Neighborhood in Ridgecrest, CA
Is China Lake a Safe Place to Live? Housing, Crime & Buyer Guide
Explore safety, home prices, commute patterns, and neighborhood insights in Ridgecrest, CA - so you can decide with confidence before buying or renting.
Most buyers only see the home. Smart buyers check the neighborhood first.
Median Home Price
$305,550
Average Rent
$1,757
Vacancy Rate
8.7%
Overview
China Lake is a remote neighborhood in Ridgecrest, CA, known for its affordability and low population density. The median home price is $305,550, which is less expensive than most California neighborhoods.
Most housing here consists of small to medium apartment buildings and townhomes, with a dominant renter occupancy rate. The area features older homes built mainly between 1940 and 1969.
RemoteAffordableRenter-Dominant
Quick Facts
| Population Density | 19 residents per square mile |
|---|---|
| Military Employment | 2.9% of workers |
Housing market and real estate character
China Lake’s housing market is characterized by a high renter occupancy and a mix of attached homes and small apartments.
| Renter Occupied Rate | 94.3% |
|---|---|
| Row Houses & Attached Homes | 23.8% of housing |
| Vacancy Rate | 8.7% |
| Housing Age | Mostly built 1940-1969 |
What buyers will notice right away
Most homes are renter occupied, so owner-occupants are rare here.
Many residences were built between 1940 and 1969, reflecting an established community.
Families & Lifestyle
China Lake has a notable presence of single-mother households and a diverse occupational mix shaping its community character.
Military Influence — A higher proportion of residents are active military, influencing the neighborhood culture.
Diverse Language Use — English is dominant, but Spanish and Italian are also spoken by many households.
| Single Mother Households | 20.5% |
|---|---|
| Sales & Service Employment | 35.8% of workers |
| Executive & Professional Employment | 27.0% of workers |
Demographics
| Income Level | Lower-middle income |
|---|---|
| Child Poverty Rate | 25.3% |
| Top Languages | ["English (73.2%)","Spanish","Italian"] |
| Top Ancestries | ["Mexican (22.1%)","German (15.0%)","Irish (14.0%)","English (7.3%)","Asian (4.8%)","Jamaican (3.4%)"] |
Commute
Most residents enjoy short commutes and rely heavily on private vehicles.
China Lake’s short commute times and high car usage reflect its remote, low-density character.
Short Commutes — Most workers spend under 15 minutes commuting.
Car Dependency — High rates of driving alone and carpooling indicate reliance on private vehicles.
| Commute Under 15 Minutes | 70.2% |
|---|---|
| Drive Alone Rate | 83.7% |
| Carpool Rate | 11.8% |
Homes for sale near 93555
For-sale listings in this zip code. Open a property in HoodScore to run a safety report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median home price in China Lake?
The median home price is $305,550, which is less expensive than 95.9% of California neighborhoods.
What is the rental market like?
Average rent is $1,757, lower than 94.5% of California neighborhoods, with a high renter occupancy rate of 94.3%.
How long are typical commutes?
Most residents (70.2%) have commutes under 15 minutes, one of the shortest in the US.