Imperial County, CA

County

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Population

180,216

0.144% 1-year growth

US Senator

Dianne Feinstein

Democratic Party

US Senator

Alex Padilla

Democratic Party

Median Age

32.4

Poverty Rate

24.2%

Median Household Income

$45,834

2.36% 1-year growth

Median Property Value

$177,100

5.61% 1-year growth

Number of Employees

59,919

0.271% 1-year growth

About

In 2018, Imperial County, CA had a population of 180k people with a median age of 32.4 and a median household income of $45,834. Between 2017 and 2018 the population of Imperial County, CA grew from 179,957 to 180,216, a 0.144% increase and its median household income grew from $44,779 to $45,834, a 2.36% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Imperial County, CA are White (Hispanic) (53.3%), Other (Hispanic) (26.2%), White (Non-Hispanic) (11%), Two+ (Hispanic) (3.28%), and Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (2.17%). NaNk% of the people in Imperial County, CA speak a non-English language, and 84.4% are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Imperial County, CA are Imperial Valley College (1,759 degrees awarded in 2017) and CET-El Centro (257 degrees).

The median property value in Imperial County, CA is $177,100, and the homeownership rate is 58.4%. Most people in Imperial County, CA commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 20.9 minutes. The average car ownership in Imperial County, CA is 2 cars per household.

Imperial County, CA borders La Paz County, AZ, Yuma County, AZ, Riverside County, CA, and San Diego County, CA.

United States California El Centro, CA

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for California. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in California, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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Impact on Employment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for California.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in California (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Community Mobility

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for California.

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of California across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Civics

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in Imperial County, CA went to Hillary Rodham Clinton with 67.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (26.4%), followed by Other (5.66%). The most partisan county was San Francisco County, CA with 85% of the vote going to Hillary Rodham Clinton running for the Democratic Party.

Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla are the senators currently representing the state of California. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

California is currently represented by 53 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Showing data up to the 2016 election. Updated election results are currently being processed, and will be released in the coming months.

2016 Election Results

Hillary Rodham Clinton (67.9%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (26.4%)
Republican Party
Other (5.66%)
Other Party

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in California went to Hillary Rodham Clinton with 67.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (26.4%), followed by Other (5.66%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in California for each registered party from 1976 to 2016.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

Presidential voting results are only available at the county level. Showing data for the counties inside of California.

Showing data up to the 2016 election. Updated election results are currently being processed, and will be released in the coming months.

Hillary Rodham Clinton

Popular Vote for Imperial County, CA

67.9% for the Democratic Party

Most Partisan Counties in California

San Francisco County, CA
85% for Hillary Rodham Clinton (Democratic Party)
Alameda County, CA
78.7% for Hillary Rodham Clinton (Democratic Party)
Marin County, CA
78.1% for Hillary Rodham Clinton (Democratic Party)

In the 2016 presidential election, the most partisan county in California was San Francisco County, CA with 85% of the vote going to Hillary Rodham Clinton running for the Democratic Party.

The following map shows the counties in California colored by their party leaning.

US Senators from California

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for California.

Dianne Feinstein

Senator from California

Assumed office on November 10, 1992
Elected to the seat to succeed John Seymour (California politician)|John Seymour, who had been appointed to the seat after Pete Wilson elected Governor of California.

Alex Padilla

Senator from California

Assumed office on January 20, 2021
Elected to the seat to succeed Kamala Harris, who had become Vice President of the United States.

Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla are the senators currently representing California.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in California over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representatives from California

California is currently represented by 53 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for California have changed over time starting in 2008.

Diversity

Imperial County, CA is home to a population of 180k people, from which 84.4% are citizens. As of 2018, 31.1% of Imperial County, CA residents were born outside of the country (56k people).

In 2018, there were 2.03 times more White (Hispanic) residents (96k people) in Imperial County, CA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 47.2k Other (Hispanic) and 19.8k White (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Imperial County, CA

White (Hispanic)
96k ± 2.58k
Other (Hispanic)
47.2k ± 2.48k
White (Non-Hispanic)
19.8k ± 112

83.8%

Hispanic Population

151k people

83.8% of the people in Imperial County, CA are hispanic (151k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Imperial County, CA as a share of the total population.

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

31.1%

2018 Foreign-Born Population

56k people

31.7%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

57k people

As of 2018, 31.1% of Imperial County, CA residents (56k people) were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 13.7%. In 2017, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Imperial County, CA was 31.7%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Imperial County, CA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.4

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 0.5

In 2018, the median age of all people in Imperial County, CA was 32.4. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 24, were generally younger than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 51. But people in Imperial County, CA are getting getting older. In 2017, the average age of all Imperial County, CA residents was 32.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for California.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
4,212,695 ± 47,591 people
Philippines
836,199 ± 22,209 people
China
612,429 ± 19,062 people

In 2017, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of California was Mexico, the natal country of 4,212,695 California residents, followed by Philippines with 836,199 and China with 612,429.

Citizenship

84.4%

2018 Citizenship

83.5%

2017 Citizenship

As of 2018, 84.4% of Imperial County, CA residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.2%. In 2017, the percentage of US citizens in Imperial County, CA was 83.5%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Imperial County, CA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
1,856 ± 267
Gulf War (2001-)
1,084 ± 240
Gulf War (1990s)
567 ± 132

Imperial County, CA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.71 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

Median household income in Imperial County, CA is $45,834. In 2018, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Imperial County, CA was Census Tract 118.03 with a value of $100,816, followed by Census Tract 118.01 and Census Tract 112.01, with respective values of $98,561 and $84,819.

Males in California have an average income that is 1.26 times higher than the average income of females, which is $57,252. The income inequality in California (measured using the Gini index) is 0.5, which is higher than than the national average.

The economy of Imperial County, CA employs 59.9k people. The largest industries in Imperial County, CA are Health Care & Social Assistance (9,566 people), Retail Trade (8,411 people), and Educational Services (6,189 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($87,679), Utilities ($80,500), and Public Administration ($64,611).

Wages

Median Household Income

$45,834

2018 value

± $1,861

2.36%

1 Year Growth

± 5.66%

Households in Imperial County, CA have a median annual income of $45,834, which is less than the median annual income of $61,937 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $44,779 in 2017, which represents a 2.36% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Imperial County, CA compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for California.

$72,235

Average Male Salary in California

± $699

$57,252

Average Female Salary in California

± $582

In 2017, full-time male employees in California made 1.26 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in California by number of full-time employees.

Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for California.

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in California

Asian
$65,946 ± $1,081
White
$59,925 ± $556
Two or More Races
$49,289 ± $1,826

In 2017 the highest paid race/ethnicity of California workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.1 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in California.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in California by number of full-time employees.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Imperial County, CA is from California.

0.5

2017 Wage GINI in California

0.5

2016 Wage GINI in California

In 2017, the income inequality in California was 0.5 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.16% growth from 2016 to 2017, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for California was higher than than the national average of 0.479. In other words, wages are distributed less evenly in California in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in California across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 118.03
Census Tract 118.01
Census Tract 112.01

In 2018, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Imperial County, CA was Census Tract 118.03 with a value of $100,816, followed by Census Tract 118.01 and Census Tract 112.01, with respective values of $98,561 and $84,819.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Imperial County, CA colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 6 - 11

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

24.2% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Imperial County, CA (41.2k out of 170k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 13.1%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 6 - 11, followed by Females 25 - 34 and then Males 6 - 11.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

Hispanic
37,135 ± 1,571
White
26,608 ± 1,458
Other
11,318 ± 861

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Imperial County, CA is Hispanic, followed by White and Other.

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

59.9k

2018 Value

± 2,035

0.271%

1 Year growth

± 4.71%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Imperial County, CA grew at a rate of 0.271%, from 59.8k employees to 59.9k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Imperial County, CA, are Sales & Related Occupations (6,788 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (6,783 people), and Healthcare Support Occupations (4,398 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Imperial County, CA.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Imperial County, CA, by number of employees, are Sales & Related Occupations (6,788 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (6,783 people), and Healthcare Support Occupations (4,398 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Imperial County, CA has an unusually high number of residents working as Farming, Fishing, & Forestry Occupations (9.54 times higher than expected), Law Enforcement Workers Including Supervisors (3.21 times), and Healthcare Support Occupations (2.25 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Imperial County, CA, by median earnings, are Law Enforcement Workers Including Supervisors ($89,720), Life, Physical, & Social Science Occupations ($85,078), and Legal Occupations ($82,849).

Industries

Employment by Industries

59.9k

2018 Value

± 2,035

0.271%

1 Year growth

± 4.71%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Imperial County, CA grew at a rate of 0.271%, from 59.8k employees to 59.9k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Imperial County, CA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (9,566 people), Retail Trade (8,411 people), and Educational Services (6,189 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Imperial County, CA, though some of these residents may live in Imperial County, CA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Most Common

The most common industries in Imperial County, CA, by number of employees, are Health Care & Social Assistance (9,566 people), Retail Trade (8,411 people), and Educational Services (6,189 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Imperial County, CA has an unusually high number of Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (7.92 times higher than expected), Utilities (3.64 times), and Public Administration (1.96 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Imperial County, CA, by median earnings, are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($87,679), Utilities ($80,500), and Public Administration ($64,611).

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from California to other states, or from other states to California.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2015, the top outbound California product (by dollars) was Electronics with $196B, followed by Mixed freight ($157B) and Gasoline ($127B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound California products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for California.

$1.54T

2015 Value in California

$2.48T

Projected 2045 Value in California

61.2% growth

In 2015, total outbound California trade was $1.54T. This is expected to increase 61.2% to $2.48T by 2045.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound California trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from California to other states, or from other states to California.

Most Common Trade Partners

Texas
$63.1B
Arizona
$42.2B
Washington
$31.2B

In 2015, the top outbound California domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Texas with $63.1B, followed by Arizona with $42.2B and Washington and $31.2B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that California shares with each state (excluding itself).

Education

In 2017, universities in Imperial County, CA awarded 2,016 degrees. The student population of Imperial County, CA is skewed towards women, with 3,972 male students and 4,699 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Imperial County, CA are Hispanic or Latino (1,878 and 93.2%), followed by Unknown (76 and 3.77%), White (50 and 2.48%), and Asian (5 and 0.248%).

The largest universities in Imperial County, CA by number of degrees awarded are Imperial Valley College (1,759 and 87.3%) and CET-El Centro (257 and 12.7%).

The most popular majors in Imperial County, CA are Liberal Arts & Sciences (536 and 26.6%), Biological & Physical Sciences (206 and 10.2%), and Criminal Justice - Police Science (170 and 8.43%).

The median tuition costs in Imperial County, CA are $N/A for private four year colleges, and $N/A and $N/A respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

Biological & Physical Sciences
206 degree-majorss awarded
Liberal Arts & Sciences
168 degree-majorss awarded
Criminal Justice - Police Science
161 degree-majorss awarded

In 2015, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Imperial County, CA was Biological & Physical Sciences with 206 degree-majorss awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Associates Degree from schools in Imperial County, CA according to their major.

Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Imperial Valley College
1,759 degrees awarded
CET-El Centro
257 degrees awarded

$N/A

Median In-State Public

$N/A

Median Private

In 2017, the Imperial County, CA institution with the largest number of graduating students was Imperial Valley College with 1,759 degrees awarded.

Student Gender for Common Institutions

839

Degrees Awarded to Men

1,177

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2017, 839 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Imperial County, CA, which is 0.713 times less than the 1,177 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the gender disparity between the institutions in Imperial County, CA by degrees awarded.

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino
1,878 degrees awarded
Unknown
76 degrees awarded
White
50 degrees awarded

In 2017 the majority of degrees awarded at institutions in Imperial County, CA were to Hispanic or Latino students. These 1,878 degrees mean that there were 24.7 times more Hispanic or Latino students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Unknown, with 76 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Imperial County, CA was $177,100 in 2018, which is 0.771 times smaller than the national average of $229,700. Between 2017 and 2018 the median property value increased from $167,700 to $177,100, a 5.61% increase. The homeownership rate in Imperial County, CA is 58.4%, which is lower than the national average of 63.9%. People in Imperial County, CA have an average commute time of 20.9 minutes, and they commute by Drove Alone. Car ownership in Imperial County, CA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$177,100

2018 Median

± $6,144

$167,700

2017 Median

± $3,108

In 2018, the median property value in Imperial County, CA grew to to $177,100 from the previous year's value of $167,700.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Imperial County, CA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Imperial County, CA the largest share of households have a property value in the N/A range.

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$45,834

Median Household Income

± $1,861

44.1k

Number of Households

± 1,547

In 2018, the median household income of the 44.1k households in Imperial County, CA grew to $45,834 from the previous year's value of $44,779.

The following chart displays the households in Imperial County, CA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Property Taxes

$800 - $1,499

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Imperial County, CA distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Imperial County, CA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

Rent vs Own

58.4%

2018 Homeownership

56.4%

2017 Homeownership

In 2018, 58.4% of the housing units in Imperial County, CA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 56.4%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is lower than the national average of 63.9%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Imperial County, CA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

20.9 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Imperial County, CA have a shorter commute time (20.9 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.3 minutes). Additionally, 3.33% of the workforce in Imperial County, CA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Imperial County, CA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Method of Travel

Drove Alone
81.2%
Carpooled
8.8%
Worked At Home
4.96%

In 2018, the most common method of travel for workers in Imperial County, CA was Drove Alone (81.2%), followed by those who Carpooled (8.8%) and those who Worked At Home (4.96%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Imperial County, CA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Imperial County, CA have 2 cars, followed by 3 cars.

Health

90.7% of the population of Imperial County, CA has health coverage, with 34.3% on employee plans, 40.5% on Medicaid, 6.47% on Medicare, 8.51% on non-group plans, and 0.995% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in California was $7,549 in 2014. This is a 4.04% increase from the previous year ($7,256).

Primary care physicians in Imperial County, CA see 4742 patients per year on average, which represents a 3.27% increase from the previous year (4592 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 3015 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 834 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Tehama County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (10.6%). Additionally, Tulare County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (33.4%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

4,742 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Imperial County, CA

Primary care physicians in Imperial County, CA see an average of 4,742 patients per year. This represents a 3.27% increase from the previous year (4,592 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Imperial County, CA in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

West Virginia
8.26% of the population affected
Arkansas
8.13% of the population affected
New Hampshire
7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

Mississippi
19.2% of adults
Texas
17.9% of adults
Louisiana
17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

Health Care Spending

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for California.

$7,549

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in California

$4,735

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$5,368

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$11,833

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in California (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 4.04%, from $7,256 to $7,549.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

Health Care Coverage

9.3%

Uninsured

34.3%

Employer Coverage

40.5%

Medicaid

6.47%

Medicare

8.51%

Non-Group

0.995%

Military or VA

Between 2017 and 2018, the percent of uninsured citizens in Imperial County, CA declined by 21.3% from 11.8% to 9.3%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Imperial County, CA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.