Indian Wells, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Indian Wells, California had a total population of 4,871, the 670th largest city in California, with a median household income of $162,990, which is 64% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 64% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in California.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.2% — among the lowest in California.
Indian Wells Quick Facts
How Indian Wells 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 | 4,830 | 4,871 | +0.8% |
| Median household income | $145,313 | $162,990 | +12.2% |
| Median home value | $1,002,200 | $1,078,200 | +7.6% |
How Indian Wells 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+)
Indian Wells 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 Indian Wells
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carmel Valley Village | 4,785 | $156,161 | $1,275,500 | 64.0% | 4.8% |
| Brisbane | 4,692 | $156,169 | $1,232,200 | 50.6% | 5.5% |
| Broadmoor | 4,586 | $167,396 | $1,254,600 | 45.5% | 2.5% |
| Mather | 4,520 | $146,023 | $585,900 | 40.1% | 2.8% |
| St. Helena | 5,318 | $148,750 | $1,647,700 | 56.9% | 5.1% |
Population Overview
Indian Wells is a small community located in California, within Riverside County. The total population is 4,871. It ranks as the 670th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Indian Wells is 67.9 years. This is 79% higher than the state median of 37.9 years. Only 8.8% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 35.0% 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 Indian Wells is $162,990. This is 64% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 102% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 3.2%. This is 73% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 6.2%. This is 7% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $1,078,200. Housing costs are 47% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.6x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 79.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 43% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Indian Wells has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.7% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (87.7% vs 33.8%). The Hispanic or Latino population (5.0%) is well below the state average of 40.2%. The Asian population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
63.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 70% higher 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 98.3%. Notably, 31.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Indian Wells, 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 Indian Wells, California?
Indian Wells, California has a population of 4,871 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Indian Wells, CA?
The median household income in Indian Wells is $162,990, which is 102% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Indian Wells, CA?
The poverty rate in Indian Wells is 3.2%. This means approximately 155 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Indian Wells, California?
Indian Wells's population is 87.7% White, 2.9% Black, 5.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Indian Wells, CA?
The median home value in Indian Wells is $1,078,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.6x.
How educated is Indian Wells, California?
63.1% of adults (25+) in Indian Wells hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 31.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.