El Centro ZIP Codes — Imperial County, CA

There are 2 unique ZIP codes in El Centro, California. Area code: 760/442.

ZIP codes

113.29

sq mi land

0.07

sq mi water

760/442

area code

El Centro, CA ZIP code map

About El Centro, CA

El Centro is a vibrant city located in California’s Imperial County. Known for its warm climate and agricultural roots, El Centro serves as a central hub for the surrounding areas. With rich cultural diversity, the city contributes significantly to the region's economic landscape.

Location & geography

Situated in the southeastern corner of California, El Centro is approximately 120 miles east of San Diego and 30 miles north of the Mexican border city of Calexico. The city spans a land area of 113.29 square miles, with a very minimal water area of 0.07 square miles. This area is characterized by a flat desert landscape typical of the Imperial Valley.

Community & economy

El Centro embodies a tight-knit community with a diverse population that values cultural traditions and events. The city thrives on agriculture and is home to various industries, including retail and healthcare, supporting daily life for its residents. Festivals and local events often celebrate the unique cultural heritage of the area, promoting a sense of togetherness.

Transportation

El Centro is easily accessible via major highways, including Interstate 8, which connects it to San Diego and Arizona. The nearest airport is the Imperial County Airport, which offers regional flights, while nearby cities like Calexico also provide border-crossing access to Mexico. Public transportation options are available, adding convenience for residents and visitors alike.

History

Founded in the early 1900s, El Centro quickly grew as an agricultural center due to the fertile soil of the Imperial Valley. The city played a key role in the development of irrigation projects that transformed the area into a productive agricultural hub. Notable events, such as the establishment of the annual California Mid-Winter Fair & Fiesta, showcase the city’s cultural significance and community spirit.

Did you know?

A surprising fact about El Centro is that it is one of the hottest cities in the United States during summer, often experiencing temperatures exceeding 100°F. Additionally, El Centro is home to a rich mixture of indigenous history and modern cultural influences, contributing to its unique identity.

ZIP codes for El Centro, CA (2)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
92243	El Centro	Imperial	View map
92244	El Centro	Imperial	View map

Demographics & statistics

49,193

Population

32.1

Median age

$54,250

Median household income

$22,059

Per capita income

$260,400

Median home value

$936

Median monthly rent

52.6%

Home ownership

21.5%

Poverty rate

9.9%

Unemployment

9,055

Housing units

16.1%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

1,646

Under 5

1,602

2,150

5–9

2,093

2,342

10–14

2,281

1,996

15–19

1,944

1,701

20–24

1,656

3,547

25–34

3,454

2,879

35–44

2,803

2,745

45–54

2,673

1,053

55–59

1,025

1,436

60–64

1,399

1,903

65–74

1,852

984

75–84

958

543

85+

528

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	14,520	29.5%
18 and over	34,673	70.5%
65 and over	6,768	13.8%
Median age	32.1 years

Race & ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino 39.4%

Other race 27.7%

White 17%

Two or more races 12.5%

Black or African American 2.1%

Asian 0.8%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.5%

Group	Count	%
Hispanic or Latino	31,985	39.4%
Other race	22,467	27.7%
White	13,771	17%
Two or more races	10,172	12.5%
Black or African American	1,674	2.1%
Asian	689	0.8%
American Indian / Alaska Native	390	0.5%

Household income

Under $10k 6.3%

$10k–$15k 6.1%

$15k–$25k 11.5%

$25k–$35k 8.2%

$35k–$50k 14.8%

$50k–$75k 16.4%

$75k–$100k 12.1%

$100k–$150k 15.5%

$150k–$200k 4.9%

$200k+ 4.2%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	6.3%
$10k–$15k	6.1%
$15k–$25k	11.5%
$25k–$35k	8.2%
$35k–$50k	14.8%
$50k–$75k	16.4%
$75k–$100k	12.1%
$100k–$150k	15.5%
$150k–$200k	4.9%
$200k+	4.2%
Median income	$54,250

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 13.9%

$50k–$100k 5.8%

$100k–$150k 4.7%

$150k–$200k 8.9%

$200k–$300k 29.8%

$300k–$500k 30.1%

$500k–$1M 6.1%

$1M+ 0.6%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$260,400
Median rent / month	$936
Owner occupied	52.6%
Renter occupied	47.4%
Vacant	12.6%
Single-family detached	53.7%
Large apartment buildings	7.8%
Mobile homes	12.7%
Median rooms	4.7
Avg household size (owned)	3.70

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.4%
2010–2019	4.0%
2000–2009	15.0%
1990–1999	15.7%
1980–1989	18.9%
1970–1979	18.0%
1960–1969	12.3%
1950–1959	10.4%
1940–1949	2.8%
1939 or earlier	2.4%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	4.3%
1 bedroom	16.0%
2 bedrooms	24.6%
3 bedrooms	31.3%
4 bedrooms	19.3%
5+ bedrooms	4.4%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	6.0%
1 vehicle	29.6%
2 vehicles	38.4%
3 or more	26.0%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	24.6%
Electricity	68.7%
Propane / LP gas	2.3%
Wood	0.1%
Solar	0.2%
No fuel used	4.1%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	6,696	49.5%
Cohabiting couple	1,048	7.8%
Male householder, no spouse	2,080	15.4%
Female householder, no spouse	3,696	27.3%
Households with children under 18	5,668	41.9%
Households with seniors (65+)	4,600	34.0%
Average household size	3.56

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	43.5%	33.9%
Married	45.9%	39.7%
Separated	2.0%	4.8%
Widowed	1.5%	11.1%
Divorced	7.0%	10.5%

Education

Less than 9th grade 14.5%

Some HS, no diploma 13.1%

HS graduate 25.1%

Some college, no degree 22.3%

Associate's degree 8.9%

Bachelor's degree 10.4%

Graduate / professional 5.7%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	72.4%
Bachelor's or higher	16.1%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	723	4.7%
Kindergarten	788	5.2%
Elementary school	6,940	45.4%
High school	3,823	25.0%
College / grad school	3,010	19.7%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 27.0%

Retail trade 12.4%

Public administration 10.4%

Agriculture & mining 9.3%

Arts, food & hospitality 8.1%

Construction 6.6%

Transportation & utilities 6.1%

Professional & management 5.3%

Other services 4.9%

Manufacturing 3.7%

Finance & real estate 2.7%

Wholesale trade 2.4%

Information 1.1%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	26.3%
Service	25.7%
Sales & office	17.4%
Natural resources & construction	14.9%
Production & transportation	15.7%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	67.7%
Government	25.1%
Self-employed	7.2%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	78.4%
Carpool	12.1%
Public transit	0.3%
Walk	2.6%
Other means	2.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	21.4

Poverty

All people 21.5%

Under 18 years 29.9%

18 and over 18.0%

Married-couple families 12.0%

Female-led households 37.9%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	32.8%
Retirement income	15.2%
Supplemental Security	11.5%
Cash public assistance	5.7%
Food stamps / SNAP	22.0%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	29.8%
High cholesterol	30.2%
Heart disease	6.3%
Stroke	3.3%
Asthma	10.3%
Arthritis	20.6%
Kidney disease	3.6%
Pulmonary disease	6.4%
Cancer	4.6%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	17.5%
No physical activity	30.8%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	33.5%
Fair or poor health	23.8%
Poor mental health	16.1%
Poor physical health	13.6%
No health insurance	24.0%
Visited doctor (checkup)	66.2%
Visited dentist	53.2%
Cholesterol screening	87.5%
Teeth loss	16.8%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	1,876	5.5%

Disability	%
Any disability	16.0%
Under 18	6.0%
18–64 years	13.1%
65 and over	49.4%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	45.0%
Public insurance	58.6%
Uninsured under 19	1.5%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	45,945	93.4%
Spanish	13,151	28.6%
Other Indo-European	12,973	28.2%
Asian & Pacific Islander	63	0.1%
Other languages	115	0.3%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	34,986	71.1%
Born in same state	33,228	67.5%
Born in different state	29,507	60.0%
Foreign born	1,758	3.6%
Naturalized citizen	14,207	28.9%
Not a US citizen	7,687	54.1%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	990	2%
Arab	878	1.8%
French	845	1.7%
Polish	70	0.1%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	22	0%
Irish	19	0%
Dutch	7	0%
German	1	0%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	27.5%
Internet access	94.2%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does El Centro, CA have?

El Centro, CA has one ZIP code: 92243. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.