Population 180,202 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Imperial County
Household size in Imperial County
| Period | Imperial County | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.32 | 3.04 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 3.57 | 3.10 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 3.81 | 3.09 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 3.53 | 3.01 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.21 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
Imperial County is a place of big households: 3.53 people per home on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. Numbers like that usually point to plenty of families with kids. Since 2006–10, household size has climbed from 3.32, even as the national average fell. Only two of California's 58 counties have larger households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Imperial County
| Period | Imperial County | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 32.4 | 35.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 33.2 | 36.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 33.2 | 37.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 33.6 | 39.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.2 | +3.1 | +2.3 |
Imperial County is young: half of its residents are under 33.6, compared with a national median of 40.1. The population tilts toward young families with children. The median age has climbed from 32.4 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Only three of California's 58 counties are younger.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Imperial County
| Period | Imperial County | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.9% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 17.7% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 16.1% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 16.9% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −2.0 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in six households in Imperial County (16.9%), well above the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share is down 2.0 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Imperial County has a higher share of single-parent households than at least four in five California counties.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Imperial County
Renters in Imperial County
| Period | Imperial County | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 43.4% | 42.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 44.3% | 45.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 41.7% | 45.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 43.2% | 44.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | −0.2 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting is more common in Imperial County than nationally: 43.2% of households rent their homes, against 34.8% for the U.S. Among owners, 42.0% have paid off their mortgages, about the same as nationally. Renting is most common in the southeast and least common in the west.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Imperial County
| Period | Imperial County | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.1% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 16.1% | 8.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 22.6% | 7.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 14.9% | 7.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | +0.8 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 14.9% of the housing in Imperial County, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy has edged up 0.8 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Imperial County
| Period | Imperial County | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1984 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1985 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1987 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1987 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +3 | +4 | +6 |
The housing in Imperial County is younger than the country's: half of it was built after 1987, against 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1984 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the west, the oldest in the south.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Imperial County
| Period | Imperial County | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $775 | $1,298 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $860 | $1,379 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $977 | $1,721 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,290 | $2,229 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$515 | +$931 | +$606 |
The median renter in Imperial County pays $1,290 a month for rent and utilities, below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $515 a month since 2006–10, up 67%, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 34.3% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the center; the highest are in the west.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Imperial County
Bachelor's degrees in Imperial County
| Period | Imperial County | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.2% | 29.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 14.1% | 30.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 15.8% | 32.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 17.2% | 36.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +4.0 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Imperial County have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 17.2%, against 35.6% nationally. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 4.0 points, mirroring the country. Imperial County has a lower share of college graduates than at least four in five California counties.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Imperial County
| Period | Imperial County | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 63.2% | 79.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 66.2% | 80.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 70.2% | 82.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 72.2% | 84.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +9.0 pts | +4.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
More than a quarter of adults in Imperial County never finished high school, well above the national share: only 72.2% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. The share with a diploma is up 9.0 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Few California counties have a lower share of high school graduates: only three of 58.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Imperial County
| Period | Imperial County | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.5% | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 17.8% | 11.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 14.5% | 6.3% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 12.0% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.5 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in Imperial County: 12.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. Only one other California county has higher unemployment. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 2.5 points, mirroring the country.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Imperial County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Imperial County | 3.53 | 33.6 | 16.9% | 43.2% | 14.9% | 1987 | $1,290 | 17.2% | 72.2% | 12.0% |
| San Diego County | 2.86 | 39.0 | 10.4% | 45.4% | 7.1% | 1981 | $2,468 | 42.8% | 89.0% | 6.1% |
| Graham County | 2.92 | 35.7 | 16.9% | 26.9% | 10.0% | 1989 | $1,000 | 15.5% | 86.0% | 8.4% |
| Greenlee County | 2.76 | 37.6 | 15.2% | 47.0% | 19.6% | 1978 | $654 | 21.9% | 87.1% | 2.3% |
| Grant County | 2.49 | 48.6 | 6.2% | 24.2% | 22.1% | 1977 | $772 | 29.9% | 89.8% | 7.3% |
| Otero County | 2.97 | 39.1 | 15.8% | 33.0% | 21.0% | 1986 | $972 | 23.2% | 86.6% | 8.3% |
| Lea County | 3.03 | 32.8 | 16.0% | 28.8% | 13.7% | 1981 | $1,160 | 16.7% | 75.1% | 7.0% |
| Gaines County | 3.42 | 28.8 | 11.4% | 25.4% | 11.3% | 1990 | $811 | 12.2% | 55.0% | 2.3% |
| Dawson County | 2.68 | 34.8 | 15.4% | 29.4% | 21.9% | 1967 | $976 | 13.4% | 72.8% | 7.7% |
| Borden County | 2.93 | 32.2 | 4.9% | 33.7% | 34.0% | 1973 | $1,246 | 36.9% | 94.4% | 0.3% |
| Scurry County | 2.69 | 37.0 | 14.3% | 23.2% | 14.9% | 1970 | $1,018 | 15.5% | 82.3% | 3.1% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Beaufort County, SC · Charlotte County, FL · DeSoto County, MS · Newport News City, VA · Bay County, FL · Winnebago County, WI · Washington County, UT · Vanderburgh County, IN · Tippecanoe County, IN · Santa Rosa County, FL
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Imperial County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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