Signals
Ridgecrest
North Lakes
Opportunity
52 · Bottom 42%
vs70 · Top 23%
Climate
51 · Bottom 1%
vs47 · Bottom 1%
Physical resilience
15 · Bottom 10%
vs12 · Bottom 8%
Housing affordability
100 · Top 8%
vs94 · Top 22%
Access
70 · Bottom 13%
vs73 · Bottom 14%
Economic stability
55 · Bottom 40%
vs58 · Bottom 45%
Measured values
| Metric | Ridgecrest | North Lakes | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,225 | 10,223 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $89,250 | $101,679 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $41,606 | $45,065 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 1,353/sq mi | 660/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $253,900 | $357,600 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,186 | $1,441 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 58.8% | 78.4% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 5.3% | 4.5% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -0.1% | 1.1% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.9% | 25.7% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 12.5% | 7.3% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Average July high | 105°F | 68°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 31°F | 8°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 4.7" | 12.6" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 48 mi | 38 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 18.2 min | 32.3 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 33.4 | 36.2 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Ridgecrest
Elevated or high exposure: wildfire, earthquake, heat wave.
North Lakes
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
Your best match
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Ridgecrest
56
Your Score
52
Area Score
North Lakes
59
Your Score
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Area Score
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Full profiles: Ridgecrest, CA · North Lakes, AK · How this is calculated: methodology