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Indian Wells, California

Coordinates: 33°43′07″N 116°18′30″W / 33.71861°N 116.30833°W / 33.71861; -116.30833
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For the community in Kern County, see Indian Wells, Kern County, California. For the former town in Imperial County, see Indian Wells, Imperial County, California.

Indian Wells
City
City limit as seen from Palm Desert, California
City limit as seen from Palm Desert, California
Nickname: 
I.W.
Location of Indian Wells in Riverside County, California
Location of Indian Wells in Riverside County, California
Indian Wells is located in the United States
Indian Wells
Indian Wells
Location in the United States
Coordinates: 33°43′07″N 116°18′30″W / 33.71861°N 116.30833°W / 33.71861; -116.30833[1]
CountryUnited States
State California
CountyRiverside
IncorporatedJuly 14, 1967[2]
Government
 • TypeCouncil–manager
 • MayorGreg Sanders
 • Mayor Pro TemBruce Whitman
 • City Council
  • Ty Peabody
  • Dana Reed
  • Donna Griffith
Area
[3]
 • Total14.58 sq mi (37.77 km2)
 • Land14.32 sq mi (37.09 km2)
 • Water0.26 sq mi (0.68 km2)  1.85%
Elevation
[1]
89 ft (27 m)
Population
 (2020)[4]
 • Total4,757
 • Density332.2/sq mi (128.25/km2)
Time zoneUTC−8 (Pacific)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−7 (PDT)
ZIP Code
92210
Area codes442/760
FIPS code06-36434
GNIS feature IDs1660797, 2410100
Websitecityofindianwells.org

Indian Wells is a city in Riverside County, California, United States, in the Coachella Valley. Incorporated in 1967, it lies in between the cities of Palm Desert and La Quinta. As of the 2020 census, the city population was 4,757.

Indian Wells Tennis Garden in 2014

The city hosts the sixth-largest tennis tournament in the world, the Indian Wells Masters tennis tournament, presently known as the BNP Paribas Open. The Indian Wells Masters is one of nine ATP World Tour Masters 1000 high-level events operated by the Association of Tennis Professionals, and one of the four WTA Premier Mandatory tournaments of the Women's Tennis Association. It is held at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, which contains the second-largest tennis-specific stadium in the world.

History

[edit]

The city derived its name from a historic Cahuilla Native American water reservoir, which served as a crucial water supply for nearby tribes.[5]

As early as 1820, the area now known as Indian Wells was the site of a thriving Indian village, as reported by W.P. Blade, a Smithsonian Institution geologist. A decade later, when gold was discovered on the Colorado River, William D. Bradshaw built a trail from Los Angeles through the desert to the gold mines. The Alexander and Company Stage Line used the trail to transport prospectors and Indian Wells became an important stop along the trail. Competition from the Southern Pacific Railroad caused the route to be abandoned briefly in 1875 before being reactivated by the Wells Fargo company the following year.[6]

Over the next decades, settlers gradually arrived in the area and date palm ranches became profitable. The area's first golf courses were opened in the 1950s at the Eldorado Country Club and the Indian Wells Country Club. In 1957, Desi Arnaz opened his Indian Wells Hotel (forerunner to the Indian Wells Resort Hotel). In 1960, Arnold Palmer won the first Bob Hope Desert Classic golf tournament. President Dwight D. Eisenhower was a regular Indian Wells visitor and later an Eldorado homeowner.[7]

In an election held June 27, 1967, to avoid being annexed by neighboring cities such as Palm Desert, the inhabitants of Indian Wells voted to incorporate as a city. On July 14, 1967, Indian Wells became California's 400th city and the 16th in Riverside County. Since then, Indian Wells has continued to grow, with the development of resort hotels, golf courses and luxury residential areas.[8]

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1970760—
19801,39483.4%
19902,64789.9%
20003,81644.2%
20104,95829.9%
20204,757−4.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]

2010

[edit]

The 2010 United States Census[10] reported that Indian Wells had a population of 4,958. The population density was 339.8 inhabitants per square mile (131.2/km2). The racial makeup of Indian Wells was 4,721 (95.2%) White (92.3% Non-Hispanic White),[11] 29 (0.6%) African American, 20 (0.4%) Native American, 83 (1.7%) Asian, 2 (0.0%) Pacific Islander, 52 (1.0%) from other races, and 51 (1.0%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 209 persons (4.2%).

The Census reported that 4,952 people (99.9% of the population) lived in households, 6 (0.1%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.

There were 2,745 households, out of which 193 (7.0%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 1,519 (55.3%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 85 (3.1%) had a female householder with no husband present, 46 (1.7%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 85 (3.1%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 36 (1.3%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 944 households (34.4%) were made up of individuals, and 690 (25.1%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.80. There were 1,650 families (60.1% of all households); the average family size was 2.22.

The age distribution was: 310 people (6.3%) under the age of 18, 76 people (1.5%) aged 18 to 24, 283 people (5.7%) aged 25 to 44, 1,558 people (31.4%) aged 45 to 64, and 2,731 people (55.1%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 66.7 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.2 males.

There were 5,137 housing units at an average density of 352.1 per square mile (135.9/km2), of which 2,285 (83.2%) were owner-occupied, and 460 (16.8%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 5.1%; the rental vacancy rate was 15.4%. 4,251 people (85.7% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 701 people (14.1%) lived in rental housing units.

During 2009–2013, Indian Wells had a median household income of $83,884, with 5.2% of the population living below the federal poverty line.[12]

2000

[edit]

As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 3,816 people, 1,982 households, and 1,323 families residing in the city. The population density was 288.5 inhabitants per square mile (111.4/km2). There were 3,843 housing units at an average density of 290.5 per square mile (112.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.3% White, 1.5% Asian, 0.4% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.5% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. 3.0% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,982 households, out of which 8.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.1% were married couples living together, 3.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.2% were non-families. 28.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.9 and the average family size was 2.3.

The age distribution is 7.6% under the age of 18, 1.5% from 18 to 24, 9.4% from 25 to 44, 35.3% from 45 to 64, and 46.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 63 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $93,986, and the median income for a family was $119,110. Males had a median income of $88,709 versus $49,539 for females. The per capita income for the city was $76,187. About 1.2% of families and 3.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 2.6% of those age 65 or over.

Geography

[edit]

Indian Wells is located at 33°42′57″N 116°20′28″W / 33.71583°N 116.34111°W / 33.71583; -116.34111 (33.715755, −116.341109).[14]

Hiking trails in the undeveloped area of Indian Wells

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 14.6 square miles (38 km2), of which 14.3 square miles (37 km2) is land and 0.3 square miles (0.78 km2), comprising 1.85%, is water.

Climate

[edit]

This climate is dominated in all months by the subtropical anticyclone, or subtropical high, with its descending air, elevated inversions, and clear skies. Such an atmospheric environment inhibits precipitation.[15]

Climate data for Palm Springs, CA (1991–2020 normals)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 95
(35) 		99
(37) 		104
(40) 		112
(44) 		116
(47) 		121
(49) 		123
(51) 		123
(51) 		121
(49) 		116
(47) 		102
(39) 		93
(34) 		123
(51)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 70.5
(21.4) 		73.7
(23.2) 		80.6
(27.0) 		86.7
(30.4) 		94.7
(34.8) 		103.6
(39.8) 		108.6
(42.6) 		108.1
(42.3) 		101.8
(38.8) 		91.1
(32.8) 		78.7
(25.9) 		69.2
(20.7) 		88.9
(31.6)
Daily mean °F (°C) 59.0
(15.0) 		61.7
(16.5) 		67.5
(19.7) 		72.9
(22.7) 		80.3
(26.8) 		88.2
(31.2) 		94.0
(34.4) 		94.0
(34.4) 		88.1
(31.2) 		77.8
(25.4) 		66.0
(18.9) 		57.7
(14.3) 		75.6
(24.2)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 47.6
(8.7) 		49.7
(9.8) 		54.4
(12.4) 		59.1
(15.1) 		65.9
(18.8) 		72.7
(22.6) 		79.4
(26.3) 		79.8
(26.6) 		74.4
(23.6) 		64.5
(18.1) 		53.4
(11.9) 		46.2
(7.9) 		62.3
(16.8)
Record low °F (°C) 19
(−7) 		24
(−4) 		29
(−2) 		34
(1) 		36
(2) 		44
(7) 		54
(12) 		52
(11) 		46
(8) 		30
(−1) 		23
(−5) 		23
(−5) 		19
(−7)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 1.16
(29) 		1.16
(29) 		0.49
(12) 		0.05
(1.3) 		0.02
(0.51) 		0.02
(0.51) 		0.14
(3.6) 		0.29
(7.4) 		0.22
(5.6) 		0.20
(5.1) 		0.38
(9.7) 		0.70
(18) 		4.83
(123)
Average precipitation days 3.8 3.5 2.4 0.7 0.4 0.2 0.7 1.1 1.0 0.8 1.0 2.6 18.2
Source: NOAA[16]

Politics

[edit]

Indian Wells is a largely Republican city. Since its incorporation in 1967, all Republican candidates for president and governor have carried Indian Wells, with the six Republican presidential candidates from 1968 to 1988, and the seven Republican gubernatorial candidates from 1970 to 1994 each carrying the city by a margin of at least 53 points.

Even as both the state of California and Riverside County trended more Democratic from the 1990s onward, the Republican presidential and gubernatorial candidates have continued to carry Indian Wells by large, albeit smaller margins.

The GOP also retains a very strong voter registration advantage in the city. As of August 30, 2021, there are 3,343 registered voters in the city of Indian Wells. Of these voters, 1,720 (51.45%) are registered Republicans, 868 (25.96%) are registered Democrats, and 557 (16.66%) are not registered with a political party. Indian Wells is one of three incorporated cities in Riverside County where the Republican party retains an outright majority of registered voters as of August 30, 2021, the other two being Canyon Lake and Norco.[17]

Indian Wells city vote
by party in presidential elections
Year Democratic Republican Third Parties
2020[18] 38.96% 1,150 59.65% 1,761 1.39% 41
2016[19] 31.22% 773 65.59% 1,624 3.19% 79
2012[20] 25.80% 674 73.24% 1,913 0.96% 25
2008[21] 31.65% 851 67.09% 1,804 1.26% 34
2004[22] 26.27% 686 73.11% 1,909 0.61% 16
2000[23] 23.61% 547 74.97% 1,737 1.42% 33
1996[24] 20.91% 403 73.22% 1,411 5.86% 113
1992[25] 16.56% 299 60.63% 1,095 22.81% 412
1988[26] 15.64% 239 83.51% 1,276 0.85% 13
1984[27] 11.28% 137 88.23% 1,072 0.49% 6
1980[28] 15.32% 138 78.47% 707 6.22% 56
1976[29] 14.11% 81 85.54% 491 0.35% 2
1972[30] 11.26% 42 87.67% 327 1.07% 4
1968[31] 14.38% 42 81.16% 237 4.45% 13
Indian Wells city vote
by party in gubernatorial elections
Year Democratic Republican Third Parties
2022[32] 37.42% 912 62.58% 1,589
2018[33] 32.02% 763 67.98% 1,620
2014[34] 33.88% 661 66.12% 1,290
2010[35] 23.89% 567 74.34% 1,764 1.77% 42
2006[36] 13.31% 293 85.69% 1,886 1.00% 22
2002[37] 20.86% 387 76.66% 1,422 2.48% 46
1998[38] 28.50% 509 70.60% 1,261 0.90% 16
1994[39] 14.69% 268 84.48% 1,541 0.82% 15
1990[40] 19.53% 284 79.30% 1,153 1.17% 17
1986[41] 11.91% 137 87.22% 1,003 0.87% 10
1982[42] 20.41% 179 79.13% 694 0.46% 4
1978[43] 21.14% 119 74.96% 422 3.91% 22
1974[44] 15.80% 70 83.52% 370 0.68% 3
1970[30] 12.80% 37 86.16% 249 1.04% 3

Representation

[edit]

In the California State Legislature, Indian Wells is in the 28th Senate District, represented by Democrat Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, and in the 42nd Assembly District, represented by Democrat Jacqui Irwin.[45]

In the United States House of Representatives, Indian Wells is in California's 41st congressional district, represented by Republican Ken Calvert.[46]

Notable residents

[edit]

† Deceased

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Indian Wells". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  2. ^ "California Cities by Incorporation Date". California Association of Local Agency Formation Commissions. Archived from the original (Word) on November 3, 2014. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
  3. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 16, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  4. ^ "Indian Wells city; California". Archived from the original on May 22, 2023. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
  5. ^ rbcushman3 (August 3, 2019). "History of Indian Wells, CA - A Brief History". Town Square Publications. Retrieved July 16, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ "Indian Wells, CA - The Early Years". Cityofindianwells.org. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved March 12, 2017.
  7. ^ "Indian Wells, CA - The 1950s & 1960s". Cityofindianwells.org. February 24, 1967. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved March 12, 2017.
  8. ^ "Indian Wells, CA - Becoming A City". Cityofindianwells.org. June 27, 1967. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved March 12, 2017.
  9. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Archived from the original on October 3, 2014. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  10. ^ "2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Indian Wells city". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  11. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 1, 2021. Retrieved August 30, 2013.
  12. ^ "Indian Wells (city) QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on March 22, 2015. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
  13. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 1, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  14. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Archived from the original on August 24, 2019. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  15. ^ "Indio, California Travel Weather Averages". Weatherbase. Retrieved March 12, 2017.
  16. ^ "NOAA's 1991–2020 Climate Normals (1991–2020)". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 2021. Archived from the original on October 9, 2021. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  17. ^ "Report of Registration as of August 30, 2021 Registration by Political Subdivision by County" (PDF). ca.gov. August 30, 2021.
  18. ^ "Supplement to Statement of Vote GENERAL ELECTION NOVEMBER 3, 2020" (PDF). ca.gov.
  19. ^ "Supplement to the Statement of Vote Political Districts within Counties for President" (PDF). ca.gov.
  20. ^ "Election data" (PDF). elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 9, 2019. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  21. ^ "Election data" (PDF). elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 12, 2019. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  22. ^ "Election data" (PDF). elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 1, 2018. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  23. ^ "Election data" (PDF). elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 4, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  24. ^ "Election data" (PDF). elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 4, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  25. ^ "Election data" (PDF). elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 4, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  26. ^ "Statement of vote : California. Secretary of State : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming". Internet Archive. 1968.
  27. ^ "Statement of vote : California. Secretary of State : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming". Internet Archive. 1968.
  28. ^ "Statement of vote : California. Secretary of State : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming". Internet Archive. 1968.
  29. ^ "Statement of vote : California. Secretary of State : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming". Internet Archive. 1968.
  30. ^ a b "Statement of vote : California. Secretary of State : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming". Internet Archive. 1968.
  31. ^ "California statement of vote : California. Secretary of State : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming". Internet Archive. 1962.
  32. ^ "Election data" (PDF). elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 7, 2022. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  33. ^ "Election data" (PDF). elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 16, 2024. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  34. ^ "Election data" (PDF). elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 31, 2019. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  35. ^ "Election data" (PDF). elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 16, 2024. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  36. ^ "Election data" (PDF). elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 1, 2018. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  37. ^ "Election data" (PDF). elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 21, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  38. ^ "Statement of vote : California. Secretary of State : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming". Internet Archive. 1968.
  39. ^ "Election data" (PDF). elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 21, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  40. ^ "Election data" (PDF). elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  41. ^ "Statement of vote : California. Secretary of State : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming". Internet Archive. 1968.
  42. ^ "Statement of vote : California. Secretary of State : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming". Internet Archive. 1968.
  43. ^ "Statement of vote : California. Secretary of State : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming". Internet Archive. 1968.
  44. ^ "Statement of vote : California. Secretary of State : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming". Internet Archive. 1968.
  45. ^ "Statewide Database". UC Regents. Archived from the original on February 1, 2015. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  46. ^ "California's 41st Congressional District - Representatives & District Map". Civic Impulse, LLC.
  47. ^ Meeks, Eric G. (2011). P.S. I Love Lucy: The Story of Lucille Ball in Palm Springs. Horatio Limburger Oglethorpe. p. 26. ISBN 978-1-4680-9854-9.
  48. ^ "James G. Boswell II dies at 86; cotton magnate built family farm into agribusiness giant". Los Angeles Times. April 7, 2009. Archived from the original on November 14, 2023. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  49. ^ "Obituary: Cargill MacMillan, 84, company heir". StarTribune. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
[edit]
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Indian Wells.
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