Borrego Springs, California

Census-designated place in California, United States

Borrego Springs, California

Census-designated place

Downtown as seen from Christmas Circle

Location in San Diego County and the state of California

Borrego Springs, California

Location in the United States

Coordinates: 33°14′50″N 116°22′19″W﻿ / ﻿33.24722°N 116.37194°W﻿ / 33.24722; -116.37194
Country|  United States
State|  California
County| San Diego
Area

[1]

• Total

| 43.41 sq mi (112.42 km2)
• Land| 43.41 sq mi (112.42 km2)
• Water| 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)  0.78%
Elevation

[2]

| 597 ft (182 m)
Population

(2020)

• Total

| 3,073
• Density| 70.80/sq mi (27.33/km2)
Time zone| UTC−8 (PST)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−7 (PDT)
ZIP code|

92004

Area codes| 442/760
FIPS code| 06-07596
GNIS feature IDs| 1652675, 2407888

Borrego Springs (borrego is Spanish for "sheep") is a census-designated place (CDP) in northeastern San Diego County, California. It is located within the Low Desert area of Southern California. The population was 3,073 at the 2020 census.[3] Borrego Springs is surrounded by Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.[4]

## History

[edit]

Anza-Borrego State Park's name is derived from Juan Bautista de Anza, who notably camped there, and "borrego", which is Spanish for "lamb", in honor of the local herds of bighorn sheep.[5] The area east of town was the site of a vast World War II US Navy training center, the Borrego Valley Maneuver Area, with supporting camps and airstrips.[6][7]

## Geography

[edit]

Borrego Springs is on the floor of the Borrego Valley, which lies at the Sonoran Desert ecoregion's western edge. The village and surrounding countryside have a wide variety of desert flora and fauna. One iconic species found in the Borrego Springs area is the California Fan Palm, Washingtonia filifera, a lower risk/near-threatened[8] species and the only palm native to the western United States.[9] An abandoned calcite mine, dating to World War II, is on the northeast slope of the Santa Rosa Mountains in the state park.

### Climate

[edit]

Borrego Springs has a dry-summer hot desert climate (Köppen climate classification: BWhs). There are an average of 176.6 days with highs of 90 °F (32 °C) or higher and an average of only 1.4 days with lows of 32 °F (0 °C) or lower. The record high temperature was 122 °F (50 °C) on June 25, 1990. The record low temperature was 20 °F (−7 °C) on January 5, 1971. The average annual precipitation is 5.21 inches (132 mm) and there are an average of 22.2 days with measurable precipitation. The wettest year was 1983, with 18.28 inches (464 mm), and the driest was 1953, with 1.35 inches (34 mm). The most rainfall in one month was 8.78 inches (223 mm) in January 1993. The most rainfall in 24 hours was 2.73 inches (69 mm) on August 17, 1977. Although snow rarely falls in the lowlands, 6.5 inches fell in December 1967.[10]

Climate data for Borrego Springs, California 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1965–present

Month  | Jan  | Feb  | Mar  | Apr  | May  | Jun  | Jul  | Aug  | Sep  | Oct  | Nov  | Dec  | Year
Record high °F (°C)  | 90
(32)  | 95
(35)  | 101
(38)  | 111
(44)  | 114
(46)  | 122
(50)  | 121
(49)  | 120
(49)  | 117
(47)  | 113
(45)  | 98
(37)  | 89
(32)  | 122
(50)
Mean maximum °F (°C)  | 80.2
(26.8)  | 83.3
(28.5)  | 91.7
(33.2)  | 100.5
(38.1)  | 105.8
(41.0)  | 113.5
(45.3)  | 116.5
(46.9)  | 115.1
(46.2)  | 110.6
(43.7)  | 102.1
(38.9)  | 89.8
(32.1)  | 79.1
(26.2)  | 117.6
(47.6)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)  | 69.7
(20.9)  | 72.3
(22.4)  | 79.0
(26.1)  | 85.3
(29.6)  | 93.2
(34.0)  | 102.9
(39.4)  | 107.4
(41.9)  | 106.8
(41.6)  | 101.1
(38.4)  | 90.2
(32.3)  | 77.9
(25.5)  | 68.5
(20.3)  | 87.9
(31.1)
Daily mean °F (°C)  | 57.6
(14.2)  | 59.8
(15.4)  | 65.3
(18.5)  | 70.5
(21.4)  | 77.7
(25.4)  | 86.2
(30.1)  | 92.3
(33.5)  | 92.1
(33.4)  | 86.4
(30.2)  | 76.0
(24.4)  | 64.9
(18.3)  | 56.8
(13.8)  | 73.8
(23.2)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)  | 45.5
(7.5)  | 47.4
(8.6)  | 51.7
(10.9)  | 55.7
(13.2)  | 62.2
(16.8)  | 69.5
(20.8)  | 77.1
(25.1)  | 77.5
(25.3)  | 71.7
(22.1)  | 61.8
(16.6)  | 51.9
(11.1)  | 45.0
(7.2)  | 59.8
(15.4)
Mean minimum °F (°C)  | 34.4
(1.3)  | 36.8
(2.7)  | 39.6
(4.2)  | 44.4
(6.9)  | 49.5
(9.7)  | 56.6
(13.7)  | 67.0
(19.4)  | 66.3
(19.1)  | 58.9
(14.9)  | 50.2
(10.1)  | 40.2
(4.6)  | 34.4
(1.3)  | 31.7
(−0.2)
Record low °F (°C)  | 20
(−7)  | 24
(−4)  | 28
(−2)  | 28
(−2)  | 34
(1)  | 45
(7)  | 56
(13)  | 55
(13)  | 49
(9)  | 33
(1)  | 31
(−1)  | 23
(−5)  | 20
(−7)
Average precipitation inches (mm)  | 1.16
(29)  | 1.24
(31)  | 0.62
(16)  | 0.18
(4.6)  | 0.05
(1.3)  | 0.01
(0.25)  | 0.25
(6.4)  | 0.32
(8.1)  | 0.15
(3.8)  | 0.20
(5.1)  | 0.22
(5.6)  | 0.81
(21)  | 5.21
(132.15)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 4.0  | 4.1  | 3.1  | 1.4  | 0.7  | 0.1  | 1.1  | 1.2  | 1.0  | 0.7  | 1.4  | 3.4  | 22.2
Source: NOAA[11][12]

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1980| 1,405| | —
1990| 2,244| | 59.7%
2000| 2,535| | 13.0%
2010| 3,429| | 35.3%
2020| 3,073| | −10.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[13]
1850–1870[14][15] 1880-1890[16]
1900[17] 1910[18] 1920[19]
1930[20] 1940[21] 1950[22]
1960[23] 1970[24] 1980[25]
1990[26] 2000[27] 2010[28]

### 2020

[edit]

The 2020 United States census reported that Borrego Springs had a population of 3,073. The population density was 70.8 inhabitants per square mile (27.3/km2). The racial makeup of Borrego Springs was 61.5% White, 0.6% African American, 1.0% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 16.7% from other races, and 19.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 38.2% of the population.[29]

The census reported that 99.7% of the population lived in households and 0.3% were institutionalized.[29]

There were 1,453 households, out of which 14.5% included children under the age of 18, 44.9% were married-couple households, 5.9% were cohabiting couple households, 25.3% had a female householder with no partner present, and 24.0% had a male householder with no partner present. 37.0% of households were one person, and 25.0% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.11.[29] There were 826 families (56.8% of all households).[30]

The age distribution was 14.5% under the age of 18, 4.6% aged 18 to 24, 15.4% aged 25 to 44, 24.5% aged 45 to 64, and 41.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 60.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.2 males.[29]

There were 2,522 housing units at an average density of 58.1 units per square mile (22.4 units/km2), of which 1,453 (57.6%) were occupied. Of these, 77.0% were owner-occupied, and 23.0% were occupied by renters.[29]

In 2023, the US Census Bureau estimated that the median household income was $83,836, and the per capita income was $52,124. About 2.3% of families and 2.1% of the population were below the poverty line.[31]

### 2010

[edit]

The 2010 United States Census[32] reported that Borrego Springs had a population of 3,429. The population density was 79.0 inhabitants per square mile (30.5/km2). The racial makeup of Borrego Springs was 2,766 (80.7%) White, 20 (0.6%) African American, 34 (1.0%) Native American, 22 (0.6%) Asian, 5 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 500 (14.6%) from other races, and 82 (2.4%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1,218 persons (35.5%).

The Census reported that 3,429 people (100% of the population) lived in households, 0 (0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.

There were 1,571 households, out of which 283 (18.0%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 828 (52.7%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 82 (5.2%) had a female householder with no husband present, 57 (3.6%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 85 (5.4%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 13 (0.8%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 507 households (32.3%) were made up of individuals, and 262 (16.7%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18. There were 967 families (61.6% of all households); the average family size was 2.76.

The population was spread out, with 592 people (17.3%) under the age of 18, 165 people (4.8%) aged 18 to 24, 477 people (13.9%) aged 25 to 44, 1,044 people (30.4%) aged 45 to 64, and 1,151 people (33.6%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 56.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.4 males.

There were 2,611 housing units at an average density of 60.1 per square mile (23.2/km2), of which 1,235 (78.6%) were owner-occupied, and 336 (21.4%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 8.0%; the rental vacancy rate was 12.1%. 2,593 people (75.6% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 836 people (24.4%) lived in rental housing units.

## Arts and culture

[edit]

Lutheran Church in Borrego Springs Christmas Circle

Borrego Springs has pueblo-style, modern architecture and ranch-style house architecture. A local landmark is the traffic roundabout between the airport and downtown, Christmas Circle. The town includes a branch of the San Diego County Library. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park surrounds the town.[33][34] There are four public golf courses, a tennis center, and horseback riding, and it is a destination for snowbirds.[35] Tourism is Borrego Springs's primary industry.

The village of Borrego Springs is recognized as a designated International Dark Sky Community by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA).[36] Borrego Springs has no stoplights, and nighttime lighting is kept to a minimum to protect the view of the night sky.[37] The International Dark-Sky Association designated it as California's first International Dark-Sky Community.[38] It is a center for public astronomy activities throughout the year.[39]

### Attractions

[edit]

Members of the International Aerobatic Club have established a practice and competition area adjacent to and directly north of the Borrego Valley Airport. The area was first designated in 1976 and has an operational waiver approved by the Federal Aviation Administration. Aerobatic pilots from California and the southwest U.S. regularly use the airspace for practice and major competitive events; users have included three past national champions. Visitors are welcome to come to the airport and watch the flight activity, which does not interfere with other airport operations. The San Diego Aerobatic Club sponsors two annual competition events,[40] in April and October.

More than 130 large metal statues of animals by sculptor Ricardo Breceda can be found in Galleta Meadows Estate.[41][42]

Sea serpent sculpture by Ricardo Breceda in Borrego Springs, CA

## Government

[edit]

In the California State Legislature, Borrego Springs is in the 32nd senatorial district, represented by Republican Kelly Seyarto, and in the 75th Assembly district, represented by Republican Carl DeMaio.[43]

In the United States House of Representatives, Borrego Springs is in California's 48th congressional district, represented by Republican Darrell Issa.[44]

## Infrastructure

[edit]

From the 1960s through the 1990s, Borrego Springs Airlines and its subsequent iterations provided commercial airline service to and from Borrego Valley Airport.[45]

## In popular culture

[edit]

The community and surrounding valley are significant sites in some of Dean Koontz's Jane Hawk novels.[citation needed]

## See also

[edit]

* California portal

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
2. ^ "Borrego Springs". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved October 12, 2014.
3. ^ "Borrego Springs CDP, San Diego County, California". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
4. ^ Jones, J. Harry (November 24, 2018). "Defeat of water bond measure bodes disaster for the desert community of Borrego Springs". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
5. ^ David W. Kean, Wide Places in the California Roads: The encyclopedia of California's small towns and the roads that lead to them (Volume 1 of 4: Southern California Counties), p. 27
6. ^ militarymuseum.org Borrego Valley Maneuver Area
7. ^ "Borrego militarypoisons.org, Springs Naval Maneuver Area". Retrieved April 19, 2021.
8. ^ IUCN Red List entry for Washingtonia filifera, retrieved October 5, 2009.
9. ^ C. Michael Hogan. 2009. California Fan Palm: Washingtonia filifera, GlobalTwitcher.com, ed. Nicklas Stromberg Archived September 30, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
10. ^ "BORREGO DESERT PARK, CALIFORNIA - Climate Summary". www.wrcc.dri.edu. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
11. ^ "NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data". NOAA. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
12. ^ "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Borrego Desert Park, CA". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
13. ^ "Decennial Census by Decade". United States Census Bureau.
14. ^ "1870 Census of Population - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties - California - Almeda County to Sutter County" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
15. ^ "1870 Census of Population - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties - California - Tehama County to Yuba County" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
16. ^ "1890 Census of Population - Population of California by Minor Civil Divisions" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
17. ^ "1900 Census of Population - Population of California by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
18. ^ "1910 Census of Population - Supplement for California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
19. ^ "1920 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
20. ^ "1930 Census of Population - Number and Distribution of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
21. ^ "1940 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
22. ^ "1950 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
23. ^ "1960 Census of Population - General population Characteristics - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
24. ^ "1970 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
25. ^ "1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
26. ^ "1990 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
27. ^ "2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
28. ^ "2010 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
29. ^ a b c d e "Borrego Springs CDP, California; DP1: Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics - 2020 Census of Population and Housing". US Census Bureau. Retrieved June 18, 2025.
30. ^ "Borrego Springs CDP, California; P16: Household Type - 2020 Census of Population and Housing". US Census Bureau. Retrieved June 18, 2025.
31. ^ "Borrego Springs CDP, California; DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics - 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates Comparison Profiles". US Census Bureau. Retrieved June 18, 2025.
32. ^ "2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Borrego Springs CDP". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
33. ^ Jones, J. Harry (July 14, 2019). "Borrego Springs has worked hard to make its night skies dark". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
34. ^ California Department of Parks and Recreation. "Anza-Borrego Desert State Park". ca.gov. California State Parks. Retrieved March 26, 2017.
35. ^ Jones, J. Harry (February 11, 2019). "Flowergeddon 2? Borrego Springs braces for another 'super bloom'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
36. ^ "International Dark Sky Communities". www.darksky.org. International Dark-Sky Association. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
37. ^ "Borrego Springs, California (U.S.)". International Dark-Sky Association. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
38. ^ Anza Borrego Foundation. "The Dark Sky of Borrego Springs". Archived from the original on March 27, 2017. Retrieved March 27, 2017.
39. ^ Dark Sky Coalition. "Welcome to the Borrego Dark Sky Coalition". Retrieved March 27, 2017.
40. ^ http://www.iac36.org | San Diego Aerobatic Club
41. ^ "Ricardo Breceda Sculptures". www.visitcalifornia.com. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
42. ^ "Metal Sculptures of Borrego Springs, CA - Ricardo Breceda - Page 1 - DesertUSA". www.desertusa.com.
43. ^ "Final Maps". 2020 California Citizens Redistricting Commission. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
44. ^ "California's 48th Congressional District - Representatives & District Map". Civic Impulse, LLC.
45. ^ "Sun Aire Lines - Borrego Springs Airline". Airline Timetable Images. Retrieved October 16, 2023.

## External links

[edit]

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