Imperial County, California
Income Data
U.S. Census Bureau ACSAt a Glance
Economic Indicators
How Imperial County Compares
Detailed Income Statistics
Income Advisory: Imperial County
Income Verdict
Imperial County has a median household income of $56,393 and per capita income of $22,702 — a gap of $33,691, indicating a strong family-earning economy with multiple earners per household.
Housing Affordability
With median gross rent at $1,012/month and a median household income of $56,393, rent consumes approximately 21.5% of monthly income — well within affordable thresholds.
Economic Context
With a median household income of $56,393, residents of Imperial County likely face budget constraints in higher-cost regions but may find cost of living manageable locally. Per capita income of $22,702 suggests below-average individual earnings, which may reflect local employment mix or industrial composition.
Neighbor Context
Imperial County earns approximately 35.2% below the California state median household income of $87,001.
Data Story
About Household Income in Imperial County, California
Imperial County falls well below national average
Imperial County's median household income of $56,393 is 24.5% lower than the national median of $74,755. This substantial gap reflects limited economic diversification and persistent regional poverty in the Colorado Desert region.
One of California's lowest-income counties
At $56,393, Imperial's median household income lags California's state average of $87,001 by over $30,600—the largest gap among these eight counties. The county ranks among the lowest-earning counties statewide.
Imperial faces the steepest income challenges
Imperial County ($56,393) earns less than all seven comparison counties in this analysis, including Humboldt ($61,135) and Kern ($67,660). This reflects structural economic challenges and limited high-wage employment sectors.
Housing costs severely limit household budgets
With a 21.5% rent-to-income ratio, Imperial households dedicate substantial earnings to housing despite the lowest median home value ($279,500) in this county group. The gap between low incomes and housing costs leaves limited resources for savings and emergencies.
Connect with resources to build security
Imperial County residents should leverage federal assistance programs, local workforce development initiatives, and nonprofit credit counseling. Building even modest savings requires using every available support tool and exploring career advancement and skill-building opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Income Comparison Calculator
See how your household income compares in Imperial County
Your income is above the Imperial County median
County median: $56,393 per year
vs. County Median
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vs. State Average
-35%
vs. National Median
-25%
Income Adequacy
Your monthly income ($4,699) vs. median rent ($1,012/mo). A ratio of 3.3x or higher means rent is under 30% of income.
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Compare RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.