About the Idyllwild, Pine Cove, and Garner Valley Area 

Idyllwild, California is a gorgeous mountain community located approximately an hour’s drive west of Palm Springs at an elevation of 5,300 to 6,500 feet in the San Bernardino National Forest. Its 44 square miles are nestled amidst towering pines and staggering ridgeline views in a basin of the San Jacinto Mountains.  

Although it boasts 3500 residents and 75 volunteer/service organizations, Idyllwild does not have a traffic light and has only three chain businesses (two gas stations and the bank). The local post office, founded in 1901, is where the community gathers for daily chit-chat and mail services — there is no mail delivery. Idyllwild possesses no ski-lifts, casinos, or fast-food franchises, but is home to one of the most renowned art and music schools in the world, Idyllwild Arts Academy. Locals and visitors may attend art, dance, and music performances regularly by the academy's professional-track students. 

World-class rock climbing, mountain biking, and hiking are also a huge draw to the area. Each year, those making the trek along the Pacific Coast Trail stop in town to regale locals with their tales of adventure. 

Idyllwild impressively diverse restaurants range from fine dining to classic diner fare to fresh deli and take-out food. The town is known for its many art galleries, festivals, and live music performances. On any given weekend, live music can be heard at many restaurants and eateries in town. 

Pine Cove is a separate town about five miles from the center of Idyllwild, but is considered part of Idyllwild by the U.S. Postal Service (zip 92549) and the U.S. Census Bureau. Pine Cove is roughly 1,000 feet higher than the center of Idyllwild, which gives it more snow in the winter. 

Moutain Center is also located about five miles from Idyllwild, but in the opposite direction on Highway 243. Though part of the Idyllwild census, it and Garner Valley have a separate zip code (92561). Mountain Center sits at the junction of Highway 243 and Route 74; Garner Valley extends along Route 74 for approximately 12 miles, east of Highway 243. Lake Hemet is a popular camping and recreation destination in Garner Valley. 

Demographics 

Population: 3583
Density: 80.88 (people per square land mile)
Housing Units: 4071
Land Area: 44.3 sq. mi. 

Total Population: 3,583
Male Population: 1,774
Female Population: 1,809
Median Age: 46.5
Median Age of Males: 46.2
Median Age of Females: 46.9
Families with children 22.5%
Families without children 37.3%
Nonfamilies 40.2% 

Weather

Average High/Low:
January 53/27
February 55/28
March 57/29
April 63/33
May 70/38
June 79/45
July 85/52
August 84/52
September 80/47
October 72/39
November 62/32
December 55/28  

Annual average temps: 68/38
Average precipitation: 26 inches (19 inches snow; 7 inches rain) and there is typically little or no precipitation from April through October 

Income  

Median household income: $35,625
Less than $10,000 9.0%
$10,000-$14,999 8.7%
$15,000-$24,999 16.0%
$25,000-$34,999 15.4%
$35,000-$49,999 14.3%
$50,000-$74,999 18.4%
$75,000-$99,999 7.3%
$100,000-$149,999 6.3%
$150,000-$199,999 3.1%
$200,000 or more 1.5% 

Employment 

Educational, health & social services: 26.4%
Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation & food services: 13.6%
Professional, scientific, management admin, waste management services: 11.8%
Construction: 9.7%
Retail trade: 8.7%
Manufacturing: 7.1%
Other services: 5.6%
Finance, insurance, real estate, rental & leasing: 5.0%
Transportation & warehousing & utilities: 4.5%
Public administration: 3.1%
Wholesale trade: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry: 1.2%
Information: 1.2% 

Homes & Real Estate 

Median home sale price*:
September 2007: $299,000
August 2007: $335,000
July 2007: $397,000
June 2007: $415,000
May 2007: $325,000
April 2007: $498,000
March 2007: $312,000
February 2007: $360,000
January 2007: $290,000
December 2006: $317,500
November 2006: $300,000
October 2006: $329,000
*Source: Idyllwild Association of Realtors Residential (closings, median of residences sold)  

Moved into current house:
1969 or earlier 4.5%
1970-1979 8.4%
1980-1989 18.3%
1990-1994 17.8%
1995-1998 33.9%
1999-March 2000 17.1%

Rental rates:
Median monthly full-time rental: $920
Range: $350-$2,900
Median weekend rental: $665
Range: $200-$1,000  

Schools 

IDYLLWILD ELEMENTARY
26700 STATE HIGHWAY 243
IDYLLWILD, CA 92549
951-659-0750 

Type: Primary School
Start Grade: Kindergarten
End Grade: 8th Grade
# Students: 335
# Full-time Teachers: 18.4
Student/Teacher Ratio: 18.2 

High-school students attend school in Hemet by bus, approximately 25 miles away. 

Post Offices 

Idyllwild (zip 92549), Strawberry Creek Square, 951-659-9719
Pine Cove (zip 92549), Pine Cove Market (contracted), 951-659-4955
Mountain Center (zip 92561), Highway 243 @ Rt. 74, 951-659-2361 

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