County · California
Imperial County, California
Imperial County, California. Imperial County had 181,411 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 0.9% since 2020, while California shrank 0.5%. It holds 18 places (7 cities, villages and boroughs and 11 census-designated) and 40 census tracts. GEOID 06025.
Imperial County is the county of the El Centro, CA metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
181,411
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 179,702 · ACS 2020-2024: 180,202
Median household income
$57,681
±$2,564 (90% margin)
California: $99,122
Median home value
$309,600
±$8,398 (90% margin)
California: $734,700
Median gross rent
$1,056
±$30 (90% margin)
California: $2,036
How many people live in Imperial County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 179,702 residents in Imperial County. The Census Bureau estimates 181,411 for July 1, 2025, up 0.9% since 2020, while California shrank 0.5%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 180,202 over 4,176 square miles of land.
| Measure | Imperial County | California | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 180,202 | 39,287,377 | −499 |
| Households | 49,644±655 | 13,548,091 | +4,815 |
| Average household size | 3.49±0.05 | 2.84 | −0.32 |
| Housing units | 58,044±117 | 14,644,735 | +354 |
Imperial County's population since 2000
From 142,361 in 2000 to 181,411 in 2025: up 27.4%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Imperial County?
Imperial County holds 18 places: 7 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 11 census-designated places. The largest is El Centro with 44,382 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| El Centro | 44,322 | $53,082 |
|---|---|---|
| Calexico | 38,633 | $49,783 |
| Brawley | 26,416 | $59,311 |
| Imperial | 20,263 | $90,195 |
| Heber | 6,896 | $72,028 |
| Calipatria | 6,515 | $53,299 |
| Holtville | 5,605 | $65,039 |
| Salton City | 5,155 | $47,827 |
| Westmorland | 2,014 | $28,839 |
| SeeleyGEOID 0670798 | 1,729 | $62,841 |
| Desert ShoresGEOID 0619024 | 1,128 | $37,212 |
| Niland | 756 | not published |
| Salton Sea BeachGEOID 0664308 | 508 | $35,341 |
| WinterhavenGEOID 0686020 | 390 | not published |
| El Centro Naval Air FacilityGEOID 0621788 | 280 | $69,063 |
| Bombay BeachGEOID 0607372 | 231 | not published |
| OcotilloGEOID 0653378 | 215 | not published |
| Palo VerdeGEOID 0655422 | 152 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Imperial County?
The median resident of Imperial County is 33.2 years old; 28.3% are under 18 and 13.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 86.0%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 9.1%. 31.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Imperial County | California | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 33.2±0.2 | 37.9 | +0.8 |
| Under 18 years | 28.3%±0.1 pts | 22.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 13.7%±0.1 pts | 15.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 86.0% | 40.2% | +1.8 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 9.1%±0.1 pts | 33.8% | −1.5 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 2.0%±0.2 pts | 5.2% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.3%±0.1 pts | 15.3% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 0.9%±0.2 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 31.6%±1.0 pts | 27.0% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 75.3%±1.3 pts | 44.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 3.4%±0.4 pts | 4.3% | – |
| With a disability | 14.8%±0.8 pts | 11.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.0%±0.7 pts | 6.6% | −2.0 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 71.5%±1.4 pts | 84.7% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 16.1%±1.2 pts | 37.1% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.5%±0.6 pts | 14.4% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.4%±0.3 pts | 1.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Imperial County earn?
Half of Imperial County's 49,644 households earn less than $57,681 a year (±$2,564), against $99,122 in California. In 2015-2019 it was $58,608 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 19.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Imperial County | California | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $57,681±$2,564 | $99,122 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $79,363±$2,958 | $140,436 | – |
| Per capita income | $23,552±$784 | $49,513 | +$1,377 |
| People below the poverty line | 19.5%±1.4 pts | 12.0% | −4.6 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 24.6%±3.0 pts | 15.0% | −7.6 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 28.7%±2.2 pts | 12.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 90.1%±1.1 pts | 93.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Imperial County?
Owners occupy 56.8% of Imperial County's occupied homes and renters 43.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $309,600 by its owner (±$8,398). The median renter pays $1,056 a month including utilities, and 43.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Imperial County | California | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $309,600±$8,398 | $734,700 | +$68,630 |
| Median gross rent | $1,056±$30 | $2,036 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 43.5%±3.0 pts | 46.0% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,774±$56 | $2,946 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 56.8%±2.0 pts | 55.9% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 58,044±117 | 14,644,735 | +354 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.6%±0.5 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.3%±1.3 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 62.1%±1.7 pts | 57.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 8.8%±1.0 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.1%±0.7 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 3.8%±0.6 pts | 8.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Imperial County building?
Builders took permits for 242 new housing units across Imperial County in 2025 (224 single-family), 1.3 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Imperial County get to work?
79.0% of Imperial County's workers drive alone and 7.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 12.5%.
| Measure | Imperial County | California | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 53.0%±1.1 pts | 63.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 12.5%±1.4 pts | 6.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 79.0%±1.7 pts | 65.7% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.8%±1.2 pts | 9.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Walked | 2.6%±0.8 pts | 2.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.2%±1.1 pts | 17.2% | +2.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.1 min±1.1 | 28.7 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Imperial County's census tracts?
Imperial County is divided into 40 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $25,670 (Tract 121.01) to $129,936 (Tract 118.01).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Imperial County compare with California's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 31st of 58 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 17th of 58 |
| Residents per square mile | 41st of 58 |
| Median household income | 57th of 58 |
| Median home value | 55th of 58 |
| Median gross rent | 54th of 56 |
| Poverty rate | 2nd of 57 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 54th of 58 |
| Median age | 53rd of 58 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Imperial County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.