Indio, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Indio, California
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| City of Indio | |||||
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| Nickname(s):
The City of Festivals
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| Motto(s):
"take center stage," "The Place to Be"
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Location of Indio in Riverside County, California
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 Indio, California
Location in southern California
Indio, California
Location in California
Indio, California
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States | ||||
| State | California | ||||
| County | Riverside | ||||
| Native American Reservation (partial) | Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians & Cabazon Band of Mission Indians | ||||
| Incorporated | May 16, 1930 | ||||
| Government | |||||
| • Type | City Council–City Manager | ||||
| Area | |||||
| • City | 33.23 sq mi (86.08 km2) | ||||
| • Land | 33.23 sq mi (86.06 km2) | ||||
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.02 km2) 0.03% | ||||
| Elevation | −13 ft (−4 m) | ||||
| Population
(2020)
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| • City | 89,137 | ||||
| • Rank | 82nd in California | ||||
| • Density | 2,682.4/sq mi (1,035.51/km2) | ||||
| • Urban | 361,075 (US: 114th) | ||||
| • Urban density | 2,378.3/sq mi (918.3/km2) | ||||
| Time zone | UTC−8 (Pacific) | ||||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−7 (PDT) | ||||
| ZIP Codes |
92201–92203
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| Area code(s) | 442/760 | ||||
| FIPS code | 06-36448 | ||||
| GNIS feature IDs | 1652727, 2410101 | ||||
Indio is a city in Riverside County, California. Its name comes from the Spanish word for "Indian." It is located in the Coachella Valley in Southern California's Colorado Desert. Indio is about 125 miles (201 km) east of Los Angeles. It is also 23 miles (37 km) east of Palm Springs.
In 2020, about 89,137 people lived in Indio. This makes it the most populated city in the Coachella Valley. It used to be called the "Hub of the Valley." Now, it is known as the "City of Festivals." This is because many fun events happen there. The most famous is the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.
Contents
History of Indio
Indio is on the traditional lands of the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians. Their main area is nearby in Thermal, California.
How the Railroad Shaped Indio
In 1873, railroad tracks started being built east from Los Angeles. By 1876, the trains reached Indio. Back then, it was called Indian Wells. The Southern Pacific Railroad needed a stop between Yuma, Arizona and Los Angeles. Train engines needed to refill with water. Since other places were called Indian Wells, the name Indio was chosen. It is a Spanish word meaning "Indian."
After the railroad arrived, Indio began to grow. The first building was the Southern Pacific Depot. It was a station and a hotel. This depot was the center of social life. It had a nice dining room and hosted dances.
From Railroad to Farming Town
Indio started as a railroad town. But soon, it became a big farming area. Crops like onions, cotton, grapes, and dates grew well. Farmers found ways to get water, first from wells. Later, they used water from the All-American Canal. However, water also caused problems. Indio flooded many times until storm canals were built.
Early residents helped shape the city. Dr. June Robertson McCarroll was a doctor and helped the community. She worked to get white lines painted on streets. This made roads safer for everyone.
Growth and Festivals in the 20th Century
By the early 1900s, Indio kept growing. Schools and a hospital were built. By 1920, about 1,000 to 2,000 people lived there year-round. More people came in winter, up to 5,000. Indio was seen as a healthy place to visit.
The USDA had a Date Station in Indio. Scientists studied dates there. This helped farmers grow dates better. The Coachella Valley became a leader in date farming. This also led to the Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival. The fair has a Middle Eastern theme.
Indio became an official city in 1930. During World War II, soldiers from nearby training grounds visited Indio. This also helped the city grow. In recent years, Indio has grown very fast. Many new people have moved there.
Geography of Indio
Indio covers about 33.23 square miles (86.08 km²). Most of it is land. The city hall is actually 13 feet (4 meters) below sea level. This is because the eastern part of the Coachella Valley is very low. The Salton Sea is about 15 miles (24 km) south of Indio. Its shore is also below sea level.
About 3 miles (5 km) north and east of Indio is the San Andreas Fault. This is a major crack in the Earth's crust.
The main phone area code is 760, but 442 is also used. The city's ZIP codes are 92201 and 92203.
Climate in Indio
Indio has a hot desert climate. High mountains around it make it warm all year. Winters are warm, with daytime temperatures often between 68°F and 86°F (20°C and 30°C). Summers are very hot. Highs often go above 108°F (42°C). Sometimes they can reach over 120°F (49°C). Summer nights can stay warm, above 82°F (28°C).
It doesn't rain much in Indio, less than 4 inches (100 mm) a year. The city gets sunshine for over 348 days a year. The hottest temperature ever recorded was 125°F (52°C) on July 6, 1905.
| Climate data for Indio, California, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1894–present | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 97 (36) |
100 (38) |
104 (40) |
110 (43) |
121 (49) |
123 (51) |
125 (52) |
121 (49) |
122 (50) |
115 (46) |
101 (38) |
96 (36) |
125 (52) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 82.2 (27.9) |
86.0 (30.0) |
93.1 (33.9) |
101.1 (38.4) |
105.7 (40.9) |
112.9 (44.9) |
115.5 (46.4) |
115.1 (46.2) |
111.7 (44.3) |
103.0 (39.4) |
91.7 (33.2) |
80.5 (26.9) |
117.4 (47.4) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 70.3 (21.3) |
73.3 (22.9) |
79.9 (26.6) |
85.8 (29.9) |
93.1 (33.9) |
101.7 (38.7) |
105.8 (41.0) |
105.2 (40.7) |
100.8 (38.2) |
90.5 (32.5) |
78.0 (25.6) |
68.8 (20.4) |
87.8 (31.0) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 58.6 (14.8) |
62.2 (16.8) |
68.5 (20.3) |
74.5 (23.6) |
81.2 (27.3) |
89.2 (31.8) |
94.1 (34.5) |
93.8 (34.3) |
88.7 (31.5) |
78.1 (25.6) |
65.5 (18.6) |
57.0 (13.9) |
76.0 (24.4) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 46.8 (8.2) |
51.0 (10.6) |
57.2 (14.0) |
63.1 (17.3) |
69.3 (20.7) |
76.6 (24.8) |
82.5 (28.1) |
82.5 (28.1) |
76.5 (24.7) |
65.8 (18.8) |
53.0 (11.7) |
45.3 (7.4) |
64.1 (17.8) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | 36.1 (2.3) |
39.3 (4.1) |
44.3 (6.8) |
52.0 (11.1) |
58.3 (14.6) |
64.4 (18.0) |
72.9 (22.7) |
73.0 (22.8) |
65.6 (18.7) |
53.7 (12.1) |
41.1 (5.1) |
34.7 (1.5) |
33.6 (0.9) |
| Record low °F (°C) | 13 (−11) |
20 (−7) |
25 (−4) |
33 (1) |
38 (3) |
45 (7) |
59 (15) |
56 (13) |
46 (8) |
31 (−1) |
23 (−5) |
17 (−8) |
13 (−11) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 0.65 (17) |
0.59 (15) |
0.32 (8.1) |
0.07 (1.8) |
0.02 (0.51) |
0.00 (0.00) |
0.05 (1.3) |
0.26 (6.6) |
0.13 (3.3) |
0.15 (3.8) |
0.19 (4.8) |
0.49 (12) |
2.92 (74) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 2.5 | 1.8 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 2.0 | 10.5 |
| Source: NOAA | |||||||||||||
Nature and Wildlife in Indio
Indio is part of the Colorado Desert. This desert is a section of the larger Sonoran Desert. Indio is also near the historic Lake Cahuilla. This lake was once part of the Lower Colorado River Valley.
Indio is an official National Bird Sanctuary. Many birds fly through the town during their yearly migration. They are on their way to the Salton Sea.
People and Population in Indio
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1940 | 2,296 | — | |
| 1950 | 5,300 | 130.8% | |
| 1960 | 9,745 | 83.9% | |
| 1970 | 14,459 | 48.4% | |
| 1980 | 21,611 | 49.5% | |
| 1990 | 36,793 | 70.3% | |
| 2000 | 49,116 | 33.5% | |
| 2010 | 76,036 | 54.8% | |
| 2020 | 89,137 | 17.2% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 90,416 | 18.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Who Lives in Indio?
The 2020 Census showed that 89,137 people lived in Indio. There were 34,458 households. The city has about 2,682 people per square mile.
Many different groups of people live in Indio. About 48.5% of residents were White. About 3.3% were African American. About 1.9% were Asian. People of Hispanic or Latino origin made up about 66.6% of the population.
Indio's Growing Population
Since the 1980s, Indio has grown a lot. Thousands of new people move there every year. In 2018, Indio was one of the fastest-growing cities in America. It was the 8th fastest-growing city in California.
The 2010 Census counted about 76,000 residents. This number did not include people who only live there part of the year. By 2019, the population was estimated to be over 89,400.
Economy of Indio
Indio's economy relies on two main things. These are farming and tourism. Tourism is mostly seasonal, from October to May.
Farming and Dates
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You can visit Shields Date Gardens in Indio. It is a date farm with a big store. There are also citrus groves and vegetable fields around the city. However, new homes and golf courses are being built. This means less land is used for farming.
Jobs and Work in Indio
Indio offers many job opportunities. People come from all over for work. Jobs are available in farming, building, hotels, and stores.
Building and government jobs are very important in Indio. Many people work in these areas. The city also has county offices. Over a thousand county employees work there.
Indio is also a center for law. The California Superior Court has a building there. There are also many law firms. The California Desert Trial Academy is the only law school in Riverside County.
The average salary in Indio has been increasing. The city is planning to add more jobs and businesses. New hotels and stores are being built. This will create more work for people.
Top Employers in Indio
Here are some of the biggest employers in Indio:
| # | Employer | # of Employees |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Desert Sands Unified School District | 2,455 |
| 2 | County of Riverside | 1,135 |
| 3 | Fantasy Springs Resort Casino | 1,083 |
| 4 | John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital | 690 |
| 5 | Walmart Supercenter | 356 |
| 6 | City of Indio | 248 |
| 7 | Ralphs | 169 |
| 8 | Riverside County Superior Court | 166 |
| 9 | Indio Nursing and Rehabilitation Center | 161 |
| 10 | Cardenas Markets | 151 |
Casinos in Indio
Indio has two casinos owned by Native American tribes. They are the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino and the Spotlight 29 Casino. Fantasy Springs is owned by the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians. Spotlight 29 is owned by the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians.
Arts and Culture in Indio
Indio is known as "The City of Festivals." Many special events happen there every year. The Riverside County Fairgrounds hosts concerts, monster truck rallies, and rodeos.
Popular Annual Events
Two big festivals are the Indio International Tamale Festival and the Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival. The Date Festival happens every February. It celebrates the date fruit grown in the Coachella Valley. The Tamale Festival is in December. It once held a Guinness World Record for the largest tamale festival.
The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival started in 1999. It brings famous music artists to the desert every year. Some past performers include AC/DC, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Lady Gaga, and Beyoncé. Coachella is a huge event that attracts many concertgoers.
In 2007, the Stagecoach country music festival began. It happens the weekend after Coachella. Famous country stars like Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood have performed there.
In 2016, a special concert called Desert Trip took place. It featured legendary bands like The Rolling Stones and The Who. It was held at the same place as Coachella. Desert Trip became the highest-earning music festival ever.
Other annual events in Indio include:
- The Southwest Arts Festival
- The Cabazon Indian National Pow wow
- The Heritage/Living History Festival
- The California BBQ State Championship & Festival
Places to Visit in Indio
The Coachella Valley History Museum is a great place to learn. It has old buildings, gardens, and a Date Museum. This museum is the only one in the world dedicated to dates.
The Indio Performing Arts Center (IPAC) is in downtown Indio. It hosts concerts, plays, and other shows. It has three theaters and a main hall.
The Coachella Valley Art Center offers workshops and shows art. It has galleries, classrooms, and artist studios.
From January to March, you can watch polo games. The Eldorado Polo Club and the Empire Polo Club host these events. They are fun for families.
Golfing is very popular in Indio. The Coachella Valley has many golf courses. Indio owns the only golf course in the valley that is lit up at night. It's called the Lights at Indio Golf Course.
Casinos are also a big attraction. Fantasy Springs Resort Casino has a hotel, bowling, and a golf course. It also has a center for concerts. Artists like The Beach Boys and John Legend have performed there.
Old Town Historic Murals
In 1996, Indio started a Historic Mural Project. Murals are large paintings on buildings. These murals tell stories about the city's history. They help make Old Town Indio a fun place to visit. Indio now has ten murals.
Education in Indio
Indio has two public school districts. They are Desert Sands Unified and Coachella Valley Unified.
Public Schools
Indio's elementary and middle schools are highly rated. The school districts are growing. They plan to build new schools and update older ones.
Some schools in or near Indio are:
- Elementary Schools: Carrillo Ranch, Dr. Reynaldo J. Carreon Jr. Academy, Amelia Earhart, John Adams, Richard Oliphant, Herbert Hoover, Andrew Jackson, Lyndon B. Johnson, John F. Kennedy, James Madison, James Monroe, Theodore Roosevelt, Martin Van Buren, and Horizon Elementary.
- Middle Schools: Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle School, La Quinta Middle, Desert Ridge Academy, Thomas Jefferson, Indio Middle School, John Glenn Middle School, and Horizon Middle.
- High Schools: Indio High, La Quinta High, Shadow Hills, Amistad High, and Horizon High.
Higher Education
College of the Desert is a two-year college. It serves the Coachella Valley. It has a campus in downtown Indio. The college is expanding its Indio campus. It is also adding another campus in Mecca.
The California Desert Trial Academy College of Law is in Indio. It is a law school that is growing.
Media in Indio
Indio has several ways to get news.
Newspapers and Online News
The Desert Sun is a daily newspaper. It covers news for the Coachella Valley. It is the largest newspaper in the desert.
Other newspapers like El Informador del Valle and La Prensa Hispana serve the Latino community. They are printed in Spanish or are bilingual (English and Spanish).
Many online news sources cover Indio. These include Coachella Valley Weekly and Cactus Hugs.
Television and Radio
Indio has local TV stations. Some are in Spanish. You can also get Los Angeles TV stations on cable.
Four radio stations are licensed to Indio. These include KESQ 1400 AM (Spanish) and KKUU 92.7 FM (Hip-hop/R&B).
Transportation in Indio
Indio has several ways to get around.
Airports
Bermuda Dunes Airport is near Indio. It is for small private planes. The Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport is also nearby. It is used for cargo planes. The closest airport with regular passenger flights is Palm Springs International Airport. It is about 20 miles (32 km) away.
Buses and Trains
Greyhound buses and Amtrak Thruway buses stop at Indio station. They go to places in Southern California and Arizona. The local bus system is called SunLine Transit Agency ("SunBus"). It serves the Coachella Valley.
There are plans for a passenger train service from Indio to Los Angeles.
Highways
Interstate 10 is the main highway. It runs along the north side of the city. Highway 111 also goes through Indio.
Parks and Recreation in Indio
The city of Indio has many public parks. It also has a golf course, a community center, and a senior center.
Here are some of Indio's parks:
- Burr Park
- Cahuilla Park
- Davis Field (for baseball/softball)
- Dominguez Park
- Doug York Plaza
- Dr.Carreon Park (with a water tower mural)
- George S. Patton Park
- Hjorth Park
- Indio Community Center
- Miles Avenue Park
- Mulligan Dog Park
- North Jackson Park
- Shields Park
- South Jackson Park
- South Jackson Soccer Park
- Station 87 Dog Park
- The Lights at Indio Golf Course
- Yucca Park
Notable People from Indio
Many interesting people have connections to Indio:
- Timothy Bradley Jr. – a professional boxer
- Abi Carter - winner of American Idol season 22
- Jacqueline Cochran – a famous female pilot
- Cameron Crowe – a writer and director
- Merv Griffin – a TV personality and producer
- Jenna Ortega – an actress
- June Hill Robertson McCarroll – a doctor who helped invent painted lines on highways
- Bill Snyder – a former college football coach
Sister Cities
Indio has programs with other cities to share ideas and culture. These include San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora, Mexico. It also has ties with Lynwood, California; Farmington, Minnesota; and American Fork, Utah.
Images for kids
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Flag of Indio, California
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Seal of Indio, California
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Logo of Indio, California
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Location of Indio in Riverside County, California
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Aerial shot of the Coachella Valley
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Entrance sign of the Shields Date Garden in Indio
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Entrance to Spotlight 29 Casino
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The festival grounds of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in 2014
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The Rolling Stones performing at Desert Trip on October 7, 2016
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Welcome sign at Indio, California
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One of the many golf courses in Indio, California
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Intersection in downtown Indio at Miles Avenue and Oasis Street
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The "International Fountain of Knowledge" on the campus of College of the Desert in Palm Desert, California
See also
In Spanish: Indio (California) para niños
