Wheeler Crest is a small residential unincorporated community

Unincorporated area

In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...

 in southwestern Mono County, California

Mono County, California

Mono County is a county located in the east central portion of the U.S. state of California, to the east of the Sierra Nevada between Yosemite National Park and Nevada. As of the 2010 census, the population was 14,202, up from 12,853 at the 2000 census...

. It functions as a bedroom community for workers in Bishop

Bishop, California

Bishop is a city in Inyo County, California, United States. Though Bishop is the only city and the largest populated place in Inyo County, the county seat is Independence. Bishop is located near the northern end of the Owens Valley, at an elevation of 4147 feet . The population was 3,879 at the...

 and Mammoth Lakes

Mammoth Lakes, California

-History:The European history of Mammoth Lakes started in 1877, when four prospectors staked a claim on Mineral Hill, south of the current town, along Old Mammoth Road. In 1878, the Mammoth Mining Company was organized to mine Mineral Hill, which caused a gold rush. By the end of 1878, 1500 people...

, and as a home for retirees. Geographically, it sits on the Sherwin Grade, which divides Round Valley in Inyo County from Long Valley in Mono County.

Demographics

The 2000 United States Census reported the population of Wheeler Crest to be 196. For 2003, the California Department of Finance estimated the population to be 200. In 2000, 6% of the population was under 5 years old, 70% were from 18 to 64, and 11% were over 65. The median age was 51. Ninety-five percent of the households were owner occupied and 5% were rented. Under the current Mono County General Plan, the 116 developed parcels could be augmented by another 391 housing units.

Fire Protection District

Wheeler Crest is the seat of the Wheeler Crest Fire Protection District, which was established in 1982. This District covers an area of approximately 4 square miles (10.4 km²).