| City: | Desert Center, California |
| City Alias: | Eagle Mountain, Eagle Mtn |
| County: | Riverside County |
| Timezone: | Pacific (GMT -08:00) |
| Local Time: | 9:40:50 AM |
| Population: | 292 [See All] |
| Area Codes: | 442 / 760 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 33.7534, -115.4468 |
| Land Area: | 517.019 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Desert Center sits along Interstate 10 in eastern Riverside County, California, covering 163 square miles of remote desert. This is a PO Box Only Zone. There's no alternative mail delivery across this vast territory.
The Desert Center post office maintains 137 PO Boxes for 109 households, a 1.26 adoption rate that shows service extending beyond the immediate area. Some boxes serve Eagle Mountain, the former Kaiser Steel iron mining town a few miles north. USPS recognizes both "Eagle Mountain" and "Eagle Mtn" as valid mailing names alongside Desert Center.
Most residents (73%) live in mobile homes. The median age is 52. With 59 seasonal or vacant units out of 205 total housing units, about 29% of properties aren't occupied year-round. Median household income is $72,857.
Street delivery exists on a limited scale. Rural route service covers Rice Road, Kaiser Road, and a handful of other streets, mostly single-family properties scattered across the desert. The post office remains the primary mail access point for this highway corridor community.
Standard PO Box address:
PO Box [number]
Desert Center, CA 92239Eagle Mountain alternative:
PO Box [number]
Eagle Mountain, CA 92239Both city names are valid for mailing to this ZIP code.
Street names like Rice Road and Kaiser Road reference the area's agricultural and mining history, while scattered residential streets serve a small desert population.
ZIP Code 92239 has 292 residents and 109 households (average 2.68 persons per household). The median age is 52.0 years, significantly older than the state (37.5) and significantly older than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 47.3% male and 52.7% female, which is slightly lower than the state male share (49.4%), making this a female-majority area. Largest groups are White (62.7%, much higher than the state average of 41.2%) and Hispanic or Latino (34.6%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 34.6%, which is much higher than the national average (18.7%), and Other / Two or More Races share is much higher than the national average (8.4%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 292Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 144Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 0.6 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $73,393Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 109Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $216,100Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.68Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 3.48Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 284 | 345 | 383 | 428 | 207 | 196 | 164 | 274 | 227 | 295 | 301 | 296 | 167 | 144 |
| Decennial Census | 223 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 292 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 52
Male Median Age: 53
Female Median Age: 49
| Group | < 5 | 5-9 | 10-14 | 15-19 | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70-74 | 75-79 | 80-84 | 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 6 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 12 | 13 | 5 | 13 | 15 | 10 | 3 | 5 |
| Female | 4 | 12 | 11 | 3 | 8 | 5 | 13 | 7 | 4 | 11 | 9 | 5 | 11 | 13 | 17 | 13 | 6 | 2 |
| Total | 10 | 19 | 15 | 10 | 12 | 9 | 23 | 17 | 9 | 16 | 21 | 18 | 16 | 26 | 32 | 23 | 9 | 7 |
| White: | 183 | 51.12% |
| Black: | 5 | 1.40% |
| Hispanic:* | 101 | 28.21% |
| Asian: | 2 | 0.56% |
| American Indian: | 8 | 2.23% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 59 | 16.48% |
| Total: | 358 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 138 | 47.26% | 53.0 years |
| Females: | 154 | 52.74% | 49.0 years |
| Total: | 292 | 100% | 52.0 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 139 | 96.53% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 2 | 1.39% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 3 | 3.47% |
| Total Population: | 144 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 139 | 96.53% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 5 | 3.47% |
In 2024, the Median household income is $73,393, which is considerably lower than the national median ($80,734), is up $16,310 (28.6%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $40,997. Family households earn a median of $0 versus $0 for nonfamily households (a difference of $0). By gender, male median income is $73,571 and female is $0, which is considerably lower than the national female median ($55,274), with a current gap of $73,571 that has widened from 2011 to 2024. The labor-force participation rate is 46.5%, which is considerably lower than the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 13.6%, which is far worse than the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Natural resources (33.3%).
Explore More:Income Over TimeHousehold IncomeEmployment StatusBy Occupation
| Income Type | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $57,083 | $27,250 | $27,031 | $55,750 | $55,139 | $57,768 | $53,750 | $40,000 | $32,396 | $35,938 | $39,750 | $0 | $72,857 | $73,393 |
| Median Family Income | $63,750 | $34,000 | $38,750 | $56,500 | $55,972 | $58,125 | $58,125 | $0 | $32,005 | $32,210 | $33,125 | $36,815 | $0 | $0 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $19,500 | $19,091 | $19,844 | $39,063 | $0 | $0 | $38,250 | $0 | $65,938 | $66,000 | $83,125 | $91,000 | $73,750 | $0 |
| Median Male Income | $0 | $19,000 | $19,375 | $19,886 | $0 | $20,114 | $0 | $0 | $61,071 | $60,893 | $63,214 | $66,250 | $73,750 | $73,571 |
| Median Female Income | $36,023 | $7,188 | $0 | $20,000 | $0 | $0 | $26,563 | $26,500 | $0 | $0 | $66,023 | $52,656 | $0 | $0 |
| Employed: | 51 | 40.16% |
| Unemployed: | 8 | 6.30% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 68 | 53.54% |
| Total: | 127 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Service: | 14 | 27.45% |
| Sales and Office: | 8 | 15.69% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 17 | 33.33% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 12 | 23.53% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 51 | 100% |
In 2024, the median home value is $216,100, which is far less than the national median ($332,700), is up $116,100 (116.10%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $102,700. The median gross rent is $1,135, which is far less than the national median ($1,413), is down $540 (32.24%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $1,135. Of occupied housing, owners make up 54.39% (51.61% with a mortgage, 48.39% free-and-clear) and renters 45.61% - making this ZIP Code higher than national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 77.82%, which is far higher than the national rate (10.12%).
Explore More:Compare Home ValueHome Value Over TimeRent & Over TimeHousing Occupancy
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $100,000 | $104,400 | $92,500 | $111,300 | $112,500 | $109,400 | $78,000 | $113,300 | $113,400 | $112,300 | $112,500 | $140,500 | $221,200 | $216,100 |
| Less than $500: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $500 to $999: | 6 | 23.08% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 12 | 46.15% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $2,000 to $2,499: | 7 | 26.92% |
| $2,500 to $2,999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $3,000 or more: | 0 | 0.00% |
| No Rent: | 1 | 3.85% |
| Total: | 26 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $1,675 | $344 | $338 | $313 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $99 | $0 | $1,833 | $2,375 | $0 | $1,192 | $1,135 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 16 | 28.07% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 15 | 26.32% |
| Renter Occupied: | 26 | 45.61% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 57 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 57 | 22.18% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 200 | 77.82% |
| Total Housing Units: | 257 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 90 | 35.02% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 5 | 1.95% |
| Other Units: | 162 | 63.04% |
| Total Housing Units: | 257 | 100% |
In 2024, 18.90% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is far lower than the national rate (35.70%). High school or higher is 97.50%, which is far higher than the national rate (89.60%). The uninsured rate is 0.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.40%). Public coverage is 69.40%, which is far higher than the national rate (36.70%). The share of people in poverty is 20.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.80%), up 14.00 percentage points since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 14.00 percentage points. This signals a sharp increase in hardship - a shrinking consumer base, heavy pressure on public services, and job-market contraction risks. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is college (52.94%). College enrollment is 52.94%, which is comparable to the national rate (26.70%), meaning the community mirrors broader higher-education participation.
Explore More:Educational AttainmentHealth InsurancePoverty Over TimeSchool Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 3 | 2.46% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 0 | 0.00% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 69 | 56.56% |
| Some college, no degree: | 22 | 18.03% |
| Associate's degree: | 5 | 4.10% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 21 | 17.21% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 2 | 1.64% |
| Total: | 122 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 119 | 97.54% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 23 | 18.85% |
| Private Insurance: | 88 | 46.81% |
| Public Insurance: | 100 | 53.19% |
| No Insurance: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 188 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 188 | 100.00% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 0.0% | 21.7% | 21.4% | 26.9% | 23.5% | 26.7% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 5.0% | 14.0% | 20.0% |
Note: Counts of Families & People in poverty are not published at the ZIP Code level due to small sample sizes. Percentages shown are survey estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS). They may differ from official poverty statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau defines poverty status by comparing a family's or individual's total income with federal poverty thresholds that vary by family size and composition.
| Nursery School, Preschool: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Kindergarten: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 6 | 35.29% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 2 | 11.76% |
| College or graduate school: | 9 | 52.94% |
| Total: | 17 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 0 | 0.00% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 8 | 47.06% |
ZIP Code 92239 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 10 business establishments, employing about 60 people with an annual payroll of $4,910,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 7,229Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 10Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $1,299,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $4,910,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 60Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 92239 is located in Riverside County, California, within the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 40140) and California's 25th Congressional District. This Metro area has a population of 4,224,851 people, about 0.01% of whom live in ZIP Code 92239. It covers 517.019 sq mi of land and a water area of 0.013 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CASource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 40140Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MetroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 4,224,851Source: Census |
| MSA: | Los Angeles-Riverside-Orange County, CASource: Census |
| Land Area: | 517.019 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 0.013 sq miSource: Census |
| Congressional District: | 25Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 1690.5 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | Riverside-San Bernardino, CA PMSASource: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | 0618982Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Desert Center CDP; CaliforniaSource: Census |
ZIP Code 92239 is in the Desert Center Unified School District, which serves grades Kindergarten thru 12th. There are 1 public school(s) in this ZIP Code, and we have located 3 private school(s). It also has 6 colleges, universities or post secondary education institutions nearby which would be a short commute to.
Our sources include trusted federal and licensed data from the United States Postal Service, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Geological Survey, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the National Center for Education Statistics, along with proprietary datasets created by ZIP-Codes.com. Data last updated on February 1, 2026.