Representative Norma Torres, Democratic from California

Norma Torres

California's 35th congressional district

CA-35 Midterms Intelligence

Norma Torres sits in a safely Democratic Inland Empire seat, but CA-35 is not politically sleepy. The district is anchored by a heavily Latino, working- to middle-class electorate—65.3% Hispanic—with a younger profile and a pragmatic streak shaped by public-sector reliance, high living costs, and concerns about neighborhood stability. Torres’s 11-year incumbency, appropriations perch, and law-enforcement/emergency-management profile fit a district that wants government to work, not ideological theater. Even with a D+17 lean, the underlying story is less left-activist than service-delivery Democrat.

For advocacy, this is a cost-of-living and access district first: median income is $91,136, but rent at $1,991 and home values at $614,200 keep pressure high, while 9.3% uninsured and 6.5% unemployment reinforce economic insecurity. The most effective message pairs tangible household relief with competent public safety and disaster readiness. Campaigns should be bilingual, hyper-local, and implementation-focused; broad progressive rhetoric lands less than arguments about funding, benefits access, healthcare affordability, and visible district results.

Representative Norma Torres represents California's 35th congressional district, serving 764,518 constituents. The district has an estimated median household income of $91,136 and an unemployment rate of 6.5%.

Economic & Demographic Snapshot

764,518Population
↓ 2,938
$91,136Median Incomenat'l $37,585
↑ $8,558
6.5%Unemploymentnat'l 3.5%
↑ 0.4%
9.8%Poverty Ratenat'l 12.4%
↓ 0.5%
56.4%Homeownershipnat'l 65.5%
→ no change
$1,991Median Rentnat'l $1,163
↑ $202
1.2%Public Transitnat'l 5%
→ no change
32.0 minMean Commutenat'l 26.4 min
↓ 0.1 min

Data sourced from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2017-2021 vs. 2019-2023). All figures are statistical estimates with 90% confidence level.

California District 35 Demographics

Median Age 34.6 (vs 38.5) · Homeownership 56.4% (vs 65.5%) · Bachelor’s+ 23.4% (vs 33.7%) · Poverty 9.8% (vs 12.4%) · Income $91,136 (vs $37,585)

Key Issues for This District
Immigration policyEducation accessRent burden

Age Distribution

Skews younger than the national average (median age 34.6 vs 38.5 nationally). 31% of residents are in the 20–39 working-age bracket — housing affordability, student debt, and workforce messaging indexes high.

Race & Ethnicity

A majority-minority district. Hispanic residents are the largest group at 65.3%. Also significant: White (21.4%), Asian (12.2%).

* Hispanic includes respondents of any race. Racial categories include both Hispanic and non-Hispanic individuals.

Education

Only 23.4% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, significantly below the 33.7% national average. 21.1% of residents lack a high school diploma.

Income Distribution

Median household income is $91,136, well above the $37,585 national median.

Housing

Homeownership at 56.4% (vs 65.5% nationally). Median rent is $1,991. Median home value is $614,200.

How People Get to Work

Car-dependent: 73% drive alone to work. Average commute is 32 minutes.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates
Data represents 5-year statistical estimates for increased reliability.

California District 35 FAQ

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