Ridgecrest, California

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 Education
4 Notable residents
5 External links

[edit] Geography

Ridgecrest is located at 35°37′15″N, 117°40′33″W (35.620932, -117.675749)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 55.6 km² (21.5 mi²). 54.7 km² (21.1 mi²) of it is land and 0.9 km² (0.3 mi²) of it (1.54%) is water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 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.

[edit] Education

Local schools are Las Flores Elementary, Faller Elementary, Richmond Elementary, Gateway Elementary, and Pierce Elementary. Saint Ann Elementary and Middle School, Immanuel Christian School, Ridgecrest Charter School, Monroe Jr. High, and Murray Jr. High serve middle-schoolers, although Immanuel serves the entire K-12 grade levels. Burroughs High School is the primary high school, which serves Ridgecrest, China Lake NAWC, Inyokern, Buttermilk Acres, Red Mountain, and Randsburg. Mesquite High School is an alternative high school. Opportunities For Learning is an independent study charter school serving students in grades 7-12

[edit] Notable residents

Mark Hoppus, bassist for blink-182 and Plus 44, was born in Ridgecrest and attended Burroughs High School.
Francis Maikai Sr., actor in movies such as Pearl Harbor, Austin Powers: Goldmember, and Madonna's music video for James Bond 007.
David Rogerson, winner of the 2007 Emerging Filmmaker award for his film Pray for Me at the X-Dance Action Sports Film Festival and Speedlab Wheels skate technology entrepreneur was born in Ridgecrest.
Rebekka Armstrong, HIV/AIDS awareness activist, competitive bodybuilder, and playboy playmate (September 1986) attended Burroughs High School.
Joseph 'Banzai' Vitale, a noted Hollywood stunt coordinator, attended Burroughs High School.