About Calipatria

The City of Calipatria is the fifth-largest city in Imperial County and is known for its iconic 184-foot flagpole where the flag flies at sea level due to the city’s low elevation. Calipatria is located about 150 miles east of San Diego and 100 miles South of Palm Springs. The area is predominately agricultural, though geothermal activity is a big boost to its local economy. Seven geothermal plants and three new mineral recovery plants are located along a seven-mile radius near the Salton Sea. The city is home to Calipatria State Prison (CAL), a male-only state prison with a population of approximately 2,500.

Demographic Stats

(Unless otherwise stated, data is from the most recent Census Bureau ACS 5-year Estimate.)

• Location: Imperial County
• Population: 38,476
• Hispanic or Latino of any race: 97.6% of the population
• Area: 8.62 square miles
• Households: 9,920
• Median household income: $50,021
• Poverty rate: 21%

BOOST Activities

• Support the city in identifying funding opportunities and provide grant writing support with a specific focus on transportation, parks and recreation, grocery stores, and other amenities.
• Support the city in identifying funding and developing partnerships to improve water and wastewater infrastructure.
• Provide research, grant support, and partnership development for increasing housing development.
• Support planning and engagement for efforts including the Climate Resiliency District and EJ Element.
• Provide trainings to improve public engagement, leadership skills, and staff capacity.