Blythe, California

{{See also|Blythe Intaglios}}

Native Americans lived in the area.{{cite web | url=https://www.azcentral.com/in-depth/news/local/arizona/2021/08/17/blythe-intaglios-tribes-protect-sleeping-giants/7903902002/ | title=Blythe Intaglios: Tribes work to protect the 'sleeping giants' of the desert | date=August 17, 2021 }}

{{See also|List of Riverside County, California, placename etymologies#Blythe|label 1=List of Riverside County, California, placename etymologies: Blythe}}

Blythe was named after Thomas Henry Blythe, a San Francisco businessman and entrepreneur. Mr. Blythe established primary water rights to the Colorado River in the southwestern California region in 1877. The town was originally named Blythe City, by Thomas Blythe, but the name was shortened to simply Blythe around the time the first post office was opened in 1908.{{cite book |last1=Gunther |first1=Jane Davies |title=Riverside County, California, Place Names; Their Origins and Their Stories |date=1984 |location=Riverside, California |pages=60}}

File:AT & Sta Fe California Southern Railroad - Ripley Branch.jpg

In the early or mid-1870s, William Calloway (known as Oliver Calloway in some sources), an engineer and a former captain of the 1st California Infantry Regiment, explored an area across the Colorado River from Ehrenberg, Arizona, and found its potential for development. Calloway made preliminary surveys and filed land claims under the Swamp Land Act of 1850. He interested the wealthy San Francisco capitalist Thomas Henry Blythe (originally born Thomas Williams in Mold, Wales) to undertake development and settlement of an "empire" located next to the Colorado. Together they purchased a total of 140,000 acres under the Swamp Land Act, and another 35,000 acres under the Desert Land Act of 1877.{{cite web|title=Blythe resided in San Francisco and focused in real estate investments. Among his investments was a patch of undeveloped land within what is now downtown San Francisco. Development in the purchased site within Market Street, Geary Street, and Grant Street, called the "Blythe Block", and being in the center of downtown, made Blythe wealthy. The Blythe Block was sold off in portions in 1901 and 1902|url=https://sandiegohistory.org/journal/1971/july/desert/.htm|website=Sandiegohistory.org|access-date=March 26, 2020}}

On July 17, 1877, Blythe filed his first claim for Colorado River water on what was to become the "Blythe Intake".An historical marker for the intake was placed by the Palo Verde Valley Historical Society and Riverside County Parks and Recreation in 1986. {{cite book |last=Johnson |first=Marael |title=Why Stop? A Guide to California Roadside Historical Markers |year=1995 |publisher=Gulf Publishing Company |location=Houston, TX |isbn=978-0884159230 |oclc= 32168093 |pages=213}}{{cite news |title=Blythe Block Changes Hands |work=San Francisco Call |date=August 2, 1901 }}{{cite news|title=Blythe Block Sold|work=Los Angeles Herald|date=January 7, 1902|pages=1}} Blythe appointed another man named George Irish as manager to assist Calloway in building an irrigation system. Calloway died in a Chemehuevi attack on March 28, 1880, and was replaced by C.C. Miller, the father of Frank Augustus Miller.{{cite journal|last1=Roth|first1=George|title=The Calloway Affair of 1880: Chemehuevi Adaptation and Chemehuevi-Mohave Relations|journal=Journal of California Anthropology|date=1977|volume=4|issue=2|url=https://escholarship.org/uc/item/3vn6f5rg}}{{cite journal |title=Empire on the Colorado |journal=Desert Magazine |year=1939 |last=Woodward |first=Arthur |volume=2 |issue=4 |pages=22–24, 39–40 }} Thomas Blythe died on April 4, 1883; his only revisit to the valley was in November 1882.{{cite web|title=Palo Verde Irrigation District History|url=http://www.pvid.org/history.html|website=Palo Verde Irrigation District|date=February 2005|access-date=February 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217004032/http://pvid.org/history.html|archive-date=February 17, 2015|url-status=dead}} After his death, the work in the valley halted and Blythe's estate subsequently went into litigation between his illegitimate daughter Florence and other claimants, the trial beginning in 1889. In the 1900s, Florence was awarded the estate, after several years of preceding rulings in favor of her and appeals against her.{{cite book|author=John Boessenecker|title=Lawman: The Life and Times of Harry Morse, 1835–1912|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nC2HHRJcQJAC&pg=PA265|year=1998|publisher=University of Oklahoma Press|isbn=978-0-8061-3011-8|pages=265–266}}

Frank Murphy and Ed Williams, who were involved with the cattle industry in southeastern Arizona, came to the area in 1904 and were convinced it was well-suited for cattle and farming. With the Hobson brothers from Ventura County, they bought Blythe's estate and formed the Palo Verde Land and Water Company.{{cite book|author=Paul Lincoln Kleinsorge|title=The Boulder Canyon Project, Historical and Economic Aspects|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xT2sAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA35|year=1941|publisher=Stanford University Press|isbn=978-0-8047-1031-2|page=35}} During 1911–1912, W.F. Holt, who helped develop nearby Imperial Valley, was the company's general manager.{{cite news|title=Developing Palo Verde|url=http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=IVP19110311.2.3#|access-date=February 11, 2015|work=Imperial Valley Press|date=March 11, 1911}}{{cite book|author=David F. Myrick|title=Santa Fe to Phoenix: Railroads of Arizona|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=afhBPQAACAAJ|year=2001|publisher=Signature Press|isbn=978-1-930013-05-6}}

On August 8, 1916, the California Southern Railroad reached Blythe from the desert station of Rice, then known as Blythe Junction. It was later renamed to honor G.W. Rice, an engineer and superintendent of the railroad. The dramatic growth in the valley following this event attracted national attention. Production totals increased annually from virtually nothing to near $8,000,000 in few years, primarily from cotton and cotton seed shipped to the ports.{{cite news|title=California Southern Extended to Open New District|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0-LNAAAAMAAJ&pg=RA4-PA60|work=The Santa Fe Magazine|date=April 1920|page=60}} The lower cotton prices in 1920 ended this prosperous time. The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway began leasing the line in 1921 and acquired it at the end of 1942.{{cite book|author=Donald B. Robertson|title=Encyclopedia of Western Railroad History: California|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-aWhRfr3rdkC&pg=PA95|year=1986|publisher=Caxton Press|isbn=978-0-87004-385-7|page=95}}

The first automobile bridge over the Colorado River between Blythe and Ehrenberg was constructed in 1928 to replace a cable ferry service.{{cite book|title=California Highways and Public Works|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=e9VKAQAAMAAJ|year=1933|publisher=Department of Public Works, State of California|page=22}} The bridge's successor was built in the early 1960s and was expanded to four lanes and a pedestrian walkway in early 1974.{{cite book|title=California Highways and Public Works|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wfo5AQAAMAAJ|year=1960|publisher=Department of Public Works, State of California|page=34}}{{cite news|title=Bridge project finished|work=Palo Verde Valley Times|date=March 7, 1974}}

In 1935, the completion of Boulder Dam extinguished the annual destructive floods in the valley. As noted during the city's fiftieth anniversary, some forty crops were grown on the farms, and large cattle feeds were another aspect of the agriculture industry.{{cite news|title=Blythe's Golden 50|work=Palo Verde Valley Times|date=October 13, 1966}} As of 1947, the Fisher ranch had the biggest herd of registered Brahman cattle in California, the breeding stock having been sold to western states and other countries.{{cite news|title=Fisher Brahmans Largely Known|work=Palo Verde Valley Times|date=October 30, 1947}}

During World War II, Blythe was the site of United States Army Air Forces facilities at the Blythe Airport and the Gary Field.

In 1972, Interstate 10 was built through the city, replacing US 60 and the previously decommissioned US 70 on Hobsonway as the main thoroughfare.Front page picture in the Palo Verde Valley Times, October 26, 1972.

In 2016, the voter-approved recreational use of cannabis in California has made the cannabis industry drawn to the economically declined city due to lower land prices, water, and potentially lower taxes compared to other parts of the state.{{cite news|last1=DiPierro|first1=Amy|title=Can marijuana save this 'dying' town on the California-Arizona border?|url=https://www.desertsun.com/story/money/business/tourism/2018/01/31/can-marijuana-save-dying-town-california-arizona-border/1050153001/|access-date=February 26, 2018|work=The Desert Sun|date=January 31, 2018}}

Blythe is located near the California/Arizona border in the Colorado Desert section of the Sonoran Desert, at the junction of Interstate 10 and US 95. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|27.0|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|26.2|sqmi|km2}} is land and {{convert|0.8|sqmi|km2}} (2.9%) is water.

Nearby communities include Vidal to the north, Ripley to the south, Desert Center to the west, and Ehrenberg, Arizona, to the east. Major cities in the region include Yuma (85 miles), Indio (95 miles), Phoenix (150 miles), San Bernardino (170 miles), Riverside (172 miles), and Las Vegas (200 miles). Blythe is within 4 hours via car of 10% of the United States' population.

Blythe has a hot desert climate, featuring extremely hot summers and mild winters. There are an average of 179.3 days with highs of {{convert|90|F|C}} or higher. There are an average of 3.1 days with lows of {{convert|32|F|C}} or lower. Until 2016, the record high temperature was {{convert|122|F|C}} on July 7, 1920, and June 24, 1929. But on June 20, 2016, that long-standing record was shattered when Blythe reached {{convert|124|F|C}}. The record low temperature was {{convert|20|F|C}} on January 8, 1971. There are an average of 17.9 days with measurable precipitation. The wettest year was 1992 with {{convert|9.16|in|cm}} and the driest year was 1950 with {{convert|0.31|in|cm}}. The most rainfall in one month was {{convert|5.92|in|cm}} in August 1951, which included the 24-hour record rainfall of {{convert|3.00|in|cm}} on August 26.

{{Weather box

|location = Blythe, California (Blythe Airport), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1948–present

|single line = Yes

|Jan record high F = 89

|Feb record high F = 93

|Mar record high F = 100

|Apr record high F = 107

|May record high F = 115

|Jun record high F = 124

|Jul record high F = 123

|Aug record high F = 121

|Sep record high F = 121

|Oct record high F = 112

|Nov record high F = 96

|Dec record high F = 87

|Jan avg record high F = 78.0

|Feb avg record high F = 82.7

|Mar avg record high F = 92.5

|Apr avg record high F = 101.3

|May avg record high F = 107.4

|Jun avg record high F = 114.8

|Jul avg record high F = 117.2

|Aug avg record high F = 115.6

|Sep avg record high F = 111.3

|Oct avg record high F = 101.6

|Nov avg record high F = 89.5

|Dec avg record high F = 76.8

|year avg record high F = 118.4

|Jan high F = 68.2

|Feb high F = 72.3

|Mar high F = 79.6

|Apr high F = 87.0

|May high F = 95.5

|Jun high F = 105.0

|Jul high F = 108.5

|Aug high F = 107.7

|Sep high F = 102.0

|Oct high F = 89.9

|Nov high F = 76.8

|Dec high F = 66.4

|year high F =

|Jan mean F = 55.7

|Feb mean F = 59.3

|Mar mean F = 65.6

|Apr mean F = 72.1

|May mean F = 80.3

|Jun mean F = 89.2

|Jul mean F = 95.0

|Aug mean F = 94.7

|Sep mean F = 88.0

|Oct mean F = 75.4

|Nov mean F = 62.9

|Dec mean F = 54.0

|year mean F =

|Jan low F = 43.2

|Feb low F = 46.2

|Mar low F = 51.6

|Apr low F = 57.3

|May low F = 65.2

|Jun low F = 73.4

|Jul low F = 81.5

|Aug low F = 81.7

|Sep low F = 74.0

|Oct low F = 61.0

|Nov low F = 49.1

|Dec low F = 41.7

|year low F =

|Jan avg record low F = 32.9

|Feb avg record low F = 35.4

|Mar avg record low F = 41.0

|Apr avg record low F = 46.8

|May avg record low F = 54.6

|Jun avg record low F = 62.5

|Jul avg record low F = 72.2

|Aug avg record low F = 71.0

|Sep avg record low F = 62.8

|Oct avg record low F = 49.4

|Nov avg record low F = 38.0

|Dec avg record low F = 31.3

|year avg record low F = 29.6

|Jan record low F = 20

|Feb record low F = 22

|Mar record low F = 30

|Apr record low F = 38

|May record low F = 43

|Jun record low F = 46

|Jul record low F = 62

|Aug record low F = 62

|Sep record low F = 53

|Oct record low F = 27

|Nov record low F = 26

|Dec record low F = 24

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation inch = 0.53

|Feb precipitation inch = 0.62

|Mar precipitation inch = 0.48

|Apr precipitation inch = 0.09

|May precipitation inch = 0.05

|Jun precipitation inch = 0.01

|Jul precipitation inch = 0.26

|Aug precipitation inch = 0.40

|Sep precipitation inch = 0.32

|Oct precipitation inch = 0.16

|Nov precipitation inch = 0.21

|Dec precipitation inch = 0.43

|year precipitation inch =

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in

|Jan precipitation days = 2.6

|Feb precipitation days = 2.6

|Mar precipitation days = 2.3

|Apr precipitation days = 0.8

|May precipitation days = 0.5

|Jun precipitation days = 0.2

|Jul precipitation days = 1.5

|Aug precipitation days = 1.5

|Sep precipitation days = 1.6

|Oct precipitation days = 1.2

|Nov precipitation days = 1.2

|Dec precipitation days = 1.9

|source 1 = NOAA

{{cite web

|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USW00023158&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL

|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Blythe AP, CA

|access-date = March 26, 2023

}}

|source 2 = National Weather Service

{{cite web

|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=psr

|publisher = National Weather Service

|title = NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Phoenix

|access-date = March 26, 2023

}}

}}

Also notable is the geological history of Blythe – despite California's reputation for earthquakes, according to geologists Blythe has not had an earthquake centered in the city for over 500,000 years.

Tourism is a major component of the local economy. Blythe is a stopover city with full services for travelers between any of the nearby regions, in particular the major cities of Los Angeles and Phoenix, since it is approximately midway between those two metropolitan areas. The winter months bring visitors avoiding the colder climates of the north, when the population of the area within 50 miles (80 km) of Blythe has been known to exceed 500,000.{{cite web|url=http://paloverdevalleylibrary.com/about_blythe,_ca.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070123151841/http://paloverdevalleylibrary.com/about_blythe%2C_ca.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 23, 2007|title=About Blythe, Ca|date=January 23, 2007|access-date=March 25, 2017}}

Blythe also contains 24 churches, one library, two newspapers ([http://paloverdevalleytimes.com/ Palo Verde Valley Times], {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20021005030848/http://www.thedesertinde.com/ The Desert Independent]}}), two museums, two radio stations (KERU-FM{{Cite web | url=https://transition.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/fmq?call=KERU |title = FM Query Results – Audio Division (FCC) USA|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170328165736/https://transition.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/fmq?call=KERU|archive-date = March 28, 2017}} and KJMB-FM{{cite web|url=https://kjmbradio.com/|title=Radio Station in Blythe, CA – Adult Contemporary Radio Station|website=Kjmbradio.com|access-date=February 6, 2019}} ), three banks, a three-screen movie theater (now closed), one funeral home and an 18,500 sq ft (1,720 m²). recreation center. The area is popular with campers and hikers and has six parks, seven campgrounds, seven RV parks, 3 boat ramps onto the Colorado River, and an 18-hole public golf course.

{{US Census population

|1920= 1622

|1930= 1020

|1940= 2355

|1950= 4089

|1960= 6023

|1970= 7047

|1980= 6805

|1990= 8428

|2000= 12155

|2010= 20817

|2020= 18317

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}

}}

The 2010 United States Census{{cite web |url=http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0607218 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140715033623/http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0607218 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 15, 2014 |title=2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA – Blythe city |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=July 12, 2014}} reported that Blythe had a population of 20,817. The population density was {{convert|771.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of Blythe was 12,396 (59.5%) White (28.3% Non-Hispanic White),{{cite web |url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06/0607218.html |title=Blythe (City) QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau |access-date=February 22, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150222224833/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06/0607218.html |archive-date=February 22, 2015 }} 3,126 (15.0%) African American, 243 (1.2%) Native American, 319 (1.5%) Asian, 32 (0.2%) Pacific Islander, 4,045 (19.4%) from other races, and 656 (3.2%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11,068 persons (53.2%).

The Census reported that 12,972 people (62.3% of the population) lived in households, 82 (0.4%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 7,763 (37.3%) were institutionalized.

There were 4,513 households, out of which 1,972 (43.7%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 1,995 (44.2%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 855 (18.9%) had a female householder with no husband present, 344 (7.6%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 396 (8.8%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 24 (0.5%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 1,071 households (23.7%) were made up of individuals, and 367 (8.1%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.87. There were 3,194 families (70.8% of all households); the average family size was 3.41.

The population was spread out, with 4,157 people (20.0%) under the age of 18, 1,770 people (8.5%) aged 18 to 24, 7,332 people (35.2%) aged 25 to 44, 5,764 people (27.7%) aged 45 to 64, and 1,794 people (8.6%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 218.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 268.1 males.

There were 5,473 housing units at an average density of {{convert|202.9|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}, of which 2,358 (52.2%) were owner-occupied, and 2,155 (47.8%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 4.0%; the rental vacancy rate was 10.3%. 6,913 people (33.2% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 6,059 people (29.1%) lived in rental housing units.

According to the 2010 United States Census, Blythe had a median household income of $48,327, with 16.1% of the population living below the federal poverty line.

A large portion of the city's population are inmates in the Chuckawalla Valley{{Cite web |url=https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/Facilities_Locator/CVSP.html |title=Chuckawalla Valley State Prison (CVSP) |access-date=November 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116173426/https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/Facilities_Locator/CVSP.html |archive-date=November 16, 2018 |url-status=dead }} and Ironwood State Prisons.{{Cite web |url=https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/Facilities_Locator/ISP.html |title=Ironwood State Prison (ISP) |access-date=November 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130024113/https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/Facilities_Locator/ISP.html |archive-date=November 30, 2018 |url-status=dead }} Both hold up to 3,000 prisoners each.

As of the census{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }} of 2000, there were 12,155 people, 4,103 households, and 2,974 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|501.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 4,891 housing units at an average density of {{convert|201.8|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 55.4% White, 8.3% Black or African American, 1.4% Native American, 1.4% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 28.8% from other races, and 4.5% from two or more races. 45.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,103 households, out of which 41.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% were married couples living together, 16.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.5% were non-families. 22.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.91 and the average family size was 3.45.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 33.9% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 28.4% from 25 to 44, 19.0% from 45 to 64, and 9.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $35,324, and the median income for a family was $40,783. Males had a median income of $32,342 versus $26,671 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,424. About 19.0% of families and 20.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.9% of those under age 18 and 21.6% of those age 65 or over.

German, Irish, English, African and Italian are the most common ancestries. Spanish and Tagalog are the most non-English languages spoken.{{cite web | url=https://www.neighborhoodscout.com/ca/blythe | title=Blythe, CA - 92225 - Real Estate Market Data - NeighborhoodScout }}

In the California State Legislature, Blythe is in {{Representative|casd|18|fmt=sdistrict}}, and in {{Representative|caad|36|fmt=adistrict}}.{{Cite web |url=https://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/ |title=Find Your California Representative|publisher=California State Assembly |access-date=February 8, 2024 }}

In the United States House of Representatives, Blythe is in {{Representative|cacd|25|fmt=district}}.{{Cite GovTrack|CA|25}}

The Blythe Heat was a winter professional minor league baseball team of the Arizona Winter League, and also a member of the Arizona Summer League, but the leagues folded in 2017. They play on Alexander Field in Todd Park. Some games of the Lake Havasu Heat (folded in 2009) of the semi-pro Pacific Southwest Baseball League played in Blythe during the summer months.

File:Colorado River at Blythe main canal.jpg on the Arizona–California border, showing the small Palo Verde Diversion Dam that diverts water to the west (right) into the main canal to irrigate the Palo Verde Valley around Blythe. Canals on the Arizona side (left) in the Parker Valley are also visible, in the foreground.]]

State facilities in the town include the following:

• Resources Agency, California Department of Fish and Game office at 150 S. Main Street.
• California Highway Patrol office at 430 S. Broadway Street.
• California Department of Motor Vehicles office at 430 S. Broadway Street.
• California Department of Food and Agriculture office.
• California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation – Chuckawalla Valley State Prison(Now Closed)
• California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation – Ironwood State Prison
• California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

Federal facilities in the town include the following:

• U.S. Border Patrol
• U.S. Department of Agriculture – Blythe Federal Building
• U.S. Postal Service – Blythe Federal Building

Blythe has its own police department and volunteer fire department. The Riverside County Sheriff's Department also has a regional station in Blythe.

Emergency medical services are provided by American Medical Response, which staffs two paramedic ambulances in the city 24 hours a day.

Blythe has its own police department, the Blythe Police Department who patrol Blythe. However the highways in and around Blythe are managed by California Highway Patrol and the nearby Riverside County patrolled by Riverside County Sheriff's Department who also run the county jail.

Blythe area public elementary and secondary schools comprise the Palo Verde Unified School District,{{cite web|url=http://www.pvusd.us/|title=Palo Verde Unified School District|website=Palo Verde Unified School District|access-date=February 6, 2019}} which contains 3 elementary schools and 1 high school, and continuation/adult education school. Palo Verde Community College District is part of the California Community College system and includes Palo Verde College in Blythe and an educational center in Needles.

Interstate 10 crosses Blythe in an east–west direction. State Route 78's eastern terminus is west of the town. U.S. Route 95 crosses Blythe in the eastern side. Lovekin Boulevard and Midland Road serve the ghost town of Midland.

Blythe Airport (BLH) is just west of the town on Interstate 10 and has a {{convert|6500|ft|m|adj=on}} runway.

Blythe was served in rail by the Arizona and California Railroad but currently has no rail service since an embargo in late 2007 and abandonment in 2009.{{cite web|title=Surface Transportation Board Decision|url=http://www.stb.dot.gov/decisions/readingroom.nsf/fc695db5bc7ebe2c852572b80040c45f/f2b2222848c9fc8b852575e400664e0a?OpenDocument|website=Stb.dot.gov|access-date=May 2, 2016|archive-date=October 6, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131006182511/http://www.stb.dot.gov/decisions/readingroom.nsf/fc695db5bc7ebe2c852572b80040c45f/f2b2222848c9fc8b852575e400664e0a?OpenDocument|url-status=dead}}

Blythe is served by RidePV.{{cite web|url=https://sites.google.com/site/pvvtablythe/|title=Palo Verde Valley Transit Agency|website=Sites.google.com|access-date=March 25, 2017}} Greyhound stops in Blythe.{{cite web|url=http://locations.greyhound.com/bus-stations/us/california/blythe/bus-station-890329|title=Blythe California Bus Station – Greyhound|website=Locations.greyhound.com|access-date=March 25, 2017}}

Health facilities in Blythe include Palo Verde Hospital, a General Acute Care Hospital with 55 total beds and 24-hour standby emergency services, 23 physicians/surgeons, 2 dentists, 2 optometrists, 1 chiropractor, and 1 podiatrist.California Department of Health Services

The Palo Verde Cemetery District{{cite web|url=http://capc.info/members.html|title=California Association of Public Cemeteries|website=Capc.info|access-date=March 25, 2017}} maintains the Palo Verde Cemetery.{{Coord|33.6308572|-114.6007904|region:US|display=inline}} [http://geonames.usgs.gov/pls/gnispublic/f?p=154:3:2918070220356094::NO:3:P3_FID,P3_TITLE:247172%2CPalo%20Verde%20Cemetery USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS)]

{{portal|California}}

• Blythe Intaglios
• Blythe Photovoltaic Power Plant
• Blythe Solar Power Project

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite book |last1=Harkinson |first1=Marilee |title=A Short History of Blythe |series=The Riverside County Chronicles |date=Spring 2017 |issue=18 |pages=4–11 |publisher=Riverside County Heritage Association|isbn=978-1545144312}}

{{Wikivoyage|Blythe}}

• {{Official website}}

{{Geographic location

|Centre = Blythe

|North = Big Maria Mountains

|Northeast = Parker Valley

|East = Colorado River
Dome Rock Mountains, Arizona

|Southeast = Trigo Mountains, Arizona

|South = Cibola Valley

|Southwest = Palo Verde Mesa

|West = Desert Center, California

|Northwest = Eagle Mountains

}}

{{Riverside County, California}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Populated places established in 1916

Category:Populated places in the Colorado Desert

Category:Communities in the Lower Colorado River Valley

Category:Lower Colorado River Valley

Category:Cities in Riverside County, California

Category:Incorporated cities and towns in California

Category:1916 establishments in California

Category:California populated places on the Colorado River