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Desert Shores, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Desert Shores is a small town in California with a population of 457. Residents earn $37,083 per year, which is 51% below the national average.

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
457 Population 653/sq mi density
$37,083 Median Income $27,085 per capita
$169,400 Home Value
77°F Avg Temperature 330 sunny days/yr
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.5 / 5.0
$37,083 median income, 1.2% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.1 / 5.0
$169,400 home value
F
Education
1.0 / 5.0
0.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $37,083
51% lower than US avg
Home Value $169,400
40% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 0.5%
99% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 34.7%
8% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.2%
67% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 9.4%
24% lower than US avg

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

People

Population457
Median Age52.7 yrs
Density653/mi²
Male / Female56% / 44%
Largest GroupWhite 29%
Veterans0.0%

Economy

B+
Median Income$37,083
Per Capita$27,085
Unemployment1.2%
Poverty9.4%
County GDP$134,757M
Commute25 min

Housing

A
Home Value$169,400
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units282
Rent Burden34.0%

Health

Obesity34.7%
Uninsured25.3%
Smoking13.7%
Depression19.9%
Heart Disease6.3%

Climate

Avg Temp77°F (25°C)
AQI48 (Good)
Rain4.0 in/yr
Sunny Days330/yr
Elevation-205 ft (-62 m)

Education

F
Bachelor's+0.5%
High School+53.1%
Graduate+0.0%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 49% / D 48%
Commute25 min
Broadband64.6%
Libraries60

Is Desert Shores a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Desert Shores receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include a high uninsured rate, below-average incomes. Desert Shores has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Desert Shores is $37,083, 51% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.2%. 9.4% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Desert Shores is $169,400, 40% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. A price-to-income ratio of 4.6x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

0.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 53.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Desert Shores has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 77°F. Winters average 59°F in January while summers reach 96°F in July. With 330 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 4.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Desert Shores has a population of 457 with a density of 653 people per square mile. The median age is 52.7 years, 35% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (28.7%).

Population

457
Total Population
653
People / sq mi
52.7yrs
Median Age
35% above US avg
0.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 56.2%
Female 43.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Desert Shores vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only46.7%
41% below US avg
Spanish53.3%
298% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Desert Shores vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Desert Shores is $37,083, which is 51% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 9.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Income: Desert Shores vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$37,083
51% below US avg
Per Capita Income$27,085
Avg Weekly Wage$1,149
IRS Avg AGI$72,983

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.2%
67% below US avg
Poverty Rate9.4%
24% below US avg
Establishments (County)86,446
County GDP$134,757M

Business (County)

Restaurants4,533
Healthcare5,585
Retail5,636
Manufacturing1,632

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,854
96% above US avg
Cost of Living110.70 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate4.05%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time25.3 min
Drive Alone95.2%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Desert Shores is $169,400, 40% below the national average.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$169,400
40% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Rent Burden34.0%

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-Occupied100.0%
Housing Units282
Median Year Built1985

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,854
96% above US avg
Effective Rate4.05%
In Desert Shores, 34.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 25.3% of residents lack health insurance. 13.7% are current smokers. 19.9% report depression. 36.7% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity34.7%
8% above US avg
Diabetes14.0%
Heart Disease6.3%
High Blood Pressure31.9%
Asthma9.1%
COPD5.7%
Cancer4.9%
Stroke3.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking13.7%
2% below US avg
Binge Drinking16.2%
Physical Inactivity36.7%
Depression19.9%
Mental Distress18.5%
Physical Distress17.3%
Short Sleep42.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate86.7%
Uninsured25.3%
194% above US avg
Primary Care1:2,164
Dentists1:1,734
Mental Health1:353
Checkup Rate67.3%
Dental Visits43.2%
Premature Death7,817/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.3/10
Exercise Access89.8%
Healthcare Facilities5,585
Desert Shores has an average annual temperature of 77°F (25°C). Winters average 59°F in January while summers reach 96°F in July. Annual precipitation is 4.0 inches. The area enjoys 330 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

59°F Jan (15°C) 96°F Jul (35°C)
Annual Average76.6°F
42% above US avg
January Average59°F (15°C)
July Average96°F (35°C)
Sunny Days330 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall4.0 inches
89% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation-205 ft (-62 m)
Area0.7 sq mi (1.8 km²)
Population Density653/sq mi
Coordinates33.4038°N, 116.0392°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
County FIPS06065
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 0.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (99% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 1.3-point margin. 64.6% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 49.3%
D 48%

Winner: Republican by 1.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+0.5%
99% below US avg
High School+53.1%
Graduate Degree+0.0%
School Test Score4.69
F Education Grade (1.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density653/sq mi
Total Area0.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access64.6%
Public Libraries60
Healthcare Facilities5,585
Restaurants4,533
Retail Stores5,636

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)341
FEMA Disaster Declarations910

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute25.3 min
Drive Alone95.2%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

Salton City, CA 6,244 pop · 8.5 mi Oasis, CA 4,455 pop · 9.9 mi North Shore, CA 3,373 pop · 10.6 mi Mecca, CA 7,071 pop · 12.0 mi Thermal, CA 1,420 pop · 16.2 mi Vista Santa Rosa, CA 2,418 pop · 17.9 mi Coachella, CA 42,594 pop · 20.7 mi Borrego Springs, CA 2,781 pop · 21.5 mi La Quinta, CA 38,299 pop · 21.6 mi Indio, CA 90,669 pop · 25.3 mi Indian Wells, CA 4,830 pop · 26.4 mi Bermuda Dunes, CA 8,074 pop · 27.5 mi Palm Desert, CA 51,551 pop · 29.7 mi Desert Palms, CA 6,522 pop · 29.9 mi
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