It forms the largest Metropolitan Statistical Area in the nation and represents one-fifth of California's total land area. This vast and diverse area is bordered on the west by Los Angeles County and on the east by Arizona. With its wide open natural vistas, suburban communities and active business centers, the Inland Empire is a scenic and exciting region. Demographics With a population increase of nearly 52 percent between 1986 and 1996, the Inland Empire is the fastest-growing area in the state. Growth comes from Los Angeles County urban centers.
Development is concentrated in the western portion of the region.
Wide expanses of desert abound to the east, broken by highly developed tourist facilities in Palm Springs, the specialty agricultural production of the Coachella Valley near Indio, and the Palo Verde Valley near Blythe. The Inland Empire, in which over 3.8 million people now live, has led the state in job growth for several years. Employment has risen by an average of 39,100 jobs for the first five months of 1998, or 4.6 percent, with the majority of growth in the construction, manufacturing, professional and business service sectors. Land and lease rates are 20 to 30 percent lower than neighboring counties, and there is an abundant educated and skilled workforce. The transportation infrastructure is extremely sophisticated and links the region to all major west coast markets.