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El Centro
File:LA05.jpg
Downtown Los Angeles from the Santa Ana Freeway.
Population
MSA: 163,972 [1]

The El Centro metropolitan area is the second largest metropolitan area of Southern Border, after the San Diego metropolitan area and encompasses the whole of Imperial County. It is anchored by the city of El Centro and is in the far southeast region of the State of California more specifically in Southern California in the Imperial Valley. The El Centro metropolitan area is one of the fastest growing regions in the State of California offering many business opportunities along with a large number of trade possibilities and contributes greatly to the economic diversity of the Southern Border region.[2]

Population

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The El Centro metropolitan area is home to 163,972 residents, according to a 2008 CA Department of Finace estimate and encompasses the whole Imperial County.[3] The area is in the far southeast region of the State of California. Major population centers are Brawley, Calexico and El Centro is the county seat. Imperial is one of the fastest growing regions in the State of California offering many business opportunities along with a large number of trade possibilities.

The metropolitan area had the largest percentage increase in population in California between 2008 and 2009 in the state, according to the California Department of Finance.[4] The county had a population growth rate of 2.2 percent between July 1, 2008, and July 1, 2009. The county’s growth rate has consistently been one of the top 10 out of 58 counties in California for the past six years. Last year’s growth rate was 2.43 percent.

El Centro is the promising new major commercial and industrial center of Southern California [5] for the Imperial Valley, being the center of shipping exports as well as being home to retail, transportation, wholesale, and agricultural industries. There are also two international border crossings nearby for commercial and noncommercial vehicles.[6] The city's population was 37,835 at the 2000 census. The 2006 population is 40,563. The city is 50 feet below sea level and the largest city in the United States below sea level. Fifty percent of the jobs in El Centro come from the service and retail sector.

Cities

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Cities over 5,000 population

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Towns over 1,000 population

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Towns under 1,000 population

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Imperial Valley

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Main article: Imperial Valley

The Imperial Valley is a agricultural as well as geographical region of Southern Border, centered around the city of El Centro. Locally, the terms "Imperial Valley" and "Imperial County" are used synonymously. The Valley is bordered between the Colorado River to the east and, in part, the Salton Sea to the west. Farther west lies the San Diego and Imperial County border. To the north is the Inland Empire, also the county line of Imperial and Riverside counties, and to the south the international boundary with the U.S. State of California and Baja California, Mexico). The area encompasses all of Imperial county.

Salton Sea

The Imperial Valley is rich in natural beauty, local history, and culture. The unique culture of the area blends the two different countries of the United States with Mexico (due to its geographic location along the international border) to create, along with a small town atmosphere and an economy based on agriculture, a strong work ethic for the people of the valley. From early in January through the winter holiday season, the Imperial Valley hosts many festivals and activities that keep things moving.[7] From the aerial displays of the Blue Angels to the Tomato Festival. From the North to the South. Imperial Valley offers visitors and residents a taste of many cultures such as those from Mexico with all its' sights, sounds and tastes waiting to be savored. Mexico can easily be accessed by vehicle or by walking due to the Valleys proximity to the border.

Imperial Valley was so named by the Imperial Land Company, in hopes of attracting settlers.[8] Having done that it is now the home of the El Centro Metropolitan Area which is the second largest in South Border after SD Metro.

Demographics

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The Imperial and Mexicali Valleys share a common international bond of both American and Hispanic cultures. On the U.S. side, the majority of residents are of Mexican-American or Latino heritage, while the Mexican side has been greatly influenced by American culture by the U.S. for many decades. The entire valley has multi-racial representation of Africans, Europeans, east and south Asians, and Native Americans.

As of the census of 2000, there were 142,361 people, 39,384 households, and 31,467 families residing in the county.[9] The population density was 34 people per square mile (13/km²). There were 43,891 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 49.37% White, 3.95% Black or African American, 1.87% Native American, 1.99% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 39.08% from other races, and 3.65% from two or more races. 72.22% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 65.7% spoke Spanish and 32.3% English as their first language.

Laguna Salada, Mexicali Valley, Imperial Valley, Salton Sea, & Coachella Valley Left-Right

There were 39,384 households out of which 46.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.7% were married couples living together, 17.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.1% were non-families. 17.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.33 and the average family size was 3.77.In the county the population was spread out with 31.4% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 30.4% from 25 to 44, 18.2% from 45 to 64, and 10.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 109.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 111.4 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,870, and the median income for a family was $35,226. Males had a median income of $32,775 versus $23,974 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,239. About 19.4% of families and 22.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.7% of those under age 18 and 13.6% of those age 65 or over.[10]

Politics

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Imperial County is a Democratic stronghold in Presidential, Congressional and local elections. The last Republican to win a majority in the county was George H. W. Bush in 1988.[11]

On November 4, 2008, Imperial County voted 69.7% for Proposition 8, which amended the California Constitution to ban same-sex marriages, showing more support for the proposition than any other strongly Democratic county.[12][13]

Imperial is part of California's 51st congressional district, which is held by Democrat Bob Filner. In the state legislature, Imperial is part of the 80th Assembly district, which is held by Democrat Manuel Perez, and the 40th Senate district, which is held by Democrat Denise Ducheny.

Codes for Imperial

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Area Codes

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Main article: List of California area codes

760 - Covers all of the El Centro metropolitan area as well as Palm Springs, Oceanside, Bishop, Ridgecrest, Barstow, Needles; northern San Diego County, and southeastern California, including much of the Mojave Desert and the Owens Valley. (Split from 619 on March 22, 1997, overlayed by area code 442 in 2009)

Zip Codes

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimates for metropolitan statistical areas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-03-29.
  2. ^ Source California.gov
  3. ^ Source California.gov
  4. ^ SourceIV Press
  5. ^ Source City of El Centro
  6. ^ Source City of El Centro
  7. ^ http://www.maintour.com/socal/elchome.htm Source Main Tour]
  8. ^ Source ePodunk
  9. ^ Source U.S. Census
  10. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  11. ^ Source CalPolitical
  12. ^ "Proposition 8 Map - November 4, 2008, General Election - California Secretary of State:". Retrieved 2009-08-17.
  13. ^ "Registration by County". Retrieved 2009-08-17.
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