United States › California › El Centro CITY · 2000 CENSUS
El Centro California · 37,835 residents · 12.1 sq mi
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The short version
With 37,835 people, El Centro is a city in California. Owners hold 50% of the housing stock. The median age is 30.0, younger than the US median of 35.2. 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 22.8% of residents live below the federal poverty line. Households here earn about 30% less than in California as a whole.
At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Younger
median age 30.0
US median: 35.2
Less educated
14% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
More affordable
home values down 5%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01
Population & growth from 27.7 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
30K 34K 38K 42K 46K 1990 2000 2010 2020 2024 El Centro Age distribution, 2000
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 02
Income & economy $33,161
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 1990
from $25,147 in 1990
US average: $42,589
from $9,898 in 1990
US average: $21,522
from 23.3% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
$97,700
−5%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $78,100 in 1990
US average: $120,530
$527
−7%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $431 in 1990
US average: $602
from 52.5% in 1990
49.8% rent
Section 04
Race & ethnicity 1990
White, non-Hispanic 59.9%(18,792)
Hispanic / Latino 64.7%(20,301)
2000
White, non-Hispanic 18.1%(6,837)
Hispanic / Latino 74.6%(28,219)
No data for the years selected.
Section 04 · Origins
Detailed origins & ancestry Detailed origin tables are available for 2024; showing 2024 data.
Hispanic origin
+ 3 more hispanic origin groups with data Ancestry
+ 22 more ancestry groups with data from 13.5% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
from 59.5% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
from 5.7% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06
Commute & transportation from 14.2 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07
Work & employment No data for the years selected.
Section 08
People & community No data for the years selected.
Marital status
Men 15+
Never married 29.6%(3,882)
Women 15+
Never married 27.4%(3,898)
SHARE WITHIN EACH SEX · POPULATION 15 AND OVER · 2000
Section 09
Health coverage Showing 2024 (the nearest year with coverage data).
from 19.7% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
from 38.3% in 2020
US average: 54.8%
Direct-purchase
from 9.2% in 2020
US average: 13.8%
from 15.0% in 2020
US average: 18.4%
from 48.2% in 2020
US average: 20.9%
VA health care
from 1.7% in 2020
US average: 2.2%
Any private
from 45.9% in 2020
US average: 67.1%
Any public
from 56.9% in 2020
US average: 36.7%
Shares are "alone or in combination": a person with both Medicare and Medicaid counts in each, so categories overlap and do not sum to 100%.
Section 09 · Service history
Veterans Veterans by period of service, 2024
Gulf War (2001 or later) 36.4%(556)
Gulf War (1990s) 29.3%(447)
Share of the 1,527 veterans here. A veteran who served across eras counts in each, so shares can total more than 100%. Peacetime-only service is included in the total but not shown as an era.
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Drill deeper
Places similar to El Centro Head to head
Compare El Centro to nearby cities EL CENTRO VS
Imperial
Income $90,195 +172%
Home value $360,900 +269%
Population 22,330 −50%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
EL CENTRO VS
Calexico
Income $49,783 +50%
Home value $313,600 +221%
Population 38,623 −13%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
EL CENTRO VS
Brawley
Income $59,311 +79%
Home value $290,700 +198%
Population 28,008 −37%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
EL CENTRO VS
Somerton
Income $74,015 +123%
Home value $232,600 +138%
Population 14,934 −66%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked
How many people live in El Centro, California? El Centro, California has about 37,835 residents according to the 2000 Census.
What is the median household income in El Centro, California? The typical household in El Centro, California earns about $33,161 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.
Is El Centro, California expensive? In El Centro, California, the median home is worth about $97,700, and the typical rent is about $527 a month.
How educated are people in El Centro, California? About 14.0% of adults age 25 and over in El Centro, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the poverty rate in El Centro, California? About 22.8% of people in El Centro, California live below the federal poverty line.
Has El Centro, California grown since 1990? Yes, El Centro, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 6,451 residents, a change of about 21 percent over that period.
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