Imperial, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Imperial, California had a total population of 21,430, the 339th largest city in California, with a median household income of $90,195, which is 9% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 8.2% is notably above the national average.
Imperial Quick Facts
How Imperial 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 | 20,943 | 21,430 | +2.3% |
| Median household income | $83,214 | $90,195 | +8.4% |
| Median home value | $344,700 | $360,900 | +4.7% |
How Imperial 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Imperial Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Imperial County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Centro | 44,240 | $53,082 | 21.6% | $323,100 |
| Calexico | 38,585 | $49,783 | 19.7% | $313,600 |
| Brawley | 27,283 | $59,311 | 21.3% | $290,700 |
| Heber | 7,312 | $72,028 | 10.6% | $335,600 |
| Calipatria | 6,548 | $53,299 | 25.6% | $197,200 |
| Salton City | 5,988 | $47,827 | 14.4% | $200,600 |
| Holtville | 5,617 | $65,039 | 18.7% | $310,100 |
| Westmorland | 1,844 | $28,839 | 48.6% | $310,200 |
| Seeley | 1,182 | $62,841 | 19.5% | $198,200 |
| Niland | 1,116 | N/A | 14.8% | $226,200 |
Cities Similar to Imperial
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Port Hueneme | 21,582 | $92,660 | $587,000 | 25.1% | 11.4% |
| West Carson | 22,143 | $92,775 | $689,700 | 36.9% | 8.8% |
| South Lake Tahoe | 21,269 | $82,002 | $682,400 | 35.9% | 9.3% |
| West Puente Valley | 22,495 | $88,279 | $632,300 | 13.8% | 13.3% |
| Rosamond | 21,473 | $79,386 | $352,600 | 16.2% | 17.1% |
Population Overview
Imperial is a small city located in California, within Imperial County. The total population is 21,430. It ranks as the 339th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Imperial is 31.3 years. This is 17% lower than the state median of 37.9 years. With 34.8% of the population under 18, Imperial has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Imperial is $90,195. This is 9% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 12% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.5%. This is 4% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 8.2%. This is 25% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $360,900. Housing costs are 51% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x. 69.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Imperial has a predominantly Hispanic or Latino population, comprising 85.4% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 10.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (10.5%) is well below the state average of 33.8%. The Black or African American population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (85.4% vs 40.2%). The Asian population (2.9%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
22.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 39% 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 83.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Imperial, 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, California?
Imperial, California has a population of 21,430 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Imperial, CA?
The median household income in Imperial is $90,195, which is 12% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Imperial, CA?
The poverty rate in Imperial is 12.5%. This means approximately 2,673 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Imperial, California?
Imperial's population is 10.5% White, 0.5% Black, 85.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Imperial, CA?
The median home value in Imperial is $360,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x.
How educated is Imperial, California?
22.7% of adults (25+) in Imperial hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.