Population
The El Centro Metropolitan Area is home to 163,972 residents, according to a 2008 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, Calexico and El Centro which is the county seat. Imperial Valley is one of the fastest growing counties in the State of California, offering many business opportunities along with a large number of trade possibilities.
Imperial County had the largest percentage increase in population in California between 2008 and 2009 in the state, according to the California Department of Finance. The county had a population growth rate of 2.2 percent between July 1, 2008, and July 1, 2009. The county’s growth rate has consistently been one of the top 10 out of 58 counties in California for the past six years. Last year’s growth rate was 2.43 percent.
El Centro is the promising new major commercial and industrial center of Southern California for 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 37,835 at the 2000 census. The 2006 population is 40,563. The city is 50 feet (20 m) 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.
Read more about this topic: Imperial Valley
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