El Centro, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, El Centro, California had a total population of 44,240, the 209th largest city in California, with a median household income of $53,082, which is 46% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 46% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 9.9% is notably above the national average.
El Centro Quick Facts
How El Centro 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 | 44,186 | 44,240 | +0.1% |
| Median household income | $56,093 | $53,082 | -5.4% |
| Median home value | $291,100 | $323,100 | +11.0% |
How El Centro 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+)
El Centro Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Imperial County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Niland | 1,116 | N/A | 14.8% | $226,200 |
Cities Similar to El Centro
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coachella | 43,307 | $68,596 | $367,600 | 7.5% | 10.2% |
| Lompoc | 43,646 | $72,004 | $472,900 | 13.7% | 17.3% |
| Calexico | 38,585 | $49,783 | $313,600 | 18.9% | 19.7% |
| Palm Springs | 45,070 | $73,119 | $604,000 | 44.5% | 11.8% |
| North Highlands | 47,957 | $65,495 | $367,600 | 15.3% | 19.6% |
Population Overview
El Centro is a mid-sized community located in California, within Imperial County. The total population is 44,240. It ranks as the 209th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in El Centro is 31.0 years. This is 18% lower than the state median of 37.9 years. With 30.3% of the population under 18, El Centro has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in El Centro is $53,082. This is 46% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 34% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.6%. This is 80% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 9.9%. This is 49% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $323,100. Housing costs are 56% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.1x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 49.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
El Centro has a predominantly Hispanic or Latino population, comprising 86.7% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 8.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (8.1%) is well below the state average of 33.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (86.7% vs 40.2%). The Asian population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
14.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 60% 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 73.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for El Centro, 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 El Centro, California?
El Centro, California has a population of 44,240 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in El Centro, CA?
The median household income in El Centro is $53,082, which is 34% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in El Centro, CA?
The poverty rate in El Centro is 21.6%. This means approximately 9,487 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of El Centro, California?
El Centro's population is 8.1% White, 3.0% Black, 86.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in El Centro, CA?
The median home value in El Centro is $323,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.1x.
How educated is El Centro, California?
14.9% of adults (25+) in El Centro hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.