Imperial County, CA Property Tax: $2,348/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Imperial County is 0.84% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $279,500, that works out to about $2,348 per year, or $196 per month. Imperial County is located in southeastern California, and is home to approximately 179,319 residents.
About Imperial County
Imperial County covers approximately 4,175.5 square miles in California. The county is home to about 179,319 residents living in roughly 57,511 housing units, of which 48.2% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $56,393, and the median home was built in 1988.
Imperial County borders La Paz County, Yuma County, Riverside County, San Diego County — useful comparisons if you're considering nearby areas with potentially different tax rates.
How Property Taxes Work in California
Property taxes in California are administered at the county level. Each county sets a millage rate applied to the assessed value of real property — the effective rate above accounts for any partial assessments and exemptions already built into the local tax base. Assessed value can differ meaningfully from current market value depending on how often the county reassesses and what fraction of market value it uses.
Most counties in California offer exemptions that reduce the taxable assessed value: homestead exemptions for primary residences, senior exemptions, disability exemptions, and veteran exemptions are common. These reduce your effective rate below the county-wide average shown here. Contact the Imperial County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Imperial County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Imperial County, CA | 0.84% | $279,500 | $2,348 |
| California state average | 0.71% | — | $1,984* |
| La Paz County | 0.71% | $117,600 | $831 |
| Yuma County | 0.65% | $195,700 | $1,281 |
| Riverside County | 0.82% | $510,300 | $4,189 |
| San Diego County | 0.70% | $791,600 | $5,542 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Imperial County's median home value of $279,500. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Imperial County's property tax rate compare to the rest of California?
At 0.84%, Imperial County is higher than the California state average of 0.71%. On a home at the county median of $279,500, that means about $2,348 per year — versus $1,984 at the state average rate, a difference of $364 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Imperial County is below average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Imperial County?
For a home at the county median value of $279,500, the annual property tax in Imperial County is approximately $2,348 — or about $196 per month. For a home worth $419,250, expect around $3,522 per year. For a $559,000 home, approximately $4,696 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Imperial County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Imperial County are handled by the Imperial County Assessor's office. Most jurisdictions require filing within 30–90 days of receiving your assessment notice — confirm the specific deadline with the assessor's office before submitting, as deadlines and procedures vary by county. A successful appeal can reduce your assessed value and lower your tax bill for the current and future tax years.
What exemptions are available in Imperial County?
California counties commonly offer homestead exemptions for owner-occupied primary residences, senior citizen exemptions for qualifying homeowners aged 65 and older, exemptions for disabled residents, and veterans' exemptions. Each exemption reduces your assessed taxable value, which in turn reduces your effective tax rate below the county-wide 0.84% shown here. Contact the Imperial County Assessor's office to confirm which exemptions are available and the application deadlines.
Data sources: US Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates, US Census Gazetteer (2024), County Adjacency File