El Centro, CA Demographics
A map of El Centro's Population by Race
El Centro, California has an estimated population of 44,240, a less than 1% change from the 44,322 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 86.7% Hispanic, 8.1% White, 3.0% Black, 1.0% Asian, 1.0% Multiracial, and 0.3% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of El Centro, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.
El Centro has become slightly more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than California overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In El Centro, that probability was 23.5% in 2020 and 24.1% in the most recent ACS estimates.
El Centro is ranked the 209th most populous place in California, out of 1,618 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). El Centro was ranked the 208th most populous place in the 2020 Census.
El Centro's White Population
3,589 residents of El Centro, or 8.1% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in El Centro is significantly lower than in California overall, where 33.8% of the population is White. El Centro ranks 1458th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.
Since the 2020 Census, El Centro's White population has declined by an estimated 7.4%. White residents' share of El Centro's population has decreased from 8.7% to 8.1%.
El Centro is more White than neighboring Heber (0.5% White), Calexico (1.1% White), and Seeley (3% White). El Centro is less White than neighboring Imperial (10.5% White), and El Centro Naval Air Facility (20.1% White).
El Centro's Black Population
1,322 residents of El Centro, or 3.0% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in El Centro is slightly lower than in California overall, where 5.2% of the population is Black. El Centro ranks 513th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.
Since the 2020 Census, El Centro's Black population has grown by an estimated 82.3%. Black residents' share of El Centro's population has increased from 1.6% to 3.0%.
El Centro is more Black than neighboring Imperial (0.5% Black), Heber (2.9% Black), and Calexico (0.1% Black). El Centro is less Black than neighboring El Centro Naval Air Facility (13.5% Black), and Seeley (6.2% Black).
El Centro's Asian Population
430 residents of El Centro, or 1.0% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in El Centro is considerably lower than in California overall, where 15.3% of the population is Asian. El Centro ranks 1028th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.
Since the 2020 Census, El Centro's Asian population has declined by an estimated 27.5%. Asian residents' share of El Centro's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.0%.
El Centro is more Asian than neighboring Heber (0% Asian), and Seeley (0% Asian). El Centro is less Asian than neighboring Imperial (2.9% Asian), and El Centro Naval Air Facility (3.4% Asian).
El Centro's Hispanic Population
38,336 residents of El Centro, or 86.7% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in El Centro is significantly higher than in California overall, where 40.2% of the population is Hispanic. El Centro ranks 107th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.
Since the 2020 Census, El Centro's Hispanic population has remained roughly the same. Hispanic residents' share of El Centro's population has remained roughly unchanged at 86.7%.
El Centro is more Hispanic than neighboring Imperial (85.4% Hispanic), El Centro Naval Air Facility (26.9% Hispanic), and Seeley (80.2% Hispanic). El Centro is less Hispanic than neighboring Heber (94.5% Hispanic), and Calexico (97.4% Hispanic).
El Centro's Native American/Other Population
131 residents of El Centro, or 0.3% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in El Centro is comparable to the share in California overall, where 1.2% of the population is Native American/Other. El Centro ranks 1411th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.
Since the 2020 Census, El Centro's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 44.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of El Centro's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.3%.
El Centro is more Native American/Other than neighboring El Centro Naval Air Facility (0% Native American/Other), Calexico (0.1% Native American/Other), and Seeley (0% Native American/Other). El Centro is less Native American/Other than neighboring Heber (1.2% Native American/Other).
El Centro's Multiracial Population
432 residents of El Centro, or 1.0% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in El Centro is slightly lower than in California overall, where 4.4% of the population is Multiracial. El Centro ranks 1510th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.
Since the 2020 Census, El Centro's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 32.1%. Multiracial residents' share of El Centro's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.0%.
El Centro is more Multiracial than neighboring Imperial (0.4% Multiracial), Heber (0.9% Multiracial), and Calexico (0.3% Multiracial). El Centro is less Multiracial than neighboring El Centro Naval Air Facility (36.1% Multiracial), and Seeley (10.7% Multiracial).
Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.