For the unincorporated community, see Independence, Calaveras County, California. For the campaign for California's independence, see Yes California. For ghost town and railroad stop in Inyo County formerly named Independence, see Kearsarge, California.
Independence
Unincorporated Community
Census-designated place
StateCalifornia
CountyInyo
Unit prefUS
Area total4.864 sq mi
Area land4.861 sq mi
Area water0.003 sq mi
Area total12.597 km²
Area land12.590 km²
Area water0.007 km²
Area water percent0.057
Population as of2020
Population total593
Time zonePacific (PST) (UTC-8)
Coordinates36°49′39″N 118°12′48″W
Elevation3904 ft
Time zone (DST)PDT (UTC-7)
ZIP Code93526
Area codes442/760
FIPS code06-36350
GNIS feature ID2408418[1]

Independence is an unincorporated census-designated place in and the county seat of Inyo County, California. Independence is located 41 miles (66 km) south-southeast of Bishop,[2] at an elevation of 3930 feet (1198 m).[1] The population of this census-designated place was 593 at the 2020 census, down from 669 at the 2010 census.

Geography

The small town of Independence is bisected by U.S. Route 395, the main north–south highway through the Owens Valley.

The Sierra Nevada mountains to the west lie within the John Muir Wilderness Area. Onion Valley, one of the principal entry routes to the John Muir Wilderness, is accessed via the Onion Valley road which heads directly west out of Independence. This trail takes hikers to Kings Canyon/Sequoia National Parks which protect the Sierra Nevada west of the divide between the Owens Valley on the east and the rivers which drain into the San Joaquin Valley to the west.

Independence is a popular resupply location for hikers trekking the 2,650 mile long Pacific Crest Trail which extends from the Mexican border to Canada along the crest of the Sierra Nevada and Cascade Ranges. The highest pass along the entire trail, 13,153 foot (4009 m) Forester Pass, is directly west of Independence.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Independence covers an area of 4.9 square miles (13 km2), over 99% of it land.

The elevation of Independence is 3,925 feet (1,196 m) above sea level.

Climate

Independence, as well as most of the Owens Valley, has a high cool arid climate (Köppen BWk) with hot summers and cool winters. January temperatures range from an average high of 54.0 °F (12.2 °C) to an average low of 27.4 °F (−2.6 °C). July temperatures range from an average high of 97.6 °F (36.4 °C) to an average low of 63.9 °F (17.7 °C). The highest recorded temperature was 115 °F (46.1 °C) in June 2017.[3] The lowest recorded temperature was −5 °F (−20.6 °C) on January 9, 1937. There are an average of 97.7 afternoons annually with highs of 90 °F (32.2 °C) or higher and an average of 88.1 mornings with lows of 32 °F (0 °C) or less. Annual precipitation averages only 5.82 inches (148 mm). The most precipitation in one month was 10.71 inches (272.0 mm) in January 1969. The most precipitation in 24 hours was 5.27 inches (133.9 mm) on December 6, 1966. Snowfall varies greatly from year to year, averaging only 5.5 inches or 0.14 metres.

History

Charles Putnam founded a trading post at the site in 1861.[2] It became known as Putnam's, and later Little Pine from the Little Pine Creek.[2] The site of Putnam's Cabin, across the street from the Inyo County Courthouse, is a California Historical Landmark # 223.[4][5]

Independence began as the US Army Camp Independence (two miles north of the current town) established by Lieutenant Colonel George S. Evans on July 4, 1862. Colonel Evans established the camp at the request of local settlers who feared hostilities from the local indigenous tribes. The camp was soon closed, but was re-established as Fort Independence when hostilities resumed in 1865. The fort was finally abandoned in 1877, and it is currently a reservation for the Fort Independence Indian Community of Paiute Indians.[6]

Independence became the seat of Inyo County in 1866 when its chief competitor for the honor, a mining camp called Kearsarge, disappeared under an avalanche.[7]

The first post office at Independence was established in 1866.[2]

United States Army General John K. Singlaub (1921 – 2022) was born in Independence.[8]

Museums

The Eastern California Museum with extensive collections, exhibits, and programs; is located at 155 North Grant Street in Independence.[9][10]

The home of author Mary Austin, the author of The Land of Little Rain, is preserved as a museum located at 235 Market Street in Independence.

Library

The Inyo County Free Library is in the Inyo County Courthouse.[11]

Demographics

Independence first appeared as a census-designated place in the 2000 U.S. census.[12]

2020

The 2020 United States census reported that Independence had a population of 593. The population density was 122.0 inhabitants per square mile (47.1 /km2). The racial makeup of Independence was 395 (66.6%) White, 2 (0.3%) African American, 59 (9.9%) Native American, 4 (0.7%) Asian, 1 (0.2%) Pacific Islander, 28 (4.7%) from other races, and 104 (17.5%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 85 persons (14.3%).[13]

The census reported that 94.6% of the population lived in households and 32 people (5.4%) were institutionalized.[13]

There were 284 households, out of which 64 (22.5%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 100 (35.2%) were married-couple households, 12 (4.2%) were cohabiting couple households, 76 (26.8%) had a female householder with no partner present, and 96 (33.8%) had a male householder with no partner present. 109 households (38.4%) were one person, and 56 (19.7%) were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 1.98.[13] There were 158 families (55.6% of all households).[14]

The age distribution was 96 people (16.2%) under the age of 18, 44 people (7.4%) aged 18 to 24, 103 people (17.4%) aged 25 to 44, 188 people (31.7%) aged 45 to 64, and 162 people (27.3%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 54.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.7 males.[13]

There were 373 housing units at an average density of 76.7 /mi2, of which 284 (76.1%) were occupied. Of these, 203 (71.5%) were owner-occupied, and 81 (28.5%) were occupied by renters.[13]

Politics

In the state legislature, Independence is in ,[15] and .[16]

Independence is in .[17]

Media

Film

The film set for Burt and Heather's house played by Michael Gross and Reba McEntire, in the 1990 movie, Tremors, directed by Ron Underwood, was built and filmed in the hills above Independence.

In the 1997 comedy film Trial and Error starring Michael Richards, Jeff Daniels, and Charlize Theron, Independence stood in as the fictional town of Paradise Bluff, Nevada.[18] The film is centered around the Inyo County Courthouse. According to film historian Charles Morfin, "the Pines Café, one of the oldest buildings in Independence, is observed in various scenes. It was used as a hotel bar, a café and as a hotel lobby."[18] Interior hotel scenes were shot in the Winnedumah Hotel and Pioneer Methodist Church.[18] A hotel facade (used for exterior shots) was erected next to the Mt. Williamson Hotel, and was torn down after shooting.[18] A number of Independence residents were recruited to act as extras in the film.[18]

Portions of Daft Punk's 2006 film Electroma were filmed in Independence.[19][20] The avant-garde film centers around two robots on a road trip throughout the American west; scenes shot in Independence involve the main characters being given wax faces by mysterious figures. Scenes from that particular part of the movie were later re-used in the band's 2026 music video for their song "Human After All".[21]

Radio

KSRW-FM 92.5 broadcasts from Independence. Another radio station that use to broadcast from Independence was KINC/KNYO/KESR on 600 AM.[22]

Education

It is in the Owens Valley Unified School District for grades PK-12.[23]

See also

References

  1. ^
  2. ^
  3. ^ "INDEPENDENCE, CALIFORNIA - Climate Summary". wrcc.dri.edu. Retrieved 2017-09-29.
  4. ^ californiahistoricallandmarks.com Landmarks chl-223
  5. ^ California Parks, Putnam's Cabin
  6. ^ "Camp Independence Marker". Historical Marker Database. California Historical Marker No. 349. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  7. ^ Inyo County Supervisor Jim Bilyeu quoted in The Los Angeles Times 15 July 2007
  8. ^ The Hall of Valor Project-John Kirk Singlaub
  9. ^ The Eastern California Museum website Archived 2011-07-18 at the Wayback Machine, accessed 6/20/2010
  10. ^ Independence, CA, Places of Interest, The Eastern California Museum Archived 2009-11-23 at the Wayback Machine, accessed 6/20/2010
  11. ^ "Inyo County Free Library". Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved December 13, 2012.
  12. ^ "2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California". United States Census Bureau
  13. ^ "Independence CDP, California; DP1: Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics - 2020 Census of Population and Housing". US Census Bureau. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
  14. ^ "Independence CDP, California; P16: Household Type - 2020 Census of Population and Housing". US Census Bureau. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
  15. ^ "Senators". State of California. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
  16. ^ "Members Assembly". State of California. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
  17. ^ Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  18. ^ Morfin, Charles (October 6, 2016). "A look back at ‘Trial and Error’ after 20 years". Inyo Register. p. 13.
  19. ^ Electroma (2006) - Filming & production - IMDb. Retrieved 2026-02-24. – via www.imdb.com.
  20. ^ Langley, Chris (November 27, 2014). "Robots strive to be human in Daft Punk's art film 'Electroma' - Inyo Film Journal No. 296". Inyo Register. pp. A18.
  21. ^ Daft Punk (2026-02-22). Daft Punk - Human After All (Official Music Video). Retrieved 2026-02-24. – via YouTube.
  22. ^ "Site of the Week 1/13/12: Bishop, California". fybush.com. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
  23. ^ Geography Division (December 18, 2020). 2020 Census - School District Reference Map: Inyo County, CA. Suitland, Maryland: U.S. Census Bureau. p. 2 (PDF p. 3/4). Retrieved 2026-04-22. - Text list