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CITY · 2010 ACS

Imperial

California · 14,758 residents · 6.306 sq mi
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The short version

Imperial has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $54,617. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 95% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $228,700. At a median age of 29.9, residents skew younger than the country as a whole.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $52,703
Younger
median age 29.9
US median: 37.2
Less educated
20% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 80%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
14,758
+95%since 2000
from 7,560 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,340 / sq mi
+95%since 2000
from 1,199 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
29.9
Unchangedsince 2000
from 29.9 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
2K8K13K18K23K1990201020202024Imperial
202421K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$54,617
−13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $49,451 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$19,667
+19%since 2000
from $16,538 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
30.7%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 31.3% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
12.6%
+1.0 ptssince 2000
from 11.6% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.376
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information18.2%
US avg: 11.5%
Finance & insurance8.1%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services6.1%
US avg: 7%
Wholesale trade5.9%
US avg: 7.2%
Education & health services5.4%
US avg: 0.9%
Public administration4.6%
US avg: 4.9%
Transportation & warehousing3.8%
US avg: 3.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.2%
US avg: 1.9%
Retail trade2.9%
US avg: 10.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.7%
US avg: 4.2%
Construction2.6%
US avg: 1.4%
Manufacturing0.6%
US avg: 0.5%
Arts, entertainment, food0.4%
US avg: 2.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$228,700
+80%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $100,500 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$677
−10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $597 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
64.0%
−7.4 ptssince 2000
from 71.4% in 2000
28.9% rent
Vacancy rate
5.7%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 5.6% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
52.3%
+2.1 ptssince 2009
from 50.1% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
39.7%
−5.0 ptssince 2009
from 44.6% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
4.2
+106%since 2000
from 2.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Imperial on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic32.4%(2,447)
Black2.4%(181)
Hispanic / Latino61.1%(4,619)
Asian2.3%(173)
Other0%
Diversity Score62.8%(4,749)
2010
White, non-Hispanic20.2%(2,982)
Black1.7%(258)
Hispanic / Latino74.8%(11,046)
Asian2%(294)
Other0.6%(83)
Diversity Score48.8%(7,201)
Diversity Score
49
−22%since 2000
from 63 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
20.0%
+3.1 ptssince 2000
from 16.9% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
77.3%
−1.3 ptssince 2000
from 78.6% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
8.7%
+1.5 ptssince 2000
from 7.2% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
17.4 min
+42%since 2000
from 12.2 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
81.0%
+2.1 ptssince 2009
from 78.8% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
12.6%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 15.0% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
3.1%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 2.9% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
1.8%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.9% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.2%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
3.9%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 3.7% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
25.7%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 25.5% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
32.4%
−28.1 ptssince 2009
from 60.5% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.3%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 50.7% in 2009
Female
51.7%
+2.4 ptssince 2009
from 49.3% in 2009
Foreign born
29.2%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 27.6% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
7.0%
−42.8 ptssince 2009
from 49.8% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Imperial

Bear
Pop 22,370
The Crossings
Pop 22,963
DeBary
Pop 23,544
Port St. John
Pop 25,120
Places similar to Imperial
Head to head

Compare Imperial to nearby cities

IMPERIAL VS
El Centro
Income$53,082−3%
Home value$323,100+41%
Population44,382+99%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
IMPERIAL VS
Brawley
Income$59,311+9%
Home value$290,700+27%
Population28,008+25%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
IMPERIAL VS
Calexico
Income$49,783−9%
Home value$313,600+37%
Population38,623+73%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
IMPERIAL VS
Somerton
Income$74,015+36%
Home value$232,600+2%
Population14,934−33%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Imperial, California?

Imperial, California has about 14,758 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Imperial, California?

The typical household in Imperial, California earns about $54,617 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 $228,700, and the typical rent is about $677 a month.

How educated are people in Imperial, California?

About 20.0% 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 12.6% 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 10,645 residents, a change of about 259 percent over that period.

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

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