Imperial County, California Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Imperial County is located in California with a total population of 179,319. It is the 31st most populous county out of 58 in California.

Age Demographics

The median age in Imperial County is 33.0 years. This is 12% lower than the state median of 37.6 years. With 28.5% of the population under 18, Imperial County has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Imperial County is $56,393. This is 41% lower than the state median of $96,334. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 28% lower. The poverty rate stands at 19.6%. This is 64% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 12.6%. This is 96% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $279,500. Housing costs are 60% lower than the state median of $695,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x. 56.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% higher than the state average of 55.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

Imperial County has a predominantly Hispanic or Latino population, comprising 85.6% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 9.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (9.4%) is well below the state average of 34.6%. The Black or African American population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 5.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (85.6% vs 39.8%). The Asian population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 15.0%.

Education

16.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 56% lower than the state rate of 36.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 71.9%.