How Well do You Know the Inland Empire?

The Inland Empire, also known as “The IE,” is an area approximately 60 miles from north to south and some 50 miles wide. It spans Riverside and San Bernardino Counties and an eastern slice of Los Angeles County.

This is an area that is roughly 2/3rds the size of Connecticut. The area is surrounded by mountain ranges and hills on all sides, with only a few natural passes to Los Angeles and Orange County to the west. San Diego County lies to the south and Palm Springs to the east.

People have been attracted to the natural wonders of the area for two hundred years and continue to enjoy the natural amenities today in every conceivable way. With a rich history, natural wealth, and a robust economy, the Inland Empire is an area full of surprises.

Today, the economy is one of the largest and fastest-growing in the nation and boasts the 13th-largest metropolitan market and is served by the Ontario International Airport. Of California's 100 largest cities, 17 of them are in the Inland Empire and are ranked in the thousands as follows:

1. Riverside (315k)

2. San Bernardino (222k)

3. Moreno Valley (209k)

4. Fontana (208k)

5. Ontario (175k)

6. Rancho Cucamonga (174k)

7. Corona (157k)

8. Pomona (152k)

9. Murrieta (111k)

10. Temecula (110k)

11. Jurupa Valley (105k)

12. Rialto (104k)

13. Menifee (103k)

14. Hesperia (100k)

15. Chino (91k)

16. Hemet (90k)

17. Indio (89k)

The Inland Empire is often times overshadowed by other regions, and lags significantly behind in philanthropic investments, receiving only $25.55 per capita philanthropic investment, compared to $262.99 per capita average investment in California.

However, if the last decade is any indication, the Inland Empire will continue to be Southern California’s favorite backyard and one of America's enormous economic engines, outperforming even its more well-known regions in California and the world by many measures, and will become a growing center of investment for workforce development.