Salton Sea, saline lake, 370 sq mi (958 sq km), northern part of the Imperial Valley, SE Calif.; 232 ft (71 m) below sea level. Salton Sea was formed as the Colorado River delta grew across the Gulf of California, severing the river's northern part. The area was a salt-covered depression known as Salton Sink until 1905, when a flood on the Colorado broke through an irrigation gap in its levee; the river flowed into the sink for two years before being checked. The water level rose due to runoff from surrounding mountains and irrigation systems, but in recent years the sea's size has decreased, its salinity increased, and fertilizer and pesticide pollution grown, harming both fish and bird life as well as the once-thriving tourist trade. A state park and a national wildlife refuge are on its shores; the sea is an important stopping point on the Pacific flyway.

Salton Sea Beach is a census-designated place (CDP) in Imperial County, California, United States. The population was 392 at the 2000 census. It is part of the 'El Centro, California Metropolitan Statistical Area'.

Geography

The Salton Sea is a body of water with extremely high salt content. Salt flats surround the sea which can easily be broken using ones hand.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 392 people, 200 households, and 111 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,258.9 people per square mile (488.2/km²). There were 384 housing units at an average density of 1,233.2/sq mi (478.3/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 73.21% White, 2.04% African American, 3.32% Native American, 0.51% Asian, 17.86% from other races, and 3.06% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 22.45% of the population.

There were 200 households out of which 14.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.0% were married couples living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.5% were non-families. 41.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 28.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.96 and the average family size was 2.59.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 16.8% under the age of 18, 4.3% from 18 to 24, 14.5% from 25 to 44, 24.2% from 45 to 64, and 40.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 60 years. For every 100 females there were 94.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.9 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $13,664, and the median income for a family was $14,457. Males had a median income of $33,750 versus $17,031 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $17,252. About 31.2% of families and 33.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 58.3% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

In the state legislature Salton Sea Beach is located in the 40th Senate District, represented by Democrat Denise Moreno Ducheny, and in the 80th Assembly District, represented by Republican Bonnie Garcia. Federally, Salton Sea Beach is located in California's 51st congressional district, which has a Cook PVI of D +7 and is represented by Democrat Bob Filner.

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