As of the census of 2000, there were 22,052 people, 6,631 households, and 5,265 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,783.0 people per square mile (1,460.4/km²). There were 7,038 housing units at an average density of 1,207.4/sq mi (466.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 52.78% White, 2.45% Black or African American, 1.11% Native American, 1.31% Asian, 0.19% Pacific Islander, 37.86% from other races, and 4.32% from two or more races. 73.83% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 6,631 households out of which 48.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.0% were married couples living together, 17.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.6% were non-families. 17.1% 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 3.28 and the average family size was 3.71.
In the city the population was spread out with 34.5% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 18.1% from 45 to 64, and 9.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 96.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $31,277, and the median income for a family was $35,514. Males had a median income of $34,617 versus $25,064 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,881. About 22.5% of families and 26.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.0% of those under age 18 and 14.1% of those age 65 or over.
The majority of Brawley's residents are of Mexican and Latino origins, but was home to large transplated white, East Indian, Chinese, Filipino and African American sections in the 20th century.