Choose Country

Desert Center, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Desert Center is a small town in California with a population of 167. Residents earn $72,857 per year, which is 3% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
167 Population 5/sq mi density
$72,857 Median Income $25,685 per capita
$221,200 Home Value
$1,192 Median Rent 22.1% income on rent
74°F Avg Temperature 330 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$72,857 median income, 5.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$221,200 home value, $1,192/mo rent
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
15.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $72,857
3% lower than US avg
Home Value $221,200
22% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 15.0%
55% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,192
2% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 43.4%
35% higher than US avg
Unemployment 5.9%
64% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 14.0%
13% higher than US avg

How Desert Center Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population167
Median Age49.2 yrs
Density5/mi²
Male / Female58% / 42%
Largest GroupWhite 56%
Veterans7.9%

Economy

B
Median Income$72,857
Per Capita$25,685
Unemployment5.9%
Poverty14.0%
County GDP$12,907M
Commute12 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$221,200
Rent$1,192
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units184
Rent Burden22.1%

Health

Obesity43.4%
Uninsured15.7%
Smoking21.3%
Depression28.4%
Heart Disease7.8%

Climate

Avg Temp74°F (23°C)
AQI48 (Good)
Rain3.7 in/yr
Sunny Days330/yr
Elevation650 ft (198 m)

Education

C
Bachelor's+15.0%
High School+98.6%
Graduate+11.2%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 49% / D 48%
Commute12 min
Broadband64.0%
Libraries12

Is Desert Center a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Desert Center receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, a high uninsured rate, high obesity rates. Desert Center offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Desert Center is $72,857, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.9% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. 14.0% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 12 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Desert Center is $221,200, 22% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,192 per month. At just 3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

15.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 98.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Desert Center has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 74°F. Winters average 55°F in January while summers reach 94°F in July. With 330 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 3.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Desert Center has a population of 167 with a density of 5 people per square mile. The median age is 49.2 years, 26% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (55.7%), with 3.6% Hispanic, 7.2% Black.

Population

167
Total Population
5
People / sq mi
49.2yrs
Median Age
26% above US avg
30.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 58.1%
Female 41.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Desert Center vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only88.5%
13% above US avg
Spanish11.5%
14% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Desert Center vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Desert Center is $72,857, which is 3% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.9% (above the 3.6% US average). 14.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 12 minutes.

Income: Desert Center vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$72,857
3% below US avg
Per Capita Income$25,685
Avg Weekly Wage$1,051
IRS Avg AGI$50,076

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.9%
64% above US avg
Poverty Rate14.0%
13% above US avg
Establishments (County)9,795
County GDP$12,907M

Business (County)

Restaurants280
Healthcare322
Retail429
Manufacturing68

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,268
22% above US avg
Cost of Living110.70 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate1.93%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time12.2 min
Drive Alone58.8%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home5.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Desert Center is $221,200, 22% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,192 (2% above US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$221,200
22% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,192
2% above US avg
Rent Burden22.1%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,513
1 Bedroom$1,647
2 Bedrooms$2,053
3 Bedrooms$2,752
4 Bedrooms$3,165

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied67.2%
Housing Units184
Median Year Built1988

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,268
22% above US avg
Effective Rate1.93%
In Desert Center, 43.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 15.7% of residents lack health insurance. 21.3% are current smokers. 28.4% report depression. 35.7% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Desert Center vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity43.4%
35% above US avg
Diabetes13.6%
Heart Disease7.8%
High Blood Pressure37.0%
Asthma11.6%
COPD10.0%
Cancer6.6%
Stroke4.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking21.3%
52% above US avg
Binge Drinking14.3%
Physical Inactivity35.7%
Depression28.4%
Mental Distress23.5%
Physical Distress19.8%
Short Sleep40.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.9%
Uninsured15.7%
83% above US avg
Checkup Rate69.6%
Dental Visits54.8%
Premature Death8,703/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.1/10
Exercise Access81.6%
Healthcare Facilities322
Desert Center has an average annual temperature of 74°F (23°C). Winters average 55°F in January while summers reach 94°F in July. Annual precipitation is 3.7 inches. The area enjoys 330 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

55°F Jan (13°C) 94°F Jul (34°C)
Annual Average73.6°F
36% above US avg
January Average55°F (13°C)
July Average94°F (34°C)
Sunny Days330 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall3.7 inches
90% below US avg
Snowfall0.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation650 ft (198 m)
Area30.4 sq mi (78.8 km²)
Population Density5/sq mi
Coordinates33.7378°N, 115.3666°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
County FIPS06025
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 15.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (55% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 0.9-point margin. 64.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 49.1%
D 48.3%

Winner: Republican by 0.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+15.0%
55% below US avg
High School+98.6%
Graduate Degree+11.2%
School Test Score4.69
C Education Grade (2.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density5/sq mi
Total Area30.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access64.0%
Public Libraries12
Healthcare Facilities322
Restaurants280
Retail Stores429

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)36

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute12.2 min
Drive Alone58.8%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home5.9%

Nearby Cities

North Shore, CA 3,373 pop · 34.9 mi Niland, CA 1,388 pop · 35.5 mi Mesa Verde, CA 1,025 pop · 37.8 mi Calipatria, CA 6,549 pop · 39.9 mi Mecca, CA 7,071 pop · 41.7 mi Blythe, CA 17,824 pop · 43.2 mi Thermal, CA 1,420 pop · 44.6 mi Coachella, CA 42,594 pop · 44.8 mi Salton City, CA 6,244 pop · 45.7 mi Oasis, CA 4,455 pop · 46.0 mi Vista Santa Rosa, CA 2,418 pop · 49.1 mi Twentynine Palms, CA 28,738 pop · 49.1 mi Indio, CA 90,669 pop · 50.0 mi Westmorland, CA 1,734 pop · 50.5 mi
Compare Desert Center with another city: