Salton City, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Salton City, California had a total population of 5,988, the 616th largest community in California, with a median household income of $47,827, which is 52% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 52% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 7.4% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 12.8% is notably above the national average.
Salton City Quick Facts
How Salton City 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 | 6,244 | 5,988 | -4.1% |
| Median household income | $36,915 | $47,827 | +29.6% |
| Median home value | $189,800 | $200,600 | +5.7% |
How Salton City 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+)
Salton City 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 |
| 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 Salton City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benton Park | 5,707 | $49,717 | $240,600 | 8.7% | 37.0% |
| Lucerne Valley | 5,957 | $54,788 | $269,100 | 21.1% | 21.9% |
| Dos Palos | 5,765 | $42,367 | $299,500 | 11.3% | 17.6% |
| West Modesto | 5,978 | $61,440 | $304,700 | 9.7% | 12.4% |
| Huron | 6,519 | $52,500 | $251,700 | 2.8% | 30.4% |
Population Overview
Salton City is a small city located in California, within Imperial County. The total population is 5,988. It ranks as the 616th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Salton City is 35.8 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Salton City is $47,827. This is 52% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 41% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.4%. This is 20% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 12.8%. This is 94% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $200,600. Housing costs are 73% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 87.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 57% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Salton City is Hispanic or Latino, making up 78.6% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 20.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (78.6% vs 40.2%). The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
7.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 80% 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 61.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Salton City, 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 Salton City, California?
Salton City, California has a population of 5,988 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Salton City, CA?
The median household income in Salton City is $47,827, which is 41% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Salton City, CA?
The poverty rate in Salton City is 14.4%. This means approximately 861 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Salton City, California?
Salton City's population is 20.9% White, 0.0% Black, 78.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Salton City, CA?
The median home value in Salton City is $200,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x.
How educated is Salton City, California?
7.4% of adults (25+) in Salton City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.