City profile · California · Census ACS 2023

Brawley, CA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Brawley - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

26,934
Residents
$60,370
Median income
$270,100
Median home
$1,362
Median rent (state)

Brawley - the verdict

Brawley ranks in the 36th percentile for household income and the 56th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

36th
percentile, household income
60th
percentile, home value
52nd
percentile, median rent
56th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Brawley, CA

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 26,934 residents in Brawley, a small city within California. The typical household in Brawley brings in $60,370 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 18.3%. Brawley's housing stock carries a median value of $270,100, and the median resident age is 30.8 years. 13.8% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 45.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 69 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 38% from five years earlier. Brawley reports a comparatively low crime rate: per-100,000 total crime stands at 1186.8 in FBI UCR data, below the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Brawley's yearly average temperature at 73.8°F with 2.4 inches of precipitation per year.

California carries a cost-of-living premium: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts California at 110.7 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Well Above Average). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,362 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $275 across California, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Commute times here average 17.7 minutes, with 76.3% driving alone and 9.3% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 96.5 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

26,934 residents

Census ACS 2023 - California

Median Household Income

$60,370 /yr

Poverty 18.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

110.7 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, California average

How does Brawley compare to other US cities?

Here's how Brawley stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 36% higher than other cities
Home value 60% pricier than other cities
Median rent 52% pricier than other cities
Safety 56% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to California alone, Brawley ranks #97 of 441 California cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Brawley against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to California only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

California-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Brawley near the bottom of California's cities

Among the 1,458 California cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Brawley ranks #1,373 - the 3rd percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Brawley only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#1,052 of 1,338
21st percentile in California
Median Gross Rent
#1,373 of 1,458
3rd percentile in California
Median Home Value
#1,123 of 1,343
16th percentile in California
Poverty Rate
#219 of 1,450
85th percentile in California
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#1,089 of 1,458
25th percentile in California

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within California only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

36thIncome percentile
56thSafety percentile

36th percentile nationally for median household income · 56th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Brawley's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Brawley's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 45 Avg. percentile National median
Brawley's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Brawley's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$270,100 40th percentile more affordable than 40% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). This entry sits in this band. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Brawley $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Brawley, CA Brawley, CA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Brawley, CA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Brawley, CA median $60,370/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Brawley, CA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Brawley, CA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 13.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 18.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 45.8%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
26,934
Median Income
$60,370
Median Home Value
$270,100
Median Age
30.8
Poverty Rate
18.3%
Labor force participation
45.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
13.8%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1186.8
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
296.7
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
890.1
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
73.8°F
Annual Precipitation
2.4"
Annual Snowfall
0.0"

Schools

Total Schools
10
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
26,000 residents27,000 residents28,000 residents29,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 26,496 residents 28,008 residents ▲ +5.7%
Brawley's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
69
housing units authorized
Single-Family
37
detached homes
Multifamily
32
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
2.6
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 112
2020 127
2021 227
2022 162
2023 81
2024 69

Permit volume decreased 38% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
17.7 minutes
Drive Alone
76.3%
Carpool
7.7%
Public Transit
0.8%
Walk
1.5%
Work from Home
9.3%
Other
4.4%

Based on 8,923 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for California - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$150
avg/month
Natural Gas
$55
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$70
avg/month
Total Utilities
$275
estimated/month

Estimates reflect California state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a California state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Brawley sits in

Cost of Living Index
110.7
Well Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,362/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
96.5 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in California

Benicia
26,861 people
Lemoore
27,023 people
Sanger
26,515 people
Lemon Grove
27,489 people
Belmont
27,505 people
Eureka
26,302 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Brawley's 26,934 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Chicago Heights, IL
26,938 people
Temple Terrace, FL
26,922 people
Leisure, FL
26,917 people
Mint Hill, NC
26,954 people
Garden City, MI
26,910 people
Waukee, IA
26,974 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Brawley's $60,370 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Badger, MN
$60,375 median income
London, OH
$60,364 median income
Oneida, NY
$60,380 median income
Brown City, MI
$60,357 median income
Webster, MA
$60,384 median income
Echo, OR
$60,385 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Brawley, CA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Brawley, CA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 38.2% 33.0% 24.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 85.0% White 38.2% Black or African American 1.0% Asian 1.3% American Indian 1.9% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 33.0% Two or more races 24.5% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Brawley compares to nearby California cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Brawley (this city) 26,934 $60,370
Benicia 26,861 $125,040
Lemoore 27,023 $82,189
Sanger 26,515 $74,428
Census ACS 5-year FIPS CA FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Brawley, CA?

What is the population of Brawley, CA? +

Brawley, CA counts 26,934 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Brawley, CA? +

In Brawley, the typical household earns $60,370 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Brawley? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Brawley; the closest available measure is the California state average, a cost of living index of 110.7 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within California vary by metro area.

Is Brawley, CA safe? +

Brawley has a total crime rate of 1186.8 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Brawley, CA? +

A typical home in Brawley is worth $270,100, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Brawley? +

Climate normals put Brawley's yearly average temperature at 73.8°F, 2.4 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.