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CITY · 2020 ACS

Imperial

California · 20,263 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 $82,133. The city has more than doubled in size since 2000, adding 12,703 residents. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $248,200. At a median age of 32.7, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Poverty is rare here, at 6.4% of residents.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 32.7
US median: 38.8
Less educated
22% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 64%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
20,263
+168%since 2000
from 7,560 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
3,213 / sq mi
+168%since 2000
from 1,199 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
32.7
+9%since 2000
from 29.9 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
2K8K13K18K23K1990201020202024Imperial
202421K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$82,133
+11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $49,451 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$22,559
+36%since 2000
from $16,538 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
60.5%
+29.2 ptssince 2009
from 31.3% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
6.4%
−5.2 ptssince 2000
from 11.6% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information16.5%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance6.8%
US avg: 5.5%
Wholesale trade5.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Professional, scientific, technical4.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services3.4%
US avg: 6.6%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.2%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction3.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services2.6%
US avg: 0.8%
Retail trade2.6%
US avg: 10%
Transportation & warehousing1.7%
US avg: 2.5%
Public administration1.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.2%
US avg: 2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$248,200
+64%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $100,500 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,155
+29%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $597 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
69.6%
−1.7 ptssince 2000
from 71.4% in 2000
30.4% rent
Afford Score
3.0
+49%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic12.1%(2,452)
Black1.4%(281)
Hispanic / Latino82.7%(16,757)
Asian2.3%(458)
Other0.7%(142)
Diversity Score36.1%(7,311)
Diversity Score
36
−43%since 2000
from 63 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
21.6%
+4.7 ptssince 2000
from 16.9% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
79.7%
+1.1 ptssince 2000
from 78.6% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
7.3%
+0.1 ptssince 2000
from 7.2% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.5 min
+68%since 2000
from 12.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
89.0%
+10.2 ptssince 2009
from 78.8% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
2.4%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 3.7% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
8.9%
−6.5 ptssince 2011
from 15.4% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
58.8%
−12.0 ptssince 2011
from 70.8% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
30.1%
−30.4 ptssince 2009
from 60.5% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.3%
−3.4 ptssince 2009
from 50.7% in 2009
Female
52.7%
+3.4 ptssince 2009
from 49.3% in 2009
Foreign born
21.4%
−6.2 ptssince 2009
from 27.6% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
4.8%
−79.1 ptssince 2013
from 83.9% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Imperial

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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$53,082−35%
Home value$323,100+30%
Population44,382+99%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
IMPERIAL VS
Brawley
Income$59,311−28%
Home value$290,700+17%
Population28,008+25%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
IMPERIAL VS
Calexico
Income$49,783−39%
Home value$313,600+26%
Population38,623+73%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
IMPERIAL VS
Somerton
Income$74,015−10%
Home value$232,600−6%
Population14,934−33%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Imperial, California?

Imperial, California has about 20,263 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Imperial, California?

The typical household in Imperial, California earns about $82,133 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 $248,200, and the typical rent is about $1,155 a month.

How educated are people in Imperial, California?

About 21.6% 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 6.4% 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 16,150 residents, a change of about 393 percent over that period.

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

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