Imperial Beach, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Imperial Beach is a small city in California with a population of 25,897. Residents earn $79,071 per year, which is 5% above the national average.

2.2 /5.0
C Fair
25,897 Population 6,037/sq mi density
$79,071 Median Income $38,709 per capita
$811,000 Home Value $835,065 Zillow
$1,914 Median Rent
62°F Avg Temperature
411 Violent Crime/100K 1,528 property/100K
C
Overall
2.2 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$79,071 median income, 5.1% unemployment
F
Affordability
1.0 / 5.0
$811,000 home value, $1,914/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
411 violent crimes/100K (8% above avg)
C+
Education
2.9 / 5.0
23.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $79,071
5% higher than US avg
Home Value $811,000
188% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 411/100K
8% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 23.7%
30% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,914
65% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 29.1%
9% lower than US avg
Unemployment 5.1%
42% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 8.8%
29% lower than US avg

How Imperial Beach Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population25,897
Median Age35.2 yrs
Density6,037/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 49%

Economy

B+
Median Income$79,071
Per Capita$38,709
Unemployment5.1%
Poverty8.8%
County GDP$331,868M
Commute28 min

Housing

F
Home Value$811,000
Rent$1,914
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$835,065

Crime

F
Violent411/100K
Property1,528/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault312/100K
Burglary279/100K

Health

Obesity29.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.3%
Heart Disease5.5%

Climate

Avg Temp62°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain8.6 in/yr
Elevation23 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+23.7%
High School+85.3%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 40% / D 57%
Commute28 min
EV Stations13
Libraries88

Is Imperial Beach a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Imperial Beach receives an overall livability score of 2.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, above-average unemployment. Imperial Beach has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Imperial Beach is $79,071, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.1% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. 8.8% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Imperial Beach is $811,000, making it a premium housing market at 188% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,914 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 10.3x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 411 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,528 per 100,000, 22% below the national average.

Education

23.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 85.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Imperial Beach enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F. Winters average 57°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 8.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Imperial Beach has a population of 25,897 with a density of 6,037 people per square mile. The median age is 35.2 years, 10% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (48.9%), with 2.6% Hispanic, 4.6% Black.

Population

25,897
Total Population
6,037
People / sq mi
35.2yrs
Median Age
10% below US avg
4.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.8%
Female 48.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Imperial Beach vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only56.1%
29% below US avg
Spanish43.9%
228% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Imperial Beach vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Imperial Beach is $79,071, which is 5% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.1% (above the 3.6% US average). 8.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Income: Imperial Beach vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$79,071
5% above US avg
Per Capita Income$38,709
Avg Weekly Wage$1,593
IRS Avg AGI$104,353

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.1%
42% above US avg
Poverty Rate8.8%
29% below US avg
Establishments (County)133,031
County GDP$331,868M

Business (County)

Restaurants8,243
Healthcare11,184
Retail9,270
Manufacturing2,955

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$9,205
163% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.14%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time27.6 min
Work from Home9.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Imperial Beach is $811,000, 188% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,914 (65% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $835,065.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$811,000
188% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$835,065
Median List Price$939,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$939,000
$/Sq Ft$604
Homes Sold8
Sale-to-List Ratio98.7%
Price Drops11.9%
Inventory59

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,914
65% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$2,758

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,513
1 Bedroom$1,647
2 Bedrooms$2,053
3 Bedrooms$2,752
4 Bedrooms$3,165

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied30.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$9,205
163% above US avg
Effective Rate1.14%
In Imperial Beach, 29.1% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 22.3% report depression. 25.7% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Imperial Beach vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity29.1%
9% below US avg
Diabetes11.2%
Heart Disease5.5%
High Blood Pressure29.4%
Asthma9.4%
COPD5.4%
Stroke3.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.8%
Physical Inactivity25.7%
Depression22.3%
Mental Distress18.5%
Physical Distress14.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate88.3%
Checkup Rate70.8%
Premature Death5,727/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.8/10
Exercise Access97.5%
Healthcare Facilities11,184
Imperial Beach has a violent crime rate of 411 per 100,000 residents, 8% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,528 per 100,000 (22% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Imperial Beach vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent411.3/100K
8% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape29.4/100K
Robbery69.8/100K
Assault312.1/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,527.5/100K
22% below US avg
Burglary279.1/100K
Theft881.3/100K
Vehicle Theft367.2/100K
Arson11.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)272
FEMA Disasters455

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Imperial Beach has an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 57°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation is 8.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

57°F Jan (14°C) 69°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average62.3°F
15% above US avg
January Average57°F (14°C)
July Average69°F (20°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall8.6 inches
77% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation23 ft (7 m)
Area4.3 sq mi (11.1 km²)
Population Density6,037/sq mi
Coordinates32.5691°N, 117.1149°W
County FIPS06073
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 23.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (30% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 16.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 40.2%
D 56.9%

Winner: Democrat by 16.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+23.7%
30% below US avg
High School+85.3%
School Test Score4.69
C+ Education Grade (2.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density6,037/sq mi
Total Area4.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations13
Alt Fuel Stations18
Public Libraries88
Healthcare Facilities11,184
Restaurants8,243
Retail Stores9,270

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)272
FEMA Disaster Declarations455
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute27.6 min
Work from Home9.4%

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