Imperial Beach, California Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Imperial Beach, California is 25,897 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 294th-largest city in California. The median household income is $79,071, the median home value is $811,000, and the median age is 35.2.
The population has declined 3.1% since 2010 (26,388 → 25,568).
25,897
Population
6037
People / sq mi
$79,071
Median Income
$811,000
Median Home Value
Imperial Beach covers 4.3 sq mi of land at 6037 people per square mile.
About Imperial Beach, CA
Imperial Beach is a city in California with a population of 25,897. It ranks #294 among cities in California by population. The median age is 35.2, younger than the national median. The population is 51.8% male and 48.2% female.
The median household income in Imperial Beach is $79,071, above the US median of $74,580. 8.8% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $811,000, with monthly rent averaging $1,914. The homeownership rate of 30.7% is lower than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Imperial Beach reflects 23.7% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 9.4% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 27.6 minutes each way.
Imperial Beach city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Imperial Beach city had a population of 26,388 in 2010 and 25,568 in 2024, a -3.1% growth over 14 years. The peak was 27,440 in 2019. Average annual growth rate: -0.22%.
25,568
Population (2024)
26,388
Population (2010)
27,440
Peak (2019)
-0.22%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 26,388 |
| 2011 | 26,617 |
| 2012 | 26,821 |
| 2013 | 27,031 |
| 2014 | 27,055 |
| 2015 | 27,259 |
| 2016 | 27,329 |
| 2017 | 27,278 |
| 2018 | 27,362 |
| 2019 | 27,440 |
| 2020 | 26,101 |
| 2021 | 25,906 |
| 2022 | 25,738 |
| 2023 | 25,595 |
| 2024 | 25,568 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 48.9% |
| Black or African American | 4.6% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.6% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$79,071
Median Household Income
$38,709
Per Capita Income
8.8%
Poverty Rate
5.1%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$811,000
Median Home Value
$1,914
Median Rent
30.7%
Owner-Occupied
Education
85.3%
High School+
23.7%
Bachelor's+
Commute
4.4%
Drive Alone
71.6%
Public Transit
9.4%
Work From Home
27.6 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
24.8%
Foreign Born
58.2%
Non-English at Home
8.5%
Veterans
12.4%
With Disability
89.8%
Health Insurance
93.8%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 20.9% |
| Construction | 10.9% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 10.6% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 10.3% |
| Public Administration | 9.7% |
| Retail Trade | 7.1% |
| Manufacturing | 6.9% |
| Information | 4.5% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 3.4% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 1.6% |
Largest cities in California
Largest counties in California
Part of California
Metro areas in California
City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Imperial Beach, California has a population of 25,897 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 294th-largest city in California.
The median household income in Imperial Beach, California is $79,071, with 8.8% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Imperial Beach, California is $811,000, with median monthly rent at $1,914 and a homeownership rate of 30.7%.
The median age in Imperial Beach, California is 35.2 years. The population is 51.8% male and 48.2% female.
The population has declined 3.1% since 2010 (26,388 → 25,568).
More from California
Population 3,857,897
Population 1,385,061
Population 990,054
Population 836,321
Population 543,615
Full rankings of California cities by population
Statewide data for California
Population, race, income, age, and trends across California
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.