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CITY

Blythe

California · 15,042 residents (2025 est.) · 26.504 sq mi
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Notable rankings
#100Fastest shrinkingof 6,642-12.0%
The short version

Blythe has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $56,625. Population has grown 43% since 2000. 9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $225,000. Households here earn about 43% less than the California median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 38.3
US median: 38.9
Less educated
9% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 38%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
17,396
+43%since 2000
from 12,155 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
656 / sq mi
+43%since 2000
from 459 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
38.3
+25%since 2000
from 30.7 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:15,042 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
7K11K15K19K23K1990201020202024Blythe
202417K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$56,625
−12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $35,324 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$20,619
+43%since 2000
from $14,424 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
39.5%
+13.4 ptssince 2009
from 26.2% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
18.9%
−1.9 ptssince 2000
from 20.9% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.457
+2%since 2010
from 0.449 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information16.3%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade6.4%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade5.8%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance4.1%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical3.2%
US avg: 5.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.8%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction2.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing2.7%
US avg: 2.2%
Other services2.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration1.6%
US avg: 4.8%
Education & health services0.9%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0.4%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$225,000
+38%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $89,500 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$938
+3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $501 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
57.3%
+0.4 ptssince 2000
from 56.9% in 2000
42.7% rent
Vacancy rate
16.6%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 18.5% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
20.0%
−7.0 ptssince 2009
from 27.1% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
50.0%
+6.5 ptssince 2009
from 43.5% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
4.0
+57%since 2000
from 2.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
27
RELATED:See current rent listings in Blythe on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic42%(5,105)
Black8%(972)
Hispanic / Latino45.8%(5,571)
Asian1.3%(157)
Other0%
Diversity Score72.9%(8,863)
2024
White, non-Hispanic23.2%(4,043)
Black12.1%(2,097)
Hispanic / Latino58.2%(10,127)
Asian1.5%(260)
Other5%(869)
Diversity Score73.7%(12,826)
Diversity Score
74
+1%since 2000
from 73 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
8.5%
−0.5 ptssince 2000
from 9.0% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
69.0%
+0.9 ptssince 2000
from 68.1% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
3.5%
+0.2 ptssince 2000
from 3.3% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.0 min
+78%since 2000
from 10.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
79.8%
+6.3 ptssince 2009
from 73.5% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
12.3%
−2.6 ptssince 2009
from 14.9% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
1.0%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 1.5% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
3.3%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 2.8% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.7%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 4.7% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.3% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
9.5%
+2.1 ptssince 2009
from 7.4% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
11.7%
−3.3 ptssince 2011
from 15.0% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
34.1%
−0.7 ptssince 2011
from 34.9% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
26.8%
−2.8 ptssince 2009
from 29.6% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
28.7%
−29.6 ptssince 2009
from 58.3% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
66.1%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 67.5% in 2009
Female
33.9%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 32.5% in 2009
Foreign born
17.4%
+4.5 ptssince 2009
from 12.9% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
4.9%
−65.5 ptssince 2009
from 70.4% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
16.0%
+3.3 ptssince 2012
from 12.7% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
3.5%
−80.1 ptssince 2013
from 83.6% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
88.5%
+24.3 ptssince 2017
from 64.2% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
58.3%
+1.8 ptssince 2016
from 56.5% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
38.8%
−1.2 ptssince 2016
from 40.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Blythe, California?

Blythe, California has about 17,396 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Blythe, California?

The typical household in Blythe, California earns about $56,625 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Blythe, California expensive?

In Blythe, California, the median home is worth about $225,000, and the typical rent is about $938 a month.

How educated are people in Blythe, California?

About 8.5% of adults age 25 and over in Blythe, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Blythe, California?

About 18.9% of people in Blythe, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Blythe, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Blythe, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 8,776 residents, a change of about 102 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →

Blythe, California: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy