Inyo County is located in east-central California, on the east side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and southeast of Yosemite National Park. As of 2000 the county had a population of 17,945. The county seat is the town of Independence.

You will find Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the lower 48 states, located on Inyo County's western border. Badwater Basin, which is located in Death Valley National Park, is the lowest point in North America, is also located in the county. The two points are not visible from each other, but both can be observed from the Panamint Range on the west side of Death Valley. Death Valley National Park is partially located in southern Inyo County. It is the hottest and driest of the national parks in the United States.

Inyo County was formed in 1866, from territory of Coso County which was created in April 4,1864, from parts of Mono and Tulare Counties. More territory was later acquired from Mono County in 1870 and Kern County and San Bernardino County in 1872.

The county got its name from the Native American name for the mountains in its area. The word "Inyo" means, "Dwelling place of the great spirit."

County Website: http://www.inyocounty.us

School District: http://www.inyo.k12.ca.us/home.aspx