Imperial County, CA

County

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2019 Population

180,701

0.269% 1-year growth

US Senator

Dianne Feinstein

Democratic Party

US Senator

Alex Padilla

Democratic Party

2019 Median Age

32.4

0% 1-year change

2019 Poverty Rate

24.1%

0.323% 1-year decrease

2019 Median Household Income

$47,622

3.9% 1-year growth

2019 Median Property Value

$195,800

10.6% 1-year growth

2019 Employed Population

60,074

0.259% 1-year growth

About

In 2019, Imperial County, CA had a population of 181k people with a median age of 32.4 and a median household income of $47,622. Between 2018 and 2019 the population of Imperial County, CA grew from 180,216 to 180,701, a 0.269% increase and its median household income grew from $45,834 to $47,622, a 3.9% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Imperial County, CA are White (Hispanic) (54.5%), Other (Hispanic) (26%), White (Non-Hispanic) (10.6%), Two+ (Hispanic) (2.72%), and Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (2.15%). 0% of the households in Imperial County, CA speak a non-English language at home as their primary language.

85% of the residents in Imperial County, CA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Imperial County, CA are Imperial Valley College (2,986 degrees awarded in 2019) and CET-El Centro (232 degrees).

In 2019, the median property value in Imperial County, CA was $195,800, and the homeownership rate was 58.3%. Most people in Imperial County, CA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 21.1 minutes. The average car ownership in Imperial County, CA was 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

Diversity

Imperial County, CA is home to a population of 181k people, from which 85% are citizens. As of 2019, 119% of Imperial County, CA residents were born outside of the country (215k people).

In 2019, there were 2.09 times more White (Hispanic) residents (98.4k people) in Imperial County, CA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 47k Other (Hispanic) and 19.2k 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)
98.4k ± 2.94k
Other (Hispanic)
47k ± 2.74k
White (Non-Hispanic)
19.2k ± 93

84.2%

Hispanic Population

152k people

84.2% of the people in Imperial County, CA are hispanic (152k people).

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

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

119%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

215k people

31.1%

2018 Foreign-Born Population

56k people

As of 2019, 119% of Imperial County, CA residents (215k people) were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 34%. In 2018, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Imperial County, CA was 31.1%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

± 0.6

In 2019, 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 foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 51. But people in Imperial County, CA are getting staying the same age. In 2018, 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
4,083,367 ± 46,962 people
Philippines
839,299 ± 22,251 people
China
667,994 ± 19,895 people

In 2019, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of California was Mexico, the natal country of 4,083,367 California residents, followed by Philippines with 839,299 and China with 667,994.

Citizenship

85%

2019 Citizenship

84.4%

2018 Citizenship

As of 2019, 85% of Imperial County, CA residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.4%. In 2018, the percentage of US citizens in Imperial County, CA was 84.4%, 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
1,759 ± 258
Gulf War (2001-)
1,194 ± 248
Gulf War (1990s)
722 ± 200

Imperial County, CA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.47 times greater than any other conflict.

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.

Y-Axis

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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Unemployment Insurance Claims

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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Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

8.45%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between May 2020 and May 2021

As of May 2021, there are 145M people employed in California. This represents a 8.45% increase in employment when compared to May 2020.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in California.

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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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Economy

Median household income in Imperial County, CA is $47,622. In 2019, the tract with the highest median household income in Imperial County, CA was Census Tract 118.01 with a value of $106,250, followed by Census Tract 118.03 and Census Tract 112.01, with respective values of $102,569 and $85,669.

Males in California have an average income that is 1.26 times higher than the average income of females, which is $62,156. The income inequality in California (measured using the Gini index) is 0.499, which is higher than than the national average.

The economy of Imperial County, CA employs 60.1k people. The largest industries in Imperial County, CA are Health Care & Social Assistance (9,569 people), Retail Trade (7,614 people), and Educational Services (6,102 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($81,783), Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($78,899), and Public Administration ($67,751).

Wages

Median Household Income

$47,622

2019 value

± $1,761

3.9%

1 Year Growth

± 5.29%

Households in Imperial County, CA have a median annual income of $47,622, which is less than the median annual income of $65,712 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $45,834 in 2018, which represents a 3.9% 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.

$78,556

Average Male Salary in California

± $756

$62,156

Average Female Salary in California

± $629

In 2019, 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
$73,480 ± $1,183
White
$65,253 ± $608
Two or More Races
$54,888 ± $1,917

In 2019 the highest paid race/ethnicity of California workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.13 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.

0.499

2019 Wage GINI in California

0.5

2018 Wage GINI in California

In 2019, the income inequality in California was 0.499 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.144% decline from 2018 to 2019, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for California was higher than than the national average of 0.478. 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.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 118.01
Census Tract 118.03
Census Tract 112.01

In 2019, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Imperial County, CA was Census Tract 118.01 with a value of $106,250, followed by Census Tract 118.03 and Census Tract 112.01, with respective values of $102,569 and $85,669.

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

24.1% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Imperial County, CA (41.1k out of 171k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.3%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 6 - 11, followed by Females 25 - 34 and then Males < 5.

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
37,381 ± 1,645
White
27,375 ± 1,504
Other
10,457 ± 862

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

60.1k

2019 Value

± 2,070

0.259%

1 Year growth

± 4.83%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Imperial County, CA grew at a rate of 0.259%, from 59.9k employees to 60.1k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Imperial County, CA, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (6,945 people), Sales & Related Occupations (6,410 people), and Healthcare Support Occupations (4,340 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 Office & Administrative Support Occupations (6,945 people), Sales & Related Occupations (6,410 people), and Healthcare Support Occupations (4,340 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Imperial County, CA has an unusually high number of residents working as Farming, Fishing, & Forestry Occupations (9.33 times higher than expected), Law Enforcement Workers Including Supervisors (3.78 times), and Healthcare Support Occupations (2.21 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Imperial County, CA, by median earnings, are Law Enforcement Workers Including Supervisors ($89,896), Life, Physical, & Social Science Occupations ($84,500), and Protective Service Occupations ($80,145).

Industries

Employment by Industries

60.1k

2019 Value

± 2,070

0.259%

1 Year growth

± 4.83%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Imperial County, CA grew at a rate of 0.259%, from 59.9k employees to 60.1k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Imperial County, CA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (9,569 people), Retail Trade (7,614 people), and Educational Services (6,102 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 (9,569 people), Retail Trade (7,614 people), and Educational Services (6,102 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Imperial County, CA has an unusually high number of Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (7.8 times higher than expected), Utilities (4.09 times), and Public Administration (2.03 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Imperial County, CA, by median earnings, are Utilities ($81,783), Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($78,899), and Public Administration ($67,751).

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 2018, the top outbound California product (by dollars) was Electronics with $379B, followed by Motorized vehicles ($199B) and Mixed freight ($157B).

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

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for California.

$2.18T

2018 Value in California

$5.17T

Projected 2045 Value in California

137% growth

In 2018, total outbound California trade was $2.18T. This is expected to increase 137% to $5.17T 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
$86.9B
Arizona
$47.9B
Washington
$39.1B

In 2018, the top outbound California domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Texas with $86.9B, followed by Arizona with $47.9B and Washington and $39.1B.

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

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
Appointed to the seat following the resignation of 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.

Education

In 2019, universities in Imperial County, CA awarded 3,218 degrees. The student population of Imperial County, CA is skewed towards women, with 3,893 male students and 4,835 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Imperial County, CA are Hispanic or Latino (2,985 and 92.8%), followed by White (122 and 3.79%), Unknown (54 and 1.68%), and Asian (21 and 0.653%).

The largest universities in Imperial County, CA by number of degrees awarded are Imperial Valley College (2,986 and 92.8%) and CET-El Centro (232 and 7.21%).

The most popular majors in Imperial County, CA are Liberal Arts & Sciences (1,014 and 31.5%), Biological & Physical Sciences (380 and 11.8%), and Criminal Justice - Police Science (252 and 7.83%).

Concentrations

Most Common

Biological & Physical Sciences
380 degree-majorss awarded
Liberal Arts & Sciences
295 degree-majorss awarded
Humanistic Studies
214 degree-majorss awarded

In 2019, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Imperial County, CA was Biological & Physical Sciences with 380 degrees 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
2,986 degrees awarded
CET-El Centro
232 degrees awarded

In 2019, the Imperial County, CA institution with the largest number of graduating students was Imperial Valley College with 2,986 degrees awarded.

Student Gender for Common Institutions

1,317

Degrees Awarded to Men

1,901

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2019, 1,317 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Imperial County, CA, which is 0.693 times less than the 1,901 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
2,985 degrees awarded
White
122 degrees awarded
Unknown
54 degrees awarded

In 2019 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions in Imperial County, CA was Hispanic or Latino students. These 2,985 degrees mean that there were 24.5 times more degrees awarded to Hispanic or Latino students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, White, with 122 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Imperial County, CA was $195,800 in 2019, which is 0.814 times smaller than the national average of $240,500. Between 2018 and 2019 the median property value increased from $177,100 to $195,800, a 10.6% increase. The homeownership rate in Imperial County, CA is 58.3%, which is lower than the national average of 64.1%. People in Imperial County, CA have an average commute time of 21.1 minutes, and they drove alone to work. 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

$195,800

2019 Median

± $6,460

$177,100

2018 Median

± $6,144

In 2019, the median property value in Imperial County, CA grew to to $195,800 from the previous year's value of $177,100.

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 $200k - $250k range.

Household Income

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

$47,622

Median Household Income

± $1,761

44.8k

Number of Households

± 1,576

In 2019, the median household income of the 44.8k households in Imperial County, CA grew to $47,622 from the previous year's value of $45,834.

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

58.3%

2019 Homeownership

58.4%

2018 Homeownership

In 2019, 58.3% of the housing units in Imperial County, CA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 58.4%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is lower than the national average of 64.1%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Imperial County, CA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

21.1 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Imperial County, CA have a shorter commute time (21.1 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.5 minutes). Additionally, 3.15% 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 Commute in 2019

Drove Alone (80.8%)
Carpooled (8.97%)
Worked At Home (4.56%)

In 2019, 80.8% of workers in Imperial County, CA drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (8.97%) and those who worked at home (4.56%).

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 false.

Health

92% of the population of Imperial County, CA has health coverage, with 33.2% on employee plans, 42.6% on Medicaid, 6.83% on Medicare, 8.27% on non-group plans, and 1.05% 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 4041 patients per year on average, which represents a 4.96% decrease from the previous year (4252 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 3020 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 657 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Amador County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (17%). Additionally, Colusa County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (39%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

4,041 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Imperial County, CA

Primary care physicians in Imperial County, CA see an average of 4,041 patients per year. This represents a 4.96% decrease from the previous year (4,252 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

8.05%

Uninsured

33.2%

Employer Coverage

42.6%

Medicaid

6.83%

Medicare

8.27%

Non-Group

1.05%

Military or VA

Between 2018 and 2019, the percent of uninsured citizens in Imperial County, CA declined by 13.5% from 9.3% to 8.05%.

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.