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Coachella is a largely young, rural, Hispanic community where agriculture and hundreds of farms drive the economy.

The communities of Coachella — and smaller Thermal and Mecca — are surrounded by more than 70,000 acres of land irrigated by the Colorado River via a complex canal system. It is here that some of California’s largest crops of lemons, oranges, avocados, figs and persimmons grow.

Web site coachella.org

While much of the area’s economy relies on farming, times are changing. Since Congress passed the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Highway 86, the road that runs through downtown Coachella, has been nicknamed NAFTA Highway. Hundreds of tractor-trailer trucks pass through on their way to the Mexican border and southern markets. Coachella city officials hope their municipality’s location will make it appealing to businesses seeking to relocate nearer to a main NAFTA thoroughfare.

Coachella’s future could be linked to tourism, not just agriculture and NAFTA, however. A bill now before Congress — called the Sonny Bono Memorial Salton Sea bill — would clean the polluted inland sea located about 30 miles away. If successful, Salton Sea resorts could create a billion-dollar tourist destination.

Two major Fiestas are celebrated each year in Coachella: Cinco de Mayo (5th May), and 16 September Fiestas Patrias (Mexico’s independence from Spain).

GENERAL INFORMATION:
Mayor: Richard Macknicki
City Hall: 1515 6th Street, Coachella: 760-398-3502
Population: 26,772
Median Age: 23.9
Average Household Income: $29,931
Average House/Condo Price: $88,726
Households with children: 92%
Permanent Residents: 99%
Sheriff: 911 (Administration: 760-863-8990)
Fire: 911 (Administration: 760-398-8895)
Hospital: 911
Chamber of Commerce: 760-398-8089
Post Office: 1412 6th Street 760-275-8777

Schools:
The Coachella Valley Unified
School District 760-399-5137

Public Parks:
Park Dept: 760-347-3484
Bagdouma Park, Bagdad Avenue at Douma Street
De Oro Park, Avenue 50 and Avenida De Oro
Sierra Vista Park, Bagdad Avenue and Shady Lane
Vietnam Veterans Park, Behind City Hall on Sixth Street

Libraries:
Coachella, 1538 -- 7th, 760-398-5148
Coachella Valley Bookmobile,
200 Civic Center Mall, Indio, 760-347-2395

Central Shopping District:
6th Street: Hwy 86 & Hwy 111
Coachella Ranch Market, Hwy 86 & Avenue 50

Central Restaurant District:
Coachella Ranch Market Area

Utilities:
Phone Company: Verizon 800-483-4000
Electricity: Imperial Irrigation District 760-398-5811
Gas: Southern California Gas Company 800-427-2200
Water: City of Coachella Water District: 760-398-2651
Time Warner: 760-340-2225
Sanitation: Waste Management of the Desert: 760-340-2113