Imperial Beach, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Imperial Beach, California had a total population of 25,764, the 297th largest city in California, with a median household income of $86,111, which is 13% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 10.0x the median household income.
Imperial Beach Quick Facts
How Imperial Beach Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,897 | 25,764 | -0.5% |
| Median household income | $79,071 | $86,111 | +8.9% |
| Median home value | $811,000 | $857,000 | +5.7% |
How Imperial Beach Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Imperial Beach Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in San Diego County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego | 1,389,526 | $108,077 | 11.0% | $906,700 |
| Chula Vista | 276,375 | $108,032 | 8.8% | $758,700 |
| Oceanside | 172,242 | $97,737 | 8.3% | $770,300 |
| Escondido | 149,668 | $91,967 | 12.2% | $714,500 |
| Carlsbad | 114,373 | $142,748 | 6.9% | $1,257,000 |
| El Cajon | 104,449 | $67,511 | 20.5% | $681,700 |
| Vista | 99,114 | $94,975 | 10.5% | $762,400 |
| San Marcos | 94,882 | $109,377 | 9.2% | $868,000 |
| Encinitas | 61,480 | $162,229 | 7.4% | $1,646,800 |
| La Mesa | 60,797 | $95,028 | 11.5% | $812,000 |
Cities Similar to Imperial Beach
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington | 25,698 | $81,640 | $469,200 | 11.2% | 15.6% |
| Riverbank | 25,166 | $87,966 | $463,200 | 19.6% | 12.8% |
| Seal Beach | 24,722 | $85,964 | $486,800 | 51.4% | 6.7% |
| Loma Linda | 25,122 | $82,353 | $596,900 | 51.8% | 12.3% |
| Galt | 25,962 | $94,393 | $487,500 | 21.4% | 8.0% |
Population Overview
Imperial Beach is a mid-sized community located in California, within San Diego County. The total population is 25,764. It ranks as the 297th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Imperial Beach is 35.1 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Imperial Beach is $86,111. This is 13% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 7% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.8%. This is 23% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 7.1%. This is 7% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $857,000. Housing costs are 17% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 10.0x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 31.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 44% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Imperial Beach is Hispanic or Latino, making up 53.0% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 32.6%. The Asian population (4.6%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
26.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 28% lower than the state rate of 37.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 88.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Imperial Beach, California is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against California state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,570 Census-designated places in California. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Imperial Beach, California?
Imperial Beach, California has a population of 25,764 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Imperial Beach, CA?
The median household income in Imperial Beach is $86,111, which is 7% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Imperial Beach, CA?
The poverty rate in Imperial Beach is 14.8%. This means approximately 3,811 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Imperial Beach, California?
Imperial Beach's population is 32.6% White, 3.9% Black, 53.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Imperial Beach, CA?
The median home value in Imperial Beach is $857,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 10.0x.
How educated is Imperial Beach, California?
26.7% of adults (25+) in Imperial Beach hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.