El Centro, CA — City Data, Demographics & Statistics
Imperial County · California
City DNA
A unique fingerprint for El Centro based on 8 key metrics — compared to averages.
Quick Stats
Population
44,186
2023 ACS
Median Income
$56,093
2023
Median Home Value
$291,100
2023
Median Rent
$992
2023
Median Age
31.6
Unemployment
9.9%
Cost of Living Index
103.6
100 = national avg
El Centro is a city in Imperial County, California, with a population of 44,186 according to the 2023 American Community Survey. El Centro is one of the communities in California.
The median household income in El Centro is $56,093, and the median home value is $291,100. The cost of living index is 103.6 (where 100 = national average), and the median rent is $992 per month. The unemployment rate is 9.9%, and the median age is 31.6 years.
People & Demographics
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Population
Total Population
44,186
Male
21,876
49.5%
Female
22,310
50.5%
Median Age
31.6
Age Distribution
Education & Household
Bachelor's or Higher
9.5%
High School or Higher
25.0%
Foreign Born
29.4%
Veterans
3.5%
Married
35.1%
Avg Household Size
3.4
Marital Status by Age
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
0.000
Simpson's Index (0-1)
Largest Group
Other
45.3%
Foreign Born
29.4%
Hispanic/Latino Ethnicity
Hispanic/Latino is an ethnicity, not a race. People of any race can identify as Hispanic. This percentage overlaps with the racial categories above.
Hispanic/Latino
86.9%
38,398 people
Not Hispanic/Latino
13.1%
Hispanic/Latino Detail
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Asian Detail
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Detail
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)American Indian & Alaska Native Detail
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Languages Spoken
Total Speakers (5+)
41,385
English Only
22.9%
#1 Non-English Language
Spanish
31,378 speakers
Limited English
29.8%
Language Distribution
English Proficiency
Speaks English Very Well
70.2%
Limited English Proficiency
29.8%
Veterans & Military
Total Veterans
1,556
3.5% of population
Disability Rate
26.5%
413 with disability
Veteran Median Income
$43,125
Unemployment Rate
8.2%
Period of Service
Veteran Age Distribution
Male Veterans
1,434
92.2%
Female Veterans
122
7.8%
Veteran vs Non-Veteran Income
Veteran Income
$43,125
Non-Veteran Income
$25,364
Difference
$17,761
70.0% higher
Disability Status
With Disability
413
Without Disability
1,143
Disability Rate
26.5%
Ancestry & Heritage
Total Reporting Ancestry
5,660
#1 Ancestry
English
2.2% (980)
#2 Ancestry
German
2.1% (941)
#3 Ancestry
Irish
1.6% (700)
Top 20 Ancestries
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Families & Households
Total Households
12,832
Family Households
9,959
77.6%
Married Couples
6,399
49.9%
Non-Family Households
2,873
22.4%
Single Mother Households
2,445
19.1%
Single Father Households
1,115
8.7%
Living Alone
2,444
19.0%
Children Under 18
Total Children
10,660
In Married Couple
6,619
62.1%
With Single Mother
3,251
30.5%
With Single Father
790
7.4%
Family Income
Median Family Income
$60,706
Married Couple Income
$76,550
Single Mother Income
$38,576
Single Father Income
$59,172
Avg Family Size
3.4
Avg Non-Family Size
3.3
Grandparents w/ Grandchildren
1,694
Grandparents Responsible
721
Economy
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Income Overview
Median Household Income
$56,093
-23% vs national
Per Capita Income
$23,781
-36% vs national
Poverty Rate
20.1%
+48% vs national
Gini Index
0.4610
0 = perfect equality
Unemployment
9.9%
+91% vs national
SNAP Recipients
25.2%
of households
How El Centro Compares
El Centro vs Similar Cities
Compared to cities with 25,000 - 50,000 residents. El Centro is highlighted.
Median Household Income
El Centro, CA has a median household income of $56,093, making it the 18,421st highest median household income out of 28,123 cities in our database. This means that El Centro has a higher median household income than 34% of all the cities we measured.
Per Capita Income
El Centro, CA has a per capita income of $23,781, making it the 23,453rd highest per capita income out of 28,123 cities in our database. This means that El Centro has a higher per capita income than 17% of all the cities we measured.
Poverty Rate
El Centro, CA has a poverty rate of 20.1%, making it the 7,112th highest poverty rate out of 31,262 cities in our database. This means that El Centro has a higher poverty rate than 77% of all the cities we measured.
Unemployment Rate
El Centro, CA has a unemployment rate of 9.9%, making it the 4,085th highest unemployment rate out of 31,012 cities in our database. This means that El Centro has a higher unemployment rate than 87% of all the cities we measured.
Where Do You Stack Up?
Enter your household income to see how you compare to other households in El Centro. The median household income here is $56,093.
Income Distribution
Employment Snapshot
Unemployment Rate
9.9%
+30% vs CA avg
Labor Force
19,323
Employed
17,345
Mean Commute
22 min
How People Get to Work
Employment by Sector
Education & Workforce
Bachelor's Degree+
9.5%
of adults 25+
High School Diploma+
25.0%
of adults 25+
Median Age
31.6
Work from Home
4.6%
of workers
Top Occupations & Wages
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS (2024)
Data represents the El Centro, CA metro area
Highest-Paying Job
Detectives and Criminal Investigators
Top Median Wage
$121.3K
per year
Occupations Tracked
20
Cost of Living
Overall Index
103.6
100 = national avg
+3.6 vs national average
Living Wage (1 Adult)
$45,587
per year
Living Wage (Family of 4)
$107,750
per year
Cost Index by Category
100 = national average. Higher = more expensive.
Fair Market Rent
Source: HUD
1 Bedroom
$1,038
per month
2 Bedroom
$1,362
per month
The median household income in El Centro, CA is $56,093, which is 23.4% below the national average of $73,224. Per capita income is $23,781. The poverty rate of 20.1% is higher than the CA state average of 13.0%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.4610, where 0 represents perfect equality and 1 represents maximum inequality. The unemployment rate is 9.9%, compared to the state average of 7.6%. The labor force is 19,323. 9.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The average commute time is 22 minutes, with 4.6% working from home. About 78.0% of workers drive alone to work. The overall cost of living index is 103.6, which is 3.6% above the national average. Housing costs are above the national average at an index of 123.9. A single adult needs to earn approximately $45,587 per year to cover basic expenses.
Housing & Real Estate
Market SnapshotRedfin — January 2026
Median Sale Price
$410,000
Median List Price
$425,000
Price Per Sq Ft
$244
Days on Market
52
Active Inventory
38
Months of Supply
9.5
Buyer's market
Zillow Home Value
$375,817
ZHVI — January 2026
Zillow Rent Index
$1,425
ZORI — January 2026
Market CompetitivenessRedfin
Sold Above List
75.0%
Off Market in 2 Weeks
47.6%
Sale-to-List Ratio
99.7%
Buyer's market
Price TrendsRedfin
Market ActivityRedfin
Homes Sold
4
New Listings
15
Pending Sales
21
Price Per Square FootRedfin
Median Sale $/SF
$244
Median List $/SF
$260
House Price IndexFHFA
How much have housing prices increased in El Centro, CA? According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) House Price Index for the El Centro, CA metro area, home prices have risen 60.5% over the past 20 years. The 10-year growth rate is 110.4%. Over the last 5 years, prices increased 60.2%. In the most recent 2-year period, the index rose 18.5%. The FHFA HPI tracks average price changes in repeat sales or refinancings of single-family properties with conforming mortgages. Because this is a metro-level index, it reflects the broader El Centro, CA housing market rather than El Centro alone.
Metro area: El Centro, CA
El Centro vs Similar CitiesCensus ACS / Redfin
Compared to cities with 25,000 - 50,000 residents. El Centro is highlighted.
Median Home Value
El Centro, CA has a median home value of $291,100, making it the 7,385th highest median home value out of 27,993 cities in our database. This means that El Centro has a higher median home value than 74% of all the cities we measured.
Median Rent
El Centro, CA has a median rent of $992, making it the 10,188th highest median rent out of 22,337 cities in our database. This means that El Centro has a higher median rent than 54% of all the cities we measured.
Median Price Per Sq Ft
El Centro, CA has a price per square foot of $244, making it the 5,516th highest price per square foot out of 20,748 cities in our database. This means that El Centro has a higher price per square foot than 73% of all the cities we measured.
Rent Burden
El Centro, CA has a rent burden of 21.2%, making it the 7,178th highest rent burden out of 21,928 cities in our database. This means that El Centro has a higher rent burden than 67% of all the cities we measured.
Census Housing DataU.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023
Median Home Value
$291,100
Median Rent
$992
Total Housing Units
14,535
Vacancy Rate
11.7%
Owner Occupied
50.0%
Renter Occupied
50.0%
Median Property Tax
$2,501
per year
Monthly Cost (w/ Mortgage)
$1,416
Housing Types
Property TaxU.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023
Median Property Tax
$2,501
per year
Effective Tax Rate
0.86%
of home value
Median Home Value
$291,100
Estimated Mean Tax
$2,475
The effective property tax rate is calculated by dividing the median annual property tax ($2,501) by the median home value ($291,100). In El Centro, CA, this works out to an effective rate of 0.86%. This is below the national average of approximately 1.1%.
The current median sale price in El Centro, CA is $410,000 according to Redfin data. Homes spend a median of 52 days on the market. 75.0% of homes sold above asking price. The market has 9.5 months of supply. The median price per square foot is $244. Zillow's observed rent index is $1,425/month. About 50.0% of housing units are owner-occupied. The median year homes were built is 1982. There are 14,535 total housing units. Homeowners pay a median annual property tax of $2,501. The effective tax rate is 0.86%, below the national average.
Crime Overview
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer (2024)Violent Crime Rate
3.28
per 1,000 residents
+26% vs national
Property Crime Rate
12.68
per 1,000 residents
-26% vs national
Total Crimes
695
2024
Violent Clearance
46%
cases solved
Property Clearance
7%
cases solved
YoY Change
-2.6%
violent crime rate
improving vs 2023
How El Centro Compares
Source: FBI (2024)El Centro vs Similar Cities
Source: FBI (2024)Compared to cities with 25,000 - 50,000 residents. El Centro is highlighted in green.
Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000)
Property Crime Rate (per 1,000)
Murder Rate (per 1,000)
Crime Rate Trends
Source: FBICrime Composition
Source: FBI (2024)Violent Crime Breakdown
Property Crime Breakdown
Crime Clearance (Solve) Rates
Source: FBI (2024)El Centro police solve 52% of aggravated assault cases but only 0% of rape cases.
Weapon Used in Violent Crime
Source: FBI (2024)Crime Breakdown
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer (2024)| Crime Type | Category | Count | Rate per 1K | Clearance % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murder | Violent | 2 | 0.05 | 0.0% |
| Rape | Violent | 10 | 0.23 | 0.0% |
| Robbery | Violent | 32 | 0.73 | 46.9% |
| Aggravated Assault | Violent | 99 | 2.27 | 51.5% |
| Burglary | Property | 207 | 4.75 | 3.9% |
| Larceny/Theft | Property | 271 | 6.22 | 10.3% |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | Property | 74 | 1.70 | 5.4% |
El Centro, CA reported 143 violent crimes and 552 property crimes in 2024. The violent crime rate of 3.28 per 1,000 residents is 26.3% above the national average of 2.60 per 1,000. Law enforcement cleared 46% of violent crimes. Larceny/theft accounts for 271 of the property crime reports. Firearms were involved in 13.1% of aggravated assaults. Violent crime has been trending downward.
Crime History
Source: FBI| Year | Violent | Property | Violent Rate | Property Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 143 | 552 | 3.28 | 12.68 |
| 2023 | 147 | 676 | 3.37 | 15.50 |
| 2022 | 152 | 920 | 3.45 | 20.87 |
| 2020 | 158 | 1,003 | 3.57 | 22.67 |
| 2019 | 143 | 1,184 | 3.23 | 26.73 |
| 2018 | 126 | 1,625 | 2.82 | 36.43 |
| 2017 | 185 | 1,820 | 4.16 | 40.94 |
| 2016 | 205 | 2,314 | 4.64 | 52.34 |
| 2015 | 164 | 2,667 | 3.72 | 60.57 |
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
96.5
Relatively High
Expected Annual Loss
94.1
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
85.1
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
2.4
Score (0-100)
Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.
Disaster History & Federal Spending
Source: FEMATotal Declarations
15
Public Assistance
$48.1M
Individual Assistance
$1.1M
Most Common Type
Flood
4 declarations
Public Assistance by Category
| Disaster | Type | Date | PA $ | IA $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tropical Storm Hilary → | Hurricane | Nov 2023 | $1.1M | — |
| Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Wind… → | Severe Storm | Apr 2023 | $3.9M | — |
| Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslid… → | Flood | Mar 2023 | — | — |
| Covid-19 Pandemic → | Biological | Mar 2020 | $17.9M | $1.1M |
| Covid-19 → | Biological | Mar 2020 | — | — |
| Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Muds… → | Flood | Mar 2017 | $37K | — |
| Earthquake → | Earthquake | May 2010 | $24.8M | — |
| Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debr… → | Severe Storm | Mar 2010 | $445K | — |
| Severe Freeze → | Freezing | Mar 2007 | — | — |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation → | Hurricane | Sep 2005 | — | — |
| Severe Winter Storms, Flooding Landslide… → | Severe Storm | Mar 1995 | — | — |
| Severe Winter Storm, Mud & Land Slides, … → | Flood | Feb 1993 | — | — |
| Severe Freeze → | Freezing | Feb 1991 | — | — |
| Flooding → | Flood | Jul 1983 | — | — |
| Earthquake → | Earthquake | Oct 1979 | — | — |
| Flooding, Tropical Storm Kathleen → | Flood | Sep 1976 | — | — |
PA = FEMA Public Assistance (infrastructure recovery). IA = Individual Assistance (homeowner/renter aid).
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
103
Total Claims Paid
$560,324
Avg Claim Payout
$5,440
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
12
Federal Funding
$790,309
Properties Protected
2
Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio
1.20
BCR
Top Mitigation Project Types
| Project Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|
| 402.1: Infrastructure Protective Measures (Roads and Bridges) | 2 | $0 |
| 91.1: Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan | 2 | $213,869 |
| 600.1: Warning Systems (as a Component of a Planned, Adopted, and Exercised Risk Reduction Plan) | 2 | $0 |
| 95.1: FMA or CRS Plan | 1 | $50,000 |
| 205.4: Non Structural Retrofitting/Rehabilitating Public Structures - Seismic | 1 | $411,742 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
El Centro has a relatively high overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are earthquake, heat wave, volcanic activity. The area has had 15 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is flood (4 declarations). 103 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $48,130,835 in public assistance recovery funding. $1,074,202 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 12 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.
Health
Community Health
Source: CDC PLACES
Obesity Rate
35.0%
1.1pp below the national average
Depression Rate
20.3%
3.2pp below the national average
Diabetes Rate
15.8%
3.9pp above the national average
Uninsured Rate
21.5%
10.9pp above the national average
Health Scorecard
Higher scores indicate better health outcomes relative to the national average (50 = average)
Health Outcomes
Age-adjusted prevalence rates. Green bars indicate rates below the national average; red indicates above.
High Cholesterol
35.9%
Arthritis
21.9%
Cancer (excl. skin)
5.3%
Teeth Lost (65+)
15.9%
Health Risk Behaviors
Prevention & Screening
Green bars indicate rates above the national average (more preventive care); red indicates below.
Mental Health & Wellbeing
Frequent Mental Distress
18.0%
14+ days in past month
Depression
20.3%
Loneliness
37.9%
Lack of Support
30.3%
Disability Prevalence
Any Disability
39.5%
Mobility
20.2%
Cognitive
19.6%
Hearing
7.4%
Vision
10.6%
Self-Care
6.5%
Independent Living
11.4%
Health-Related Social Needs
Prevalence of social risk factors affecting community health
El Centro has an obesity rate of 35.0%, which is 1.1pp below the national average. The depression rate is 20.3%, 3.2pp below the national average. About 21.5% of adults lack health insurance. 70.1% of residents had an annual checkup in the past year.
Nearby Hospitals
Source: CMS Hospital Compare
Nearest Hospitals
2
With Emergency Services
2
Avg CMS Rating
1.5 / 5
Nearest Hospital
2.5 mi
El Centro Regional Medical Cen...
| Hospital | Distance | Type | Rating | ER |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Centro Regional Medical Center | 2.5 mi | Acute Care Hospitals | 1/5 | Yes |
| Pioneers Memorial Healthcare District | 19.1 mi | Acute Care Hospitals | 2/5 | Yes |
Climate & Environment
Water Systems
Source: EPA SDWISWater Systems
6
Pop. Served
47,589
Violations (5yr)
8
| System Name | Pop. Served | Violations (5yr) |
|---|---|---|
| EL CENTRO, CITY OF | 43,772 | 0 |
| GATEWAY | 1,800 | 2 |
| SUNBEAM LAKE RV RESORT | 650 | 4 |
| NAF EL CENTRO | 637 | 0 |
| COUNTRY LIFE MH & RV PARK | 600 | 1 |
| RIO BEND RV GOLF RESORT & STORM CROSSING | 130 | 1 |
Greenhouse Gas Emitters
Source: EPA GHGRP (2023)Facilities Reporting
2
Total CO₂e
575.8K MT
Top Emitter
El Centro
510.2K MT CO₂e
Total CO₂e vs Similar Cities (25,000 - 50,000)
| Facility | Sector | CO₂e (MT) |
|---|---|---|
El Centro Imperial Irrigation District | Power Plants | 510,179 |
US GYPSUM - PLASTER CITY PLANT Usg Corp | Minerals | 65,593 |
Data from EPA Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP). Includes facilities emitting 25,000+ metric tons CO₂e/year.
There are 6 water systems serving the area. 8 water quality violations have been reported in the past 5 years. 2 industrial facilities report greenhouse gas emissions totaling 575.8K metric tons of CO₂e.
Infrastructure
Commute Overview2023 ACS
Mean Commute
22 min
-7% vs national
Drive Alone
78.0%
-1% vs national
Work From Home
4.6%
-51% vs national
Carpool
13.9%
Walk
1.6%
How El Centro's Commute ComparesCensus ACS 2023
How People Get to WorkCensus ACS 2023
Commute Mode BreakdownCensus ACS 2023
Traffic Fatalities
Source: NHTSA FARS (2023)Fatalities
3
2023
6-Year Avg
2
fatalities/yr
Pedestrian
2
Nighttime
2
dark conditions
| Year | Crashes | Fatalities | Alcohol | Pedestrian | Cyclist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2022 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2021 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 2020 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2019 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2018 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Data from NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). Includes only crashes involving at least one fatality.
The average commute in El Centro, CA is 22 minutes, which is 6.8% below the national average of 23 minutes. 78.0% of workers drive alone, compared to the national average of 78.7%. 4.6% work from home, which is below the CA state average of 14.0%. 13.9% of workers carpool. 1.6% walk to work. In 2023, there were 3 traffic fatalities from 2 fatal crashes. 2 were pedestrians.
Internet & Broadband Access
Source: Census ACSBroadband Access
92.6%
of households
Cable / Fiber / DSL
75.1%
of households
No Internet
5.7%
of households
Total Households
12,832
Internet Subscription Types
Device Ownership
Source: Census ACSHas Computer
94.7%
of households
Smartphone
91.0%
of households
Desktop / Laptop
72.4%
of households
Tablet
60.1%
of households
Percentage of households with each device type. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023 5-year estimates, tables B28001 & B28002).
Electricity Rates
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2024)Residential Rate
32.0¢
per kWh
+68% vs 25,000 - 50,000 avg
Commercial Rate
25.5¢
per kWh
+65% vs 25,000 - 50,000 avg
Industrial Rate
21.5¢
per kWh
+81% vs 25,000 - 50,000 avg
Avg Monthly Bill
$161
residential
+10% vs 25,000 - 50,000 avg
87% above the national average of 17.1¢/kWh
Residential electricity in California averages 32.0¢ per kWh, compared to the national average of 17.1¢. The average monthly electric bill is $161. State-level averages from EIA Electric Sales & Revenue data (2024).
El Centro vs Similar Cities
Source: EIA (2024)Comparing electricity rates with randomly selected cities of similar population (25,000 - 50,000). Each city represents its state's average rate.
Residential Rate (¢/kWh)
Commercial Rate (¢/kWh)
Industrial Rate (¢/kWh)
Average Monthly Bill
Water Systems
Source: EPA SDWISWater Systems
6
Population Served
47,589
Violations (5yr)
8
| System Name | Type | Source | Pop. Served | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EL CENTRO, CITY OF | Community | Purchased surface water | 43,772 | 0 |
| GATEWAY | Community | Surface water | 1,800 | 2 |
| SUNBEAM LAKE RV RESORT | Community | Purchased surface water | 650 | 4 |
| NAF EL CENTRO | Community | Purchased surface water | 637 | 0 |
| COUNTRY LIFE MH & RV PARK | Community | Surface water | 600 | 1 |
| RIO BEND RV GOLF RESORT & STORM CROSSING | Community | Surface water | 130 | 1 |
92.6% of households in El Centro have broadband internet access. 75.1% have cable, fiber, or DSL service. 14.6% rely solely on cellular data without a wired connection. 5.7% of households have no internet access. 14.7% use only a smartphone without a desktop or laptop. The area is served by 6 water systems, providing water to 47,589 people. A total of 8 water quality violations have been recorded over the past 5 years.
Politics & Government
County-level data: Election results are reported at the county level. El Centro is located in Imperial County, CA. Results reflect all voters in the county, not just those in El Centro.
Election Overview
Source: Imperial County (2024)2024 Winner
Republican
Dem Votes
26,083
48.3%
GOP Votes
26,546
49.1%
Total Votes
54,025
Margin
R+0.9%
Shift from 2020
R+25.2pp
vs prior election
Election History
Source: County-Level Election Results| Year | Dem Votes | GOP Votes | Total | Dem % | GOP % | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 26,083 | 26,546 | 54,025 | 48.3% | 49.1% | R+0.9 |
| 2020 | 34,678 | 20,847 | 56,718 | 61.1% | 36.8% | D+24.4 |
| 2016 | 28,467 | 11,295 | 41,751 | 68.2% | 27.1% | D+41.1 |
In the 2024 presidential election, Imperial County recorded 54,025 total votes. Republicans won the county with 49.1% of the vote compared to 48.3% for Democrats, a margin of R+0.9%. Compared to 2020, the margin shifted R+25.2pp from the previous election. Since 2016, Imperial County has shifted 42.0 percentage points toward Republicans.
Nonprofits Overview
Source: IRS Exempt Organizations BMFTotal Nonprofits
151
Total Assets
$95.7M
Total Income
$54.3M
Per 10K Residents
34.2
nonprofits
-21.2% vs peers avg
Orgs with >$1M Assets
11
Median Assets
$187K
Oldest Active
1941
ruling year
Newest Org
2025
ruling year
Nonprofits by Category
Source: IRS / NTEE ClassificationTop 10 hold $83.6M of $95.7M total
Nonprofit Size Distribution
Source: IRS Exempt Organizations BMFNumber of nonprofits by total asset size
When Were Nonprofits Founded?
Source: IRS Ruling DateNumber of currently active nonprofits by founding decade
Nonprofits per 10K Residents vs Similar Cities
Source: IRS BMF + Census ACSCompared to cities with population 25,000 - 50,000
Largest Nonprofits in El Centro
Source: IRS Exempt Organizations BMFEl Centro, CA has 151 registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with combined assets of $95.7M. The most common category is Religion-Related, with 26 organizations. 11 nonprofits have assets exceeding $1 million. That works out to 34.2 nonprofits per 10,000 residents. The oldest active nonprofit dates back to 1941.
SBA Lending Overview
Source: SBA FOIA Loan-Level DataTotal SBA Loans
396
Total Approved
$185.5M
Jobs Supported
4,691
Per 10K Residents
89.6
SBA loans
-5.6% vs peers avg
Unique Lenders
71
Top Lender
Mechanics Bank
94 loans
Top Industry
Accommodation & Food Services
Data Span
1992–2026
Loan Program Breakdown
Source: SBA FOIALoans
315
Total Amount
$137.4M
Avg Loan
$436,334
Median Loan
$200,000
SBA Guaranteed
$101.4M(74%)
Jobs Supported
2,959
Loans
81
Total Amount
$48.0M
Avg Loan
$593,086
Median Loan
$443,000
Recent Activity (Last 5 Years)
Source: SBA FOIARecent Loans
52
13% of all-time total
Recent Amount
$48.1M
26% of all-time total
Avg Recent Loan
$924,571
Top Industries Funded
Source: SBA FOIA / NAICS CodesSBA Loans per 10K Residents vs Similar Cities
Source: SBA FOIA + Census ACSCompared to cities with population 25,000 - 50,000
Top SBA Borrowers
Source: SBA FOIAEl Centro, CA has received 396 SBA loans totaling $185.5M in approved funding between 1992 and 2026. The 7(a) program accounts for 315 loans (80% of the total), supporting 2,959 jobs. The 504 program, focused on real estate and large equipment, has funded 81 loans totaling $48.0M. The most common industry receiving SBA funding is Accommodation & Food Services. The most active SBA lender in El Centro is Mechanics Bank with 94 loans. That works out to 89.6 SBA loans per 10,000 residents.
ZIP Code Overview
Source: Census ACSZIP Codes
4
Total Population
95,962
Avg Median Income
$59,209
Avg Home Value
$260,675
ZIP Code Details
Source: Census ACS| ZIP Code | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Median Rent | Area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 92231 | 38,547 | $50,114 | $281,600 | $1,049 | 68.5 |
| 92243 | 48,556 | $55,890 | $286,100 | $992 | 113.3 |
| 92249 | 7,308 | $75,664 | $284,300 | $1,015 | 19.9 |
| 92273 | 1,551 | $55,167 | $190,700 | $1,066 | 3.2 |
El Centro, CA has 4 ZIP codes with a combined population of 95,962. The average median household income across all ZIP codes is $59,209. The average median home value is $260,675. The average median monthly rent is $1,031.
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