Imperial County · city

Holtville

Holtville is an incorporated city in Imperial County, in the Imperial Valley. About 5,555 residents (2023 Census estimate). 1.14 sq mi of land. Verify city vs county jurisdiction on the APN. Screen any APN in or near Holtville for zoning, FEMA flood, CAL FIRE / WUI wildfire hazard, soils, geology, and planning — every finding linked to the official source — then verify with Holtville or Imperial County planning before you buy or entitle.

Updated 2026-08-29

Useful sources for searching Holtville: Official sources to verify buildability in Holtville ↓

About Holtville land diligence

Holtville is an incorporated city in Imperial County, in the Imperial Valley. About 5,555 residents (2023 Census estimate). 1.14 sq mi of land. Verify city vs county jurisdiction on the APN.

Confirm whether the lot is inside Holtville limits or unincorporated Imperial County, then verify zoning on the official planning site. Most deals need both a fast multi-layer screen and a follow-up with local planners—especially where city limits, specific plans, hillside fire standards, or floodplain rules apply.

Search intents this page answers: zoning in Holtville, FEMA flood near Holtville, CAL FIRE hazard severity, APN lookup, and whether a vacant lot is buildable before you spend on surveys or design.

Community snapshot

Holtville is an incorporated city in Imperial County, California.

Character: Incorporated city in Imperial Valley.

Population: about 5,555 residents (2023 estimate) across roughly 1.143 square miles.

Climate: Hot desert — very hot summers, mild winters.

Growth outlook: Holtville has about 5,555 residents in recent Census estimates; growth and housing capacity still hinge on General Plan / Housing Element updates and infrastructure — confirm with Holtville city/town planning (or Imperial County if the APN is outside city limits).

Jurisdiction check: confirm whether the APN is inside Holtville limits or unincorporated Imperial County before relying on city zoning maps alone.

Housing & land patterns

Median home

$310k

Median income

$65k

Ownership

50%

Median year built

1976

vs California

-59%

Terrain

Irrigated valley floor · Salton Sea shoreline · Alluvial fans at desert

Holtville is an incorporated city in Imperial Valley with housing values well below the California ACS median, household incomes below the state average, a nearly even owner/renter split, and housing stock primarily built during the mid- to late-20th century.

Housing market

Median home value

$310k

$310,100

Much lower than CA

Median rent

$861/mo

Median household income

$65k

$65,039

Lower than CA

Vacancy rate

14.5%

California$760k
Holtville$310k

-59% vs California ACS median

Housing characteristics
Owner-occupied50%
Renter-occupied50%
1976
19202025

Typical home age signal — not a forecast of new construction.

Affordability & housing mix

Home value ÷ income

4.8×

ACS proxy — median home value divided by median household income

Rent ÷ income

16%

Annual median gross rent as share of median household income

Rent burden 30%+

42%

Share of renter households paying 30% or more of income on gross rent

Derived ACS ratios for market context — not a proprietary cost-of-living index or lender qualification standard.

Single-family units62%
Multifamily units20%
Mobile homes15%

Units-in-structure mix from ACS — shares of total housing units, not new construction pipeline.

Lifestyle & investment

Families

  • Income levels vary — confirm school and commute fit locally
  • Neighborhood amenities and lot hazards still decide fit
  • Confirm attendance boundaries on the specific APN

Retirees

  • Housing stock centered around 1976 — maintenance needs vary
  • Walkability and healthcare access differ street to street
  • Review HOA rules, insurance, and parcel hazards before buying

Investors

  • Balanced tenure mix can support rental demand
  • ACS median gross rent about $861/mo
  • Zoning, ADU rules, and insurance drive outcomes more than ACS averages

Builders

  • Valley lots: slope is rarely the issue—drainage, soils, and flood/alluvial fans are
  • Verify zoning, setbacks, and utility access early
  • Geotechnical and grading reviews are common on hillside lots
Terrain & geography

Imperial County is low desert and irrigated Imperial Valley floor below and near sea level in places, ringed by desert mountains. Topography for most towns is nearly flat; surrounding ranges are abrupt and steep.

Elevation Below sea level in parts of the Imperial Valley to roughly 4,500+ ft in surrounding desert ranges

01Irrigated valley floorIrrigated valley floor and canal-lined flats
02Salton Sea shorelineSalton Sea shoreline and lacustrine lowlands
03Alluvial fans at desertAlluvial fans at desert mountain fronts
04Rugged Sonoran/Colorado Desert rangesRugged Sonoran/Colorado Desert ranges
Development checklist
  • Slope and grading feasibility
  • Flood exposure and drainage
  • Wildfire / WUI hazard
  • Liquefaction and geology where mapped
  • Zoning, setbacks, and overlays
  • Utility access (water, sewer/septic, power)
  • Geotechnical conditions on hillside or fill lots

Screen slope and elevation on the APN in Parcel View, then confirm grading, driveway grades, and pad feasibility with Imperial County planning and a licensed surveyor/engineer.

Key takeaways

  • Housing prices in Holtville run below the California ACS median.
  • Terrain shifts across several landscapes — from irrigated valley floor to rugged sonoran/colorado desert ranges.
  • Parcel-specific screening for zoning, flood, wildfire, soils, and slope matters more than any countywide average.

What Parcel View checks in Holtville

Parcel & APN

Boundary and assessor parcel number context so you can confirm you are looking at the right lot inside or near Holtville.

Zoning & land use

Reference zoning and general plan overlays from public GIS—verify final district with Holtville or Imperial County planning.

FEMA flood

National Flood Hazard Layer zones across the parcel, including Special Flood Hazard Areas that affect insurance and building rules around Holtville.

Wildfire hazard

CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zones and WUI context for insurance and defensible-space diligence around Holtville.

Soils

USDA SSURGO map units for a first look at septic suitability, drainage, and grading constraints where mapped near Holtville.

Geology & slope

Mapped liquefaction, fault, landslide, and terrain screens where the state publishes them for Imperial County.

Verify locally

Parcel View is a first-pass public GIS screen. City or county planning makes official determinations for Holtville.

Living and buying land in Holtville

Holtville is an incorporated city in Imperial County, California.

Character: Incorporated city in Imperial Valley.

Population: about 5,555 residents (2023 estimate) across roughly 1.143 square miles.

Climate: Hot desert — very hot summers, mild winters.

Growth outlook: Holtville has about 5,555 residents in recent Census estimates; growth and housing capacity still hinge on General Plan / Housing Element updates and infrastructure — confirm with Holtville city/town planning (or Imperial County if the APN is outside city limits).

Jurisdiction check: confirm whether the APN is inside Holtville limits or unincorporated Imperial County before relying on city zoning maps alone.

Wildfire, flood, and insurance diligence in Holtville

Hazard diligence is parcel-specific in Holtville, but community patterns matter for underwriting and timeline.

Wildfire: community screening level is moderate — Wildfire exposure is parcel-specific across California. Screen CAL FIRE / WUI overlays on the APN and confirm insurance with a licensed agent..

Community wildfire screening note: moderate — Wildfire exposure is parcel-specific across California. Screen CAL FIRE / WUI overlays on the APN and confirm insurance with a licensed agent.

Flood: community screening level is variable — Alluvial fan and irrigation-adjacent drainage can matter — screen FEMA..

Community flood screening note: variable — Alluvial fan and irrigation-adjacent drainage can matter — screen FEMA.

Seismic: California is seismically active. Review Alquist-Priolo / fault maps and local geologic hazards for the APN..

Insurance diligence often focuses on: wildfire / wui underwriting; brush clearance and defensible space documentation; flood zone determination where fema indicates risk.

FAIR Plan / insurance context: Homeowners insurance can be constrained by wildfire, brush, and sometimes flood. FAIR Plan appears more often in higher wildfire zones — verify early in diligence.

Flood insurance: Flood insurance needs are driven by FEMA zone and lender requirements — confirm on the APN.

Commute, transit, and utilities in Holtville

Commute screen: Commute times from Holtville depend on destination, highway access, and time of day. Map drive times for your destinations rather than relying on a single city average..

Walkability: Walkability is usually higher near downtown or village centers and lower on rural/edge lots. Visit the block and check sidewalks, grade, and services..

Bike network: Bike infrastructure varies by corridor. Check local bike plans and ride the actual route you would use.

Downtown / village center: Many incorporated places have a recognizable downtown or commercial corridor — verify whether the subject APN is in that fabric or on a rural/edge lot.

Visit the parcel at the hours you would actually commute — last-mile access varies street-by-street.

Sewer vs septic: Sewer vs septic is parcel-specific in Holtville. Confirm connection, capacity, and any septic permits with the local sanitation / environmental health desk..

Wells: Private wells appear more often on rural and edge lots. Confirm well yield, water quality, and any shared-system agreements during diligence.

Natural gas: Natural gas availability varies by street — confirm with the serving utility..

Electric service may be IID or another desert-region provider — confirm on the parcel.

Holtville subareas and lot patterns

Holtville is often searched as a single community name on listings and county maps.

Even without a long published neighborhood list, lot-level zoning, hazards, utilities, and school boundaries still vary.

When comparing two lots in Holtville, weight WUI/fire, FEMA flood, septic vs sewer, slope/access, and easements carefully.

Lifestyle context for Holtville

Holtville dining and services cluster near commercial corridors and nearby centers; rural lots may be a drive from groceries and cafes.

Separate lifestyle preferences from lot-level buildability — a great street can still fail on fire insurance, flood zone, slope, or septic capacity.

Pets: Generally pet-friendly at the community level; always confirm HOA, rental, and local animal ordinances for the specific property.

How to screen a parcel in Holtville

Enter the address or APN on Screen and confirm jurisdiction (Holtville city/town planning vs Imperial County).

Review zoning, FEMA flood, CAL FIRE / WUI, soils, geology, and slope/elevation overlays.

SB 9 screen: SB 9 may apply to qualifying single-family lots inside city/town limits — confirm lot standards and exclusions with planning..

HOAs: HOAs are common in planned developments and some condo/townhome tracts — request CC&Rs early if the listing mentions an association.

Short-term rentals: Short-term rental rules vary by city and county and often require permits. Verify with code enforcement / planning before assuming Airbnb/VRBO use.

General Plan focus often includes: Confirm land-use designations and Housing Element sites with Holtville planning..

Population
5,555 (2023)
Land area
1.143 sq mi
Character
Incorporated city in Imperial Valley
Median home value (ACS)
$310,100 (about 59% below the California statewide ACS median) · ACS 2020-2024
Median gross rent (ACS)
$861/mo · ACS 2020-2024
Median household income (ACS)
$65,039 · ACS 2020-2024
Homeownership (ACS)
50% owner-occupied
Housing stock age
About 1976
Market context
Median home $310,100 (about 59% below the California statewide ACS median); vacancy about 14.5% · ACS 2020-2024 context
County elevation range
Below sea level in parts of the Imperial Valley to roughly 4,500+ ft in surrounding desert ranges
Fire risk (community)
moderate — Wildfire exposure is parcel-specific across California. Screen CAL FIRE / WUI overlays on the APN and confirm insurance with a licensed agent.
Flood risk (community)
variable — Alluvial fan and irrigation-adjacent drainage can matter — screen FEMA.
Sewer / septic
Public sewer vs septic varies by neighborhood and edge lots — confirm with local sanitation / environmental health.
ADU screening
California statewide ADU law is strong; confirm local ordinance standards, setbacks, and parcel hazards with planning before design.
Downtown
Often higher near downtown / main-street corridors; lower on rural or hillside lots.

Common Holtville buyer questions

Short screening answers for searches buyers actually type. These are community-level notes — confirm on the parcel and with local city planning.

Is this area expensive?

Median owner-occupied home value is about $310,100 (about 59% below the California statewide ACS median); median gross rent about $861/mo. Neighborhoods vary — confirm current listings with a local agent.

Is it a buyer's market?

Median home $310,100 (about 59% below the California statewide ACS median); vacancy about 14.5% · ACS 2020-2024 context

Is it growing?

Holtville has about 5,555 residents in recent Census estimates; growth and housing capacity still hinge on General Plan / Housing Element updates and infrastructure — confirm with Holtville city/town planning (or Imperial County if the APN is outside city limits).

Is it family friendly?

High household incomes (about $65,039) suggest a relatively affluent community, but school quality, commute, parks, and parcel hazards still decide family fit. Confirm attendance boundaries and screen fire/flood on the APN.

Is it good for retirees?

Housing built around 1976 means maintenance needs vary. Walkability, healthcare access, HOA rules, and insurance costs should be reviewed before purchasing.

Is it good for investors?

Tenure mix is about 50% owner-occupied. Median gross rent about $861/mo. Rental demand may help, but zoning, ADU rules, STR ordinances, and insurance ultimately determine investment potential.

Are rentals in demand?

Median gross rent is about $861/mo. Confirm vacancy, comps, and any rent-stabilization or STR rules before underwriting.

Is there new construction?

Typical stock ages to around 1976; newer tracts and Housing Element sites still need local planning maps. Check current applications with Holtville city/town planning (or Imperial County if the APN is outside city limits).

Can I build an ADU?

California statewide ADU law is strong; confirm local ordinance standards, setbacks, and parcel hazards with planning before design.

Is it wildfire prone?

Community wildfire screening note: moderate — Wildfire exposure is parcel-specific across California. Screen CAL FIRE / WUI overlays on the APN and confirm insurance with a licensed agent.

Is flooding common?

Community flood screening note: variable — Alluvial fan and irrigation-adjacent drainage can matter — screen FEMA.

Is there public sewer?

Sewer vs septic is parcel-specific in Holtville. Confirm connection, capacity, and any septic permits with the local sanitation / environmental health desk.

Are wells common?

Private wells appear more often on rural and edge lots. Confirm well yield, water quality, and any shared-system agreements during diligence.

Are HOAs common?

HOAs are common in planned developments and some condo/townhome tracts — request CC&Rs early if the listing mentions an association.

Are short-term rentals allowed?

Short-term rental rules vary by city and county and often require permits. Verify with code enforcement / planning before assuming Airbnb/VRBO use.

What is the average commute?

Commute times from Holtville depend on destination, highway access, and time of day. Map drive times for your destinations rather than relying on a single city average.

Is it walkable?

Walkability is usually higher near downtown or village centers and lower on rural/edge lots. Visit the block and check sidewalks, grade, and services.

Is it bike friendly?

Bike infrastructure varies by corridor. Check local bike plans and ride the actual route you would use.

Does it have a downtown?

Many incorporated places have a recognizable downtown or commercial corridor — verify whether the subject APN is in that fabric or on a rural/edge lot.

Is it pet friendly?

Generally pet-friendly at the community level; always confirm HOA, rental, and local animal ordinances for the specific property.

Screen a parcel in Holtville Imperial County guide

Profile confidence: medium · Updated 2026-08-05. Informational screening only.

Frequently asked questions about Holtville parcels

Is land in Holtville buildable?

Buildability is not a single map label. Screen zoning, flood, wildfire hazard, access, and soils for the specific APN near Holtville, then ask Holtville planning whether your proposed use can be entitled and permitted.

How do I check zoning in Holtville?

Run a Parcel View screen for a first-pass zoning/general-plan reference, then confirm the controlling district with Holtville or Imperial County planning. Overlays and specific plans can change what is allowed.

Does Holtville have FEMA flood risk?

Flood risk is parcel-specific. Parcel View intersects the FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer with the lot polygon. Always verify Special Flood Hazard Areas and base flood elevations on the FEMA Map Service Center before financing or building.

How do I screen a parcel in Holtville?

Enter the address or APN in Parcel View. Confirm whether the lot is inside Holtville limits or unincorporated Imperial County, then verify zoning on the official planning site.

Is Parcel View a substitute for Holtville planning?

No. It is a first-pass public GIS screen with source links. City or county planning makes official determinations.

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