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Lake Elsinore
cityLake Elsinore is a city in western Riverside County, California, situated on the shore of Lake Elsinore, the largest natural freshwater lake in Southern California. The city has evolved from a small resort town in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to a growing suburban city. As of 2020, the population was 70,265, and recent estimates place it around 73,595. Lake Elsinore's economy is supported by a mix of industries, including healthcare, retail, and construction. The city benefits from its location with easy access to major freeways and proximity to larger economic hubs like Orange, San Diego, and Los Angeles counties. This accessibility makes it attractive for businesses looking to serve the Southern California market. What makes Lake Elsinore distinctive is its namesake lake, which offers various recreational opportunities and contributes to the city's identity. The city's history as a resort town, coupled with its more recent growth as a residential and commercial center, creates a unique blend of small-town charm and suburban amenities.
Lake Elsinore, California
Overview
- Classification
- City
- FIPS Code
- 06-39486
- Country
- United States
- County
- Riverside
Geography
- Region
- Inland Empire
- Elevation
- 1,296 ft
- Total Area
- 43.51 sq mi
- Land Area
- 38.24 sq mi
- Water Area
- 5.28 sq mi
- Latitude
- 33.68139
- Longitude
- -117.34528
- Climate
- Mild, semi-arid climate with hot, mostly rainless summers and mild, wetter winters.
- Notable Features
- Lake Elsinore · Elsinore Mountains · Temescal Mountains · San Jacinto River
- Neighboring Areas
- Wildomar · Canyon Lake · Lakeland Village
Demographics
- Population (2020)
- 70,265
- Est. Population (2026)
- 75,110
- Median Age
- 33.7
- Median Income
- $101,888
- Poverty Rate
- 9.44%
- Owner-Occupied
- 70.9%
- Racial & Ethnic Composition
- The racial composition of Lake Elsinore includes approximately 39.73% White, 23.59% other race, 7.51% Asian, 6.37% Black or African American, and smaller percentages for Native American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and multiracial populations. A significant portion of the population identifies as Hispanic or Latino.
Governance
- Government Type
- Council-Manager
- Governing Body
- City Council
- Body Size
- 5 members
- Municipal Services
- Police · Fire · Public Works · Code Enforcement · Community Development · Recreation
U.S. Congress
Padilla, AlexD
U.S. SenatorSchiff, Adam B.D
U.S. RepresentativeHuffman, JaredD
U.S. Representative - District 2Kiley, KevinI
U.S. Representative - District 3Thompson, MikeD
U.S. Representative - District 4McClintock, TomR
U.S. Representative - District 5Bera, AmiD
U.S. Representative - District 6Matsui, Doris O.D
U.S. Representative - District 7Garamendi, JohnD
U.S. Representative - District 8Harder, JoshD
U.S. Representative - District 9DeSaulnier, MarkD
U.S. Representative - District 10Pelosi, NancyD
U.S. Representative - District 11Simon, LateefahD
U.S. Representative - District 12Mullin, KevinD
U.S. Representative - District 15Khanna, RoD
U.S. Representative - District 17Lofgren, ZoeD
U.S. Representative - District 18Panetta, JimmyD
U.S. Representative - District 19Fong, VinceR
U.S. Representative - District 20Costa, JimD
U.S. Representative - District 21Valadao, David G.R
U.S. Representative - District 22Obernolte, JayR
U.S. Representative - District 23Carbajal, Salud O.D
U.S. Representative - District 24Ruiz, RaulD
U.S. Representative - District 25Brownley, JuliaD
U.S. Representative - District 26Whitesides, GeorgeD
U.S. Representative - District 27Chu, JudyD
U.S. Representative - District 28Rivas, Luz M.D
U.S. Representative - District 29Friedman, LauraD
U.S. Representative - District 30Cisneros, Gilbert RayD
U.S. Representative - District 31Sherman, BradD
U.S. Representative - District 32Aguilar, PeteD
U.S. Representative - District 33Gomez, JimmyD
U.S. Representative - District 34Torres, Norma J.D
U.S. Representative - District 35Lieu, TedD
U.S. Representative - District 36Kamlager-Dove, SydneyD
U.S. Representative - District 37Sánchez, Linda T.D
U.S. Representative - District 38Takano, MarkD
U.S. Representative - District 39Kim, YoungR
U.S. Representative - District 40Calvert, KenR
U.S. Representative - District 41Garcia, RobertD
U.S. Representative - District 42Waters, MaxineD
U.S. Representative - District 43Barragán, Nanette DiazD
U.S. Representative - District 44Tran, DerekD
U.S. Representative - District 45Correa, J. LuisD
U.S. Representative - District 46Min, DaveD
U.S. Representative - District 47Issa, DarrellR
U.S. Representative - District 48Levin, MikeD
U.S. Representative - District 49Peters, Scott H.D
U.S. Representative - District 50Jacobs, SaraD
U.S. Representative - District 51Vargas, JuanD
U.S. Representative - District 52Economy
- Unemployment Rate
- 5.1%
- Economic Profile
- Residential/suburban · Commercial growth
- Employment Sectors
- Health Care & Social Assistance · Retail Trade · Construction · Education · Accommodation and Food Services
Infrastructure
- Transportation
- Interstate access · Easy access to major freeways · Rail access within 4 miles · 23 airports within 50 miles
- Utilities
- Municipal water · Sewer · Brine line infrastructure
- Major Facilities
- Hospital
Recreation
- Outdoor Access
- Yes
- Major Recreation Areas
- Lake Elsinore · Launch Pointe Recreation Destination and RV Park · Skydive Lake Elsinore · Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park
History
- Founded
- 1883
- Incorporated
- 1888
- Named After
- Helsingør, Denmark (sister city)
- Historical Significance
- Originally a small resort town known for its lake and mineral springs, Lake Elsinore has grown into a suburban city while retaining its connection to the lake and its recreational opportunities.
- Key Events
- Spanish explorers first see the lake in 1797, naming it Laguna Grande. · The area becomes a popular stop for travelers during the California Gold Rush. · Elsinore officially becomes a city on April 9, 1888. · The city was the destination for many celebrities in its heyday. · The city's name was changed to Lake Elsinore in 1972.