What is the Inland Empire?
Primarily the physical border is Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.. However, we have a debated border for a number of reasons because of geography (mountains, deserts, valleys).
Included are the major cities of Riverside, Ontario, San Bernardino, Fontana and Rancho Cucamonga in the eastern valleys of the Inland Empire. We have the mountain areas of Big Bear and Arrowhead. To the North we have the high desert cities of Victorville and Hesperia. To the west we have the Coachella Valley, with Palm Desert and Palm Springs, And to the South we have Temecula and Murrieta.
Statistical Data for the Inland Empire
As for statistical data, most sources use the Inland Empire “comprises the Inland Empire region, which is equivalent to the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, California Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA).“ 1
You can look to a number of sources, State of California Employment and Development Department – LMI for Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario MSA, California http://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/msa/riverbern.html
An MSA is defined as: Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA) is a geographical area with a population of 50,000 or more, plus adjacent territory that has a high degree of social and economic integration with the core as measured by commuting ties. Visit MSA Definition for more information.
Easternmost Los Angeles County
Many people, and our website includes the Pomona area in the Inland Empire, because of the geographic border of the Kellogg grade, which is in the general area of Kellogg Dr. in Pomona. The hills along eastern side of the 71 freeway and parts of the 57 freeway become the border, thus we do not include Diamond Bar or anything farther west.
Is Palm Desert/Palm Springs part of the Inland Empire?
Yes, it is in the county of Riverside and while it is as much an a hour plus drive from the eastern border of the Inland Empire, it is clearly a major part of our economy and geography. It is a major area of growth, travel and tourism, and a major tax base.
http://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/msa/riverbern.html
The State of the Inland Empire Economy, Economic Trends and Forecast: 3rd Quarter 2015 – 2nd Quarter 2016, Chmura Economics & Analytics, Pg6
