Desert Hot Springs, California Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Desert Hot Springs, California is 32,786 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 248th-largest city in California. The median household income is $50,349, the median home value is $309,300, and the median age is 34.4.
The population has grown 24.8% since 2010 (27,172 → 33,917).
32,786
Population
1088
People / sq mi
$50,349
Median Income
$309,300
Median Home Value
Desert Hot Springs covers 30.1 sq mi of land at 1088 people per square mile.
About Desert Hot Springs, CA
Desert Hot Springs is a city in California with a population of 32,786. It ranks #248 among cities in California by population. The median age is 34.4, younger than the national median. The population is 49.1% male and 50.9% female.
The median household income in Desert Hot Springs is $50,349, below the US median of $74,580. 15.5% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $309,300, with monthly rent averaging $1,339. The homeownership rate of 49.9% is lower than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Desert Hot Springs reflects 15.9% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 5.9% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 28.7 minutes each way.
Desert Hot Springs city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Desert Hot Springs city had a population of 27,172 in 2010 and 33,917 in 2024, a 24.8% growth over 14 years. The peak was 33,917 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 1.64%.
33,917
Population (2024)
27,172
Population (2010)
33,917
Peak (2024)
1.64%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 27,172 |
| 2011 | 27,422 |
| 2012 | 27,628 |
| 2013 | 27,817 |
| 2014 | 28,008 |
| 2015 | 28,145 |
| 2016 | 28,397 |
| 2017 | 28,648 |
| 2018 | 28,815 |
| 2019 | 28,878 |
| 2020 | 32,554 |
| 2021 | 32,879 |
| 2022 | 33,156 |
| 2023 | 33,521 |
| 2024 | 33,917 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 35.6% |
| Black or African American | 9.3% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.7% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$50,349
Median Household Income
$23,980
Per Capita Income
15.5%
Poverty Rate
4.3%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$309,300
Median Home Value
$1,339
Median Rent
49.9%
Owner-Occupied
Education
81.0%
High School+
15.9%
Bachelor's+
Commute
1.7%
Drive Alone
75.4%
Public Transit
5.9%
Work From Home
28.7 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
14.1%
Foreign Born
50.3%
Non-English at Home
4.8%
Veterans
12.9%
With Disability
88.9%
Health Insurance
93.5%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 21.5% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 15.6% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 14.4% |
| Construction | 9.6% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 7.2% |
| Retail Trade | 5.4% |
| Public Administration | 3.0% |
| Manufacturing | 2.1% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 1.9% |
| Information | 1.9% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 1.4% |
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City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Desert Hot Springs, California has a population of 32,786 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 248th-largest city in California.
The median household income in Desert Hot Springs, California is $50,349, with 15.5% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Desert Hot Springs, California is $309,300, with median monthly rent at $1,339 and a homeownership rate of 49.9%.
The median age in Desert Hot Springs, California is 34.4 years. The population is 49.1% male and 50.9% female.
The population has grown 24.8% since 2010 (27,172 → 33,917).
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.