El Centro, CA

Census Place

Add Comparison

2024 Population

44,240

US Senator

Alex Padilla

Democratic Party

US Senator

Adam Schiff

Democratic Party

2024 Median Age

1.9% 1-year decrease

2024 Poverty Rate

21.6%

7.28% 1-year increase

2024 Median Household Income

$53,082

5.37% 1-year decline

2024 Median Property Value

$323,100

11% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

16,527

4.72% 1-year decline

About

None of the households in El Centro, CA reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

85.1% of the residents in El Centro, CA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in El Centro, CA are CET-El Centro (145 degrees awarded in 2024).

In 2024, the median property value in El Centro, CA was $323,100, and the homeownership rate was 49.5%.

Most people in El Centro, CA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 22 minutes. The average car ownership in El Centro, CA was 2 cars per household.

United States California Imperial County, CA El Centro, CA Imperial County--El Centro City PUMA, CA

Population & Diversity

El Centro, CA is home to a population of 44.2k people, from which 85.1% are citizens. As of 2024, 29.6% of El Centro, CA residents were born outside of the country (13.1k people).

In 2024, there were 1.93 times more Other (Hispanic) residents (21.1k people) in El Centro, CA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 10.9k Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) and 5.23k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

85.1%

2024 Citizenship

86%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 85.1% of El Centro, CA residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in El Centro, CA was 86%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in El Centro, CA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in El Centro, CA

Other (Hispanic)
21.1k ± 1.83k
Two Races Including Other (Hispanic)
10.9k ± 1.63k
White (Hispanic)
5.23k ± 1.08k

86.7%

Hispanic Population

38.3k people

86.7% of the people in El Centro, CA are hispanic (38.3k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in El Centro, CA as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for California.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
3,877,888 ± 45,899 people
Philippines
827,719 ± 22,100 people
China
695,724 ± 20,296 people

In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of California was Mexico, the natal country of 3,877,888 California residents, followed by Philippines with 827,719 and China with 695,724.

Foreign-Born Population

29.6%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

13.1k people

29.4%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

13k people

As of 2024, 29.6% of El Centro, CA residents (13.1k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in El Centro, CA was 29.4%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in El Centro, CA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Gulf War (2001-)
556 ± 288
Vietnam
389 ± 128
Gulf War (1990s)
203 ± 137

El Centro, CA has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 1.43 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in El Centro, CA.

Health

95.3% of the population of El Centro, CA has health coverage, with 30% on employee plans, 47.8% on Medicaid, 5.62% on Medicare, 11.2% on non-group plans, and 0.642% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in California see 1,233 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,233 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1076 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 213 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.3% were men and 50.7% were women.

Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 32% under 18 years, 23.7% between 18 and 34 years, 30.4% between 35 and 64 years, and 13.9% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.3% were men and 50.7% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

4.72%

Uninsured

30%

Employer Coverage

47.8%

Medicaid

5.62%

Medicare

11.2%

Non-Group

0.642%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in El Centro, CA declined by 21.3% from 6% to 4.72%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in El Centro, CA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Economy

The economy of El Centro, CA employs 16.5k people. In 2024, the largest industries in El Centro, CA were Health Care & Social Assistance (3,223 people), Retail Trade (2,061 people), and Public Administration (1,621 people), and the highest paying industries were Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($78,173), Utilities ($76,691), and Public Administration ($72,196).

Employment

Occupations

16.5k

2024 Value

± 1,196

−4.72%

1 Year decline

± 10.6%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in El Centro, CA declined at a rate of −4.72%, from 17.3k employees to 16.5k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in El Centro, CA, are Sales & Related Occupations (1,642 people), Healthcare Support Occupations (1,479 people), and Food Preparation & Serving Related Occupations (1,141 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of El Centro, CA.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for California.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in California (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

Industries

Employment by Industries

16.5k

2024 Value

± 1,196

−4.72%

1 Year decline

± 10.6%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in El Centro, CA declined at a rate of −4.72%, from 17.3k employees to 16.5k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in El Centro, CA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (3,223 people), Retail Trade (2,061 people), and Public Administration (1,621 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of El Centro, CA, though some of these residents may live in El Centro, CA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$39,202

Median earning men ± $3,021

$27,827

Median earning women ± $5,073

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Public Administration ($85,800), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($55,399), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($50,833).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Manufacturing ($74,844), Public Administration ($65,142), and Construction ($55,655).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for California.

Y-Axis

2.57%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 17.9M people employed in California. This represents a 2.57% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 14%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in California.

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in California went to Kamala Harris with 58.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (38.3%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.25%).

Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff are the senators currently representing the state of California. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

California is currently represented by 51 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for El Centro, CA. Showing the available data for California.

2024 Election Results

Kamala Harris (58.5%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (38.3%)
Republican Party
Robert Kennedy (1.25%)
Independent Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in California went to Kamala Harris with 58.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (38.3%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.25%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in California for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

Senator Elections

US Senators from California

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for California.

Alex Padilla

Senator from California

Assumed office on January 20, 2021
Appointed to the seat following the resignation of Kamala Harris, who had become Vice President of the United States.

Adam Schiff

Senator from California

Assumed office on December 8, 2024
Elected to the seat to succeed Laphonza Butler, who had been appointed to the seat following the death of Dianne Feinstein.

Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff are the senators currently representing California.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in California over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

Education

In 2024, universities in El Centro, CA awarded 145 degrees. The student population of El Centro, CA in 2024 is skewed towards men, with 103 male students and 27 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in El Centro, CA are Hispanic or Latino (144 and 99.3%) and Two or More Races (1 and 0.69%).

The largest universities in El Centro, CA by number of degrees awarded are CET-El Centro (145 and 100%).

The most popular majors in El Centro, CA are Truck, Bus, & Commercial Vehicle Operator & Instructor (52 and 35.9%), Welding Technology (45 and 31%), and Building Construction Technology (27 and 18.6%).

Admissions & Enrollments

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2024 there were 130 students enrolled in El Centro, CA, 79.2% men and 20.8% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in Hispanic or Latino with 127 records, of which 21.3% were women and 78.7% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Welding Technology
45 degrees awarded
Building Construction Technology
27 degrees awarded
Accounting
21 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common concentation for 1 to 2 Year Postsecondary Certificate recipients in El Centro, CA was Welding Technology with 45 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a 1 to 2 Year Postsecondary Certificate from schools in El Centro, CA according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

CET-El Centro

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

145 degrees awarded

In 2024, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was CET-El Centro with 145 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

In 2024, 120 men were awarded degrees from institutions in El Centro, CA, which is 4.8 times more than the 25 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2024, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was Hispanic or Latino students. These 144 degrees mean that there were 144 times more degrees awarded to Hispanic or Latino students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Two or More Races, with 1 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Housing & Living

The median property value in El Centro, CA was $323,100 in 2024, which is 0.971 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $291,100 to $323,100, a 11% increase. The homeownership rate in El Centro, CA is 49.5%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in El Centro, CA have an average commute time of 22 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in El Centro, CA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property

$323,100

Median Property Value 2024

±$11,809

$6,377

Median Property Taxes

±$677

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In El Centro, CA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in El Centro, CA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

49.5%

Homeownership

2024

67.8%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 49.5% of the housing units in El Centro, CA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 50%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in El Centro, CA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$53,082

Median Household Income

± $5,563

12.9k

Number of Households

± 934

In 2024, the median household income of the 12.9k households in El Centro, CA declined from $53,082 from the previous year's value of $56,093.

The following chart displays the households in El Centro, CA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for El Centro, CA is from California.

0.493

2024 Wage GINI in California

0.495

2023 Wage GINI in California

In 2024, the income inequality in California was 0.493 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.424% decline from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for California was higher than than the national average of 0.474. In other words, wages are distributed less evenly in California in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in California across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (76.7%)
Carpooled (13.3%)
Worked At Home (5.86%)

In 2024, 76.7% of workers in El Centro, CA drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (13.3%) and those who worked at home (5.86%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

22 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in El Centro, CA have a shorter commute time (22 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 4.46% of the workforce in El Centro, CA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in El Centro, CA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in El Centro, CA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in El Centro, CA have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

21.6% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in El Centro, CA (9.49k out of 43.9k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 6 - 11, followed by Females 25 - 34 and then Females < 5.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in El Centro, CA is Hispanic, followed by Other and Two Or More.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.