Desert Hot Springs, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Desert Hot Springs, California had a total population of 33,200, the 246th largest city in California, with a median household income of $52,761, which is 47% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 47% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Desert Hot Springs Quick Facts
How Desert Hot Springs 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 | 32,786 | 33,200 | +1.3% |
| Median household income | $50,349 | $52,761 | +4.8% |
| Median home value | $309,300 | $354,800 | +14.7% |
How Desert Hot Springs 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Desert Hot Springs Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Riverside County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riverside | 319,069 | $91,045 | 12.2% | $584,800 |
| Moreno Valley | 211,666 | $93,222 | 11.7% | $503,700 |
| Corona | 159,670 | $109,242 | 8.7% | $700,700 |
| Murrieta | 112,064 | $114,081 | 5.4% | $639,800 |
| Temecula | 111,167 | $121,063 | 7.3% | $679,700 |
| Menifee | 110,305 | $93,454 | 9.5% | $537,300 |
| Jurupa Valley | 107,011 | $97,550 | 11.0% | $574,600 |
| Indio | 91,950 | $77,167 | 11.5% | $458,400 |
| Hemet | 91,326 | $57,719 | 14.9% | $352,200 |
| Perris | 80,511 | $88,911 | 10.7% | $474,700 |
Cities Similar to Desert Hot Springs
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westmont | 34,123 | $50,509 | $653,800 | 12.8% | 25.3% |
| Oildale | 34,687 | $51,298 | $238,800 | 12.3% | 25.2% |
| Bell | 32,476 | $61,020 | $591,600 | 9.7% | 21.6% |
| Atwater | 32,162 | $64,472 | $363,400 | 12.9% | 20.9% |
| Banning | 31,093 | $61,764 | $352,100 | 16.5% | 18.8% |
Population Overview
Desert Hot Springs is a mid-sized community located in California, within Riverside County. The total population is 33,200. It ranks as the 246th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Desert Hot Springs is 34.5 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Desert Hot Springs is $52,761. This is 47% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 35% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.0%. This is 50% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 6.6%. The median home value is $354,800. Housing costs are 52% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.7x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 50.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Desert Hot Springs is Hispanic or Latino, making up 63.6% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 21.3%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (8.9% vs 5.2%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (63.6% vs 40.2%). The Asian population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
16.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 55% 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 79.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Desert Hot Springs, 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 Desert Hot Springs, California?
Desert Hot Springs, California has a population of 33,200 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Desert Hot Springs, CA?
The median household income in Desert Hot Springs is $52,761, which is 35% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Desert Hot Springs, CA?
The poverty rate in Desert Hot Springs is 18.0%. This means approximately 5,944 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Desert Hot Springs, California?
Desert Hot Springs's population is 21.3% White, 8.9% Black, 63.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Desert Hot Springs, CA?
The median home value in Desert Hot Springs is $354,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.7x.
How educated is Desert Hot Springs, California?
16.7% of adults (25+) in Desert Hot Springs hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.