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CITY · 2020 ACS

Desert Hot Springs

California · 32,512 residents · 30.126 sq mi
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The short version

Desert Hot Springs has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $37,818. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 96% since 2000. 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $218,000. At a median age of 33.0, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Households here earn about 52% less than the California median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 33.0
US median: 38.8
Less educated
16% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 86%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
32,512
+96%since 2000
from 16,582 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,079 / sq mi
+96%since 2000
from 550 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
33.0
+10%since 2000
from 30.1 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
10K16K22K29K35K1990201020202024Desert Hot Springs
202433K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$37,818
−3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $25,987 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$20,751
+74%since 2000
from $11,954 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
23.2%
+4.5 ptssince 2009
from 18.7% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
24.0%
−3.5 ptssince 2000
from 27.5% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information12.7%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade11.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance4.5%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical4.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services4.1%
US avg: 6.6%
Retail trade3%
US avg: 10%
Arts, entertainment, food2.2%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing0.7%
US avg: 2.5%
Public administration0.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.7%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.4%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$218,000
+86%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $78,000 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,046
+37%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $509 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
49.4%
+2.2 ptssince 2000
from 47.2% in 2000
50.6% rent
Afford Score
5.8
+92%since 2000
from 3.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Desert Hot Springs on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic48.5%(8,040)
Black5.7%(947)
Hispanic / Latino40.4%(6,699)
Asian1.8%(300)
Other0%
Diversity Score70.9%(11,765)
2020
White, non-Hispanic24.8%(8,058)
Black7.4%(2,418)
Hispanic / Latino61.2%(19,887)
Asian2.1%(696)
Other3.7%(1,210)
Diversity Score68.8%(22,366)
Diversity Score
69
−3%since 2000
from 71 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
15.7%
+6.8 ptssince 2000
from 8.9% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
77.6%
+6.7 ptssince 2000
from 70.9% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
5.4%
+3.0 ptssince 2000
from 2.4% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
27.4 min
+46%since 2000
from 18.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
81.2%
+10.3 ptssince 2009
from 70.9% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
8.1%
−2.9 ptssince 2009
from 11.0% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.7%
−9.6 ptssince 2011
from 17.3% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
58.2%
−2.7 ptssince 2011
from 60.9% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
21.9%
−26.9 ptssince 2009
from 48.8% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.5%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 49.1% in 2009
Female
51.5%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 50.9% in 2009
Foreign born
22.8%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 23.7% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
14.3%
−55.6 ptssince 2013
from 69.9% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Desert Hot Springs to nearby cities

DESERT HOT SPRINGS VS
Cathedral City
Income$73,572+95%
Home value$453,100+108%
Population52,375+54%
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DESERT HOT SPRINGS VS
Palm Springs
Income$73,119+93%
Home value$604,000+177%
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DESERT HOT SPRINGS VS
Yucca Valley
Income$59,563+57%
Home value$363,400+67%
Population21,887−36%
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DESERT HOT SPRINGS VS
Rancho Mirage
Income$107,364+184%
Home value$807,200+270%
Population17,876−47%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Desert Hot Springs, California?

Desert Hot Springs, California has about 32,512 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Desert Hot Springs, California?

The typical household in Desert Hot Springs, California earns about $37,818 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Desert Hot Springs, California expensive?

In Desert Hot Springs, California, the median home is worth about $218,000, and the typical rent is about $1,046 a month.

How educated are people in Desert Hot Springs, California?

About 15.7% of adults age 25 and over in Desert Hot Springs, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Desert Hot Springs, California?

About 24.0% of people in Desert Hot Springs, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Desert Hot Springs, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Desert Hot Springs, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 20,844 residents, a change of about 179 percent over that period.

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

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