Coachella, California | |
|---|---|
 Coachella City Hall | |
 Flag  Seal | |
| Nicknames: Coachello, La Coachelita and Cochela | |
 Location of Coachella in Riverside County, California | |
  Coachella, California Location in the United States | |
| Coordinates:33°40′46″N116°10′28″W / 33.67944°N 116.17444°W /33.67944; -116.17444 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Riverside |
| Native American Reservation (partial) | Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians &Cabazon Band of Mission Indians |
| Incorporated | December 13, 1946[1] |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council-Manager |
| • Mayor | Steven Hernandez[2] |
| • Mayor Pro Tem | Denise Delgado |
| • City Council | Dr. Frank Figueroa Yadira Perez Stephanie Virgen |
| • City Manager | Gabriel Martin |
| Area | |
• Total | 30.08 sq mi (77.90 km2) |
| • Land | 30.08 sq mi (77.90 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0.00 km2) 0% |
| Elevation | −69 ft (−21 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 41,941 |
| • Density | 1,394.4/sq mi (538.39/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−8 (PST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−7 (PDT) |
| ZIP code | 92236 |
| Area codes | 442/760 |
| FIPS code | 06-14260 |
| GNIS feature IDs | 1652686,2409493 |
| Website | www |
Coachella (/ˌkoʊəˈtʃɛlə/KOH-ə-CHEL-ə,commonly/koʊˈtʃɛlə/koh-CHEL-ə[a][5]) is a city inRiverside County, California, United States. It is the namesake and easternmost city of theCoachella Valley, inSouthern California'sColorado Desert. Originally a railroad town, Coachella is a prominent hub for agriculture and shipping across Southern California and the Western United States.[6]
Coachella had a population of 41,941 in the2020 Census. The city is officially bilingual inEnglish andSpanish,[7] with 90% of people speaking Spanish.[8]
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The city was founded asWoodspur in 1876, when theSouthern Pacific Railroad built arail siding on the site. In the 1880s the indigenousCahuilla tribe sold their land plots to the railroads for new lands east of the current town site, and in the 1890s, a few hundredtraqueros settled along the tracks. In 1901, the citizens of Woodspur voted on a new name for their community and at a town hall meeting settled on "Coachella".[9]
The origin of the nameCoachella is unclear. Some locals believe it was a misspelling ofconchilla, a Spanish word for the small white snail shells found in the valley's sandy soil, vestiges of a lake that dried up over 3,000 years ago.
Coachella began as a 2.5-square-mile (6.5 km2) territory gridded out on the mesquite-covered desert floor. Coachella became a city in 1946. During the incorporation voting process, the first city council was tentatively elected.
In the 1950s Coachella begin to expand into its range, about 32 square miles (83 km2), an area which contained large year-round agricultural corporate farms and fruit groves, particularly ofcitrus (lemons, oranges, grapefruit) anddate palms.
By the 1980 census, Coachella's population had reached at least 10,000 due to relatively slow population growth. Due to a high percentage of Hispanics in the city, Coachella was a scene ofChicano political activism. The agricultural area surrounding Coachella was where theUnited Farm Workers union staged strikes and protests, including visits by UFW leaderCésar Chávez in the 1960s and 1970s. In 2018, Harrison Street (the main street in town) was renamed for him.[10]
In 1995, state and federal officials designated Coachella as part of theCoachella Valley Enterprise Zone to boost economic activity and entice businesses to relocate to this rural city which was once home to several fruit shipping plants.
In 2010, a Coca-Cola bottling facility (aLEED certified building) was added to the city's new light industry facilities, a boon in the rapid-growth community which has a currently troubled economy.[11]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 30.08 square miles (77.9 km2), all of it land.[3]
The elevation is 68 feet (21 m) below sea level, as the eastern half of the Coachella Valley is below sea level. The saltwater lake,Salton Sea, 10 miles (16 km) south of Coachella, is 228 feet (69 m) below sea level.
This climate is dominated in all months by the subtropicalanticyclone, or subtropical high, with its descending air, elevated inversions, and clear skies. Although only a short distance fromBanning, California which has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, it also lies in arainshadow that allows Coachella only about one-fourth the precipitation of Banning. TheKöppen Climate Classification subtype for this climate is"Bwh". (Tropical and Subtropical Desert Climate).[12]
| Climate data for Coachella, California (1981–2010 normals) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 95 (35) | 99 (37) | 104 (40) | 112 (44) | 116 (47) | 121 (49) | 123 (51) | 123 (51) | 121 (49) | 116 (47) | 102 (39) | 93 (34) | 123 (51) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 70.7 (21.5) | 73.9 (23.3) | 80.5 (26.9) | 87.5 (30.8) | 95.6 (35.3) | 103.6 (39.8) | 108.1 (42.3) | 107.3 (41.8) | 101.7 (38.7) | 91.1 (32.8) | 78.4 (25.8) | 69.3 (20.7) | 89.0 (31.7) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 45.5 (7.5) | 48.0 (8.9) | 52.2 (11.2) | 57.4 (14.1) | 64.4 (18.0) | 71.0 (21.7) | 77.6 (25.3) | 77.6 (25.3) | 71.7 (22.1) | 62.5 (16.9) | 51.8 (11.0) | 44.2 (6.8) | 60.3 (15.7) |
| Record low °F (°C) | 19 (−7) | 24 (−4) | 29 (−2) | 34 (1) | 36 (2) | 44 (7) | 54 (12) | 52 (11) | 46 (8) | 30 (−1) | 23 (−5) | 23 (−5) | 19 (−7) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 1.15 (29) | 1.11 (28) | 0.53 (13) | 0.06 (1.5) | 0.02 (0.51) | 0.02 (0.51) | 0.13 (3.3) | 0.29 (7.4) | 0.23 (5.8) | 0.24 (6.1) | 0.32 (8.1) | 0.87 (22) | 4.97 (126) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.01 in) | 3.1 | 3.2 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0 | 0.6 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 1.9 | 14.4 |
| Source: NOAA[13] | |||||||||||||
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Despite its image for Mexican immigration, a large percentage are US citizens, born and raised in Coachella. A multi-generationalMexican American culture has taken root in the town, including a significant portion particularly from the Mexican state ofSinaloa.[14]
Much of the population consists of younger Latino families (an estimated 90 percent ofHispanic origin) and, in the outlying areas, migrant farm workers. The city is officially bilingual in the English and Spanish languages, though city council meetings are held in English. Historically, apart from the Hispanic/Latino and/orNative Americans, other ethnic groups in Coachella includedArabs,Armenians,Filipinos,Italians,Japanese, and recent immigrants from Southeast Asia and the formerYugoslavia.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 2,755 | — | |
| 1960 | 4,854 | 76.2% | |
| 1970 | 8,353 | 72.1% | |
| 1980 | 9,129 | 9.3% | |
| 1990 | 16,896 | 85.1% | |
| 2000 | 22,724 | 34.5% | |
| 2010 | 40,704 | 79.1% | |
| 2020 | 41,941 | 3.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[15] | |||
The2020 United States census reported that Coachella had a population of 41,941. The population density was 1,394.5 inhabitants per square mile (538.4/km2). The racial makeup of Coachella was 17.3%White, 0.5%African American, 2.1%Native American, 0.6%Asian, 0.0%Pacific Islander, 55.7% fromother races, and 23.7% from two or more races.Hispanic or Latino of any race were 96.4% of the population.[16]
The census reported that 99.9% of the population lived in households, 0.1% lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and no one was institutionalized.[16]
There were 9,797 households, out of which 62.9% included children under the age of 18, 57.5% were married-couple households, 7.6% werecohabiting couple households, 23.5% had a female householder with no partner present, and 11.5% had a male householder with no partner present. 5.8% of households were one person, and 2.3% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 4.27.[16] There were 8,861families (90.4% of all households).[17]
The age distribution was 32.3% under the age of 18, 12.1% aged 18 to 24, 28.7% aged 25 to 44, 19.6% aged 45 to 64, and 7.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.8 males.[16]
There were 10,069 housing units at an average density of 334.8 units per square mile (129.3 units/km2), of which 9,797 (97.3%) were occupied. Of these, 62.3% were owner-occupied, and 37.7% were occupied by renters.[16]
In 2023, the US Census Bureau estimated that the median household income was $67,558, and theper capita income was $24,922. About 11.1% of families and 10.6% of the population were below the poverty line.[18]
The2010 United States census[19] reported that Coachella had a population of 40,704. Thepopulation density was 1,406.0 people per square mile (542.9 per km2). The racial makeup of Coachella was 19,576 (48.1%)White (2.3% Non-Hispanic White),[20] 320 (0.8%)African American, 290 (0.7%)Native American, 266 (0.7%)Asian, 34 (0.1%)Pacific Islander, 19,154 (47.1%) fromother races, and 1,064 (2.6%) from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 39,254 persons (96.4%).
The Census reported that 40,646 people (99.9% of the population) lived in households, 58 (0.1%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.
There were 8,998 households, out of which 6,625 (73.6%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 5,583 (62.0%) wereopposite-sex married couples living together, 1,927 (21.4%) had a female householder with no husband present, 820 (9.1%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 795 (8.8%)unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 76 (0.8%)same-sex married couples or partnerships. 464 households (5.2%) were made up of individuals, and 151 (1.7%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.52. There were 8,330families (92.6% of all households); the average family size was 4.57.
The population was spread out, with 15,786 people (38.8%) under the age of 18, 4,889 people (12.0%) aged 18 to 24, 11,896 people (29.2%) aged 25 to 44, 6,306 people (15.5%) aged 45 to 64, and 1,827 people (4.5%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.3 males.
There were 9,903 housing units at an average density of 342.1 per square mile (132.1 per km2), of which 5,586 (62.1%) were owner-occupied, and 3,412 (37.9%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 6.4%; the rental vacancy rate was 5.4%. 25,519 people (62.7% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 15,127 people (37.2%) lived in rental housing units.
According to the 2010 United States Census, Coachella had a median household income of $41,611, with 27.9% of the population living below the federal poverty line.[21]
According to the city's 2020 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the largest employers are:[22]
| # | Employer | Employees |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coachella Valley Unified School District | 530 |
| 2 | Spotlight 29 Casino | 496 |
| 3 | Ernie Ball | 380 |
| 4 | Augustine Casino | 314 |
| 5 | Armtec Defense | 236 |
| 6 | Valley Pride | 200 |
| 7 | Coachella Valley Water District | 194 |
| 8 | Teserra Outdoors | 156 |
| 9 | Cardenas Market | 118 |
| 10 | Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling | 103 |
Near the city limits of Coachella are threecasinos onIndian reservations:Fantasy Springs Resort and Casino,[23]Spotlight 29 Casino,[24] andAugustine Casino,[25] which are owned and operated by Native American tribes – theCabazon Band of Mission Indians,Twentynine Palms Band of Mission Indians, andAugustine Band of Cahuilla Indians, respectively. These small but highly profitable tribes have representative councils to ensure self-reliance as a community. Coachella is also home to a significant Southwest Indian (Apache,Hopi,Navajo andZuni) population, though not indigenous to the California desert region.
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Since 2000, thousands of single-family homes and multi-unit apartment complexes have been built at a fast pace, as the city's population soared, having more than doubled in just a decade.[26]
In 2015, the number of unpermittedtrailer parks, often housingfarmworkers, was estimated at "dozens if not more than 100."[27] Many of these parks are in poor condition. Some havedirt roads and frequentpower outages, ordrinking water supplies contaminated witharsenic orhexavalent chromium. It is uncertain whether it would be more practical to bring in city water andsewer lines, or to simply start over with new developments. Given that a recent 181-unit development, Mountain View Estates, required over 28 million dollars in funding, the nonprofit Pueblo Unido Community Development Corp. is pushing for code upgrades of existing facilities. A court case which alleged that the county had made an intentional effort to close trailer parks with Latino populations was settled in 2000. The US$21 million from the settlement was used to build three farmworker housing projects. As of 2015, dirt roads in 35 trailer parks are being paved as part of a US$3.4 million county project.[27]
Coachella expanded recreational and social activities for which residents once had to drive 10 or 20 miles (16 or 32 km) west. The city has a recreation center, aBoys and Girls Club center, and aboxing club in Bagdouma Park. There are two dance clubs and the Corona Yacht Club located near Spotlight 29 casino; two new golf courses (Desert Lakes and the Vineyards) attract many retirees,RV owners, and local business people.
Three popular fiestas are celebrated each year in town:Cinco de Mayo (May 5), the 16 de SeptiembreFiestas Patrias (Mexico's Independence from Spain) and the 12 de Diciembre (the patron saint of Mexico,Santa Maria de Guadalupe) to celebrate theVirgin Mary.
TheCoachella Football Club is a semi-professionalAmerican soccer team based in Coachella. Founded in January 2024, the team plays inUSL League Two, the fourth tier of theAmerican Soccer Pyramid.[29]
In theCalifornia State Legislature, Coachella is inthe 18th senatorial district, represented byDemocrat Steve Padilla, and inthe 36th Assembly district, represented byRepublican Jeff Gonzalez.[30]
In theUnited States House of Representatives, Coachella is inCalifornia's 25th congressional district, represented byDemocrat Raul Ruiz.[31]
Coachella is served by theCoachella Valley Unified School District,[32] based inThermal, California. Its main high school isCoachella Valley High School (with 2900 students) followed by a new high school,Desert Mirage High School, about 5 miles to the south; its three middle schools are Cahuilla Desert Academy, Toro Canyon, and Bobby Duke. Elementary schools include Cesar Chavez, Coral Mountain Academy, Palm View, Peter Pendleton, Valle Del Sol, Valley View, Westside and in nearby Thermal, John Kelley.
The Coachella Valley Adult School, in operation since 1952, is the third-largest adult school in Riverside County. It offers seven levels ofEnglish as a Second Language (ESL), and has offered citizenship classes for over 20 years. In the last ten years, over 1,500 people completed citizenship classes at the school and submittedN-400 forms.
TheRiverside County Sheriff's Department provides law enforcement for the city from the nearby Thermal Regional Station. The original Coachella Police Department was absorbed by the Sheriff's Department in 1998.
The city of Coachella contracts for fire and paramedic services with the Riverside County Fire Department through a cooperative agreement withCAL FIRE.[33]
Near Coachella, a new four-lane expressway,State Route 86, was built for international trucking fromMexicali, Mexico to Los Angeles or Arizona. Referred to as the "NAFTA highway" (in reference to theNorth American Free Trade Agreement took effect in 1994), it replaces an older and less safe two-lane road known as the "killer highway, deadly highway, and death highway" where over 400 auto accident fatalities took place since 1980.
A plan is being developed for new passenger rail service that would span approximately 144 miles from Los Angeles Union Station (LAUS) to Coachella. Construction would take an estimated ten years following completion of anEnvironmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR).[34]
In 2001Huell Howser Productions, in association withKCET/Los Angeles, featured Coachella inCalifornia's Gold; the program is available as a VHS videorecording.[35]
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