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Brawley

city

Brawley, California, situated in Imperial County within the Imperial Valley, is a city deeply rooted in agriculture and cattle industries. With a population of approximately 29,027 in 2026, Brawley serves as a central hub for the surrounding agricultural region. The city experiences hot summers, often exceeding 105°F (41°C), and mild winters, reflecting its location in the Colorado Desert. Agriculture is the backbone of Brawley's economy, supported by major employers such as Pioneers Memorial Hospital and other local businesses. The city is known for its significant cattle and feed industry and hosts the annual Cattle Call Rodeo, celebrating its ranching heritage. Efforts are underway to diversify the economy into sectors like renewable energy, particularly geothermal, due to the city's proximity to the Salton Sea, which holds vast geothermal resources. Brawley distinguishes itself with its historical roots in agriculture and its unique location below sea level. The city's layout features a diamond-shaped central plaza, adding to its distinctive character. Brawley's community is dedicated to its agricultural foundation while embracing innovation and cooperation for future growth.

Brawley, California

Overview
Classification
City
FIPS Code
06-08058
Country
United States
County
Imperial County
Geography
Region
Colorado Desert and Lower Colorado River Valley
Elevation
-112 ft
Total Area
7.7 sq mi
Land Area
7.7 sq mi
Water Area
0 sq mi
Latitude
32.968784
Longitude
-115.53495
Climate
Hot summers with temperatures often exceeding 100°F, mild winters, and low average annual precipitation.
Notable Features
Alamo River · New River
Neighboring Areas
El Centro · Westmorland
Demographics
Population (2020)
26,416
Est. Population (2026)
29,027
Median Age
30.6
Median Income
$59,311
Poverty Rate
21.34%
Owner-Occupied
51.6%
Racial & Ethnic Composition
The racial makeup of Brawley is 85.6% Hispanic, 11.1% White, 1.9% Asian, and smaller percentages of other races.
Governance
Government Type
Mayor-Council
Governing Body
City Council
Body Size
5 members
School District
Brawley Elementary School District, Brawley Union High School District
Municipal Services
Police · Fire · Public Works · Parks & Recreation · Library
U.S. Congress
Padilla, Alex
Padilla, AlexD
U.S. Senator
Schiff, Adam B.
Schiff, Adam B.D
U.S. Representative
Huffman, Jared
Huffman, JaredD
U.S. Representative - District 2
Kiley, Kevin
Kiley, KevinI
U.S. Representative - District 3
Thompson, Mike
Thompson, MikeD
U.S. Representative - District 4
McClintock, Tom
McClintock, TomR
U.S. Representative - District 5
Bera, Ami
Bera, AmiD
U.S. Representative - District 6
Matsui, Doris O.
Matsui, Doris O.D
U.S. Representative - District 7
Garamendi, John
Garamendi, JohnD
U.S. Representative - District 8
Harder, Josh
Harder, JoshD
U.S. Representative - District 9
DeSaulnier, Mark
DeSaulnier, MarkD
U.S. Representative - District 10
Pelosi, Nancy
Pelosi, NancyD
U.S. Representative - District 11
Simon, Lateefah
Simon, LateefahD
U.S. Representative - District 12
Mullin, Kevin
Mullin, KevinD
U.S. Representative - District 15
Khanna, Ro
Khanna, RoD
U.S. Representative - District 17
Lofgren, Zoe
Lofgren, ZoeD
U.S. Representative - District 18
Panetta, Jimmy
Panetta, JimmyD
U.S. Representative - District 19
Fong, Vince
Fong, VinceR
U.S. Representative - District 20
Costa, Jim
Costa, JimD
U.S. Representative - District 21
Valadao, David G.
Valadao, David G.R
U.S. Representative - District 22
Obernolte, Jay
Obernolte, JayR
U.S. Representative - District 23
Carbajal, Salud O.
Carbajal, Salud O.D
U.S. Representative - District 24
Ruiz, Raul
Ruiz, RaulD
U.S. Representative - District 25
Brownley, Julia
Brownley, JuliaD
U.S. Representative - District 26
Whitesides, George
Whitesides, GeorgeD
U.S. Representative - District 27
Chu, Judy
Chu, JudyD
U.S. Representative - District 28
Rivas, Luz M.
Rivas, Luz M.D
U.S. Representative - District 29
Friedman, Laura
Friedman, LauraD
U.S. Representative - District 30
Cisneros, Gilbert Ray
Cisneros, Gilbert RayD
U.S. Representative - District 31
Sherman, Brad
Sherman, BradD
U.S. Representative - District 32
Aguilar, Pete
Aguilar, PeteD
U.S. Representative - District 33
Gomez, Jimmy
Gomez, JimmyD
U.S. Representative - District 34
Torres, Norma J.
Torres, Norma J.D
U.S. Representative - District 35
Lieu, Ted
Lieu, TedD
U.S. Representative - District 36
Kamlager-Dove, Sydney
Kamlager-Dove, SydneyD
U.S. Representative - District 37
Sánchez, Linda T.
Sánchez, Linda T.D
U.S. Representative - District 38
Takano, Mark
Takano, MarkD
U.S. Representative - District 39
Kim, Young
Kim, YoungR
U.S. Representative - District 40
Calvert, Ken
Calvert, KenR
U.S. Representative - District 41
Garcia, Robert
Garcia, RobertD
U.S. Representative - District 42
Waters, Maxine
Waters, MaxineD
U.S. Representative - District 43
Barragán, Nanette Diaz
Barragán, Nanette DiazD
U.S. Representative - District 44
Tran, Derek
Tran, DerekD
U.S. Representative - District 45
Correa, J. Luis
Correa, J. LuisD
U.S. Representative - District 46
Min, Dave
Min, DaveD
U.S. Representative - District 47
Issa, Darrell
Issa, DarrellR
U.S. Representative - District 48
Levin, Mike
Levin, MikeD
U.S. Representative - District 49
Peters, Scott H.
Peters, Scott H.D
U.S. Representative - District 50
Jacobs, Sara
Jacobs, SaraD
U.S. Representative - District 51
Vargas, Juan
Vargas, JuanD
U.S. Representative - District 52
Economy
Unemployment Rate
16.9%
Economic Profile
Agricultural · Cattle Industry · Renewable Energy
Employment Sectors
Health Care & Social Assistance · Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting · Public Administration
Major Employers
Pioneers Memorial Hospital · Clinicas de Salud del Pueblo · Spreckels Sugar Company
Education
Schools
7
Students
5,440
Teachers
400
School Districts
Brawley Elementary School District · Brawley Union High School District
Colleges & Universities
Imperial Valley College · San Diego State University (satellite campus)
Infrastructure
Transportation
State Routes 78, 86 and 111 · Boley Field Airport (Imperial County Airport) · Union Pacific Railroad
Utilities
Municipal water · Municipal power · Fiber/broadband
Major Facilities
Pioneers Memorial Hospital · Brawley Municipal Airport
Recreation
Outdoor Access
Yes
Major Recreation Areas
Plaza Park · Kelley Park · Cattle Call Park
Parks & Trails
Various city parks and fields · Trail systems
History
Founded
1902
Incorporated
1908
Named After
A.H. Heber's friend after J.H. Braly refused to allow the town to be named after him
Historical Significance
Brawley has been a significant agricultural and commercial center in the Imperial Valley since its founding.
Key Events
Townsite platted by Imperial Land Company in 1902 · Imperial & Gulf Railroad reached Brawley in 1903 · City incorporated on April 6, 1908 · Brawley emerged as a central agricultural hub