Section Image

Inyokern

Inyokern

Located in Kern County

$304,183 Average Value
$262 Average Price per Sq Ft
4 Homes For Sale

Inyokern is a rural desert town in Kern County

The small, Mojave Desert town of Inyokern, east of the Sierra Nevada, has a population of approximately 960. Residents enjoy the town’s natural beauty and remote location absent of big shopping centers and events. “I had a buyer who was looking for more land in Inyokern because they lived in the city, in LA. They wanted a place with a lot of land and to live in a small town,” says real estate agent Kha Hoang, who works with Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices California Realty and has over five years of experience. Those searching for a calm rural lifestyle can find it in Inyokern, located 90 miles east of the closest big city of Bakersfield. The community’s CAP Index Crime Score is 1 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.

Homes in Inyokern are located near the downtown area.
Homes in Inyokern are located near the downtown area.
The retail district on West Inyokern Road features many stores and restaurants.
The retail district on West Inyokern Road features many stores and restaurants.
1/2

Bungalows, manufactured homes and ranch-style homes in Inyokern

Around downtown Inyokern, there are grid-style blocks of bungalows and manufactured homes on lots often protected by fences. Many houses have landscaped yards that add pops of green, including palm trees and boxwood shrubs, to the desert landscape. Most homes also have views of the Sierra Nevada. The blocks become looser and more spread out in the southern part of the community, where similar homes can rest on over an acre of land. “The buyer wanted to grow something and didn’t want to be near a lot of people anymore,” Hoang says. To the north, Inyokern is spread out, with plenty of empty land and ranch-style homes on multiacre lots. According to a Homes.com calculation, which uses a combination of estimate data, the average home value in Inyokern was around $310,000 in the spring of 2025. On average, homes stay on the market for 59 days, in contrast to the national average of 49 days.

Inyokern features multiple options for bungalows.
Inyokern features multiple options for bungalows.
Manufactured homes line the town's streets.
Manufactured homes line the town's streets.
1/2

Hiking at Indian Wells Canyon and more recreation options

With its panoramic views of snow-capped peaks and wide stretches of sand, Inyokern has been the backdrop for Westerns and car commercials. To explore the desert, locals can go to Indian Wells Canyon for hiking and off-roading on the western outskirts of town. The trails have overlooks of the Indian Wells Valley, mountain scenery, Joshua trees and old mining sites. The community is also about 15 miles from the Walker Pass Trailhead, an entry point for the famous Pacific Crest Trail, which stretches from British Columbia to the border of the United States and Mexico. The centrally located Inyokern County Park has a picnic pavilion, a basketball court and a shaded playground.

The Walker Pass Trailhead is located about 15 miles from Inyokern
The Walker Pass Trailhead is located about 15 miles from Inyokern
Indian Wells Canyon features panoramic views and wide stretches of sand.
Indian Wells Canyon features panoramic views and wide stretches of sand.
1/2

Education from Inyokern Elementary to Burroughs High

On Niche, Inyokern Elementary School has a B-minus rating. Murray Middle School has a B, while Burroughs High School earns an A-minus rating. The high school course catalog includes classes on zoology, ceramics and German.

The sign at Murray Middle School welcomes students and staff as they enter the grounds.
The sign at Murray Middle School welcomes students and staff as they enter the grounds.
Burroughs High School has a 20 to 1 student-teacher ratio.
Burroughs High School has a 20 to 1 student-teacher ratio.
1/2

Local shops and restaurants in downtown Inyokern

Inyokern has a retail district on West Inyokern Road, a main thoroughfare in the heart of town. It has local restaurants, including the beloved fast-food stop Classic Burgers. At Five Fingers Pub, patrons enjoy a tavern setting with a pool table. West of town, Indian Wells Brewing Company offers unique soda and beer flavors, plus dog-friendly outdoor seating. Shops on West Inyokern Road range from Mom's Curiosity Shop, which sells furniture and clothes, to the convenience store Inyokern Market. The closest grocery store is Albertsons, located about 10 miles away in Ridgecrest.

Inyokern Market is a convenient option for groceries.
Inyokern Market is a convenient option for groceries.
Five Fingers Pub is a favorite for locals.
Five Fingers Pub is a favorite for locals.
1/2

The distance to Bakersfield and more travel

Many residents commute to Ridgecrest, a larger city about 10 miles from Inyokern. Via state Route 178, Inyokern is about 90 miles away from Bakersfield. Ridgecrest Transit provides bus services. The town has a small regional airport called Inyokern Airport, while the closest major airport is the Meadows Field Airport in Bakersfield.

Anna Anderson
Written By
Anna Anderson
Michael Ng
Photography Contributed By
Michael Ng
Tyler Belile
Video By
Tyler Belile

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Christine Lyster, an experienced agent in this area.

Agents Specializing in this Area

See All Agents

Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Inyokern Housing Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$271,250
Median Sale Price
$255,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$300,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
4%
Last 12 months Home Sales
25
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
19%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$262

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
111
Number of Homes for Sale
4
Median Year Built
1985
Months of Supply
1.90
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,656
Below the national average
1,924
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
7,405

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

Inyokern Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
705
Median Age
51
Population under 18
19.6%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
28.2%
Above the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$85,000
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$111,286

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
99.6%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
34%
Advanced Degrees
18.8%
% Population in Labor Force
55.9%
Below the national average
65.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
3''
Average Winter Low Temperature
32°F
Average Summer High Temperature
102°F
Annual Snowfall
0''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®®

29 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®®

5 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
Inyokern