Imperial, CA Demographics

A map of Imperial's Population by Race

Imperial, California has an estimated population of 21,430, an increase from the 20,263 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 85.4% Hispanic, 10.5% White, 2.9% Asian, 0.5% Black, 0.4% Multiracial, and 0.3% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Imperial, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Imperial has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than California overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Imperial, that probability was 30.1% in 2020 and 25.9% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Imperial is ranked the 339th most populous place in California, out of 1,618 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Imperial was ranked the 348th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Imperial's White Population

2,250 residents of Imperial, or 10.5% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Imperial is significantly lower than in California overall, where 33.8% of the population is White. Imperial ranks 1411th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Imperial's White population has declined by an estimated 8.2%. White residents' share of Imperial's population has decreased from 12.1% to 10.5%.

Imperial is more White than neighboring El Centro (8.1% White), Heber (0.5% White), and Seeley (3% White). Imperial is less White than neighboring El Centro Naval Air Facility (20.1% White), and Brawley (11.1% White).

Imperial's Black Population

117 residents of Imperial, or 0.5% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Imperial is slightly lower than in California overall, where 5.2% of the population is Black. Imperial ranks 587th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Imperial's Black population has declined by an estimated 58.4%. Black residents' share of Imperial's population has decreased from 1.4% to 0.5%.

Imperial is more Black than neighboring Brawley (0.3% Black). Imperial is less Black than neighboring El Centro (3% Black), El Centro Naval Air Facility (13.5% Black), Heber (2.9% Black), and Seeley (6.2% Black).

Imperial's Asian Population

618 residents of Imperial, or 2.9% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Imperial is considerably lower than in California overall, where 15.3% of the population is Asian. Imperial ranks 771st statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Imperial's Asian population has grown by an estimated 34.9%. Asian residents' share of Imperial's population has increased from 2.3% to 2.9%.

Imperial is more Asian than neighboring El Centro (1% Asian), Heber (0% Asian), Seeley (0% Asian), and Brawley (1.9% Asian). Imperial is less Asian than neighboring El Centro Naval Air Facility (3.4% Asian).

Imperial's Hispanic Population

18,293 residents of Imperial, or 85.4% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Imperial is significantly higher than in California overall, where 40.2% of the population is Hispanic. Imperial ranks 130th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Imperial's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 9.2%. Hispanic residents' share of Imperial's population has increased from 82.7% to 85.4%.

Imperial is more Hispanic than neighboring El Centro Naval Air Facility (26.9% Hispanic), and Seeley (80.2% Hispanic). Imperial is less Hispanic than neighboring El Centro (86.7% Hispanic), Heber (94.5% Hispanic), and Brawley (85.6% Hispanic).

Imperial's Native American/Other Population

65 residents of Imperial, or 0.3% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Imperial is comparable to the share in California overall, where 1.2% of the population is Native American/Other. Imperial ranks 1407th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Imperial's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 40.4%. Native American/Other residents' share of Imperial's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.3%.

Imperial is more Native American/Other than neighboring El Centro Naval Air Facility (0% Native American/Other), and Seeley (0% Native American/Other). Imperial is less Native American/Other than neighboring Heber (1.2% Native American/Other), and Brawley (0.4% Native American/Other).

Imperial's Multiracial Population

87 residents of Imperial, or 0.4% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Imperial is slightly lower than in California overall, where 4.4% of the population is Multiracial. Imperial ranks 1465th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Imperial's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 57.8%. Multiracial residents' share of Imperial's population has decreased from 1.0% to 0.4%.

Imperial is less Multiracial than neighboring El Centro (1% Multiracial), El Centro Naval Air Facility (36.1% Multiracial), Heber (0.9% Multiracial), Seeley (10.7% Multiracial), and Brawley (0.8% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.