Desert Shores, California Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Desert Shores, California had a total population of 801, the 1123rd largest community in California, with a median household income of $37,212, which is 62% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.5%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 62% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 2.4% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Desert Shores Quick Facts
How Desert Shores Changed
Change from the non-overlapping 2015–2019 ACS period to 2020–2024. Earlier dollar figures are adjusted to 2024 dollars; changes marked “no clear change” are within the combined 90% margins of error.
| Metric | 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 574 | 801 | No clear change (+39.5%) |
| Median home value¹ | $59,935 | $178,600 | +198.0% |
How Desert Shores Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
- White: 29.5%
- Black: 0.0%
- Hispanic: 70.5%
- Asian: 0.0%
- Other: 0.0%
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
- < High School: 37.0%
- HS Diploma: 49.5%
- Some College: 8.6%
- Associate's: 2.4%
- Bachelor's: 0.0%
- Graduate+: 2.4%
Desert Shores 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 |
| Calexico | 38,585 | $49,783 | 19.7% | $313,600 |
| 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 |
Cities Similar to Desert Shores
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yolo | 800 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 51.5% |
| Madison | 805 | N/A | $344,400 | 4.3% | 37.8% |
| Lebec | 797 | N/A | $422,400 | 32.1% | 17.4% |
| Alpaugh | 859 | $37,000 | $95,900 | 2.7% | 50.8% |
| Mountain Gate | 742 | N/A | $210,000 | 29.8% | 21.4% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 801, Desert Shores's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Desert Shores is a small community located in California, within Imperial County. The total population is 801. It ranks as the 1123rd most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Desert Shores is 47.4 years. This is 25% higher than the state median of 37.9 years. Only 10.6% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 15.0% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Desert Shores is $37,212. This is 62% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 54% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.5%. This is 54% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 3.9%. This is 41% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $178,600. Housing costs are 76% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x. 100.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 79% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Desert Shores is Hispanic or Latino, making up 70.5% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 29.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (70.5% vs 40.2%).
Education
2.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 94% 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 62.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Desert Shores, 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 Shores, California?
Desert Shores, California has a population of 801 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Desert Shores, CA?
The median household income in Desert Shores is $37,212, which is 54% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Desert Shores, CA?
The poverty rate in Desert Shores is 5.5%. This means approximately 44 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Desert Shores, California?
Desert Shores's population is 29.5% White, 0.0% Black, 70.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Desert Shores, CA?
The median home value in Desert Shores is $178,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x.
How educated is Desert Shores, California?
2.4% of adults (25+) in Desert Shores hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.