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CITY · 2000 CENSUS

Imperial

California · 7,560 residents · 6.306 sq mi
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The short version

Imperial is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $49,451. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 84% since 1990. Median home value is $100,500. At a median age of 29.9, residents skew younger than the country as a whole.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $42,589
Younger
median age 29.9
US median: 35.2
Less educated
17% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
7,560
+84%since 1990
from 4,113 in 1990
1990 – 2025
Median age
29.9
+2%since 1990
from 29.2 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
2K8K13K18K23K1990201020202024Imperial
202421K
1990201020202024
Age distribution, 2000
Under 59.6%(728)
US avg: 6.8%
5 to 910.4%(786)
US avg: 7.3%
10 to 149.8%(741)
US avg: 7.3%
15 to 197.9%(599)
US avg: 7.2%
20 to 245.3%(404)
US avg: 6.7%
25 to 3416.1%(1,218)
US avg: 14.2%
35 to 4417.7%(1,341)
US avg: 16%
45 to 5410.9%(821)
US avg: 13.4%
55 to 645.9%(448)
US avg: 8.6%
65 to 743.7%(283)
US avg: 6.5%
75 to 842%(150)
US avg: 4.4%
85 and over0.5%(41)
US avg: 1.5%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$49,451
+17%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $32,000 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$16,538
+48%since 1990
from $11,143 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
11.6%
−2.1 ptssince 1990
from 13.7% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$100,500
+11%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $68,500 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$597
+9%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $416 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
71.4%
+6.6 ptssince 1990
from 64.8% in 1990
28.6% rent
RELATED:See current rent listings in Imperial on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic72.3%(2,974)
Black3.5%(146)
Hispanic / Latino53%(2,178)
Asian0%(0)
2000
White, non-Hispanic32.4%(2,447)
Black2.4%(181)
Hispanic / Latino61.1%(4,619)
Asian2.3%(173)

No data for the years selected.

Section 04 · Origins

Detailed origins & ancestry

Detailed origin tables are available for 2024; showing 2024 data.

Hispanic origin
Mexican83.6%(17,925)
Puerto Rican0.5%(104)
Cuban0.3%(64)
Panamanian0.1%(30)
Asian origin
Filipino1%(212)
Japanese1%(206)
Korean0.9%(199)
Chinese0.2%(51)
Vietnamese0.2%(37)
Hmong0.1%(25)
Asian Indian0.1%(18)
Ancestry
American3.1%(661)
German1.7%(356)
Irish1.3%(288)
English0.9%(188)
Italian0.8%(164)
Portuguese0.5%(115)
Hungarian0.5%(107)
Norwegian0.5%(101)
Arab0.4%(85)
Scottish0.2%(49)
+ 10 more ancestry groups with data
Swiss0.2%(39)
Lithuanian0.2%(34)
Jordanian0.1%(30)
Nigerian0.1%(30)
Dutch0.1%(27)
Slovene0.1%(25)
French0.1%(24)
British0.1%(17)
Swedish0.1%(17)
Polish0.1%(12)
RANKED:Largest Mexican population · Largest American population · Largest German population · Largest Irish population · Largest Filipino population
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
16.9%
+8.2 ptssince 1990
from 8.7% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
78.6%
+12.4 ptssince 1990
from 66.1% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
7.2%
+4.8 ptssince 1990
from 2.4% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
12.2 min
−5%since 1990
from 12.8 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Marital status
Men 15+
Never married29.3%(749)
Married61.8%(1,581)
Widowed2.1%(53)
Divorced6.8%(174)
Women 15+
Never married20.3%(551)
Married59.8%(1,626)
Widowed7.3%(199)
Divorced12.6%(343)
SHARE WITHIN EACH SEX · POPULATION 15 AND OVER · 2000
Drill deeper

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Pop 22,963
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Places similar to Imperial
Head to head

Compare Imperial to nearby cities

IMPERIAL VS
El Centro
Income$53,082+7%
Home value$323,100+221%
Population44,382+99%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
IMPERIAL VS
Brawley
Income$59,311+20%
Home value$290,700+189%
Population28,008+25%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
IMPERIAL VS
Calexico
Income$49,783+1%
Home value$313,600+212%
Population38,623+73%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
IMPERIAL VS
Somerton
Income$74,015+50%
Home value$232,600+131%
Population14,934−33%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Imperial, California?

Imperial, California has about 7,560 residents according to the 2000 Census.

What is the median household income in Imperial, California?

The typical household in Imperial, California earns about $49,451 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Imperial, California expensive?

In Imperial, California, the median home is worth about $100,500, and the typical rent is about $597 a month.

How educated are people in Imperial, California?

About 16.9% of adults age 25 and over in Imperial, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Imperial, California?

About 11.6% of people in Imperial, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Imperial, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Imperial, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 3,447 residents, a change of about 84 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →