Imperial County
CA · Pop. 179,319 · Suburban County
Imperial County is a suburban county in California, spanning 4,176 square miles with 179,319 residents at a density of 42.9 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on hay, lettuce, wheat. The median home price is $280,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.84%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 10a with a 328-day growing season, average summer highs of 105.6°F and average winter lows of 41.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 2.8 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Pioneers Memorial Healthcare District is 12.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 89.7% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 328-day growing season in USDA zone 10a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.84% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A strong agricultural economy built on hay, lettuce, wheat means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- Annual rainfall of just 2.8 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- A poverty rate of 19.6% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
At a glance
Imperial County, CA is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 37/100
- Median home price
- $280k
- Property tax
- 0.84%
- Growing season
- 328 days (zone 10a)
- Annual rainfall
- 2.8"
- Broadband
- 89.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Pioneers Memorial Healthcare District, 12.8 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Imperial County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Imperial County?
- Imperial County is in USDA hardiness zone 10a with a 328-day growing season, average summer highs of 105.6°F, and average winter lows of 41.7°F. The established crops are hay, lettuce, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $280,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.84%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 89.7% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Pioneers Memorial Healthcare District is 12.8 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
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More counties in California
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Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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