Desert Center, California

Submit your own pictures of this place and show them to the world

  • OSM Map
  • Google Map
  • MSN Map
Population in 2010: 204.
Males: 126  (61.9%)
Females: 78  (38.1%)
Median resident age:

50.6 years
California median age:

37.9 years

Zip codes: 92239.

Estimated median household income in 2022: $86,748
Desert Center:

$86,748
CA:

$91,551

Estimated per capita income in 2022: $35,468

Desert Center CDP income, earnings, and wages data

Estimated median house or condo value in 2022: $555,400
Desert Center:

$555,400
CA:

$715,900

Mean prices in 2022: all housing units: $299,952; detached houses: $285,355; mobile homes: $299,415
March 2022 cost of living index in Desert Center: 72.6 (low, U.S. average is 100)
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2022: 25.1%
(7.4% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 100.0% for Black residents, 51.8% for Hispanic or Latino residents, 52.8% for other race residents, 93.7% for two or more races residents)

Compare current foreclosures near your location:

Check out more offers near your location.
Powered by Foreclosure.com
Settings
X
Data:
Loading data...
Based on 2000-2022 data
Loading data...

123
Hide US histogram
  • Races in Desert Center, CA (2022)
    • 11458.8%White alone
    • 5829.9%Hispanic
    • 105.2%Black alone
    • 42.1%Asian alone
Recent articles from our blog. Our writers, many of them Ph.D. graduates or candidates, create easy-to-read articles on a wide variety of topics.

Ancestries: German (12.3%), Greek (5.7%), Italian (5.7%), Norwegian (5.7%), Croatian (4.7%), English (1.9%).

Current Local Time: PST time zone

Elevation: 906 feet

15 residents are foreign born (6.2% Latin America, 1.0% Asia).

This place:

7.7%
California:

26.5%

Nearest city with pop. 50,000+: Coachella Valley, CA (43.7 miles , pop. 118,932).

Nearest city with pop. 200,000+: Riverside, CA (115.8 miles , pop. 255,166).

Nearest city with pop. 1,000,000+: San Diego, CA (119.8 miles , pop. 1,223,400).

Nearest cities:

Chuckwalla, CA (4.3 miles ),
Bombay Beach, CA (5.6 miles ),
Niland, CA (5.8 miles ),
Mesa Verde, CA (6.3 miles ),
Mecca, CA (6.3 miles ),
Calipatria, CA (6.4 miles ),
Salton Sea Beach, CA (6.5 miles ),
Desert Shores, CA (6.5 miles )

Latitude: 33.71 N, Longitude: 115.40 W

Area code: 760

Distribution of median household income in Desert Center, CA in 2022
Distribution of house value in Desert Center, CA in 2022
Unemployment in December 2023:
Here:

5.2%
California:

5.1%
Air pollution and air quality trends
(lower is better)
AQI Ozone PM2.5
Air Quality Index

Air Quality Index (AQI) level in 2023 was 67.5. This is about average.

City:

67.5
U.S.:

72.6
Ozone Level

Ozone [ppb] level in 2023 was 46.2. This is worse than average. Closest monitor was 15.7 miles away from the city center.

City:

46.2
U.S.:

33.3
Particulate Matter Level

Particulate Matter (PM2.5) [µg/m3] level in 2021 was 4.66. This is significantly better than average. Closest monitor was 24.2 miles away from the city center.

City:

4.66
U.S.:

8.11

Earthquake activity:

Desert Center-area historical earthquake activity is significantly above California state average. It is 5865% greater than the overall U.S. average.

On 6/28/1992 at 11:57:34, a magnitude 7.6 (6.2 MB, 7.6 MS, 7.3 MW, Depth: 0.7 mi, Class: Major, Intensity: VIII - XII) earthquake occurred 72.6 miles away from Desert Center center, causing 3 deaths (1 shaking deaths, 2 other deaths) and 400 injuries, causing $100,000,000 total damage and $40,000,000 insured losses
On 10/16/1999 at 09:46:44, a magnitude 7.4 (6.3 MB, 7.4 MS, 7.2 MW, 7.3 ML) earthquake occurred 81.1 miles away from Desert Center center
On 5/19/1940 at 04:36:40, a magnitude 7.2 (7.2 UK) earthquake occurred 38.0 miles away from Desert Center center, causing $33,000,000 total damage
On 12/31/1934 at 18:45:56, a magnitude 7.1 (7.1 UK) earthquake occurred 74.1 miles away from the city center
On 7/21/1952 at 11:52:14, a magnitude 7.7 (7.7 UK) earthquake occurred 223.9 miles away from Desert Center center, causing $50,000,000 total damage
On 10/15/1979 at 23:16:54, a magnitude 7.0 (5.7 MB, 6.9 MS, 7.0 ML, 6.4 MW) earthquake occurred 63.6 miles away from the city center
Magnitude types: body-wave magnitude (MB), local magnitude (ML), surface-wave magnitude (MS), moment magnitude (MW)

Natural disasters:

The number of natural disasters in Riverside County (46) is a lot greater than the US average (15).
Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 27
Emergencies Declared: 1

Causes of natural disasters: Fires: 22, Floods: 20, Storms: 8, Winter Storms: 8, Landslides: 6, Mudslides: 5, Heavy Rains: 2, Earthquake: 1, Flash Flood: 1, Freeze: 1, Hurricane: 1, Tornado: 1, Tropical Storm: 1, Other: 1 (Note: some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).

Airports located in Desert Center:

See details about airports located in Desert Center, CA

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Desert Center:

  • College of the Desert (about 57 miles; Palm Desert, CA; Full-time enrollment: 5,686)
  • Imperial Valley College (about 62 miles; Imperial, CA; FT enrollment: 5,313)
  • Arizona Western College (about 89 miles; Yuma, AZ; FT enrollment: 5,454)
  • Mt San Jacinto Community College District (about 91 miles; San Jacinto, CA; FT enrollment: 8,426)
  • Crafton Hills College (about 101 miles; Yucaipa, CA; FT enrollment: 3,222)
  • University of Redlands (about 105 miles; Redlands, CA; FT enrollment: 4,854)
  • Moreno Valley College (about 105 miles; Moreno Valley, CA; FT enrollment: 4,650)

Public elementary/middle school in Desert Center:

See full list of schools located in Desert Center

Points of interest:

Click to draw/clear place borders

Notable locations in Desert Center: Lake Tamarisk Branch Riverside City and County Public Library (A), Riverside County Fire Department Station 49 - Lake Tamarisk (B). Display/hide their locations on the map

Streams, rivers, and creeks: Big Wash (A). Display/hide its location on the map

Riverside County has a predicted average indoor radon screening level between 2 and 4 pCi/L (pico curies per liter) - Moderate Potential

Drinking water stations with addresses in Desert Center that have no violations reported:

  • DESERT CENTER MINI MART INC (Population served: 40, Primary Water Source Type: Groundwater)
Average household size:
This place:

2.4 people
California:

2.9 people

Percentage of family households:
This place:

56.5%
Whole state:

68.7%

Percentage of households with unmarried partners:
This place:

3.5%
Whole state:

7.2%


No gay or lesbian households reported

For population 15 years and over in Desert Center:

Marital status in Desert Center, CA
  • Never married: 19.0%
  • Now married: 75.9%
  • Separated: 0.0%
  • Widowed: 4.0%
  • Divorced: 1.1%

For population 25 years and over in Desert Center:

  • High school or higher: 98.2%
  • Bachelor's degree or higher: 29.4%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 11.2%
Educational Attainment in 2022
School Enrollment by Level of School in 2022
Education Gini index (Inequality in education)
Here:

8.9
California average:

15.5

Presidential Elections Results

Graphs represent county-level data. Detailed 2008 Election Results

Religion statistics for Desert Center, CA (based on Riverside County data)

Religions Adherents in 2010
Religions Adherents - Change between 2000 and 2010
ReligionAdherentsCongregations
Catholic602,76551
Evangelical Protestant240,306741
Other77,581194
Mainline Protestant29,535103
Black Protestant19,17040
Orthodox3,64711
None1,216,637-
Source: Clifford Grammich, Kirk Hadaway, Richard Houseal, Dale E.Jones, Alexei Krindatch, Richie Stanley and Richard H.Taylor. 2012. 2010 U.S.Religion Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study. Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center. Graphs represent county-level data

Food Environment Statistics:

Number of grocery stores: 330
Riverside County:

1.60 / 10,000 pop.
California:

2.14 / 10,000 pop.
Number of supercenters and club stores: 11
This county:

0.05 / 10,000 pop.
State:

0.04 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (no gas): 91
Here:

0.44 / 10,000 pop.
State:

0.62 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (with gas): 311
Riverside County:

1.51 / 10,000 pop.
California:

1.49 / 10,000 pop.
Number of full-service restaurants: 1,125
This county:

5.45 / 10,000 pop.
State:

7.42 / 10,000 pop.
Adult diabetes rate:
Here:

7.7%
State:

7.3%
Adult obesity rate:
Here:

24.5%
State:

21.3%
Low-income preschool obesity rate:
Here:

15.2%
State:

17.9%

7.19% of this county's 2021 resident taxpayers lived in other counties in 2020 ($71,521 average adjusted gross income)

Here:

7.19%
California average:

5.19%

0.03% of residents moved from foreign countries ($210 average AGI)
Riverside County:

0.03%
California average:

0.03%

Top counties from which taxpayers relocated into this county between 2020 and 2021:
from Los Angeles County, CA  1.67% ($73,820 average AGI)
from San Bernardino County, CA  1.37% ($58,630)
from Orange County, CA  1.13% ($77,838)


6.28% of this county's 2020 resident taxpayers moved to other counties in 2021 ($64,593 average adjusted gross income)

Here:

6.28%
California average:

6.14%

0.02% of residents moved to foreign countries ($200 average AGI)
Riverside County:

0.02%
California average:

0.02%

Top counties to which taxpayers relocated from this county between 2020 and 2021:
to San Bernardino County, CA  1.11% ($52,713 average AGI)
to Los Angeles County, CA  0.72% ($54,847)
to Orange County, CA  0.62% ($70,371)

Strongest AM radio stations in Desert Center:

  • KFMB (760 AM; 50 kW; SAN DIEGO, CA; Owner: MIDWEST TELEVISION, INC.)
  • KPLS (830 AM; 50 kW; ORANGE, CA; Owner: CRN LICENSES, LLC)
  • KCBQ (1170 AM; 50 kW; SAN DIEGO, CA; Owner: RADIO 1210, INC.)
  • KLAC (570 AM; 50 kW; LOS ANGELES, CA; Owner: AMFM RADIO LICENSES, L.L.C.)
  • KFI (640 AM; 50 kW; LOS ANGELES, CA; Owner: CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)
  • KNWZ (970 AM; 5 kW; COACHELLA, CA; Owner: MCC RADIO, LLC)
  • KDWN (720 AM; 50 kW; LAS VEGAS, NV; Owner: RADIO NEVADA CORP.)
  • KNWQ (1140 AM; 10 kW; PALM SPRINGS, CA; Owner: MCC RADIO, LLC)
  • KSPN (710 AM; 50 kW; LOS ANGELES, CA; Owner: KABC-AM RADIO, INC.)
  • KTNQ (1020 AM; 50 kW; LOS ANGELES, CA; Owner: KTNQ-AM LICENSE CORP.)
  • KDIS (1110 AM; 50 kW; PASADENA, CA; Owner: ABC,INC.)
  • KXTA (1150 AM; 50 kW; LOS ANGELES, CA; Owner: CITICASTERS LICENSES, L.P.)
  • KFWB (980 AM; 50 kW; LOS ANGELES, CA; Owner: INFINITY BROADCASTING OPERATIONS, INC.)

Strongest FM radio stations in Desert Center:

  • KZAL (105.5 FM; DESERT CENTER, CA; Owner: WORLDWIDE MULTI-MEDIA B/C CO.)
  • KRCK-FM (97.7 FM; MECCA, CA; Owner: PLAYA DEL SOL BROADCASTERS)
  • K217EF (91.3 FM; DESERT CENTER, CA; Owner: THE ASSN. FOR COMMNTY EDUCATION, INC)

Desert Center fatal accident list:

Apr 15, 2017 03:22 AM, Sr-177, Lat: 33.774219, Lon: -115.327494, Vehicles: 2, Persons: 3, Fatalities: 1
May 28, 2016 02:48 PM, I-10, Lat: 33.710375, Lon: -115.416042, Vehicles: 1, Persons: 4, Fatalities: 1
Dec 17, 2016 08:49 AM, I-10, Lat: 33.707444, Lon: -115.429872, Vehicles: 1, Persons: 3, Fatalities: 1
Sep 30, 2014 08:04 AM, I-10, Lat: 33.702097, Lon: -115.311031, Vehicles: 1, Persons: 2, Fatalities: 1, Drunk persons involved: 1
Jul 13, 2004 02:00 PM, Sr-177, Lat: 33.762287, Lon: -115.342025, Vehicles: 1, Persons: 1, Fatalities: 1
Sep 2, 2002 03:05 PM, Sr-177, Lat: 33.742141, Lon: -115.366497, Vehicles: 2, Persons: 3, Fatalities: 1
  • National Bridge Inventory (NBI) Statistics
  • 41Number of bridges
  • 312ft / 95.3mTotal length
  • 578,300Total average daily traffic
  • 223,118Total average daily truck traffic
New bridges in Desert Center, CA - historical statistics
  • New bridges - historical statistics
  • 61930-1939
  • 341960-1969
  • 12010-2019
See full National Bridge Inventory statistics for Desert Center, CA

FCC Registered Cell Phone Towers:

8 (See the full list of FCC Registered Cell Phone Towers in Desert Center)

FCC Registered Antenna Towers:

37 (See the full list of FCC Registered Antenna Towers)

FCC Registered Broadcast Land Mobile Towers:

23 (See the full list of FCC Registered Broadcast Land Mobile Towers in Desert Center, CA)

FCC Registered Microwave Towers:

54 (See the full list of FCC Registered Microwave Towers in this town)

FCC Registered Amateur Radio Licenses:

4
  • Call Sign: KJ6BIB, Licensee ID: L01509133, Grant Date: 07/26/2019, Expiration Date: 07/29/2029, Certifier: John B Beach, Registrant: John B Beach, Desert Center, CA 92239-0091

  • Call Sign: KK6JUB, Licensee ID: L01842863, Grant Date: 02/14/2014, Expiration Date: 02/14/2024, Certifier: Renee W Castor, Registrant: Renee W Castor, Desert Center, CA 92239

  • Call Sign: KK6JUC, Licensee ID: L01842864, Grant Date: 02/14/2014, Expiration Date: 02/14/2024, Certifier: Glenn M Castor, Registrant: Glenn M Castor, Desert Center, CA 92239

  • Call Sign: KN6OIQ, Licensee ID: L00617885, Grant Date: 04/12/2021, Expiration Date: 04/12/2031, Certifier: Christopher Peltack Sr., Registrant: Christopher Peltack Sr., Desert Center, CA 92239-0606


Houses and condos Apartments
Most commonly used house heating fuel in houses and condos in Desert Center, CA
  • 62.8%Electricity
  • 37.2%Utility gas
Most commonly used house heating fuel in apartments in Desert Center, CA
  • 76.0%Electricity
  • 24.0%Utility gas


Desert Center compared to California state average:

  • Median house value significantly below state average.
  • Unemployed percentage significantly below state average.
  • Median age significantly above state average.
  • Foreign-born population percentage significantly below state average.
  • Renting percentage below state average.
  • Length of stay since moving in significantly above state average.
  • Number of rooms per house below state average.
  • House age below state average.
  • Number of college students below state average.
There is 1 pilot and no other airmen in this city.
Cost of Living Calculator
Top Patent Applicants
Top Patent Applicants
  • Montana Marcus Alvarez (1)

Total of 1 patent application in 2008-2024.