City · California
El Centro, California
El Centro, city, in Imperial County, California. El Centro had 44,382 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.3% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 44,322 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 44,240 (±41). GEOID 0621782.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
44,382
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 44,322 · ACS 2020-2024: 44,240 ±41
Median household income
$53,082
±$5,563 (90% margin)
California: $99,122
Median home value
$323,100
±$11,809 (90% margin)
California: $734,700
Median gross rent
$1,052
±$63 (90% margin)
California: $2,036
Where is El Centro and what county is it in?
El Centro is a city in Imperial County, California. It covers 12.1 square miles of land, 3,658 residents per square mile in 2020.
El Centro is in the El Centro, CA metropolitan statistical area (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in El Centro, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 44,382 people lived in El Centro on July 1, 2025, down 0.3% since 2020, in line with California (−0.5%). The 2020 Census counted 44,322 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 44,240 (±41).
| Measure | El Centro | Imperial County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 44,240 ±41 | 180,202 | +237 |
| Households | 12,890 ±537 | 49,644 | +1,265 |
| Average household size | 3.40 ±0.14 | 3.49 | −0.34 |
| Housing units | 14,656 ±455 | 58,044 | +834 |
El Centro's population since 2000
From 37,835 in 2000 to 44,382 in 2025: up 17.3%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for El Centro as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in El Centro?
The median resident of El Centro is 31.0 years old; 30.3% are under 18 and 14.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 86.7%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 8.1%. 29.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | El Centro | Imperial County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 31.0 ±1.2 | 33.2 | −1.9 |
| Under 18 years | 30.3% ±2.0 pts | 28.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 14.0% ±1.3 pts | 13.7% | – |
| Male | 49.5% ±1.8 pts | 51.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 86.7% ±1.4 pts | 86.0% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 8.1% ±1.0 pts | 9.1% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 3.0% ±0.9 pts | 2.0% | +1.6 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.0% ±0.4 pts | 1.3% | −1.2 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.0% ±0.5 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 29.6% ±2.5 pts | 31.6% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 77.0% ±3.1 pts | 75.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.0% ±1.0 pts | 3.4% | – |
| With a disability | 15.5% ±1.5 pts | 14.8% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.7% ±1.1 pts | 6.0% | −2.7 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 73.3% ±2.6 pts | 71.5% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 14.9% ±1.8 pts | 16.1% | −2.9 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.6% ±1.1 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 89.9% ±2.2 pts | 91.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.2% ±0.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in El Centro earn?
Half of El Centro's 12,890 households earn less than $53,082 a year (±$5,563), against $57,681 in Imperial County and $99,122 in California. In 2015-2019 it was $58,906 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 21.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | El Centro | Imperial County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $53,082 ±$5,563 | $57,681 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $76,234 ±$4,401 | $79,363 | – |
| Per capita income | $23,590 ±$1,315 | $23,552 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 21.6% ±3.2 pts | 19.5% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 29.1% ±7.0 pts | 24.6% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 28.3% ±3.3 pts | 28.7% | – |
| Households with a computer | 95.0% ±1.6 pts | 94.3% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 93.5% ±1.7 pts | 90.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in El Centro?
Owners occupy 49.5% of El Centro's occupied homes and renters 50.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $323,100 by its owner (±$11,809). The median renter pays $1,052 a month including utilities, and 44.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | El Centro | Imperial County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $323,100 ±$11,809 | $309,600 | +$86,068 |
| Median gross rent | $1,052 ±$63 | $1,056 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 44.8% ±5.0 pts | 43.5% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,839 ±$128 | $1,774 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 49.5% ±3.0 pts | 56.8% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 50.5% ±3.0 pts | 43.2% | – |
| Housing units | 14,656 ±455 | 58,044 | +834 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.4% ±0.7 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.1% ±2.9 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 53.6% ±2.9 pts | 62.1% | – |
| Mobile homes | 7.5% ±1.5 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.7% ±1.1 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 4.8% ±1.9 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 2.8% ±1.0 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 5.8% ±1.7 pts | 6.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is El Centro building?
Builders took permits for 35 new housing units in El Centro in 2025 (35 in single-family houses), 0.8 per 1,000 residents against 2.6 across California.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in El Centro work and get to work?
76.7% of El Centro's workers drive alone and 5.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 9.9%.
| Measure | El Centro | Imperial County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 57.1% ±2.4 pts | 53.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 9.9% ±1.8 pts | 12.5% | −3.2 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 76.7% ±4.2 pts | 79.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 13.3% ±3.5 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±0.3 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Walked | 2.1% ±1.2 pts | 2.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.9% ±2.1 pts | 7.2% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.0 min ±2.3 | 22.1 min | +4.0 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in El Centro?
8 census tracts lie mostly in El Centro, and 3 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $40,549 (Tract 115) to $129,936 (Tract 118.01).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 116Imperial County | 6,700 | $50,771 |
| Tract 118.03Imperial County | 7,542 | $97,139 |
| Tract 112.02Imperial County | 5,318 | $42,590 |
| Tract 115Imperial County | 5,093 | $40,549 |
| Tract 118.02Imperial County | 4,804 | $70,392 |
| Tract 117Imperial County | 4,800 | $67,828 |
| Tract 114Imperial County | 4,049 | $44,612 |
| Tract 118.01Imperial County | 3,665 | $129,936 |
| Tract 112.01Imperial County | 8,978 | $85,485 |
| Tract 113.02Imperial County | 1,416 | $48,095 |
| Tract 113.03Imperial County | 4,420 | $76,010 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in El Centro) · Census block assignment files
How does El Centro compare with other places in California?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, El Centro is the 937th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 198th-most populous of 483 in California.
El Centro ranks 944th of 1,037 places in California with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 198th | 483 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 183rd | 469 |
| Residents per square mile | 361st | 1,077 |
| Median household income | 944th | 1,037 |
| Per capita income | 939th | 1,073 |
| Median home value | 886th | 1,054 |
| Median gross rent | 922nd | 987 |
| Poverty rate | 114th | 836 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 812th | 988 |
| Median age | 960th | 1,075 |
| Owner-occupied share | 914th | 1,064 |
| Work from home | 757th | 822 |
| Travel time to work | 886th | 1,069 |
El Centro's figures with every place in California (CSV)
Every place in California, sortable · Compare El Centro with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for El Centro?
6 of the 57 figures for El Centro on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for El Centro are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in El Centro.