Brawley, California facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Brawley, California
City
City Hall of Brawley
Seal
Location of Brawley in Imperial County, California.
Brawley, California Location in the United States
Country	United States
State	California
County	Imperial
Incorporated	April 6, 1908
Area
• Total	8.12 sq mi (21.02 km2)
• Land	8.12 sq mi (21.02 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)  0%
Elevation	-112 ft (-34 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	26,416
• Density	3,254.00/sq mi (1,256.45/km2)
Time zone	UTC−08:00 (Pacific Time Zone)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−07:00 (PDT)
ZIP Code	92227
Area codes	442/760
FIPS code	06-08058
GNIS feature IDs	1656443, 2409893

Brawley is a city located in Imperial County, California, in the Imperial Valley. It's known for its important farming and cattle industries. The city also hosts the yearly Cattle Call Rodeo, a fun event that celebrates its ranching roots.

In 2020, about 26,416 people lived in Brawley. The city often experiences very hot summers, with temperatures usually going above 105°F (41°C).

History of Brawley

Brawley was first planned in 1902 by the Imperial Land Company. They originally named the town "Braly" after J.H. Braly, who owned the land. However, Mr. Braly didn't want his name used, so the town's name was changed to Brawley. The first post office opened in Brawley in 1903.

Brawley officially became a city on April 6, 1908. At first, it was a small "tent city" with only about 100 people. These early residents worked on railroads and helped start farming in the area. The city grew steadily over the years.

Geography and Location

New River Brawley

Brawley is found in the Colorado Desert and Lower Colorado River Valley regions. What's interesting is that Brawley, like many towns in the Imperial Valley, is actually below sea level.

The city is about 13 miles (21 km) north of El Centro. It's also about 70 miles (113 km) west of Yuma, Arizona, and 130 miles (209 km) east of San Diego.

Brawley covers a total area of about 7.7 square miles (20 km2). Almost all of this area is land. The Alamo River and New River flow through the city at different times of the year.

Brawley's Climate

Brawley has a desert climate, which means it gets very hot and dry. In January, the average high temperature is about 71.7°F (22.1°C), and the low is around 41.4°F (5.2°C). July is the hottest month, with average high temperatures reaching 108.2°F (42.3°C) and lows around 76.6°F (24.8°C).

It's common for Brawley to have 177 days a year where the temperature reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher. The highest temperature ever recorded was 122°F (50°C) on July 1, 1950. The lowest was 4°F (-16°C) on January 1, 1919.

Brawley doesn't get much rain. The average yearly rainfall is only about 2.38 inches (6.0 cm). December is usually the wettest month, while June is the driest. It even snowed once in December 1932, with about 3.0 inches (7.6 cm) falling!

Population of Brawley

According to the 2010 census, Brawley had a population of 24,953 people. The city is home to a diverse community. Many residents have Mexican and Latino backgrounds. In the past, Brawley also had distinct areas for people of White, East Indian, Chinese, Filipino, and African American descent.

Economy and Jobs

Brawley's economy relies heavily on agriculture, especially the cattle and feed industry. Some of the main employers in the city include Pioneers Memorial Hospital and Clinicas de Salud del Pueblo, which provide healthcare services. The Spreckels Sugar Company also has a location near Brawley.

Education in Brawley

Brawley offers several schools for students of all ages:

• High Schools: Students in Brawley and nearby Westmorland attend Brawley Union High School. There are also other high schools like Desert Valley High School, Renaissance, and Del Rio.
• Private School: Brawley Christian Academy is a private school option.
• Elementary and Middle Schools: For younger students, the Brawley Elementary School District has five schools. These include Barbara Worth Junior High School (for 7th and 8th grades) and several elementary schools (Phil D. Swing, Miguel Hidalgo, J.W. Oakley, and Myron D. Witter) for kindergarten through 6th grade.
• Colleges: Brawley is part of the Imperial Community College District, which includes Imperial Valley College. San Diego State University also has a campus in Brawley.

City Services

Brawley has its own police department and fire department. These services help keep the community safe and respond to emergencies.

Famous People from Brawley

Images for kids

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  Octagonal post office in Brawley

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  Theater in Brawley

See also

In Spanish: Brawley (California) para niños