View source for Imperial Valley

{{Short description|Valley in California, United States}}
{{For|the Imperial Valley in the Holy Roman Empire|Reichstal}}
{{Use American English|date = December 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date = December 2019}}
{{Infobox valley
| name = Imperial Valley<br />{{langx|es|Valle Imperial}}
| photo = Salton Sea from Space.jpg
| photo_caption = The Imperial Valley below the [[Salton Sea]]. The [[US–Mexican border]] runs diagonally across the lower left of the image.
| map_image = Newriverwatershed-1-.jpg
| map_caption = Map of Imperial Valley
| coordinates = {{Coord|32|44|51|N|114|57|48|W|region:US-CA|display=inline,title}}<!-- Coords per GNIS -->
| location = [[California]], United States
| direction = Northwest-Southeast
| length = {{convert|50|mi|km}}
| towns = [[Brawley, California|Brawley]], [[Calexico, California|Calexico]], [[El Centro, California|El Centro]], [[Imperial, California|Imperial]]
| traversed = [[Interstate 8]], [[California State Route 78|State Route 78]], [[California State Route 86|State Route 86]], [[California State Route 111|State Route 111]]
}}

The '''Imperial Valley''' ({{langx|es|Valle de Imperial}} or ''Valle Imperial'') of [[Southern California]] lies in [[Imperial County, California|Imperial]] and [[Riverside County, California|Riverside]] counties, with an [[urban area]] centered on the city of [[El Centro, California|El Centro]]. The Valley is bordered by the [[Colorado River]] to the east and, in part, the [[Salton Sea]] to the west. Farther west lies the [[San Diego County, California|San Diego]] and Imperial County border. To the north is the [[Coachella Valley]] region of [[Riverside County]], which together with Imperial Valley form the [[Salton Trough]], or the Cahuilla Basin, also the county line of Imperial and Riverside counties, and to the south the international boundary with [[Mexico]].

The culture of the area blends those of the [[United States]] and [[Mexico]], due to its regional history and geographic location along the international border. The Imperial Valley economy is based on agriculture.

Imperial Valley was named by the [[Imperial Land Company]], in the hopes of attracting settlers. It is now the home of the [[El Centro metropolitan area]]. Locally, the terms "Imperial Valley" and "Imperial County" are used synonymously. Imperial Valley is also called [[Lithium Valley]], because of its rich supply of [[lithium]], used to power [[electric vehicle]]s, cameras, etc.<ref>CA.gov Office of Governor Gavin Newsome  (March 20, 2023).  [https://www.gov.ca.gov/2023/03/20/governor-newsom-visits-lithium-valley-to-highlight-momentum-on-becoming-global-source-for-battery-production/ ”Governor Newsom Visits Lithium Valley to Highlight Momentum on Becoming Global Source for Battery Production.”] Retrieved May 7, 2023.</ref><ref>60 Minutes (May 7, 2013). [https://www.cbsnews.com/news/california-lithium-industry-develops-for-electric-vehicle-battery-needs-60-minutes-2023-05-07/  "Lithium Valley]". Retrieved May 7, 2023.</ref>

==Geography==
[[Image:Bighorns.jpg|thumb|upright|Bighorns in Anza-Borrego]]
[[Image:Salton Sea Reflection.jpg|thumb|Salton Sea]]
[[File:SaltonSeaArielFromSouth.jpg|thumb|Aerial view of Imperial Valley and Salton Sea]]
The Imperial Valley extends southward for {{convert|50|mi|km}} from the southern end of the [[Salton Sea]] into [[Mexico]]. Part of a trough stretching from the Coachella Valley to the [[Gulf of California]], it is almost entirely below sea level—{{convert|235|ft}} below at the edge of the Salton Sea. Its hot desert climate is characterized by daily temperature extremes. It was once part of the [[Gulf of California]], from which it was cut off by the dam-like deposits of the [[Colorado River]] Delta Fan as it carved out the [[Grand Canyon]]. Bordered by sand dunes and barren mountains, it was uninhabited until 1901, when the [[Alamo Canal|Imperial Canal]] was opened and diverted Colorado River water into the valley through Mexico. Floodwaters in 1905–07 destroyed the irrigation channels and created the Salton Sea now filled by the [[New River (Mexico – United States)|New River]] and irrigation run-off.<ref name=Geography>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Imperial-Valley|title=Imperial Valley &#124; valley, North America|website=Encyclopedia Britannica}}</ref>  The rivers in the southern part of the Salton Sea river basin flow south to north.

The valley is bordered by the [[Colorado River]] to the east and, in part, the [[Salton Sea]] to the west. Farther west lies the border with [[San Diego County, California|San Diego County]] and to the south the international boundary between the US state of [[California]] and [[Baja California]], [[Mexico]]. To the north is the boundary with [[Riverside County, California|Riverside County]] and the [[Coachella Valley]], which with the Imperial Valley form the "Cahuilla Basin" or the "[[Salton Sink|Salton Trough]]".{{citation needed|date = April 2015}}

[[El Centro, California|El Centro]] is the largest industrial center of 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. The city's population was 42,598 at the 2010 census and 44,322 at the 2020 census. The city is {{convert|50|ft|m|sigfig=1}} 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.{{When|date=December 2024}}{{Cn|date=December 2024}}

===Climate===

The Imperial Valley often has summer temperatures well over {{convert|100|F|C}}, but from late October until mid-April the temperature is relatively mild and sometimes low. During winter months the Valley averages more than eight hours of sunshine a day, receiving the most sunlight of any place in the [[United States]].<ref name="Imperial Valley Climate"/>

Historically, the lowest minimum temperature ever recorded in the Imperial Valley was {{convert|16|F|C}} on January 22, 1937. The highest maximum temperature ever recorded was {{convert|121|F|C}} on July 28, 1995. The lowest maximum temperature was {{convert|42|F|C}}, recorded on January 24, 1949, and the highest minimum temperature was {{convert|92|F|C}} on June 30, 1946. The highest monthly mean temperature was {{convert|95.9|F|C}}, recorded in August 1969 and the lowest mean temperature was {{convert|42.3|F|C}} in February 1939.<ref name="Imperial Valley Climate">{{Cite web|url=http://www.iid.com/About/ImperialValleyWeatherHistory|title=About IID|date=June 15, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090615044359/http://www.iid.com/About/ImperialValleyWeatherHistory|archive-date=June 15, 2009}}</ref>

The 85-year average annual rainfall is {{convert|2.93|in|mm|sigfig=2}} with June being the driest month. The only recorded snowfall in the Valley occurred on December 12, 1932. Snow began falling at 8:45&nbsp;p.m. and by 5 a.m. the next day {{convert|2.5|in|cm|sigfig=1}} had been recorded. In the southwest portion of Imperial Valley, {{convert|4|in|cm|sigfig=1}} of snow was reported that day. This was the only snowfall on record to cover the entire valley.<ref name="Imperial Valley Climate"/>
{{More citations needed|date=October 2022}}[[Image:Imperial County Superior Courthouse El Centro Night.jpg|thumb|right|Imperial County Courthouse in El Centro]]
[[File:ImperialValleyfromBC.jpg|alt=A photo of the Imperial Valley taken from the mountains in Baja California.|thumb|The Imperial Valley from the highway between Tijuana and Mexicali.]]

===Regions===
Imperial Valley can loosely categorize its cities and communities into three regions: the Salton Beach Towns, Desert Cities, and the El Centro area (urbanized Imperial). The Salton Sea Beach Towns have the smallest cities but were resorts in their heyday and have since shrunk in population and size due to the current state of the Salton Sea. The cities and communities of the desert region are outliers in that they are away from urbanized Imperial and tend to be smaller in population than the cities surrounding El Centro. Cities of the El Centro area tend to be larger than those of the desert and Salton regions. And the southeastern end of California is the state's poorest region, with lower-income residents making up over half of the year-round population.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-09-14 |title=1 in 4 people in Imperial County live in poverty |url=https://www.kpcc.org/2017-09-14/1-in-4-in-imperial-county-lives-in-poverty |access-date=2022-11-16 |website=KPCC - NPR News for Southern California - 89.3 FM |language=en}}</ref>

===Imperial Valley cities===

====Cities over 10,000 population====
[[Image:Bombay beach sign.jpg|thumb|right|Bombay Beach sign along Highway 111]]
* [[Brawley, California|Brawley]]
* [[Calexico, California|Calexico]]
* [[El Centro, California|El Centro]] ([[county seat]])
* [[Imperial, California|Imperial]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home {{!}} The City of Imperial |url=https://www.cityofimperial.org/ |access-date=2022-10-02 |website=www.cityofimperial.org}}</ref>

====Cities under 10,000 population====
* [[Calipatria, California|Calipatria]]
* [[Holtville, California|Holtville]]
* [[Westmorland, California|Westmorland]]

====Towns over 1,000 population====
[[Image:Salton city businesses.jpg|thumb|right|Salton Sea Beach]]
[[File:FERTILIZING IN THE IMPERIAL VALLEY. (FROM THE DOCUMERICA-1 EXHIBITION. FOR OTHER IMAGES IN THIS ASSIGNMENT, SEE FICHE... - NARA - 553048.jpg|thumb|right|Fertilizing in the Imperial Valley, 1972.  Photo by [[Charles O'Rear]].]]
* [[Desert Shores, California|Desert Shores]]
* [[Heber, California|Heber]]
* [[Niland, California|Niland]]
* [[Salton City, California|Salton City]]
* [[Seeley, California|Seeley]]

====Towns under 1,000 population====
* [[Bombay Beach, California|Bombay Beach]]
* [[Ocotillo, California|Ocotillo]]
* [[Palo Verde, California|Palo Verde]]
* [[Salton Sea Beach, California|Salton Sea Beach]]
* [[Winterhaven, California|Winterhaven]]

===Urban areas of the region===
The ''El Centro'', CA MSA is a multicore metropolitan region containing several [[urban area]]s.<ref name=":0" />

{| class="wikitable"
! valign=bottom | Population<br />rank
! valign=bottom | Name
! valign=bottom | [[U.S. state|State(s)]]
! valign=bottom | Type (UA/UC)
! valign=bottom | 2020<br />population
|-
| align="center" | 1
| [[El Centro]]
| [[California|CA]]
| UA
| align="right" | 44,322
|-
| align="center" | 2
| [[Calexico, California|Calexico]]
| [[California|CA]]
| UC
| align="right" | 38,633
|-
| align="center" | 3
| [[Brawley, California|Brawley]]
| [[California|CA]]
| UC
| align="right" | 26,416
|-
| align="center" | 4
|[[Imperial, California|Imperial]]
|[[California|CA]]
|UC
| align="right" | 18,631
|-
| align="center" | 5
|[[Calipatria, California|Calipatria]]
|[[California|CA]]
|UC
| align="right" | 6,515
|-
| align="center" | 6
|[[Holtville, California|Holtville]]
|[[California|CA]]
|UC
| align="right" |5,605
|-
| align="center" |7
|[[Salton City, California|Salton City]]
|[[California|CA]]
|UC
| align="right" |5,155
|}

==Economy==
Imperial County's economy consists predominantly of [[government]], [[agriculture]], and [[retail trade]] that represents approximately 70% of total county employment.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2019/07/03/738146040/this-california-city-has-the-nations-worst-job-market-i-m-applying-everywhere|title=This California City Has The Nation's Worst Job Market: 'I'm Applying Everywhere'|last=Zarroli|first=Jim|date=July 3, 2019|website=NPR News|language=en|access-date=2019-07-05}}</ref> Government services account for over one-third of total employment. Agriculture accounts for one-fourth of jobs with major crops of [[alfalfa]], [[lettuce]], sugar beets and [[carrots]]. Retail growth has been experienced due to increased population in the Imperial and Mexicali Valleys. In 2005, the Imperial Valley Mall opened, attracting shoppers from the Valley area, including residents and tourists across the border from [[Mexicali]].

===Tourism===
[[Image:Imperial sand dunes.jpg|thumb|left|The Algodones Dunes]]
[[Image:Glamis Presidents 263.jpg|thumb|right|Off-road vehicle traffic on the dunes during the [[Presidents Day (United States)|Presidents Day]] weekend, 2007]]
Tourism is considered the secondary industry of the Imperial Valley. Many visitors come to the area to visit the [[Salton Sea]] (California's largest inland lake, which serves as a dumpout point for the overflow and drainage from the IID canal system and ditch drainage) and the [[Algodones Dunes]].  The [[New River (California)|New River]] and the Alamo River flow from the border city of [[Mexicali]] northward to the Salton Sea.

Another popular destination is the [[Salton buttes|Salton Sea mud pots and volcanoes]]. These mud pots and volcanoes are in an open field on the eastern side of the Salton Sea. The mud is just above ambient temperature and it is possible to walk right up to the vents. The location is host to a number of gray cones reaching heights of six feet (2 m) and depressions filled with bubbling mud. These features are the result of the geothermal activity in the area.<ref name="Salton Sea mud pots & volcanoes">{{Cite web|url=https://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM16EF_Imperial_Valley_Mudpots|title=Imperial Valley Mudpots - Places of Geologic Significance on Waymarking.com|website=www.waymarking.com}}</ref>

Off-roading on ATVs is another popular activity during the winter months. Heber Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area is south of [[El Centro]] and is primarily an off-roading destination. The valley sand dune recreation area draws hundreds of thousands of off-road enthusiasts. Bird-watching is a popular activity, with abundant natural habitat and rare species. The Imperial Valley has an array of [[golf courses]]. Golf courses are in Holtville, Brawley and El Centro.<ref name=Lifestyle>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ivedc.com/?pid=5 |title=Imperial Valley Lifestyle |access-date=December 31, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100226172901/http://www.ivedc.com/?pid=5 |archive-date=February 26, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Sites of interest===

====Fort Yuma====
[[Fort Yuma]] is on the banks of the [[Colorado River]] in [[Winterhaven, California]]. First established after the end of the [[Mexican–American War]] in 1848, it was originally in the bottoms near the Colorado River, less than {{convert|1|mi|km|adj=on}} below the mouth of the [[Gila River]]. It was to defend the newly settled community of [[Yuma, Arizona]] on the other side of the Colorado River and the nearby [[Mexico|Mexican border]]. In March 1851 the post was moved to a small elevation on the Colorado's west bank, opposite the present city of Yuma, Arizona, on the site of the former [[Mission Puerto de Purísima Concepción]]. This site had been occupied by Camp Calhoun, named for [[John C. Calhoun]], established in 1849. Fort Yuma was established to protect the southern emigrant travel route to California and to attempt control of the warlike [[Yuma Indians]] in the surrounding {{convert|100|mi|km|adj=on}} area.<ref name="FtYuma">{{cite web|url=http://www.militarymuseum.org/FtYuma.html|title=Fort Yuma|access-date=2009-08-05}}</ref>

====Blue Angels====
[[NAF El Centro]] is the winter home of the [[Blue Angels|U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, The Blue Angels]].  NAF El Centro historically starts the Blue Angels' season with their first air show, traditionally held in March.<ref name="blueangels">{{cite web|url=http://www.blueangels.navy.mil/index.htm|title=Blue Angels Official Website|access-date=2009-08-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090803073241/http://www.blueangels.navy.mil/index.htm <!--Added by H3llBot-->|archive-date=2009-08-03}}</ref>

====Imperial Valley Expo & Fairgrounds====
The Imperial Valley Expo & Fairgrounds is home to the California Mid-Winter Fair and Fiesta, which is the local county fair. It is also home to the Imperial Valley Speedway, a {{convert|3/8|mi|m|sigfig=2}}  race track.<ref name="ivexpo">{{cite web|url=http://www.ivexpo.com/geninfo.htm|title=Imperial Valley Expo|access-date=2009-08-05|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090614120233/http://www.ivexpo.com/geninfo.htm|archive-date=2009-06-14}}</ref>

====Algodones Sand Dunes====
The name [[Algodones Dunes]] refers to the entire geographic feature, while the administrative designation for that portion managed by the [[Bureau of Land Management]] is the "Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area" (sometimes called the "Glamis Dunes"). The Algodones Sand Dunes are the largest mass of sand dunes in California. This dune system extends for more than {{convert|40|mi|km|sigfig=1}} along the eastern edge of the Imperial Valley agricultural region in a band averaging {{convert|5|mi|km|0}} in width. A major east–west route of the Union Pacific railroad skirts the eastern edge. The dune system is divided into 3 areas. The northernmost area is known as Mammoth Wash. South of Mammoth Wash is the North Algodones Dunes Wilderness established by the 1994 California Desert Protection Act. This area is closed to motorized use and access is by hiking and horseback. The largest and most heavily used area begins at [[California State Route 78|Highway 78]] and continues south just past [[Interstate 8]]. The dune formations occurring in this area are popular in film-making and have been the site for movies such as ''[[Return of the Jedi]]''.<ref name="dunes">{{cite web|url=http://www.desertusa.com/sandhills/sandhills.html|title=Algodones Sand Dunes|access-date=2009-08-05}}</ref>

====Salton Buttes====
The [[Salton Buttes]] are volcanoes on the southern shores of the Salton Sea.

====Colorado River====
[[Image:Colorado river.jpg|thumb|Colorado River]]
The [[Colorado River]] is a popular destination for water sports including fishing, boating, water-skiing, and jet-skiing. The Colorado River is a river in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, approximately {{convert|2,330|km|mi|order=flip}} long, draining a part of the arid regions on the western slope of the [[Rocky Mountains]]. The natural course of the river flows from north of Grand Lake, Colorado into the [[Gulf of California]].  For many months out of the year, however, no water actually flows from the United States to the gulf, due to human consumption. Imperial Valley users use 3.8km³ of the Colorado River annually<ref>{{Cite book |last=Smedley |first=Tim |title=The last drop: solving the world's water crisis |date=2023 |publisher=Picador |isbn=978-1-5290-5814-7 |location=London}}</ref>

====Salvation Mountain====
[[Salvation Mountain]] (location {{Coord|33|15|14.9|N|115|28|21.4|W|type:landmark_region:US}}) is a colorful artificial mountain north of [[Calipatria, California]], near [[Slab City]].  It is made from adobe, straw, and thousands of gallons of paint.  It was created by [[Leonard Knight]] to convey the message that "God Loves Everyone".  Mr. Knight refused substantial donations of money and labor from supporters who wished to modify his message of universal love to favor or disfavor particular groups.

====Anza-Borrego Desert State Park====
[[Image:Vista of Anza Borrego.jpg|thumb|Vista of Anza Borrego]]
[[Anza-Borrego Desert State Park]], portions of which are in Imperial County, is the largest state park in [[California]]. {{convert|500|mi|km|sigfig=1}} of dirt roads, 12 wilderness areas and miles of hiking trails provide visitors with an opportunity to see the [[Colorado Desert]]. The park is named after Spanish explorer [[Juan Bautista de Anza]] and the Spanish name borrego, or [[bighorn sheep]]. The park features washes, wildflowers, palm groves, [[cactus|cacti]] and sweeping vistas. Animals inhabiting the state park include [[greater roadrunner]]s, [[golden eagle]]s, [[kit fox]]es, southern [[mule deer]] and Peninsular [[bighorn sheep]], as well as [[desert iguana]]s, [[chuckwallas]], and [[Crotalus cerastes|sidewinders]].

====Fossil Canyon and Painted Gorge====
[[Fossil Canyon]] and the surrounding area near [[Ocotillo, California|Ocotillo]] in the [[Coyote Mountains]] are great places for rock hounding and [[fossil]] hunting. The fossils here are not dinosaurs, but ancient [[seashell|shells]], [[coral]], and [[oysters]] from the [[Miocene|Miocene epoch]] when the area was underwater.<ref name="fossilcanyon">{{cite web|url=http://www.desertusa.com/magoct97/oct_painted.html|title=Fossil Canyon and Painted Gorge|access-date=2009-08-05}}</ref>

The [[Painted Gorge]], on the eastern side of the Coyote Mountains, consists of [[sedimentary]], [[metamorphic rocks|metamorphic]] and [[igneous rocks]].

====Imperial NWR====
[[File:Mesquite point.jpg|thumb|Mesquite point at Imperial NWR]]
The [[Imperial National Wildlife Refuge]] protects wildlife habitat along {{convert|30|mi|km|sigfig=1}} of the lower [[Colorado River]] in [[Arizona]] and [[California]], including the last un-channeled section before the river enters [[Mexico]]. The river and its associated backwater lakes and wetlands are a green oasis, contrasting with the surrounding desert mountains. It is a refuge and breeding area for migratory birds and local desert wildlife.<ref name="ImperialNWR">{{cite web|url=http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/arizona/imperial.html|title=Imperial NWR|access-date=2009-08-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090612053749/http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/Arizona/imperial.html <!--Added by H3llBot-->|archive-date=2009-06-12}}</ref>

====Sonny Bono Salton Sea NWR====
[[File:Saltonsea at sonny bono salton sea nwr.jpg|left|thumb|The [[Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge]]]]

The [[Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge]], {{convert|40|mi|km|sigfig=1}} north of the [[Mexico|Mexican]] border at the southern end of the Salton Sea and situated along the [[Pacific Flyway]], is the only refuge of its kind, just {{convert|227|ft|m|0}} below sea level. Because of its southern latitude, elevation and location in the [[Colorado Desert]], the refuge experiences some of the highest temperatures in the nation. Daily temperatures from May to October generally exceed {{convert|100|F}} with temperatures of {{convert|116-120|F}} recorded yearly.<ref name="sonnybono">{{cite web|url=http://www.fws.gov/saltonsea/|title=Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge|access-date=2009-08-04}}</ref>
{{Clear}}

====Mexicali====
The border city of [[Mexicali, Baja California]], [[Mexico]], has museums, a zoo, a sports convention center, and an international airport. Visitors cross by foot or car from [[Calexico, California]] in the [[United States]] every day. Restaurants and [[taco stand]]s, pharmacies, bars and dance clubs draw tourists. Many shops and stalls selling Mexican crafts and souvenirs within walking distance from the border. Also US residents get medical and dental services in Mexicali because they tend to be less expensive than those in the United States. Mexico's drinking age of 18 makes it a weekend destination for high school and college-aged Southern Californians.

===Agriculture===
{{Image frame|content=
<gallery mode=packed heights=200>
Image:Nrborderborderentrythreecolorsmay05-1-.JPG|The New River
File:Imperial valley fields.jpg|Fields of Imperial Valley, [[Salton Sea]], (2008)
File:All-American 2009.jpg|This image captures about {{convert|15|km|mi|sp=us}} of the All-American Canal just west of Yuma, Arizona; photo is taken of the southern section of the [[Algodones Dunes]]
</gallery>
|caption=|border=no|align=right}}

Although this region is in the [[Colorado Desert]] section of the [[Sonoran Desert]], with high temperatures and low average rainfall of {{convert|3|in}} per year, the economy is heavily based on agriculture due to irrigation, which is supplied wholly from the [[Colorado River]] via the [[All-American Canal]]. Farmers in Imperial Valley hold some of its oldest water rights and receive the largest share of water as of 2024, and their actions have been described as having a large effect on the [[Lake Mead]] reservoir.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |last=Rode |first=Erin |date=2024-12-10 |title=America's largest reservoir is filling up with water thanks to California |url=https://www.sfgate.com/la/article/americas-largest-reservoir-filling-up-19969496.php |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=SFGATE |language=en}}</ref>

Thousands of acres of prime farmland have transformed the desert into one of the most productive farming regions in California with an annual crop production of over $1 billion. Agriculture is the largest industry in the Imperial Valley and accounts for 48% of all employment. An environmental cost is that, south of the canal, the [[Colorado River]] no longer flows above ground at all for much of the year into Mexico.

A vast system of canals, check dams, and pipelines carry the water all over the valley, a system which forms the [[Imperial Irrigation District]], or IID. The water distribution system includes over {{convert|1400|mi|km}} of canal and with {{convert|1100|mi|km}} of pipeline. The number of canal and pipeline branches number roughly over a hundred. Imported water and a long growing season allow two crop cycles each year, and the Imperial Valley is a major source of winter fruits and vegetables, cotton, and grain for U.S. and international markets. [[Alfalfa]] is another major crop produced in the Imperial Valley. The agricultural lands are served by a constructed agricultural drain system, which conveys [[surface runoff]] and subsurface drainage from fields to the Salton Sea, which is a designated repository for agricultural runoff, with environmental considerations not yet solved.

{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[All-American Canal]]
* [[All-American Canal Bridge]]
* [[Alamo Canal]]
* [[California Development Company]]
* [[Coachella Canal]]
* [[Imperial Irrigation District]]
* [[Imperial Land Company]]
{{div col end}}

===Renewable energy===
{{Location map many
| Salton Trough
| width          = 400
| float          = 
| border         = 
| caption        = Salton Trough area. The red lines are simplified faults. Right-lateral direction of motion of the [[transform fault]] is shown (pink arrows). The red [[rhomb]]s are [[pull-apart basin]]s; the northern one is the site of the [[Niland geothermal field|Niland (Salton Sea) geothermal field]], the southern the [[Cerro Prieto]] geothermal field.
| alt            = 
| relief         = 
| AlternativeMap = 
| overlay_image  = <!--transparent-background image of the faults goes here, something like "San Andreas Fault Map.gif"-->Salton_trough_fault_overlay.svg
<!--first label/marker-->
| label1         = <!-- or: label -->
| label1_size    = <!-- or: label_size -->
| position1      = <!-- or: position, pos1, pos -->
| background1    = <!-- or: background, bg1, bg -->
| mark1          = <!-- or: mark -->
| mark1size      = <!-- or: marksize -->
| link1          = <!-- or: link -->
| coordinates1   = <!-- {{coord|...}}-->
<!--second label/marker-->
| label2         = '''[[Los Angeles]]'''
| label2_size    = 
| label2_width   = 
| position2      = <!-- or: pos2 -->
| background2    = <!-- or: bg2 -->
| mark2          = 
| mark2size      = 
| link2          = 
| coordinates2   = <!-- {{coord| }} -->{{Coord|34|3|N|118|15|W}}
<!--Third-->
| label3         = '''[[San Diego]]'''
| label3_size    = 
| label3_width   = 
| position3      = <!-- or: pos2 -->
| background3    = <!-- or: bg2 -->
| mark3          = 
| mark3size      = 
| link3          = 
| coordinates3   = <!-- {{coord| }} -->{{coord|32|42|54|N|117|09|45|W}}
<!--Fourth-->
| label4         = <!-- or: label -->'''[[Mexicali]]'''
| coordinates4   = {{coord|32|39|48|N|115|28|04|W|region:MX}}
<!--Fifth-->
| label5         = <!-- or: label -->'''[[Salton Sea]]'''
| position5      = left
| coordinates5   = <!-- {{coord|...}}--><!-- or: coordinates-->{{Coord|33.3|-115.8|region:US-CA_type:waterbody}}
<!--Tijuana-->
| label6         = '''[[Tijuana]]'''
| coordinates6   = {{coord|32|31|30|N|117|02|0|W|region:MX}}
<!--Alamo river-->
| label7         = '''[[Alamo River|Alamo River mouth]]'''
| coordinates7   = {{coord|33.206517|-115.61433|region:US-CA_type:river}}
<!--Colorado river-->
| label8         = '''[[Colorado River|Colorado River mouth]]'''
| coordinates8   = {{coord|31|54|00|N|114|57|03|W}}
<!--Laguna Salada-->
| label9         = '''[[Laguna Salada (Mexico)|Laguna Salada]]'''
| position9      = left
| coordinates9   = {{coord|32.36|-115.65|region:MX_type:waterbody}}
<!--Yuma-->
| label10        = '''[[Yuma, Arizona|Yuma]]'''
| position10     = right
| coordinates10  = {{coord|32|41|32|N|114|36|55|W|region:US-AZ}}
<!--Gulf-->
| label11        = '''[[Gulf of California]]'''
| position11     = right
| coordinates11  = {{coord|31|25|00|N|114|45|00|W}}
<!--Yuma-->
| label12        = '''[[Colorado River|Colorado River Valley]]'''
| position12     = left
| coordinates12  = {{coord|33|59|32|N|114|28|55|W|region:US-AZ}}
<!--Cerro Prieto-->
| label13        = '''[[Cerro Prieto|Cerro Prieto volcano]]'''
| position13     = right
| coordinates13  = {{Coord|32.418|N|115.308|W}}
}}
{{main|Salton Sea Geothermal Field|Imperial Valley Geothermal Project}}

Imperial Valley has become a "hot-bed" of renewable energy projects, both solar and geothermal.<ref name=npr>[https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102679730 "Calif. Desert Becomes Home For Renewable Energy"], Rob Schmitz, ''[[Morning Edition]]'', April 3, 2009, [[NPR]].</ref> This is driven in part by California's mandate to generate [[Renewable portfolio standard#California|33% of its electricity from renewable sources]] by 2020, the valley's excellent sun resources, the high unemployment, its proximity to large population centers on the coast, and large tracts of undeveloped desert land.<ref name=npr/>

Much of the land suitable for green energy is owned by the federal government ([[Bureau of Land Management]]). {{As of| April 2008}}, the BLM has received 163 applications to build renewable energy projects on {{convert|1600000|acre|km2|sigfig=2}} in California, "almost all of them are planned for the Imperial Valley and the desert region north of the valley."<ref name=npr/> 

In addition, in 2012 [[Synthetic Genomics]] bought an {{convert|81|acre|hectare|adj=on}} site in the Imperial Valley to produce [[algae fuel]] with their engineered algae strains, as well as other algae products such as food.<ref>http://www.syntheticgenomics.com/media/press/052412.html {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130719001231/http://www.syntheticgenomics.com/media/press/052412.html |date=July 19, 2013 }} Synthetic Genomics Press Release: May 24, 2012</ref>

==Demographics==
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 [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|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.

The El Centro Metropolitan Area is home to 182,972 residents, according to a 2017 US Census estimate, and encompasses the whole Imperial County. The area is in the far southeast region of the [[State of California]]. Major population centers are [[Brawley, California|Brawley]], [[Calexico, California|Calexico]], and [[El Centro, California|El Centro]], which is the [[county seat]].

As per the 2020 Census, Imperial County population was 179,702, an increase of 2.96% compared to 2010 population of 174,528.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Imperial County, California; United States|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/imperialcountycalifornia,US/PST045219|access-date=2021-09-04|website=www.census.gov|language=en}}</ref> The population density was 41.8 people per square mile (16.1 people per square kilometer). The racial makeup of the county was 85% Hispanic or Latino, 3.3% black or African American, 2.5% Native American, 2.1% Asian, 0.2% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and 1.7% from two or more races.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Census.Gov|title=QuickFacts Imperial County, California; United States|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/imperialcountycalifornia,US/PST045219}}</ref> 65.7% spoke Spanish and 32.3% English as their first language.

[[Image:Southern valleys.jpg|thumb|center|600px|[[Laguna Salada (Mexico)|Laguna Salada]], [[Mexicali|Mexicali Valley]], Imperial Valley, Salton Sea and 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.

{{PresHead|place=Imperial County, California|whig=no|source1=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/index.html|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|first=David|last=Leip|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=November 7, 2017}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|909|675|324|California}}
{{PresRow|1912|Progressive|13|1,295|2,059|California}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|2,694|3,273|692|California}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|4,699|2,022|563|California}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|3,455|759|2,658|California}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|5,417|2,486|109|California}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|3,783|8,772|484|California}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|4,771|7,560|113|California}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|6,854|7,728|130|California}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|5,979|5,085|48|California}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|6,217|5,301|292|California}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|11,044|6,619|112|California}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|10,526|8,197|58|California}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|10,606|9,119|81|California}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|10,330|11,143|19|California}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|10,818|7,481|2,147|California}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|14,178|7,982|689|California}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|10,618|10,244|400|California}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|12,068|7,961|1,550|California}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|13,829|8,237|235|California}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|12,889|10,243|233|California}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|9,759|11,109|4,450|California}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|9,705|14,591|2,104|California}}
{{PresRow|2000|Democratic|12,524|15,489|924|California}}
{{PresRow|2004|Democratic|15,890|17,964|420|California}}
{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|14,008|24,162|650|California}}
{{PresRow|2012|Democratic|12,777|25,136|652|California}}
{{PresRow|2016|Democratic|12,704|32,667|2,720|California}}
{{PresRow|2020|Democratic|20,847|34,678|1,218|California}}
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|26,546|26,083|1,409|California}}
{{PresFoot}}

==Politics==
Imperial County was initially a Republican-leaning county in presidential elections: [[Barry Goldwater]] lost the county by less than four points in 1964 when he lost the national popular vote by 24 points. The county shifted towards the Democratic Party in the 1990s, and until 2024 the last Republican to have won a majority in a Presidential election in Imperial County was [[George H. W. Bush]] in the [[1988 United States presidential election]]. Between 1996 and 2020 every Democratic nominee won at least 52 percent of the county's vote, and [[Hillary Clinton]] reached almost 68 percent — the best performance by any candidate in the county's history — in 2016. However, a rapid rightward swing, common to most counties on [[Mexico–United States border|the Mexican border]], saw [[Donald Trump]] narrowly win the county with a 26-point swing in 2024.

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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/sov/2008_general/maps/returns/props/prop-8.htm|title=Proposition 8 Map – November 4, 2008, General Election – California Secretary of State|access-date=2009-08-17|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090808223850/http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/sov/2008_general/maps/returns/props/prop-8.htm|archive-date=August 8, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ror/ror-pages/15day-stwdsp-09/county.xls|title=Registration by County|access-date=2009-08-17|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091012044147/http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ror/ror-pages/15day-stwdsp-09/county.xls|archive-date=2009-10-12}}</ref>

Imperial County is in {{Representative|cacd|25|fmt=district}}.<ref>{{Cite GovTrack|CA|25|access-date=October 12, 2025}}</ref> In the [[California State Legislature|state legislature]], the county is in {{Representative|caad|36|fmt=adistrict}},<ref>{{Cite web |title=Members Assembly |url=http://assembly.ca.gov/assemblymembers |access-date=October 12, 2025 |publisher=State of California}}</ref> and {{Representative|casd|18|fmt=sdistrict}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Senators |url=http://senate.ca.gov/senators |access-date=October 12, 2012 |publisher=State of California}}</ref>

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.

==Education==

===Schools in the Imperial Valley===

The Imperial Valley has a range of schools including high schools, middle/junior high schools, elementary schools, and colleges. These include [[Central Union High School (El Centro, California)|Central Union High School]], [[Southwest High School (El Centro, California)|Southwest High School]], [[Calexico High School]], [[Holtville High School (Holtville, California)|Holtville High School]], [[Imperial High School (Imperial, California)|Imperial High School]], [[Calipatria High School]], and [[Brawley Union High School]]. [[Imperial Valley College]], in [[Imperial, California|Imperial]], and [[San Diego State University|SDSU]] Imperial Valley Extension, in [[Calexico, California|Calexico]], are local. The valley also offers a partnership between the local community college, Imperial Valley College, and SDSU's extension which offers a four-year bachelor's degree for students in the area. The program was formally named imperial Valley Partnership University.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ivup.org/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110422160957/http://www.ivup.org/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=April 22, 2011|title=Imperial Valley Partnership University|website=ivup.org}}</ref>

==Transportation==

===Major highways===
[[File:CA 86 Salton City.JPG|thumb|right|[[California State Route 86|State Route 86]] north of [[Salton City]]]]
* [[Image:I-8 (CA).svg|20px]] [[Interstate 8 in California|Interstate 8]]
* [[Image:California 7.svg|20px]] [[California State Route 7|State Route 7]]
* [[Image:California 78.svg|20px]] [[California State Route 78|State Route 78]]
* [[Image:California 86.svg|20px]] [[California State Route 86|State Route 86]]
* [[Image:California 98.svg|20px]] [[California State Route 98|State Route 98]]
* [[Image:California 111.svg|20px]] [[California State Route 111|State Route 111]]
* [[Image:California 115.svg|20px]] [[California State Route 115|State Route 115]]

===Public transportation===
* [[Greyhound Lines]]
* [[Imperial Valley Transit]]
* [[Yuma County Area Transit]]
* [[Amtrak]]

===Airports===
Imperial County Airport is the main airport in the county. It is primarily a general aviation airport with limited commercial flight service. Major  regional airports near the county include [[San Diego International Airport]], [[Palm Springs International Airport]], [[Yuma International Airport]], and [[Mexicali International Airport]].

{| class="wikitable"
! valign=bottom | [[Airport]]
! valign=bottom | [[IATA airport code|IATA code]]
! valign=bottom | [[ICAO airport code|ICAO code]]
! valign=bottom | [[City#United States|City]]
|-
| [[Calexico International Airport]]
| CXL
| KCXL
| [[Calexico, California|Calexico]]
|-
| Holtville Airport
| L04
| none
| [[Holtville, California|Holtville]]
|-
| [[Imperial County Airport]]
| IPL
| KIPL
| [[Imperial, California|Imperial]]
|}

==In popular culture==
[[Robert A. Heinlein]]'s science fiction short story "[[Water Is for Washing]]" (''[[Argosy (magazine)|Argosy]]'', November 1947) was based on the premise that an earthquake had catastrophically shattered the range of deposits separating the Imperial Valley from the [[Gulf of California]], precipitating a [[tsunami|tidal wave]] moving north to transiently drown these lowlands. At the beginning of the story, Heinlein uses the character of a bartender in [[El Centro]] to establish the danger of the quake and inundation:{{citation needed|date=February 2019}}

<blockquote>You've heard about the 1905 flood, when the Colorado River spilled over and formed the [[Salton Sea]]? But don't be too sure about quakes; valleys below sea level don't just grow—something has to cause them. The [[San Andreas Fault]] curls around this valley like a question mark. Just imagine the shake-up it must have taken to drop thousands of square miles below the level of the Pacific.</blockquote>

Due to its desert environment and proximity to [[Los Angeles, California]], movies are sometimes filmed in the sand dunes outside the agricultural portions of the Imperial Valley. These have included:{{Citation needed|date=February 2019}}

* ''[[American Sniper]]''
* ''[[Return of the Jedi]]''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Abou-Diwan |first=Antoine |date=2022-05-12 |title=The Force Returns to Valley Film Production |url=https://calexicochronicle.com/2022/05/11/the-force-returns-to-valley-film-production/ |access-date=2022-06-09 |website=Calexico Chronicle |language=en-US}}</ref>
* ''[[Independence Day (1996 film)|Independence Day]]''
* ''[[Stargate (film)|Stargate]]''
* ''[[The Scorpion King]]''
* ''[[Patriot Games]]''
* ''[[Into the Wild (film)|Into the Wild]]''
* ''[[The Men Who Stare at Goats (film)|The Men who Stare at Goats]]''
* ''[[La Bamba (film)|La Bamba]]''
* The original ''[[The Flight of the Phoenix (1965 film)|Flight of the Phoenix]]'' (1965) was filmed outside of Holtville.
* The Tom Cruise movie ''[[Losin' It]]'' (1983) was filmed in Calexico.
* ''[[Wake Island (film)|Wake Island]]'' (1942). Most of the movie's outside scenes were filmed at Salton Sea Lake in the Imperial Valley of California.

Additionally, portions of the 2005 film ''[[Jarhead (film)|Jarhead]]'' were filmed here because of its similarity to the [[desert]] terrain of [[Iraq]].<ref>https://akas.imdb.com/title/tt0418763/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525112321/http://akas.imdb.com/title/tt0418763/ |date=May 25, 2017 }} {{User-generated source|certain=yes|date=March 2022}}</ref>

==Notable people==
* [[Cher]], entertainer
* [[Dalip Saund]], first [[Asian American]] or [[Sikh American]] Congressman, helped [[Luce-Cellar Act of 1946|secure citizenship and immigration rights for Indian and Chinese Americans]]
* [[Uttam Dhillon]], former acting [[Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration|Administrator]] of the [[Drug Enforcement Administration|DEA]]
* [[Royce Freeman]], NFL running back
* [[Edith Summers Kelley]], author
* [[Mike Mohamed]], NFL linebacker
* [[Sergio Romo]], MLB pitcher
* [[Rudy Seánez]], former MLB pitcher
* [[Robert Thomas (linebacker)|Robert Thomas]], NFL linebacker
* [[Andy Ruiz Jr.]], boxing, [[List of world heavyweight boxing champions|heavyweight champion]]

==See also==
* [[1940 El Centro earthquake]]
* [[1979 Imperial Valley earthquake]]
* ''[[Imperial Valley Press]]''
* [[Niland Geyser]]
* [[O. M. Wozencraft]] – "Father of the Imperial Valley"

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* Benny J. Andrés, Jr. (2014). ''Power and Control in the Imperial Valley: Nature, [[Agribusiness]], and Workers in the California Borderland, 1900–1940''. College Station, TX: Texas A&M University Press.

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.ivedc.com Imperial Valley Economic Development Corporation]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20111121150428/http://www.mavensmanor.com/slideshows/ImperialValleyWater/ImperialValleyWater.swf From the Colorado River to the Salton Sea: The story of Imperial Valley's Water (slideshow)]
* {{GNIS|243791}}

{{California}}
{{Border Region (California)}}
{{Imperial County, California}}
{{Colorado_River_system}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Imperial Valley| ]]
[[Category:Valleys of Imperial County, California]]
[[Category:Geography of the Colorado Desert]]
[[Category:California Enterprise Zones]]
[[Category:Coachella Valley]]
[[Category:Colorado River]]
[[Category:Lower Colorado River Valley]]
[[Category:Valleys of California]]
[[Category:Regions of California]]
[[Category:Salton Trough]]
[[Category:Southern California]]