Agriculturally based and heavily impacted by tourism, Blythe is located on the California-Arizona border along the Colorado River. Blythe is comprised of a population of 21,500 and a stable trade area population (within 50 miles) of about 30,300 which more than triples during the winter months with the arrival of visitors seeking long relief from their cold climate home states during that season. The elevation of Blythe is 265 feet above sea level.

Although California seems synonymous with earthquakes, Blythe is one of the more seismically stable cities in the Western States. There has not been an earthquake centered here in over 500,000 years.

1. Geographic Accessibility - One of California's busiest entrance points (it services more then four million interstate travelers a year), Blythe is located at the junction of Interstate 10 and US 95 and is easily accessible to major resorts and cities: Yuma-Arizona (85 miles), Palm Springs (120 Miles), Laughlin and Las Vegas (125 & 200 miles respectively), Phoenix-Arizona (150 miles), Los Angeles (200 miles), and San Diego (240 miles).  Blythe is within a 4-hour driving distance of 10% of the entire population of the United States. The Arizona & California Railroad provides regular rail service and the City of Blythe operates an airport here with the capability of handling modern jet aircraft.

2. Airport - The Blythe Municipal Airport is seven miles west of town. It has four runways varying in length from 5800 feet to 6600 feet long and can accommodate up to 300,000 pounds. There is a full service Fixed Base Operator on the field providing pilot supplies, maintenance, plane rental, instruction, and fuel seven days a week from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm. There is night service upon request.

3. Climate (Warm) - Sunshine 360 days a year. Average winter high temperatures range from 55 to 75 degrees, with average summer temperatures ranging from 85 to 110. Average rainfall is 3.96 inches. Air pollution has yet to find its way to Blythe, and fifty-mile visibility is common. On some days, the peak of Mt. San Jacinto, towering over Palm Springs, can be seen 130 miles to the West.

4. Education - Three elementary schools, one middle school, one high school, and one continuation school make up the Palo Verde Unified School District. Palo Verde Community College is a two-year institute. Additionally, there are two private schools available in Blythe.

5. Housing - Housing is affordable with the average new home transactions in Blythe usually in the high eighties or mid-nineties, compared with the average new home transactions in Riverside County approaching 130,000. Dwelling rentals range from $300 to $550 per month for one or two-bedroom apartments. Two-and three-bedroom houses run $450 to $800 per month. There are 23 motels and more than 20 mobile home and trailer parks in the area. The State of California constructed two correctional facilities which have created many jobs and brought more people to Blythe. To satisfy the needs of these new residents, developers are constructing more apartments, single family dwellings, and several mobile home parks.

6. Labor - Historically, the valley has been tied to agriculture. However, the community college has expanded its curriculum in response to the need for skilled employees and in response to the growing population.

7. Utilities- Blythe has high priority water rights on the Colorado River. Therefore, it never has a water shortage. Major Services available to the Blythe community include:

1. Available Land - There is a forty-acre industrial park being developed within the Blythe city limits. Many larger parcels are available. Some are within the city, others are in adjacent county areas near the airport, railroad, and highways. Prices for land range from $8,000 per acre within the city limits to $3000 near town or in the Colorado River area. Large parcels of 160 acres or more near the airport or interstate highways are available for about $1,000 dollars an acre.

Community Economic Profile For Blythe California

Blythe, incorporated July 21, 1916, is located 227 miles east of Los Angeles, 626 miles south of San Francisco, and 150 miles west of Phoenix in the Palo Verde Valley along the Colorado River.

Truck: 6 carriers in Blythe.

Overnight Delivery To: Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Phoenix.

Air: Blythe Airport, owned by Riverside County but leased to the City of Blythe, has general aviation facilities

Bus: Greyhound, Palo Verde Valley Transit Agency.

Ports: Nearest facilities are at Los Angeles-Long Beach, 230 mi. west, and San Diego, 220 mi. southwest.

Highways: I-10 west to Los Angeles and east to Phoenix, U.S. 95 north to Las Vegas and south to Yuma, and State Highway 78 southwest to Brawley.

Industrial Sites

There are 180 acres in the city limits zoned for light and heavy industry. About 25 percent is vacant and available in parcels ranging from 1 to 10 acres. Sale prices range from $8,500 to $25,000 per acre. The terrain is level and drainage fair. Subsoil is silty clay loam. Sizes of water lines range from 4 to 12 inches. Size of sewer lines range from 8 to 24 inches.

Description of sites on and off rail lines, zoned for industry, outside the city limits in other tracts or districts: There are 877 acres inside the Blythe sphere of influence zoned for industry, of which 702 acres border the city, mostly extending south along the railroad. All parcels are served by electricity and natural gas. There are 2,000 acres available for industry surrounding the Blythe Airport.

Public Service

Water: City of Blythe. Maximum pumping capacity: 7.6 mg/d. Peak consumption: 6.6 mg/d. Average consumption: 3.7 mg/d. Cost per 20,000 gal/month: $21.85 (plus an additional $0.62 for each 1,000 gallons thereafter). Activation charges: $135 deposit for residential; $340 deposit for commercial. Water meter 3/4 inch: $350 per unit.

Sewer: City of Blythe. Capacity of sewer plant: 2.4 mg/d. Peak flow: 3.6 mg/d. Sewer service charge: Yes. On what basis rated? Type of user. Type of treatment plant: Secondary. Any facilities for non-recoverable industrial waste water: No. Sewer connection charges: Varies.

Master plan of storm drains. On site retention encouraged. No charges currently assessed.

Dedication requirements: Curb, gutter, sidewalk, pavement. Consistency: city specifications.

Utilities

Gas: Southern California Gas Co.  For residential and business rates applicable to Blythe, contact the Southern California Gas Co. at:  (800) 427-2200.  

Electric: Southern California Edison. For residential and business rates applicable to Blythe, contact Southern California Edison at (800) 665-4555 .

Telephone: GTE Incorporated. For rates and types of service available in Blythe, contact GTE Incorporated at (800) 483-4000- residential or (800)483-5000-business

 Government Facilities- Tax and Insurance Rates

• Blythe has the council-manager form of government. Assessed valuation minus exemptions (1997-1998): $308,727,509; County: 71.1 billion. Ration of assessed value to appraised value: 100% of full cash value.

• Industrial property tax rates (1997-1998) per $100 assessed valuation. Code area 85-100. City rate: $.00; County: $1.00; School: $.00; Other: $.00; Total: $1.00.

• Retail Sales Tax : State: 6.00%, County/City: 1.00%, Riverside County Transportation Commission: 0.5%, County Transportation: 0.25%, Total: 7.75%.

• Police Department: 28 sworn personnel, 12 non-sworn personnel, 10 marked vehicles, 5 unmarked vehicles, 1 four-wheel drive unit, 1 animal control unit, 1 boat, 2 watercraft units. Support service available from Riverside County Sheriff's Dept.

• Fire Department: Part-time chief, 33 trained paid volunteers, 1 full-time fire marshal, 1 50 foot Telesquirt, 4 pumpers, 1 quick attack truck, 1 squad truck, 1 command vehicle. Mutual aid agreement with the Riverside County Fire Department.

• Fire Insurance Classification: Insurance Service Office. City Rating: 4. Adjacent unincorporated area: 4.

• Major projects completed in the last two years for city services: $610,000 Hidden Beaches water improvement project with a 350,000 gallon storage tank; $550,000 water extension and sewer force main to Palo Verde Oasis; $800,000 Broadway storm water station; $450,000 to clean up old city landfill.

• Major projects authorized for improvement of city services or to adjacent unincorporated area: $3 million Hobsonway corridor street improvement project, $1.5 million downtown redevelopment revitalization project; $250,000 signalization of on and off ramps of I-10 and Lovekin.