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CITY · 2010 ACS

El Centro

California · 42,598 residents · 12.117 sq mi
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The short version

El Centro has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $38,481. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 28%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $211,300. At a median age of 31.8, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Households here earn about 37% less than the California median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Younger
median age 31.8
US median: 37.2
Less educated
15% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 71%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
42,598
+13%since 2000
from 37,835 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
3,516 / sq mi
+13%since 2000
from 3,122 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
31.8
+6%since 2000
from 30.0 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
30K34K38K42K46K1990201020202024El Centro
202444K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$38,481
−8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $33,161 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$18,830
+36%since 2000
from $13,874 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
26.7%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 25.1% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
20.9%
−1.9 ptssince 2000
from 22.8% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.473
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information13.4%
US avg: 11.5%
Wholesale trade6%
US avg: 7.2%
Finance & insurance5.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing5.8%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction5.8%
US avg: 1.4%
Other services5.5%
US avg: 7%
Retail trade5.4%
US avg: 10.9%
Professional, scientific, technical3.1%
US avg: 4.2%
Education & health services2.8%
US avg: 0.9%
Transportation & warehousing2.7%
US avg: 3.1%
Public administration2.7%
US avg: 4.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0.8%
US avg: 2.4%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$211,300
+71%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $97,700 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$692
+4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $527 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
36.1%
−14.1 ptssince 2000
from 50.2% in 2000
50.5% rent
Vacancy rate
8.5%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 7.4% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
38.5%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 35.9% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
53.4%
−3.2 ptssince 2009
from 56.6% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
5.5
+86%since 2000
from 2.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in El Centro on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic18.1%(6,837)
Black2.8%(1,042)
Hispanic / Latino74.6%(28,219)
Asian3.2%(1,208)
Other0%
Diversity Score49.1%(18,559)
2010
White, non-Hispanic13.5%(5,758)
Black2%(864)
Hispanic / Latino81.6%(34,751)
Asian1.8%(785)
Other0.9%(381)
Diversity Score39.2%(16,692)
Diversity Score
39
−20%since 2000
from 49 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
15.4%
+1.4 ptssince 2000
from 14.0% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
68.3%
+5.4 ptssince 2000
from 62.9% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
4.7%
−1.0 ptssince 2000
from 5.6% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
16.7 min
+36%since 2000
from 12.3 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
79.1%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 79.0% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
11.3%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 11.6% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.5%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.8% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
5.6%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 4.9% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
2.2%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 2.5% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.2%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.1% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
12.4%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 12.1% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
19.0%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 19.3% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
26.8%
−30.4 ptssince 2009
from 57.2% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.3%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 48.9% in 2009
Female
51.7%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 51.1% in 2009
Foreign born
31.0%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 30.0% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
6.5%
−41.8 ptssince 2009
from 48.3% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

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Compare El Centro to nearby cities

EL CENTRO VS
Imperial
Income$90,195+134%
Home value$360,900+71%
Population22,330−50%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
EL CENTRO VS
Calexico
Income$49,783+29%
Home value$313,600+48%
Population38,623−13%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
EL CENTRO VS
Brawley
Income$59,311+54%
Home value$290,700+38%
Population28,008−37%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
EL CENTRO VS
Somerton
Income$74,015+92%
Home value$232,600+10%
Population14,934−66%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in El Centro, California?

El Centro, California has about 42,598 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in El Centro, California?

The typical household in El Centro, California earns about $38,481 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 $211,300, and the typical rent is about $692 a month.

How educated are people in El Centro, California?

About 15.4% 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 20.9% 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 11,214 residents, a change of about 36 percent over that period.

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

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