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Desert Center, CA
Full City Profile · California · Imperial County County
2.9
/5.0
C+
Fair
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
330 sunny days/yr
353
Violent Crime/100K
177 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair 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
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
353 violent crimes/100K
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
15.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Housing Overview
Median Home Value
$221,200
22% below
US avg: $281,900
Median Rent
$1,192/mo
2% above
US avg: $1,163/mo
Homeownership Rate
67.2%
3% above US avg (65.4%)
Total Housing Units
184
Median year built: 1988
Home Value by Source
Census Median
$221,200
Zillow (ZHVI)
$258,145
Census ACS, Zillow ZHVI, Redfin median sale price
Ownership vs. Renting
67.2%
Owner-Occupied
32.8%
Renter-Occupied
US avg: 65.4% owner-occupied
Fair Market Rents (HUD FY2026)
Studio
$1,513/mo
1 Bedroom
$1,647/mo
2 Bedroom
$2,053/mo
3 Bedroom
$2,752/mo
4 Bedroom
$3,165/mo
Census median rent:
$1,192/mo
Affordability & Housing Stock
Rent Burden
22.1%
of renters spending 30%+ of income on housing
29% below US avg (31.0%)
Median Year Built
1988
Average age of housing stock: 38 years
Homeownership Rate
67.2%
Complete Housing Data
Home Values
| Census Median Value | $221,200 |
| Zillow Home Value (ZHVI) | $258,145 |
Rent
| Census Median Rent | $1,192 |
| FMR Studio | $1,513 |
| FMR 1-Bedroom | $1,647 |
| FMR 2-Bedroom | $2,053 |
| FMR 3-Bedroom | $2,752 |
| FMR 4-Bedroom | $3,165 |
Market
Ownership & Stock
| Owner-Occupied | 67.2% |
| Renter-Occupied | 32.8% |
| Homeownership Rate | 67.2% |
| Total Housing Units | 184 |
| Median Year Built | 1988 |
| Rent Burden | 22.1% |