An Imperial Valley agriculture hub in the heart of the Colorado Desert
In the heart of Imperial Valley, just 12 miles north of the Mexico-United States border, El Centro is a commercial and residential hub among thousands of acres of southern California farmland. The city has a population of roughly 44,000, and other industries include healthcare, state and local government and education. Major area employers include the Department of Homeland Security, the County of Imperial, Imperial Valley College and the El Centro Regional Medical Center.
Established in the early 20th century, this Sonoran Desert city's primary industry is agriculture, including crops such as salad greens, broccoli and onions. “It’s not a rapidly growing area, but we do have some reliable, long-standing employers,” says Joseph McCormack, a local real estate agent with Real Estate One. “They are also working on building new lithium extraction sites nearby, which are expected to draw in more workers over the next few years.”
El Centro's economic landscape is bolstered by major employers such as the Department of Homeland Security.
Surrounded by expansive farmland, El Centro stands as a bustling center for both business and community.
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The El Centro housing market and harsh SoCal summers
Most of the El Centro housing market is comprised of modest ranch-style homes and bungalows, with some multi-story Mediterranean builds in the city’s more expensive neighborhoods. The Imperial Valley has a dry, arid climate year-round, so low-water-use landscaping is common throughout the area’s residential streets, as are backyard swimming pools. “Our summers can get pretty harsh,” says McCormack. “We usually have three to four months of the year when the high is consistently over 100 degrees. But the winters are beautiful and mild.”
The average home price is $414,000. Home prices are significantly lower in El Centro compared to the California average.
Embrace simple living in El Centro, where the majority of residences are modest ranch-style homes and charming bungalows.
Discover spacious, multi-story Mediterranean homes in El Centro that boast newer construction and refined elegance.
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Career pathways with Central Union High School District
Local families are served by the El Centro Elementary School District and Central Union High School District, which earn C and A-minus grades from Niche, respectively. The latter, of which, offers numerous career pathways for high school students, with industry-based courses ranging from computer-integrated manufacturing and construction to photography and medical terminology.
Imperial Valley College lies just northeast of El Centro and enrolls over 7,000 students a year for its in-person and online programs. The college also partners with local high schools for its dual-enrollment offerings.
Lincoln Elementary School in El Centro inspires young minds with innovative teaching and a supportive community.
Central Union High School in El Centro cultivates creativity and critical thinking through a rich educational experience.
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Improvements to downtown El Centro
Main Street and Imperial Avenue serve as the city’s main commercial hubs. Main Street is lined with authentic Mexican restaurants, business offices and boutiques, while Imperial Avenue has chain eateries and supermarkets. Downtown El Centro has faced commercial challenges over the years, with shop vacancies and safety as primary concerns among residents. The city’s government has launched plans to improve infrastructure, safety and economic growth through traffic improvements, expanding affordable housing, social service programs and renovations to Main Street Town Square.
El Centro’s Main Street has seen challenges, but revitalization efforts aim to bring new life.
Savor gourmet tacos, irresistible grill classics, and ice-cold brews at D'Poly Taco, Grill & Beer on Main Street in El Centro.
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110 acres of park space
El Centro is home to over 110 acres of public parks, including the 20-acre Bucklin Park. Additionally, the Broken Spoke Country Club is a nine-hole golf course and there are numerous hiking trails within a short drive of town in the surrounding desert mountains.
Tee off at Broken Spoke Country Club in El Centro and experience a scenic desert oasis.
The beauty of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park features stunning backdrops that echo bliss of the desert.
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Take Interstate 8 to San Diego or Yuma.
Interstate 8 runs through the south side of El Centro and spans around 115 miles west to San Diego and roughly 60 miles east to Yuma, Arizona. Imperial Valley Transit operates numerous bus routes across the county, with a handful of stops near downtown El Centro. For long-distance travel, San Diego International Airport is around 117 miles away.
Crime rate statistics are not readily available for El Centro.
Written By
Jillian Pillow
Photography Contributed By
Stephen Cammell
Video By
Jacob McAllister
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Ray Roben,
an experienced agent in this area.
On average, homes in El Centro, CA sell after 85 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in El Centro, CA over the last 12 months is $195,000, down 9% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Looking for a home where you can relax and entertain with friends and family? This spacious 4 bedroom/2 bath home is perfect for gatherings, complete with entertaining covered patio, pergola and in-ground swimming pool! Picture yourself hosting BBQ s and pool parties in your own backyard oasis. Located near schools, Bucklin Park, and El Centro hospital. Don't miss out on this home, with perfect
Welcome to 1637 Southwind Dr in El Centro! This charming 4-bedroom, 2-bath home perfectly blends comfort, style, and functionality. Inside, you'll love the newly installed vinyl plank flooring that gives every room a fresh, modern feel. The open layout connects the living, dining, and kitchen areas seamlessly ideal for entertaining and everyday living. Step outside to your own backyard oasis
BACK ON THE MARKET! This beautiful 4-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom home offers 1,725 sq. ft. of living space designed for both comfort and functionality. Inside, you'll find a bright, open floor plan with spacious living areas and well-sized bedrooms, perfect for family living or entertaining guests. Step outside and enjoy your private backyard retreat, complete with a refreshing in-ground pool ideal for
An amazing and affordable location to start your own business. This is a prime location in El Centro for the business. Imperial Valley Mall is only minutes away. Very busy Dogwood Dr is only a few feet away. A large gas station is under construction around the corner which will bring additional traffic in the area. The lot is about 1.18 Acres which is large enough for a Strip Mall, offices,
Looking for a home where you can relax and entertain with friends and family? This spacious 4 bedroom/2 bath home is perfect for gatherings, complete with entertaining covered patio, pergola and in-ground swimming pool! Picture yourself hosting BBQ s and pool parties in your own backyard oasis. Located near schools, Bucklin Park, and El Centro hospital. Don't miss out on this home, with perfect
Welcome to 1637 Southwind Dr in El Centro! This charming 4-bedroom, 2-bath home perfectly blends comfort, style, and functionality. Inside, you'll love the newly installed vinyl plank flooring that gives every room a fresh, modern feel. The open layout connects the living, dining, and kitchen areas seamlessly ideal for entertaining and everyday living. Step outside to your own backyard oasis
Create a home for you to be proud of at The Courtyard, a brand-new luxury community situated in El Centro, Imperial Valley's largest community. Each of our sophisticated one- and two-bedroom apartment homes and two-bedroom townhomes will blow you away with their chic design, attention to detail, upscale finishes, and the sense of comfort and ease you feel the moment you step foot in your new
QUAINT ONE BEDROOM, ONE BATHROOM APARTMENT IN GATED COMMUNITY. OPEN LIVING ROOM AND KITCHEN WITH DINING AREA. SPACIOUS BEDROOM WITH PLENTY OF CLOSET SPACE.
Miraflores Luxury Apartments is a well-established, premier community; offering the highest quality apartment living in the El Centro, CA. Miraflores is a gated community with the only oversized homes, open floor-plans and superior apartment design. We also offer a 24-HOUR fitness center, pool, spa, clubhouse with a well-managed office and coffee each morning !The apartment homes offer many
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