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Imperial Beach, CA

Full City Profile · California · San Diego County County

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 34.6% income on rent
62°F Avg Temperature 330 sunny days/yr
261 Violent Crime/100K 1,200 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
261 violent crimes/100K
C+
Education
2.9 / 5.0
23.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Imperial Beach enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 57°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. The area gets 330 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 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)
Sunny Days330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation23 ft (7 m)
Area4.5 sq mi (11.6 km²)
Population Density6,037/sq mi
Coordinates32.5691°N, 117.1149°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountySan Diego County County
Nearest AirportSan Diego International (SAN)
12 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 8.6"
77% below US avg
Wettest Month (Mar) 2.17"
Driest Month (Jul) 0.04"

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)

Ozone (O₃)0.0453 ppm
NO₂ (Nitrogen Dioxide)13.7 ppb
SO₂ (Sulfur Dioxide)0.07 ppb
CO (Carbon Monoxide)0.50 ppm
PM2.5 (Fine Particles)8.4 μg/m³

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery High
Risk Score99.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability24.8 / 100
Community Resilience8.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Low
Hurricane Very Low
Earthquake Relatively High
Wildfire Very High
Flood Very High
Hail Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave Relatively High
Winter Weather Relatively Low
Lightning Relatively Moderate
Drought Relatively Low
Cold Wave Very Low
Landslide Relatively High
Coastal Flood Relatively Moderate
Tsunami Relatively Low
Volcano Very Low
Avalanche Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

5,573 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M5.7. Most recent: M2.5 on Aug 17, 2025.

Jun 15, 2010 8km ESE of Ocotillo, CA M5.7 114 km
Jul 7, 2010 20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA M5.4 112 km
Mar 23, 1994 35km E of Maneadero, B.C., MX M5.3 127 km
Apr 4, 2010 15km SSW of Progreso, B.C., MX M5.3 140 km
Apr 14, 2025 5 km S of Julian, CA M5.2 71 km
Jun 12, 2005 10km ESE of Anza, CA M5.2 119 km
Jun 10, 2016 20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA M5.2 115 km
Oct 31, 2001 16km ESE of Anza, CA M5.0 119 km
Jun 15, 2004 67km SE of San Clemente Is. (SE tip), CA M5.0 79 km
Apr 5, 2010 20km ESE of Ocotillo, CA M5.0 123 km
Apr 5, 2010 19km ESE of Ocotillo, CA M4.9 123 km
May 22, 2010 17km WNW of Progreso, B.C., MX M4.9 127 km
Jul 26, 1997 16km N of Borrego Springs, California M4.9 117 km
Apr 4, 2020 17km ESE of Anza, CA M4.9 117 km
Feb 12, 2024 3 km NNW of El Centro, CA M4.8 147 km
May 8, 2010 19km ESE of Ocotillo, CA M4.8 124 km
Jun 20, 1997 27km SE of San Clemente Is. (SE tip), California M4.8 94 km
Apr 5, 2010 21km ESE of Ocotillo, CA M4.7 123 km
Apr 4, 2010 13km S of Progreso, B.C., MX M4.7 143 km
Mar 11, 2013 21km ESE of Anza, CA M4.7 120 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tornado History

25 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF1. Total: 4 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Nov 10, 2000 EF1 43 km 0
Jan 29, 1998 EF1 56 km 0
Mar 27, 1991 EF1 65 km 0
Mar 19, 1991 EF1 20 km 0
Feb 20, 1980 EF1 25 km 0
Dec 18, 1978 EF1 74 km 0
Oct 8, 1961 EF1 70 km 0
Apr 13, 1956 EF1 8 km 0
Sep 22, 2007 EF0 53 km 0
Mar 11, 2006 EF0 62 km 0
Mar 10, 2006 EF0 56 km 0
Feb 23, 2005 EF0 8 km 0
Feb 19, 2005 EF0 88 km 0
Feb 19, 2005 EF0 95 km 0
Oct 17, 2004 EF0 74 km 0
Jul 12, 1999 EF0 82 km 0
Feb 8, 1998 EF0 54 km 0
Dec 7, 1992 EF0 70 km 0
Feb 15, 1992 EF0 86 km 0
Jan 14, 1990 EF0 20 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950–2024)

Tsunami History

1 tsunami recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 1.2 m (4 ft).

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
1862 S. CALIFORNIA Eruption + Earthquake 1.2 m 17 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Salton Buttes (156 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Salton Buttes Lava dome(s) -40 m (-131 ft) 210 156 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP). Sorted by distance.

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: CEDAR (268,362 ac, 2003).

Year Name Acres Distance
2003 CEDAR 268,362 53 km
2007 WITCH 167,551 65 km
2007 HARRIS 90,443 33 km
2002 PINES 65,407 82 km
2003 PARADISE 55,995 73 km
2007 POOMACHA 47,496 83 km
2003 MINE/OTAY 37,232 26 km
2008 YELLOW 33,232 97 km
2020 INDIA 24,193 97 km
2007 AMMO FIRE 19,213 92 km
1993 GUEJITO 17,141 63 km
2006 HORSE 16,659 49 km
2020 VALLEY 16,517 44 km
1989 VAIL 15,632 96 km
2014 PULGAS 14,937 87 km
1996 OTAY 322 12,238 23 km
2012 WILSON 12,048 92 km
2000 PECHANGA 11,879 95 km
2001 VIEJAS 10,942 44 km
1987 PALOMAR 10,256 88 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 57°F (14°C) 2.1 in
February 58°F (14°C) 2.1 in
March 59°F (15°C) 2.2 in Wettest
April 62°F (16°C) 0.7 in
May 64°F (18°C) 0.2 in
June 67°F (20°C) 0.1 in
July 69°F (20°C) 0.0 in Driest
August 73°F (23°C) 0.1 in Warmest
September 71°F (22°C) 0.2 in
October 67°F (20°C) 0.4 in
November 61°F (16°C) 1.1 in
December 57°F (14°C) 1.4 in Coldest

Imperial Beach has a seasonal temperature swing of 16°F / from 57°F in December to 73°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 10.5 inches, with March being the wettest month (2.2") and July the driest (0.0").

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