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CITY · 2020 ACS

Imperial Beach

California · 26,137 residents · 4.29 sq mi
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The short version

Imperial Beach has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $59,795. Population has declined 3% since 2000. Median home value has more than tripled since 2000, reaching $593,400. At a median age of 34.7, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Despite a median home value of $593,400, the poverty rate sits 29% above the US average — a pattern often seen in resort and college towns.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 34.7
US median: 38.8
Less educated
24% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 135%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
26,137
−3%since 2000
from 26,992 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
6,093 / sq mi
−3%since 2000
from 6,292 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
34.7
+21%since 2000
from 28.6 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
26K26K27K27K27K1990201020202024Imperial Beach
202426K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$59,795
+11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $35,882 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$27,490
+72%since 2000
from $16,003 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
38.9%
+12.4 ptssince 2009
from 26.4% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
16.6%
−2.2 ptssince 2000
from 18.8% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information13.8%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance8.8%
US avg: 5.5%
Wholesale trade8.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Professional, scientific, technical7.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Retail trade5.6%
US avg: 10%
Other services3.2%
US avg: 6.6%
Transportation & warehousing2%
US avg: 2.5%
Public administration1.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.8%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services1.1%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$593,400
+135%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $168,000 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,487
+43%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $690 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
31.7%
+1.7 ptssince 2000
from 30.0% in 2000
68.3% rent
Afford Score
9.9
+112%since 2000
from 4.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Imperial Beach on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic43.5%(11,737)
Black5%(1,343)
Hispanic / Latino40.1%(10,818)
Asian6.2%(1,677)
Other0%
Diversity Score75.4%(20,359)
2020
White, non-Hispanic33.3%(8,712)
Black3.3%(873)
Hispanic / Latino51.1%(13,369)
Asian5.7%(1,500)
Other4.3%(1,123)
Diversity Score75.5%(19,741)
Diversity Score
76
Unchangedsince 2000
from 75 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
24.0%
+12.3 ptssince 2000
from 11.7% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
86.2%
+9.2 ptssince 2000
from 77.0% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
8.2%
+5.2 ptssince 2000
from 3.0% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
28.2 min
+54%since 2000
from 18.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
76.9%
+5.1 ptssince 2009
from 71.8% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
5.6%
−5.9 ptssince 2009
from 11.4% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.7%
−6.2 ptssince 2011
from 13.9% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
68.1%
+3.7 ptssince 2011
from 64.4% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
30.5%
−27.4 ptssince 2009
from 57.8% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.7%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 50.3% in 2009
Female
48.3%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 49.7% in 2009
Foreign born
18.3%
−3.3 ptssince 2009
from 21.6% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
11.6%
−68.8 ptssince 2013
from 80.4% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Imperial Beach

Key West
Pop 24,999
Port St. John
Pop 25,120
DeBary
Pop 23,544
Coral Terrace
Pop 24,895
Places similar to Imperial Beach
Head to head

Compare Imperial Beach to nearby cities

IMPERIAL BEACH VS
Coronado
Income$134,534+125%
Home value$2,000,001+237%
Population21,094−16%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
IMPERIAL BEACH VS
National City
Income$66,841+12%
Home value$612,200+3%
Population57,807+129%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
IMPERIAL BEACH VS
Chula Vista
Income$108,032+81%
Home value$758,700+28%
Population275,533+993%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
IMPERIAL BEACH VS
Bonita
Income$118,674+98%
Home value$962,800+62%
Population12,652−50%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Imperial Beach, California?

Imperial Beach, California has about 26,137 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Imperial Beach, California?

The typical household in Imperial Beach, California earns about $59,795 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Imperial Beach, California expensive?

In Imperial Beach, California, the median home is worth about $593,400, and the typical rent is about $1,487 a month.

How educated are people in Imperial Beach, California?

About 24.0% of adults age 25 and over in Imperial Beach, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Imperial Beach, California?

About 16.6% of people in Imperial Beach, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Imperial Beach, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Imperial Beach, California has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 375 residents, a change of about -1 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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