Living in Desert Center, California
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Desert Center · Census data 2020–2024
Desert Center has 144 residents with a median age of 45.5. The median household income is $73,393 (26% lower than the California median), the median home value is $216,100, the median rent is $1,135/month.
Desert Center is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Desert Center at a glance
- Population
- 144
- Median age
- 45.5State: 37.9
- Median household income
- $73,393State: $99,122
- Median home value
- $216,100State: $734,700
- Median rent
- $1,135/moState: $2,036
- Homeowners
- 54.4%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 18.9%
- Average commute
- 12 min
Is Desert Center a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 71% lower than the state median; an average commute of 12 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 26% lower than the California median; unemployment of 13.6%; a poverty rate of 31.9%.
The weather is best in February to April and November.
Cost of living in Desert Center
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Desert Center the median home value is $216,100, 35% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,135 per month, which is 22.5% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,036 a month in housing costs.
Desert Center median household income
The median household income in Desert Center is $73,393 and the income per person is $26,408. 31.9% of residents live below the poverty line (California: 12%).
Housing in Desert Center: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 199
- Owner-occupied
- 54.4%
- Renter-occupied
- 45.6%
- Vacant
- 71.4%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1983
- Average household size
- 2.49
71.4% of homes are vacant most of the year, a sign that Desert Center has many vacation and second homes.
Desert Center demographics
- Population
- 144
- Median age
- 45.5
- Under 18
- 11.8%
- 65 and older
- 25.7%
- Households
- 57
- Foreign-born
- 3.5%
- Veterans
- 3.9%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Desert Center ›
Education in Desert Center
18.9% of adults 25 and older in Desert Center have a bachelor's degree or higher (California: 37.1%), and 1.6% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Desert Center
- Unemployment rate
- 13.6%State: 6.6%
- Average commute
- 12 minState: 29 min
- Work from home
- 7.8%
- Drive alone
- 60.8%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 25.5%
- Homes with broadband
- 100%
Desert Center vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Desert Center | 144 | $73,393 | $216,100 | $1,135 |
| North Shore | 3,515 | $51,795 | $203,900 | $1,365 |
| Mesa Verde | 1,016 | $51,188 | $110,100 | $1,106 |
| Calipatria | 6,548 | $53,299 | $197,200 | $919 |
| Blythe | 17,396 | $56,625 | $225,000 | $938 |
| Ripley | 476 | $28,775 | $205,000 | $542 |
| Salton City | 5,988 | $47,827 | $200,600 | $1,372 |
More for people moving to Desert Center
Desert Center ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Desert Center: FAQ
What is the median household income in Desert Center, CA?
The median household income in Desert Center is $73,393, 26% lower than the California median of $99,122 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Desert Center?
The median home value in Desert Center is $216,100, compared with $734,700 in California.
How much is rent in Desert Center?
The median gross rent in Desert Center is $1,135 per month, about 22.5% of household income.
Is Desert Center, CA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 71% lower than the state median; an average commute of 12 minutes. Minuses: median household income 26% lower than the California median; unemployment of 13.6%; a poverty rate of 31.9%.
What is the median age in Desert Center?
The median age in Desert Center is 45.5 years (California: 37.9).
How long is the commute in Desert Center?
The average commute to work in Desert Center is 12 minutes; 7.8% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Desert Center?
The unemployment rate in Desert Center is 13.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Desert Center?
18.9% of adults in Desert Center have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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