Desert Center, CA

Full City Profile · California · Imperial County County

3.3 /5.0
B Good
167 Population 5/sq mi density
$72,857 Median Income $25,685 per capita
$221,200 Home Value $258,145 Zillow
$1,192 Median Rent 22.1% income on rent
74°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.8 / 5.0
$72,857 median income, 15.0% 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

Desert Center, CA

At a Glance

Median Income
$72,857
3% below
$25,685 per capita
Home Value
$221,200
22% below
Zillow: $258,145
Median Rent
$1,192/mo
2% above
22.1% of income on rent
Bachelor's Degree+
15.0%
55% below
98.6% high school+
Unemployment
15.0%
317% above
14.0% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
43.4%
35% above
21.3% smoking rate
Avg Temperature
74°F

How Desert Center Compares to the U.S. Average

Each bar shows Desert Center's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)

Income
97%
Home Value
78%
Rent
102%
Poverty
113%
Bachelor's
45%
Unemployment
417%
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)

Is Desert Center a Good Place to Live?

B
3.3 / 5.0 - Good
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.

Economy & Jobs

Desert Center residents earn a median household income of $72,857 , which is 3% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $25,685. The unemployment rate stands at 15.0% (317% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 14.0% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 9,795 business establishments, including 280 restaurants.

Housing & Cost of Living

The median home value in Desert Center is $221,200 , 22% below the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home at $258,145. Median rent is $1,192/month, with 22.1% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 110.7 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1988.

Education

15.0% of adults in Desert Center hold a bachelor's degree or higher (55% below the national average). 98.6% have completed high school. Local schools score 4.1/10 in standardized testing.

Climate & Weather

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 totals 3.6 inches. Air quality is rated Moderate with a median AQI of 63.

Data Overview

People

Population167
Median Age49.2 yrs
Density5/mi²
Male / Female58% / 42%
Foreign Born7.8%
Veterans7.9%

Economy

C+
Median Income$72,857
Per Capita$25,685
Unemployment15.0%
Poverty14.0%
County GDP$12,907M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,051

Housing

A+
Home Value$221,200
Rent$1,192
Ownership67.2%
Zillow$258,145
Housing Units184
Rent Burden22.1%

Health

Obesity43.4%
Diabetes13.6%
Smoking21.3%
Heart Disease7.8%
Premature Death8,703/100K

Climate

Avg Temp74°F
Rain3.6 in/yr
AQI63 (Moderate)
Elevation650 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+15.0%
High School+98.6%
Graduate+11.2%
School Score4.1/10

Community

2024 VoteR 49% / D 48%
Commute12 min
Broadband100.0%
Internet Speed81 Mbps
Libraries12

Did You Know?

The median home in Desert Center was built in 1988.
The nearest airport is Jacqueline Cochran Regional (46 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.459 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively High" by FEMA.
14.4% of the population has a disability.
There are 280 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 36 fatal vehicle crashes.