166 years in pictures
Census counts: 134 in 2000, a peak of 192 in 2010, 131 in 2020. The archive holds 2 old photos and papers going back to 2010 and 2 maps from 1988 on.
- 1860Olancha is established
Each edition grades its towns against each other only.

A town of 113, established in 1860.
Olancha’s July high is 98°F, against 89°F in California’s towns and 85°F across U.S. towns. 36% of the land in Olancha is conserved, where California’s towns sit at 4.3% and U.S. towns at 4.3%. Olancha has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.
In a town this size, neighbors are the best guide. Ask them anything.
Census counts: 134 in 2000, a peak of 192 in 2010, 131 in 2020. The archive holds 2 old photos and papers going back to 2010 and 2 maps from 1988 on.
Olancha is unincorporated, so Inyo County and regional agencies provide most services.
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Nov 18, 2024.
Ordered by what stands out in Olancha.
The typical Olancha home is worth about $302,000, up 4% in a year, 60% below the California typical home. 51% of households own their home in Olancha.
Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
26 miles of trail in 0 parks and preserves. Olancha’s trail density is 3.4 miles per square mile.
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 79% of U.S. communities.
FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
Olancha has mild winters and hot summers, with very little rain. The January low in Olancha is 32°F.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
42% of Olancha adults have high blood pressure. Olancha beats the California average on 8 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 9. 16% of Olancha adults have diabetes.
| Olancha | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| High blood pressure (CDC PLACES) | 42% | 31% | 35% |
| Diabetes (CDC PLACES) | 16% | 12% | 12% |
| Frequent physical distress (CDC PLACES) | 17% | 14% | 14% |
| Binge drink (CDC PLACES) | 13% | 16% | 16% |
| What stands out | Olancha | CA |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer adults facing housing insecurity | 12% | 14.9% |
| More adults screened for colon cancer | 67.6% | 57.5% |
| More adults with COPD | 9.1% | 5.1% |
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
None within 15 miles of Olancha; the nearest are
About 0 of every 100 Olancha residents are enrolled in college, against 8 across California.
Census-designated place in California, United States
Olancha (Timbisha: Pakwa' si) is a census-designated place in Inyo County, California, United States. Olancha is located on U.S. Route 395 in California, 37 miles (60 km) south-southeast of Independence. As of the 2020 census, the population was 131, down from 192 at the 2010 census. Located in the Owens Valley next to the now mostly dry Owens Lake, the arid settlement is home to a major bottled water plant for Crystal Geyser Natural Alpine Spring Water.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Olancha has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.