Bombay Beach, California

This article is about the populated place in California. For the documentary film, see Bombay Beach (film).
Bombay Beach
census-designated place

Sign for Bombay Beach

Location in Imperial County and the state of California
Bombay Beach

Location in the United States

Coordinates: 33°21′03″N 115°43′47″W / 33.35083°N 115.72972°W / 33.35083; -115.72972Coordinates: 33°21′03″N 115°43′47″W / 33.35083°N 115.72972°W / 33.35083; -115.72972[1]
Country  United States
State  California
County Imperial
Area[2]
  Total 0.941 sq mi (2.438 km2)
  Land 0.941 sq mi (2.438 km2)
  Water 0 sq mi (0 km2)  0%
Elevation[1] -223 ft (−68 m)
Population (2010)
  Total 295
  Density 310/sq mi (120/km2)
Time zone Pacific (PST) (UTC−8)
  Summer (DST) PDT (UTC−7)
ZIP code 92257
Area codes 442/760
FIPS code 06-07372
GNIS feature IDs 1667823, 2407878
[1]

Bombay Beach is a census-designated place (CDP) in Imperial County, California, United States. It is located on the Salton Sea 4 miles west-southwest of Frink[3] and is the lowest community in America, located 223 feet below sea level.[4] The population was 295 at the 2010 census, down from 366 in 2000. It is part of the El Centro, California Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Abandoned, salt-encrusted structures on the Salton Sea shore at Bombay Beach

Geography

Bombay Beach is located at 33°21′03″N 115°43′47″W / 33.35083°N 115.72972°W / 33.35083; -115.72972.[5]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 0.9 square miles (2.3 km2), all land.

Bombay Beach is located on the east shore of the Salton Sea and like many communities along its shores, has had to contend with fluctuating water levels. A berm now protects the west end of the town, but a portion of the town beyond the berm is either submerged or is half-buried in mud.[6] The town of Bombay Beach is located in Southern California's Sonoran Desert.[7]

Bombay Beach marks the southern end of the San Andreas fault.[8]

Demographics

2010

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1990929    
2000366−60.6%
2010295−19.4%
2013 Est.298+1.0%

The 2010 United States Census[9] reported that Bombay Beach had a population of 295. The population density was 313.5 people per square mile (121.0/km²). The racial makeup of Bombay Beach was 223 (76%) White, 37 (13%) African American, 8 (3%) Native American, 1 (0%) Asian, 0 (0%) Pacific Islander, 22 (8%) from other races, and 4 (1%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 59 persons (20%).

The Census reported that 295 people (100% of the population) lived in households, 0 (0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.

There were 175 households, out of which 19 (11%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 51 (29%) were married couples living together, 13 (7%) had a female householder with no husband present, 4 (2%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 7 (4%) unmarried partnerships, and 1 (1%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 97 households (55%) were made up of individuals and 51 (29%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.69. There were 68 families (39% of all households); the average family size was 2.54.

The population was spread out with 30 people (10%) under the age of 18, 16 people (5%) aged 18 to 24, 36 people (12%) aged 25 to 44, 98 people (33%) aged 45 to 64, and 115 people (39%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 58.5 years. For every 100 females there were 113.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 108.7 males.

There were 449 housing units at an average density of 477.1 per square mile (184.2/km²), of which 115 (66%) were owner-occupied, and 60 (34%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 15%; the rental vacancy rate was 16%. 198 people (67% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 97 people (33%) lived in rental housing units.

2000

As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 366 people, 178 households, and 93 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 363.8 people per square mile (139.9/km²). There were 440 housing units at an average density of 437.4 per square mile (168.2/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 71% White, 19% Black or African American, 1% Native American, 0% Asian, 4% from other races, and 5% from two or more races. 19% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 178 households out of which 18% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39% were married couples living together, 11% had a female householder with no husband present, and 47% were non-families. 40% of all households were made up of individuals and 26% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2 and the average family size was 2.8.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 18% under the age of 18, 3% from 18 to 24, 20% from 25 to 44, 26% from 45 to 64, and 33% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 53 years. For every 100 females there were 92.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.3 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $17,708, and the median income for a family was $19,511. Males had a median income of $31,250 versus $14,213 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $10,535. About 12% of families and 28% of the population were below the poverty line, including 40% of those under age 18 and 14% of those age 65 or over.

Government

In the California State Legislature, Bombay Beach is in the 40th Senate District, represented by Democrat Ben Hueso,[11] and the 56th Assembly District, represented by Democrat Eduardo Garcia.[12]

In the United States House of Representatives, Bombay Beach is in California's 51st congressional district, represented by Democrat Juan Vargas.[13]

General information

Most residents use golf carts to get around, since the nearest gas station is 20 miles (32 km) away in Niland.

The ruins of Bombay Beach attract many photographers and visitors. The town, as well as others on the shores of the Salton Sea, is one of the lowest settlements in altitude in North America. The Ski Inn is the only drinking establishment or bar in the town.[14][15][16][17][18][19]

Influence

Florian Ayala Fauna of the music duo uncertain grew up in Bombay Beach, California. Fauna credits the place as an inspiration to her music. In an interview with Buffalo, New York alternative newspaper The Public's Cory Perla, Fauna described it as "a very kind of post-apocalyptic-looking town."[20]

Media appearances

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Bombay Beach". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey.
  2. "2010 Census U.S. Gazetteer Files – Places – California". United States Census Bureau.
  3. Durham, David L. (1998). California's Geographic Names: A Gazetteer of Historic and Modern Names of the State. Clovis, Calif.: Word Dancer Press. p. 1397. ISBN 1-884995-14-4.
  4. "Wolfram Alpha: Lowest City in America". Retrieved 20 January 2015.
  5. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  6. http://www.thulescientific.com/san-andreas-fault-map.html
  7. "2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Bombay Beach CDP". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  8. "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2013-09-11. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  9. "Senators". State of California. Retrieved April 8, 2013.
  10. "Members Assembly". State of California. Retrieved April 8, 2013.
  11. "California's 51st Congressional District - Representatives & District Map". Civic Impulse, LLC. Retrieved April 8, 2013.
  12. Killian, Chris (August 8, 2013). "The Dying Sea". WMUK. Western Michigan University. Retrieved August 13, 2016.
  13. Murphy, Tim (September 21, 2010). "The Salton Sea: Not for Everyone". Mother Jones. Mother Jones and the Foundation for National Progress. Retrieved August 13, 2016.
  14. "Toxic Pollution is Souring the Salton Sea's Economy" (Web page). San Diego State University. January 3–10, 1993. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
  15. Taete, Jamie Lee Curtis (September 26, 2013). "I Went to California's Post-Apocalyptic Beach Town". Vice. Vice Media. Retrieved August 13, 2016.
  16. Walker, Tim (March 13, 2015). "Postcard from... Bombay Beach". The Independent. Independent Print Limited. Retrieved August 13, 2016.
  17. Zimmerman, Janet (December 18, 2014). "Salton Sea struggles to survive". The Press-Enterprise. Digital First Media. Retrieved August 13, 2016.
  18. Perla, Cory (August 17, 2016). "Spotlight: Uncertain". The Public. Buffalo Public Media, LLC. Retrieved August 17, 2016.
  19. Holden, Stephen (October 13, 2011). "Last Resort Remains an Oasis of Dreams". The New York Times. Retrieved January 27, 2012.
  20. "Awards for Bombay Beach". IMDb.com. January 11, 2012. Retrieved January 27, 2012.
  21. Alvarez, Celeste (January 29, 2013). "Local beach creates perfect atmosphere for 'River Monster' promo". Imperial Valley Press. Retrieved April 3, 2013.
  22. ""Millionen Lichter" - Das Video ist da". Archived from the original on March 21, 2013. Retrieved September 15, 2013.
  23. 1 2 Adami, Chelcey (July 27, 2013). "'The Mentalist' arrives in Bombay Beach". ivpressonline. Imperial Valley Press. Retrieved August 13, 2016.
  24. "Sky (2015) - Filming Locations". IMDb. amazon.com. Retrieved 22 August 2016.

External links

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Bombay Beach.
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