Inyokern is a census-designated place (CDP) in Kern County, California, United States. The population was 984 at the 2000 census. It was a railroad town established along the Southern Pacific railroad Lone Pine Branch (now removed). It is served by Inyokern Airport.
GeographyInyokern is located at (35.647430, -117.813795)GR1. It lies in Indian Wells Valley, with the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevadas rising to the west.
It is on U.S. Highway 395, the main north-south artery, connecting the Inland Empire to Reno, Nevada. US 395 also connects Inyokern to Los Angeles via State Route 14 through Palmdale.
State Route 178, the main east-west artery, connects Inyokern to Bakersfield, the county seat, via Lake Isabella in the west, and to Death Valley via Ridgecrest in the east.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 28.7 km˛ (11.1 mi˛), all land.
DemographicsAs of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 984 people, 418 households, and 270 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 34.3/km˛ (88.9/mi˛). There were 519 housing units at an average density of 18.1/km˛ (46.9/mi˛). The racial makeup of the CDP was 87.70% White, 0.41% Black or African American, 4.88% Native American, 2.24% Asian, 1.02% from other races, and 3.76% from two or more races. 6.50% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 418 households out of which 25.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.9% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.4% were non-families. 31.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 24.2% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 30.1% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 104.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.7 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $35,046, and the median income for a family was $41,500. Males had a median income of $50,938 versus $33,889 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $21,707. About 10.5% of families and 20.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.6% of those under age 18 and 4.8% of those age 65 or over.
EnvironmentInyokern is situated in a wide valley at the base of the eastern escarpment of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The rain shadow effect due to the proximity of the mountain range (10,000 ft./ 3000 m) results in a shrub-steppe habitat zone with annual rainfall approximately 5 inches. The flora of the valley floor consists primarily of Creosote Bush (Larrea tridentate), White Burr Sage (Ambrosia dumosa), and several varieties of native bunch grasses. The transition zone of the nearby foothills also contain mixtures of Pinion Pine, Joshua tree forests, and concentrated riparian habitat surrounding the small streams descending from the mountain peaks. Wildlife ranges from black bear, mountain lion, and mule deer in the mountain and transition zones to the kangaroo rat and the endangered desert tortoise on the valley floor. A special note on the local wildlife is the local subspecies of rattlesnake, the Mojave rattlesnake (also called the Mojave green rattlesnake). This snake, which is common in the area, produces pit viper venom common to the general species but also produces a neuro-toxin that paralyzes the victim within 15 minutes. Fortunately the subspecies is docile and a fatal bite is rare.
Unique FeaturesInyokern is often indicated on world climate maps. This notoriety is unique for a town of its size. Inyokern has the highest insolation of any locale on the North American continent, having over 355 days of sunshine each year. In addition, the town is home to the past and current world champion musical saw players.
