Calexico, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Calexico, California had a total population of 38,585, the 222nd largest city in California, with a median household income of $49,783, which is 50% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 50% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 19.4% is notably above the national average.
Calexico Quick Facts
How Calexico Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 38,476 | 38,585 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $50,021 | $49,783 | -0.5% |
| Median home value | $281,700 | $313,600 | +11.3% |
How Calexico Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Calexico Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Imperial County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Centro | 44,240 | $53,082 | 21.6% | $323,100 |
| Brawley | 27,283 | $59,311 | 21.3% | $290,700 |
| Imperial | 21,430 | $90,195 | 12.5% | $360,900 |
| Heber | 7,312 | $72,028 | 10.6% | $335,600 |
| Calipatria | 6,548 | $53,299 | 25.6% | $197,200 |
| Salton City | 5,988 | $47,827 | 14.4% | $200,600 |
| Holtville | 5,617 | $65,039 | 18.7% | $310,100 |
| Westmorland | 1,844 | $28,839 | 48.6% | $310,200 |
| Seeley | 1,182 | $62,841 | 19.5% | $198,200 |
| Niland | 1,116 | N/A | 14.8% | $226,200 |
Cities Similar to Calexico
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bell Gardens | 38,229 | $62,298 | $563,900 | 7.1% | 20.0% |
| Oildale | 34,687 | $51,298 | $238,800 | 12.3% | 25.2% |
| Westmont | 34,123 | $50,509 | $653,800 | 12.8% | 25.3% |
| El Centro | 44,240 | $53,082 | $323,100 | 14.9% | 21.6% |
| Adelanto | 37,964 | $68,685 | $349,100 | 7.7% | 17.2% |
Population Overview
Calexico is a mid-sized community located in California, within Imperial County. The total population is 38,585. It ranks as the 222nd most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Calexico is 34.6 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Calexico is $49,783. This is 50% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 38% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.7%. This is 64% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 19.4%. This is 194% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $313,600. Housing costs are 57% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.3x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 50.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Calexico has a predominantly Hispanic or Latino population, comprising 97.4% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 1.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 33.8%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (97.4% vs 40.2%). The Asian population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
18.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 49% lower than the state rate of 37.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 64.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Calexico, California is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against California state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,570 Census-designated places in California. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Calexico, California?
Calexico, California has a population of 38,585 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Calexico, CA?
The median household income in Calexico is $49,783, which is 38% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Calexico, CA?
The poverty rate in Calexico is 19.7%. This means approximately 7,578 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Calexico, California?
Calexico's population is 1.1% White, 0.1% Black, 97.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Calexico, CA?
The median home value in Calexico is $313,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.3x.
How educated is Calexico, California?
18.9% of adults (25+) in Calexico hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.