Blythe, California | |
|---|---|
 Blythe as viewed from the sky | |
 Seal  Logo | |
 Location inRiverside County and the state ofCalifornia | |
  Blythe Location in the United States | |
| Coordinates:33°36′37″N114°35′47″W / 33.61028°N 114.59639°W /33.61028; -114.59639[1] | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  California |
| County | Riverside |
| Incorporated | July 21, 1916[2] |
| Named after | Thomas Henry Blythe |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council-Manager |
| • Mayor | Joseph "Joey" Deconinck |
| • Vice Mayor | Johnny Rodriguez |
| • City Council | Sam Burton Joseph Halby III Summer Spraggins |
| Area | |
• Total | 27.37 sq mi (70.88 km2) |
| • Land | 26.58 sq mi (68.85 km2) |
| • Water | 0.78 sq mi (2.03 km2) 2.90% |
| Elevation | 272 ft (83 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 18,317 |
| • Density | 689.0/sq mi (266.04/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−08:00 (PST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−07:00 (PDT) |
| ZIP Codes | 92225–92226 |
| Area code | 442/760 |
| FIPS code | 06-07218 |
| GNIS feature IDs | 1660349,2409872 |
| Website | www |
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Blythe (/blaɪθ/) is a city in easternRiverside County, California, United States. It is in thePalo Verde Valley of theLower Colorado River Valley region, an agricultural area and part of theColorado Desert along theColorado River, approximately 224 miles (360 km) east ofLos Angeles and 150 miles (240 km) west ofPhoenix. Blythe was named afterThomas Henry Blythe, a San Francisco financier, who established primary water rights to the Colorado River in the region in 1877. The city wasincorporated on July 21, 1916. The population was 18,317 at the2020 census.
Native Americans lived in the area.[6]
Blythe was named afterThomas Henry Blythe, aSan Francisco businessman and entrepreneur. Mr. Blythe established primary water rights to theColorado River in the southwestern California region in 1877. The town was originally namedBlythe City, by Thomas Blythe, but the name was shortened to simplyBlythe around the time the first post office was opened in 1908.[7]
In the early or mid-1870s, William Calloway (known as Oliver Calloway in some sources), an engineer and a former captain of the1st California Infantry Regiment, explored an area across the Colorado River fromEhrenberg, Arizona, and found its potential for development. Calloway made preliminary surveys and filed land claims under theSwamp Land Act of 1850. He interested the wealthySan Francisco capitalist Thomas Henry Blythe (originally born Thomas Williams in Mold, Wales) to undertake development and settlement of an "empire" located next to the Colorado. Together they purchased a total of 140,000 acres under the Swamp Land Act, and another 35,000 acres under theDesert Land Act of 1877.[8]
On July 17, 1877, Blythe filed his first claim for Colorado River water on what was to become the "Blythe Intake".[9][10][11] Blythe appointed another man named George Irish as manager to assist Calloway in building an irrigation system. Calloway died in aChemehuevi attack on March 28, 1880, and was replaced by C.C. Miller, the father ofFrank Augustus Miller.[12][13] Thomas Blythe died on April 4, 1883; his only revisit to the valley was in November 1882.[13][14] After his death, the work in the valley halted and Blythe's estate subsequently went into litigation between his illegitimate daughter Florence and other claimants, the trial beginning in 1889. In the 1900s, Florence was awarded the estate, after several years of preceding rulings in favor of her and appeals against her.[8][13][15]
Frank Murphy and Ed Williams, who were involved with the cattle industry in southeastern Arizona, came to the area in 1904 and were convinced it was well-suited for cattle and farming. With the Hobson brothers fromVentura County, they bought Blythe's estate and formed the Palo Verde Land and Water Company.[14][16] During 1911–1912, W.F. Holt, who helped develop nearbyImperial Valley, was the company's general manager.[17][18]
On August 8, 1916, the California Southern Railroad reached Blythe from the desert station ofRice, then known as Blythe Junction. It was later renamed to honor G.W. Rice, an engineer and superintendent of the railroad. The dramatic growth in the valley following this event attracted national attention. Production totals increased annually from virtually nothing to near $8,000,000 in few years, primarily from cotton and cotton seed shipped to the ports.[19] The lower cotton prices in 1920 ended this prosperous time. TheAtchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway began leasing the line in 1921 and acquired it at the end of 1942.[18][20]
The first automobile bridge over the Colorado River between Blythe and Ehrenberg was constructed in 1928 to replace acable ferry service.[21] The bridge's successor was built in the early 1960s and was expanded to four lanes and a pedestrian walkway in early 1974.[22][23]
In 1935, the completion ofBoulder Dam extinguished the annual destructive floods in the valley. As noted during the city's fiftieth anniversary, some forty crops were grown on the farms, and large cattle feeds were another aspect of the agriculture industry.[24] As of 1947, the Fisher ranch had the biggest herd of registeredBrahman cattle in California, the breeding stock having been sold to western states and other countries.[25]
DuringWorld War II, Blythe was the site ofUnited States Army Air Forces facilities at theBlythe Airport and theGary Field.
In 1972,Interstate 10 was built through the city, replacingUS 60 and the previously decommissionedUS 70 on Hobsonway as the main thoroughfare.[26]
In 2016, the voter-approved recreational use of cannabis in California has made the cannabis industry drawn to the economically declined city due to lower land prices, water, and potentially lower taxes compared to other parts of the state.[27]
Blythe is located near theCalifornia/Arizona border in theColorado Desert section of theSonoran Desert, at the junction ofInterstate 10 andUS 95. According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 27.0 square miles (70 km2), of which 26.2 square miles (68 km2) is land and 0.8 square miles (2.1 km2) (2.9%) is water.
Nearby communities includeVidal to the north,Ripley to the south,Desert Center to the west, andEhrenberg, Arizona, to the east. Major cities in the region includeYuma (85 miles),Indio (95 miles),Phoenix (150 miles),San Bernardino (170 miles),Riverside (172 miles), andLas Vegas (200 miles). Blythe is within 4 hours via car of 10% of the United States' population.
Blythe has a hotdesert climate, featuring extremely hot summers and mild winters. There are an average of 179.3 days with highs of 90 °F (32.2 °C) or higher. There are an average of 3.1 days with lows of 32 °F (0 °C) or lower. Until 2016, the record high temperature was 122 °F (50 °C) on July 7, 1920, and June 24, 1929. But on June 20, 2016, that long-standing record was shattered when Blythe reached 124 °F (51.1 °C). The record low temperature was 20 °F (−6.7 °C) on January 8, 1971. There are an average of 17.9 days with measurable precipitation. The wettest year was 1992 with 9.16 inches (232.7 mm) and the driest year was 1950 with 0.31 inches (7.9 mm). The most rainfall in one month was 5.92 inches (150.4 mm) in August 1951, which included the 24-hour record rainfall of 3 inches (76.2 mm) on August 26.[28][29]
| Climate data for Blythe, California (Blythe Airport), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1948–present | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 89 (32) | 93 (34) | 100 (38) | 107 (42) | 115 (46) | 124 (51) | 123 (51) | 121 (49) | 121 (49) | 112 (44) | 96 (36) | 87 (31) | 124 (51) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 78.0 (25.6) | 82.7 (28.2) | 92.5 (33.6) | 101.3 (38.5) | 107.4 (41.9) | 114.8 (46.0) | 117.2 (47.3) | 115.6 (46.4) | 111.3 (44.1) | 101.6 (38.7) | 89.5 (31.9) | 76.8 (24.9) | 118.4 (48.0) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 68.2 (20.1) | 72.3 (22.4) | 79.6 (26.4) | 87.0 (30.6) | 95.5 (35.3) | 105.0 (40.6) | 108.5 (42.5) | 107.7 (42.1) | 102.0 (38.9) | 89.9 (32.2) | 76.8 (24.9) | 66.4 (19.1) | 88.2 (31.3) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 55.7 (13.2) | 59.3 (15.2) | 65.6 (18.7) | 72.1 (22.3) | 80.3 (26.8) | 89.2 (31.8) | 95.0 (35.0) | 94.7 (34.8) | 88.0 (31.1) | 75.4 (24.1) | 62.9 (17.2) | 54.0 (12.2) | 74.4 (23.5) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 43.2 (6.2) | 46.2 (7.9) | 51.6 (10.9) | 57.3 (14.1) | 65.2 (18.4) | 73.4 (23.0) | 81.5 (27.5) | 81.7 (27.6) | 74.0 (23.3) | 61.0 (16.1) | 49.1 (9.5) | 41.7 (5.4) | 60.5 (15.8) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | 32.9 (0.5) | 35.4 (1.9) | 41.0 (5.0) | 46.8 (8.2) | 54.6 (12.6) | 62.5 (16.9) | 72.2 (22.3) | 71.0 (21.7) | 62.8 (17.1) | 49.4 (9.7) | 38.0 (3.3) | 31.3 (−0.4) | 29.6 (−1.3) |
| Record low °F (°C) | 20 (−7) | 22 (−6) | 30 (−1) | 38 (3) | 43 (6) | 46 (8) | 62 (17) | 62 (17) | 53 (12) | 27 (−3) | 26 (−3) | 24 (−4) | 20 (−7) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 0.53 (13) | 0.62 (16) | 0.48 (12) | 0.09 (2.3) | 0.05 (1.3) | 0.01 (0.25) | 0.26 (6.6) | 0.40 (10) | 0.32 (8.1) | 0.16 (4.1) | 0.21 (5.3) | 0.43 (11) | 3.56 (89.95) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.01 in) | 2.6 | 2.6 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.9 | 17.9 |
| Source 1: NOAA[29] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: National Weather Service[28] | |||||||||||||
Despite California's reputation forearthquakes, according to geologists Blythe has not had an earthquake centered in the city for over 500,000 years.[30]
Tourism is a major component of the local economy. Blythe is a stopover city with full services for travelers between any of the nearby regions, in particular the major cities ofLos Angeles andPhoenix, since it is approximately midway between those two metropolitan areas. The winter months bring visitors avoiding the colder climates of the north, when the population of the area within50 miles (80 km) of Blythe has been known to exceed 500,000.[30]
Blythe also contains 24 churches, one library, two newspapers (thePalo Verde Valley Times[31] andThe Desert Independent[32]), two museums, two radio stations (KERU-FM[33] andKJMB-FM[34]), three banks, a three-screen movie theater (now closed), one funeral home and an18,500 sq ft (1,720 m2). recreation center. The area is popular with campers and hikers and has six parks, seven campgrounds, sevenRV parks, three boat ramps onto the Colorado River, and an 18-hole public golf course.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1920 | 1,622 | — | |
| 1930 | 1,020 | −37.1% | |
| 1940 | 2,355 | 130.9% | |
| 1950 | 4,089 | 73.6% | |
| 1960 | 6,023 | 47.3% | |
| 1970 | 7,047 | 17.0% | |
| 1980 | 6,805 | −3.4% | |
| 1990 | 8,428 | 23.9% | |
| 2000 | 12,155 | 44.2% | |
| 2010 | 20,817 | 71.3% | |
| 2020 | 18,317 | −12.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[35] | |||
| Race(NH = Non-Hispanic) | 2020[36] | 2010[37] | 2000[38] | 1990[39] | 1980[40] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 23.9% (4,376) | 28.3% (5,894) | 42% (5,105) | 44.4% (3,738) | 54.3% (3,654) |
| Black alone (NH) | 11% (2,007) | 14.5% (3,020) | 8% (972) | 7.8% (657) | 7.1% (476) |
| American Indian alone (NH) | 0.9% (158) | 0.7% (147) | 0.9% (104) | 0.8% (65) | 0.2% (16) |
| Asian alone (NH) | 1.7% (305) | 1.4% (291) | 1.3% (157) | 0.5% (46) | 0% (0) |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 0.1% (21) | 0.1% (25) | 0.2% (19) | ||
| Other race alone (NH) | 0.4% (65) | 0.8% (164) | 0.1% (17) | 0.2% (13) | 0.2% (11) |
| Multiracial (NH) | 2.8% (512) | 1% (208) | 1.7% (210) | — | — |
| Hispanic/Latino (any race) | 59.4% (10,873) | 53.2% (11,068) | 45.8% (5,571) | 46.4% (3,909) | 38.3% (2,577) |
The2020 United States census reported that Blythe had a population of 18,317. The population density was 689.0 inhabitants per square mile (266.0/km2). The racial makeup of Blythe was 31.6%White, 11.7%African American, 1.8%Native American, 1.8%Asian, 0.2%Pacific Islander, 41.9% fromother races, and 11.0% from two or more races.Hispanic or Latino of any race were 59.4% of the population.[41]
The census reported that 66.0% of the population lived in households, 0.6% lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 33.4% were institutionalized.[41]
There were 4,477 households, out of which 37.9% included children under the age of 18, 36.8% were married-couple households, 8.3% werecohabiting couple households, 32.1% had a female householder with no partner present, and 22.8% had a male householder with no partner present. 27.5% of households were one person, and 9.9% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.7.[41] There were 2,980families (66.6% of all households).[42]
The age distribution was 18.4% under the age of 18, 9.5% aged 18 to 24, 36.3% aged 25 to 44, 26.6% aged 45 to 64, and 9.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.9 years. For every 100 females, there were 198.6 males.[41]
There were 5,246 housing units at an average density of 197.3 units per square mile (76.2 units/km2), of which 4,477 (85.3%) were occupied. Of these, 51.2% were owner-occupied, and 48.8% were occupied by renters.[41]
In 2023, the US Census Bureau estimated that 17.7% of the population were foreign-born. Of all people aged 5 or older, 55.2% spoke only English at home, 41.0% spokeSpanish, 1.8% spoke otherIndo-European languages, 1.4% spoke Asian or Pacific Islander languages, and 0.6% spoke other languages. Of those aged 25 or older, 69.7% were high school graduates and 8.9% had a bachelor's degree.[43]
The median household income was $51,984, and theper capita income was $18,378. About 15.4% of families and 19.5% of the population were below the poverty line.[44]
In theCalifornia State Legislature, Blythe is inthe 18th senatorial district, represented byDemocrat Steve Padilla, and inthe 36th Assembly district, represented byRepublican Jeff Gonzalez.[45]
In theUnited States House of Representatives, Blythe is inCalifornia's 25th congressional district, represented byDemocrat Raul Ruiz.[46]
TheBlythe Heat was a winter professional minor league baseball team of theArizona Winter League, and also a member of theArizona Summer League, but the leagues folded in 2017. They play on Alexander Field in Todd Park. Some games of the Lake Havasu Heat (folded in 2009) of the semi-proPacific Southwest Baseball League played in Blythe during the summer months.
State facilities in the town include the following:
Federal facilities in the town include the following:
Blythe has its own police department and volunteer fire department. TheRiverside County Sheriff's Department also has a regional station in Blythe.
Emergency medical services are provided by American Medical Response, which staffs two paramedic ambulances in the city 24 hours a day.
Blythe has its own police department, the Blythe Police Department who patrol Blythe. However the highways in and around Blythe are managed byCalifornia Highway Patrol and the nearby Riverside County patrolled byRiverside County Sheriff's Department who also run the county jail.
Blythe area public elementary and secondary schools comprise thePalo Verde Unified School District,[47] which contains 3 elementary schools and 1 high school, and continuation/adult education school. Palo Verde Community College District is part of theCalifornia Community College system and includesPalo Verde College in Blythe and an educational center in Needles.
Interstate 10 crosses Blythe in an east–west direction.State Route 78's eastern terminus is west of the town.U.S. Route 95 crosses Blythe in the eastern side. Lovekin Boulevard and Midland Road serve the ghost town ofMidland.
Blythe Airport (BLH) is just west of the town onInterstate 10 and has a 6,500-foot (2,000 m) runway.
Blythe was served in rail by theArizona and California Railroad but currently has no rail service since an embargo in late 2007 and abandonment in 2009.[48]
Blythe is served byRidePV.[49]Greyhound stops in Blythe.[50]
Health facilities in Blythe includePalo Verde Hospital, a General Acute CareHospital with 55 total beds and 24-hour standby emergency services, 23 physicians/surgeons, 2 dentists, 2 optometrists, 1 chiropractor, and 1 podiatrist.[51]
The Palo Verde Cemetery District[52] maintains the Palo Verde Cemetery.[53]
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