countyscore
34.1
County Score
Schools 55.5Property Tax 53Water Quality 48.3

County Report Card

About Imperial County, California

Imperial County significantly underperforms nationally

Imperial County's composite score of 33.7 trails the national median of 50.0 by 16.3 points, placing it firmly in the lower tier nationally. The score reflects severe challenges across income, health, and safety dimensions.

Struggles within California's lower-tier counties

Imperial's score of 33.7 falls notably below California's state average of 40.9, ranking it among the state's least livable counties. The county faces compounded regional and systemic barriers to livability.

Extreme affordability for budget-conscious residents

Imperial County offers the lowest housing costs among these profiled counties, with a median home value of $279,500 and rent of just $1,012/month, producing a cost score of 22.1. The county provides genuine affordability for renters and first-time buyers.

Poverty, health, and safety crises converge

Imperial's median household income of just $56,393 (income score: 28.5) is the lowest profiled, limiting economic opportunity and health care access (40.3). Safety concerns register at 21.0, reflecting significant crime challenges in this border county.

Last-resort affordability for extreme budget seekers

Imperial County suits only the most price-sensitive residents and retirees on fixed incomes who can tolerate severe economic limitations and significant public safety concerns. It is unsuitable for families prioritizing health care, education, or personal safety.

2040608010053222140.355.527.23.548.39.4Tax53Cost22Safety21Health40.3Schools55.5Income27.2Risk3.5Water48.3Weather9.434.1/100
This county
National avg
5 below average

Imperial County DNA

Foverall

How Imperial County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Imperial County falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Weather & Climate (9.4/100), though Schools (55.5/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
53
Cost
22-26
Safety
21-34
Health
40.3-9.700000000000003
Schools
55.5
Income
27.2-23.8
Risk
3.5-43.5
Water
48.3-9.700000000000003
Weather
9.4-46.6
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$309,600

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,056/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$309,600/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$42,240/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum5.4x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $57,681/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

21.2

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Counties with similar scores

Crisp County
Georgia
Median income: $45,105
34.1
Oktibbeha County
Mississippi
Median income: $46,695
34.1
Richmond County
North Carolina
Median income: $44,883
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Allen County
Ohio
Median income: $64,038
34.1
Chatham County
Georgia
Median income: $71,097
34
Liberty County
Georgia
Median income: $60,456
34
Champaign County
Illinois
Median income: $63,683
34.2
Tangipahoa Parish
Louisiana
Median income: $56,760
34

Nearby counties

Yuma County
Arizona
35.7
La Paz County
Arizona
36.4
Riverside County
California
37.3
San Bernardino County
California
33.4
San Diego County
California
42.2
Maricopa County
Arizona
32.8
Orange County
California
44.1
Yavapai County
Arizona
40.9

Deep Dives

Imperial County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Imperial County

via TaxByCounty

Imperial has California's highest tax rates

Imperial County's effective tax rate of 0.840% ranks among the highest in California and the nation, well above both the state average of 0.714% and the national median. The median property tax of $2,348 stays near the national median of $2,690, despite the county's lower median home value of just $279,500.

Imperial ranks second-highest in California

Imperial's 0.840% effective tax rate places it in California's top tier, trailing only a handful of counties statewide. This elevated rate reflects local assessment and supplemental tax practices that significantly impact homeowners across the desert county.

Imperial's rates far exceed regional peers

Imperial's 0.840% rate vastly outpaces Inyo County (0.707%), Kern County (0.912%), and Kings County (0.751%). Only Kern County approaches Imperial's burden, making property ownership notably costlier across Imperial's borders.

Budget $2,348 annually despite lower home values

Even with a median home value of just $279,500, Imperial homeowners pay $2,348 per year in property taxes—nearly matching the national median despite significantly lower property values. With a mortgage, expect $2,679; without, approximately $1,586.

Challenge high assessments in Imperial County

Imperial's elevated tax rate makes it especially important to verify your assessment against recent sales in your area. A free appeal to the assessor could yield substantial annual savings given the county's notably aggressive tax collection practices.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Imperial County

via IncomeByCounty

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.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Imperial County

via CrimeByCounty

Imperial County Offers Strong Safety

Imperial County reports a safety score of 96.8, positioning it as a relatively secure region. The total crime rate of 2,043.7 per 100,000 is lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

Leading Above California State Averages

This score puts Imperial slightly ahead of the California state average safety score of 96.3. Data from twelve reporting agencies provides a comprehensive look at the local safety landscape.

Comparing Imperial to Southern Neighbors

Imperial’s total crime rate is significantly lower than Kern County’s rate of 4,050.8. It provides a safer environment compared to many high-traffic Southern California regions.

Low Violent Crime Trends

The county features a low violent crime rate of 293.5, which is well below the national average of 369.8. Property crime is the main contributor to the local stats at 1,750.2.

Vigilance in Your Community

Effective home security starts with reinforced doors and smart lighting systems. Staying connected with neighbors helps create a vigilant environment that discourages theft.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Imperial County

via WeatherByCounty

An Extreme Desert Environment

Imperial County is one of the hottest places in the United States with a 73.7°F annual average. Its desert climate is defined by extreme aridity, receiving only 3.0 inches of precipitation per year.

Hotter Than the State Average

At 73.7°F, Imperial is significantly hotter than the California state average of 58.7°F. It represents the extreme thermal ceiling of the state’s low-desert regions.

Unmatched Heat in the Region

Imperial is even hotter and drier than neighboring Riverside County, enduring a staggering 180 days of temperatures over 90°F. It lacks the higher elevation cooling found in parts of the adjacent San Diego County.

Brutal Summers and Warm Winters

Summers are brutal with a 90.4°F average and zero snowfall year-round. Even "winter" is warm by national standards, maintaining a comfortable 57.1°F average from December through February.

Safety in Half-Year Heat

Cooling systems must be heavy-duty to survive six months of extreme heat days above 90°F. Sun protection and constant hydration are critical for anyone spending time outdoors in this 3-inch-rainfall environment.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Imperial County

via SoilByCounty

Desert Basin Soil Secrets

Imperial County lacks specific taxonomic and pH data in the current regional record. We are unable to compare these desert soils to the 6.5 national pH median. Desert soils are often unique, requiring specific management for productive use.

Unrecorded Mineral Ratios

The balance of sand, silt, and clay is not provided in this dataset. These physical traits dictate how well the soil supports heavy equipment and holds moisture. In this hot climate, soil texture determines how much water your plants actually get.

Missing Nutrient Data

Organic matter and available water capacity figures are missing for this county. We cannot verify how the land compares to the 0.141 in/in state water capacity average. Desert agriculture often relies heavily on precise irrigation rather than natural water storage.

Hydrology in the Lowlands

No dominant drainage class or hydrologic group is listed for Imperial County. Managing water flow is the most important factor for success in this low-lying desert basin. Always monitor for salt accumulation when irrigating these arid lands.

Thriving in the Heat

Hardiness Zone 10a allows for year-round production of winter vegetables and dates. The intense sun offers massive growth potential if you provide consistent moisture. Start your desert oasis today and enjoy a unique gardening experience.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Imperial County

via LawnByCounty

Extreme Difficulty in Imperial

Imperial County is one of the toughest places for a lawn, with a very low difficulty score of 8.2. In Hardiness Zone 10a, homeowners face a monumental task compared to the national lawn difficulty average of 50.0.

Scorching Heat and Desert Skies

Residents endure 180 extreme heat days each year, the highest among its neighbors. With a mere 3.0 inches of annual precipitation, a lawn here is almost entirely dependent on intensive irrigation to survive.

Managing Arid Soil Conditions

Detailed soil texture data is unavailable, but the desert environment often presents high salinity or compaction issues. Adding heavy organic matter is usually necessary to help the ground retain the little water it receives.

Persistent Drought Challenges

The county suffered through 37 weeks of drought over the past year, making water-wise gardening essential. Consider transitioning to drought-tolerant groundcovers or xeriscaping to reduce the burden on local water resources.

Choosing Heat-Tolerant Turf

Hybrid Bermuda is your best bet to handle the massive 8,692 growing degree days in this region. With a very early spring frost date of January 6, you have a long window to establish grass before the summer heat arrives.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Imperial County's county score?
Imperial County, California has a composite county score of 34.1 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Imperial County rank among counties in California?
Imperial County ranks #53 among all counties in California on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Imperial County, California?
The median annual property tax in Imperial County is $2,394, with an effective tax rate of 0.77%. This earns Imperial County a tax score of 53/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Imperial County?
The median household income in Imperial County, California is $57,681 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Imperial County earns an income score of 27.2/100 on CountyScore.
Is Imperial County, California a good place to live?
Imperial County scores 34.1/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #53 in California. The best way to evaluate Imperial County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Imperial County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.