DATA

Powerhouse 9.5.16 serves communities throughout Orange County and across the Coachella Valley, a dynamic region within Riverside County, home to hundreds of thousands of residents, families, and young people. The following data points illustrate both the opportunities and needs that shape our work.

Youth Development & Enrichment

Youth Population

Riverside County is home to over 572,000 children under the age of 18, reflecting the scale of opportunity to invest in youth leadership, enrichment, and life-skills development across communities such as the Coachella Valley. (Source 1)

Students in valley districts

The three primary school districts serving the Coachella Valley collectively educate more than 60,000 students annually, highlighting the importance of enrichment initiatives that support personal development, academic growth, and career exploration. (Sources 2, 3, 4)

Children living in poverty

Approximately one in six children in Riverside County lives below the poverty line, reinforcing the importance of programs that cultivate confidence, leadership, and pathways to opportunity and long-term success. (Source 5)

youth disconnection

Across Riverside County, roughly 11% of youth ages 16–24 are not enrolled in school and are not working, underscoring the need for mentorship, life-skills training, and youth leadership development initiatives. (Source 6)

family stability &
workforce readiness

WORKFORCE IN
THE VALLEY

The Coachella Valley supports a strong, active labor force across its core cities, with workforce participation rates generally between 60–70%, reflecting a community where many residents contribute to the local economy. Programs that strengthen workforce readiness, professional presentation, and career preparation help residents fully participate in the Valley’s growing employment opportunities. (Source 7)

economy in
the valley

Major industries, including tourism and hospitality, agriculture, healthcare, construction, retail, and service sectors, support the Valley’s economy. Together, these industries provide thousands of jobs across the region and continue to drive economic growth. Community initiatives that support workforce readiness, career exposure, and professional development help residents access opportunities within these industries. (Source 8)

language diversity

Approximately 42% of Riverside County residents speak a language other than English at home, reinforcing the need for accessible education, communication training, and workforce readiness programs that support diverse communities. (Source 9)

Housing & Homeownership Pathways

POPULATION growth

The Coachella Valley continues to experience steady population growth. Between 2010 and 2020, Riverside County grew by approximately 9.7%, reaching more than 2.4 million residents, with significant expansion occurring in eastern Coachella Valley communities such as Indio and Coachella, where available land has supported new housing development. As the Valley continues to grow, demand for housing, homeownership education, and accessible mortgage opportunities is increasing across the region. (Sources 10, 11, 12)

housing cost burden

More than 40% of households in the region spend over 30%
of their income on housing, emphasizing the importance of financial education, credit readiness, and homebuyer preparation programs. (Source 13)

Rising home values

Median home prices in many Coachella Valley communities now exceed $500,000, underscoring the need for homebuyer education, responsible lending, credit, and mortgage-readiness programs to help families secure sustainable homeownership. Riverside County continues to grow rapidly, with expanding industries and population growth, creating opportunities to invest in youth leadership development, workforce readiness, and housing stability initiatives. (Source 14)

Every California citizen deserves to realize their idea of the American dream, in their youth, for their family, and as a future homeowner.

Data Sources
Youth Development & Empowerment
#1: Youth Population: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, Riverside County, California - https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/riversidecountycalifornia/PST045222
#2: Students in Valley Districts: DataQuest California Department of Education - Coachella Valley USD -https://dq.cde.ca.gov/dataquest/dqcensus/EnrEthGrd.aspx?agglevel=district&cds=3367036
#3: Students in Valley Districts: DataQuest California Department of Education - Desert Sands USD - https://dq.cde.ca.gov/dataquest/dqcensus/EnrEthGrd.aspx?agglevel=district&cds=3367085
#4: Students in Valley Districts: DataQuest California Department of Education - Palm Springs USD - https://dq.cde.ca.gov/dataquest/dqcensus/EnrEthGrd.aspx?agglevel=district&cds=3367173
#5: Children Living in Poverty: Annie E. Casey Foundation Kids Count Data Center - https://datacenter.aecf.org/data/tables/43-children-in-poverty?loc=6&loct=2#detailed/2/6/false/1096,2545,1095,2048,1729,37,871,870,573,869/any/321,322
#6: Youth Disconnection: Measure of America Youth Disconnection Index - https://measureofamerica.org/our-work/topic-youth-disconnection/
Family Stability & Workforce Readiness
#7: Workforce in the Valley: United States Census Bureau - American Community Survey - https://data.census.gov/table?q=Coachella+Valley+CCD,+Riverside+County,+California
#8: Diverse Economy in the Valley: Riverside County Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy - https://rivcoed.org/sites/g/files/aldnop126/files/2025-01/COUNTY%20OF%20RIVERSIDE%20COMPREHENSIVE%20ECONOMIC%20DEVELOPMENT%20STRATEGY%202025%20Final1.pdf
#9: Language Diversity: United States Census Bureau, Riverside County, California, S1601 | Language Spoken at Home -https://data.census.gov/table?q=language%20spoken%20at%20home%20riverside%20county%20california
Housing & Homeownership Pathways
#10: Population Growth in the Valley: United States Census Bureau - Riverside County Population Change - https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/riversidecountycalifornia/PST04522
#11: Population Growth in the Valley: SCAG Regional Demographics (Southern California Association of Governments)
#12: Population Growth in the Valley:
#13: Housing Cost Burden: United States Census Bureau, Riverside County, California - https://data.census.gov/table?q=housing%20cost%20burden%20riverside%20county%20california
#14: Median Home Values: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, Riverside County, California - https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/riversidecountycalifornia/HSG495221