of Ridgecrest's population has decreased from 6.9% to 6.3%.

Ridgecrest is more Multiracial than neighboring Ridgecrest Heights (0% Multiracial), Johannesburg (0% Multiracial), and Randsburg (0% Multiracial). Ridgecrest is less Multiracial than neighboring China Lake Acres (12% Multiracial), and Inyokern (13.2% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.