Imperial, CA—92251
Real Estate Data & Market Trends
Key Metrics at a Glance
Home Price Trends — Imperial, CA
As of Oct '25, the median home price in Imperial, CA is $424,000, with a year-over-year change of 7.5%. This indicates that home prices in Imperial, CA are increasing. According to Zillow, the 1-year price projection is 1.8%, suggesting an increase housing market in the next year.
Cost per Home Type
| Home Type | Median Home Value | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
All Homes | $424,000 | 7.5% |
| Single Family | $426,000 | 7.8% |
| Condos | N/A | N/A |
Cost per Home Size
| Home Size | Median Home Value | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
1 Bed | N/A | N/A |
2 Bed | N/A | N/A |
3 Bed | $395,000 | 7.9% |
4 Bed | $461,000 | 7.2% |
| 5 Bed | N/A | N/A |
% of Housing Stock
Rental Trends — Imperial, CA
As of July '25, Rentcast reports the average rent in Imperial, CA is $2,050, with a year-over-year rent change of -8.1%. Per bedroom, the median rent as of July '25 in Imperial, CA is 1-bedrooms: $1,140, 2-bedrooms: $1,690, 3-bedrooms: $2,090, 4-bedrooms: $2,480. The most common rental property sizes in Imperial, CA are 3-bedroom and 2-bedroom, accounting for 41.3% and 31.3% of the rental stock.
| Type | Median Rent | Average Rent |
|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,200 | $2,050 |
| Studio Rent | N/A | N/A |
| 1 Bed Rent | $1,000 | $1,140 |
| 2 Bed Rent | $1,700 | $1,690 |
| 3 Bed Rent | $1,900 | $2,090 |
| 4 Bed Rent | $2,500 | $2,480 |
% of Rental Stock
Property Listings — Imperial, CA
As of Oct '25, Realtor.com reports that the median days on market for a home in Imperial, CA is 32. This is a increase of 34.0% from last year, suggesting that homes are sitting on the market longer than last year. The percentage of listed homes with a reduced price is 24.0%, representing a small inventory and little supply pressure on home prices.
| Metric | Zip Code Average | Year over Year % Change |
|---|---|---|
Median Listing Price | $475,000 | 2.0% |
Listing Count | 59 | -8.0% |
| Listings as % of Homes | 0.6% | -8.0% |
Days on Market | 32 | 34.0% |
Demographics — Imperial, CA
As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, Imperial, CA has a population of 27,200, which has increased by 16.3% over the past 5 years. Imperial, CA is a popular place for families, as children make up 29.5% of the population. The area has a poorly educated workforce, with 17.0% of adult residents holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are few residents working remotely, with 9.1% reporting working from home.
| Metric | Latest Census | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
Population | 27,200 | 16.3% |
% Under 18 | 29.5% | 9.7% |
% Seniors | 9.2% | 21.1% |
% WFH | 9.1% | 279.2% |
% w/ College Degree | 17.0% | 1.2% |
As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, Imperial, CA is a predominantly hispanic area, with 82.8% of the population identifying as hispanic. The hispanic population has grown by 10.3% in the last 5 years. The second most common race or ethnicity in Imperial, CA is white, making up 10.5% of the population. Foreign-born residents account for 23.6% of the population in Imperial, CA, and this percentage has increased by 23.6% as of the ACS Survey 5 years prior, suggesting more immigrants are calling the area home.
Race and Ethnicity
| Metric | Latest Census | 5-Year % Change |
|---|---|---|
% White | 10.5% | -33.5% |
% Black | 3.3% | -36.5% |
% Hispanic | 82.8% | 10.3% |
% Asian | 3.1% | 14.8% |
% Foreign Born | 23.6% | 23.6% |
Mortgage and Risk — Imperial, CA
According to HUD data as of 2023, there were 352 mortgage originations in Imperial, CA, of which 54.0% of loans were conventional mortgages. The average loan-to-value was 70.0%, with 42.0% above 90% LTV (very high). This implies large mortgage risk in Imperial, CA. Investor activity is low, as 1.0% of loans were by investors. 16.0% of loans were cash-out refinances, suggesting many homeowners are tapping equity.
Mortgages
| Metric | Zip Code Average |
|---|---|
Total Loan Originations | 352 |
% Conventional Loans | 54.0% |
% Government Loans | 46.0% |
% Investor Loans | 1.0% |
% Second Loans | 1.0% |
% Cash Out Refinance | 16.0% |
Loan Activity
Rentals and Section 8 — Imperial, CA
As of 2024, the percent of homes in Imperial, CA under the Section 8 program is 7.2%. This is considered low, suggesting that the neighborhood is sparsely composed of Section 8 homes. Section 8 opportunity is good when HUD pays more than market rent. In Imperial, CA, all tracked home sizes have HUD payment amounts above market rent, suggesting strong Section 8 opportunity across the board.
Section 8 Market Size
Total Units under HUD | 194 |
Total Units Section 8 | 184 |
% Rentals under Section 8 | 7.2% |
% Occupied Section 8 | 81.0% |
Section 8 Opportunity
| Home Size | HUD Premium | Market Rent | Max HUD Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom | $350 | $1,000 | $1,350 |
| 2 Bedroom | $50 | $1,700 | $1,750 |
| 3 Bedroom | $490 | $1,900 | $2,390 |
| 4 Bedroom | $420 | $2,500 | $2,920 |
Affordability — Imperial, CA
Home Price to Income Ratio
| Metric | Zip Code Average |
|---|---|
| Home Price to Income Ratio | 4.1 |
| Median Home Price | $424,000 |
| Median Household Income | $83,700 |