Editing Imperial, California

{{Short description|City in California, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                            = Imperial, California
| official_name                   = City of Imperial
| settlement_type                 = [[List of municipalities in California|City]]
| image_skyline                   = {{Photomontage
| photo1a = City Hall for Imperial.jpg
| photo2a = Worthington Square Apartments.jpg
| spacing = 2
| position = center
| color_border = white
| color = white
| size = 280
| foot_montage = Top: Imperial City Hall;<br/> Bottom:  Worthington Square Imperial}}
| image_seal                      = Seal of Imperial, California.png
| image_map                       = File:Imperial County California Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Imperial Highlighted 0636280.svg
| mapsize                         = 250x200px
| map_caption                     = Location of Imperial in Imperial County, California.
| image_map1                      = 
| mapsize1                        = 
| map_caption1                    = 
| pushpin_map                     = USA
| pushpin_map_caption             = Location in the United States
| pushpin_relief                  = 1
| subdivision_type                = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name                = United States
| subdivision_type1               = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1               = [[California]]
| subdivision_type2               = [[List of counties in California|County]]
| subdivision_name2               = [[Imperial County, California|Imperial]]
| government_type                 = 
| leader_title                    = Mayor
| leader_name                     = Karin Eugenio<ref>{{cite web|title=City Council|url=https://www.cityofimperial.org/city-council|website=City of Imperial, CA|access-date=July 27, 2019|archive-date=October 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016170935/https://www.cityofimperial.org/city-council|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| established_title               = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
| established_date                = July 12, 1904<ref>{{Cite web
|url=http://www.calafco.org/docs/Cities_by_incorp_date.doc 
|title=California Cities by Incorporation Date 
|format=Word 
|publisher=California Association of [[Local Agency Formation Commission]]s 
|access-date=April 8, 2013 |url-status=dead 
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103002921/http://www.calafco.org/docs/Cities_by_incorp_date.doc 
|archive-date=November 3, 2014 }}</ref>
<!-- Area------------------>
| area_magnitude                  = 
| unit_pref                       = Imperial
| area_footnotes                  = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_06.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 1, 2020}}</ref>
| area_total_sq_mi                = 6.29
| area_land_sq_mi                 = 6.29
| area_water_sq_mi                = 0.00
| area_total_km2                  = 16.29
| area_land_km2                   = 16.29
| area_water_km2                  = 0.00
| area_water_percent              = 0
| area_note                       = 
| elevation_footnotes             = <ref name=gnis>{{Cite GNIS|1652726|Imperial}}</ref>
| elevation_ft                    = -59
| elevation_m                     = -18

<!-- Population ----------->
| population_as_of                = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes            = 
| population_total                = 18,631
| pop_est_as_of                   = 
| pop_est_footnotes               = 
| population_est                  = 
| population_density_sq_mi        = 2880.76
| population_metro                = 175,000
| timezone                        = [[Pacific Time Zone|Pacific (PST)]]
| utc_offset                      = -8
| coordinates_footnotes           = <ref name=gnis/>
| coordinates                     = {{coord|32|50|51|N|115|34|10|W|region:US-CA|display=inline,title}}
| timezone_DST                    = PDT
| utc_offset_DST                  = -7
| postal_code_type                = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code                     = 92251
| area_code_type                  = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
| area_code                       = [[Area codes 442 and 760|442/760]]
| blank_name                      = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS]] code
| blank_info                      = {{FIPS|06|36280}}
| blank1_name                     = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature IDs
| blank1_info                     = {{GNIS 4|1652726}}, {{GNIS 4|2410097}}
| footnotes                       = 
| website                         = {{URL|www.cityofimperial.org}}
| population_density_km2          = 1112.18
}}

'''Imperial''' is a city in [[Imperial County, California]], {{convert|4|mi|km}} north of [[El Centro, California|El Centro]].<ref name=CGN>{{California's Geographic Names|1430}}</ref>

As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], the city had a population of 14,758. It is part of the [[El Centro metropolitan area]]. In 2016, Imperial was the fourth fastest-growing city in the state, gaining 4.1 percent more residents from January 1, 2015, to January 1, 2016. It compares to Imperial County's growth of 1.3 percent and [[Brawley, California|Brawley]]'s growth of 1.2 percent.

==History==
[[File:Business center of Imperial, Cal., Feb. 22, 1913.jpg|thumb|Downtown Imperial Business Center (at the intersection of what is now Imperial Avenue and Barioni Blvd.) circa 1913]]

Imperial was created by the [[Imperial Land Company]]<ref>{{cite book|title=The Imperial Valley and the Salton Sink  |publisher=John J. Newbegin|url=https://archive.org/details/imperialvalleya00blakgoog|author=Harry Thomas Cory|author2=William Phipps Blake|access-date=July 25, 2010|location=San Francisco|page=[https://archive.org/details/imperialvalleya00blakgoog/page/n144 1258]|year=1915}}</ref>  and was named by [[George Chaffey]].<ref name=CGN /> Imperial's first post office opened in 1901.<ref name=CGN /> Imperial incorporated in 1904. The first mayor of Imperial was Allison Peck.<ref name=CGN />

The town-site of Imperial was plotted in 1902 for home and commercial businesses. Its first buildings included a printing press, drug store, grocery store, brick building, and church. The city can also boast of having the first school in the valley and the first Chamber of Commerce.

The City of Imperial was incorporated July 12, 1904, thus being the first city in the valley to incorporate. The city was originally thought to become the county seat, but lost out to the City of El Centro in 1907.

Imperial through the years became the location for the home of the Imperial Irrigation District, the California Mid-Winter Fair and the [[Imperial County Airport]]. Also several businesses were established in the city. Imperial was devastated by earthquakes in 1916 and 1940. In 1979, Another earthquake destroyed many of the old buildings in the downtown business area, including City Hall. The city was slow to rebuild the business district following the quake, taking several years.

In June 2014, a [[McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II]] from [[Marine Corps Air Station Yuma]] crashed in a residential area.<ref name="bbc-us-military-harrier-jet-crashes">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-27709387|title=US military Harrier jet crashes into California homes|work=[[BBC News]]|date=June 5, 2014|access-date=June 5, 2014}}</ref> The pilot ejected safely, and no residents were injured.<ref name="bbc-us-military-harrier-jet-crashes" />

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|5.9|sqmi|km2}}, all land. Imperial is located in the Imperial Valley (considered locally as synonymous with Imperial County). The city is 59.5 feet (18.14 m) below sea level. The Imperial Valley is in the Colorado Desert, an extension of the larger Sonoran Desert.

The agriculture industry's demand for water is supplied by canals diverting water from the nearby [[Colorado River]]. The [[Salton Sea]] was created after a 1905 flood from the Colorado River.<ref name="saltonseaflood">{{Cite web|url=http://www.sunsetcities.com/hoover-dam/hoover-dam-history-1.html|title=An Unbelievable Man-Made Disaster That Almost Could Not Be Undone|access-date=August 3, 2009}}</ref>

In this region, the geology is dominated by the transition of the [[tectonic plate]] boundary from [[rift]] to [[fault (geology)|transverse fault]]. The southernmost strands of the [[San Andreas Fault]] connect the northernmost extensions of the [[East Pacific Rise]]. Consequently, the region is subject to earthquakes, and the crust is being stretched, resulting in a sinking of the terrain over time.

===Climate===
Imperial has a hot [[desert climate]], featuring long, extremely hot summers and mild winters. Imperial averages just about 3 inches of rain annually, with December being the wettest month. The [[North American Monsoon]] typically increases the humidity from July through September. At times, the climate can resemble that of tropical areas in the Caribbean. This leads to daily thunderstorms that can bring hail, downpours, lightning, and dust storms more commonly known as [[Haboob]]. During the eastern Pacific hurricane season, hurricanes occasionally track up the [[Baja California Peninsula]] and bring remnants of Tropical Storms through the desert that can result in flash flooding and heavy widespread thunderstorms. This can lead to significantly higher than normal precipitation, at times bringing heavy rain in short periods of time. The precipitation in the winter months is predominantly rain showers from the occasional winter storms. At times these storms bring cold temperatures to Imperial and surrounding cities, and mountain snowfall to the nearby mountains. Snow is almost totally unknown in the city, except for trace amount on December 12, 1932, and a very brief fall of sleet mixed with hail during a shower in December 1967. On average there are 3.7 days per year that drop below freezing. In the coldest month, December, the normal high temperature is 67.5 degrees with a low of 42.3. In the warmest month, August, the normal high temperature is 104.5 degrees with a low of 78.4.<ref name = NOAA/>

{{Weather box
|location = Imperial, California, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1901–present
|single line = Yes

|Jan record high F = 96
|Feb record high F = 96
|Mar record high F = 104
|Apr record high F = 109
|May record high F = 118
|Jun record high F = 123
|Jul record high F = 124
|Aug record high F = 124
|Sep record high F = 120
|Oct record high F = 111
|Nov record high F = 98
|Dec record high F = 90

|Jan avg record high F = 80.6
|Feb avg record high F = 83.9
|Mar avg record high F = 92.1
|Apr avg record high F = 99.7
|May avg record high F = 105.0
|Jun avg record high F = 112.6
|Jul avg record high F = 114.6
|Aug avg record high F = 113.6
|Sep avg record high F = 110.4
|Oct avg record high F = 101.8
|Nov avg record high F = 89.9
|Dec avg record high F = 79.1
|year avg record high F = 115.9

|Jan high F = 68.7
|Feb high F = 72.2
|Mar high F = 78.4
|Apr high F = 84.3
|May high F = 92.5
|Jun high F = 100.8
|Jul high F = 104.4
|Aug high F = 104.5
|Sep high F = 99.9
|Oct high F = 88.9
|Nov high F = 76.7
|Dec high F = 67.5
|year high F =

|Jan mean F = 56.0
|Feb mean F = 59.4
|Mar mean F = 65.0
|Apr mean F = 70.4
|May mean F = 77.8
|Jun mean F = 85.4
|Jul mean F = 90.9
|Aug mean F = 91.4
|Sep mean F = 86.6
|Oct mean F = 75.2
|Nov mean F = 63.2
|Dec mean F = 54.9
|year mean F =

|Jan low F = 43.3
|Feb low F = 46.6
|Mar low F = 51.5
|Apr low F = 56.4
|May low F = 63.0
|Jun low F = 70.0
|Jul low F = 77.3
|Aug low F = 78.4
|Sep low F = 73.2
|Oct low F = 61.4
|Nov low F = 49.8
|Dec low F = 42.3
|year low F =

|Jan avg record low F = 33.4
|Feb avg record low F = 36.6
|Mar avg record low F = 41.3
|Apr avg record low F = 46.7
|May avg record low F = 53.7
|Jun avg record low F = 60.1
|Jul avg record low F = 68.1
|Aug avg record low F = 69.0
|Sep avg record low F = 62.2
|Oct avg record low F = 50.0
|Nov avg record low F = 39.0
|Dec avg record low F = 32.2
|year avg record low F = 31.0

|Jan record low F = 16
|Feb record low F = 22
|Mar record low F = 30
|Apr record low F = 35
|May record low F = 43
|Jun record low F = 50
|Jul record low F = 51
|Aug record low F = 60
|Sep record low F = 49
|Oct record low F = 36
|Nov record low F = 27
|Dec record low F = 21

|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 0.47
|Feb precipitation inch = 0.43
|Mar precipitation inch = 0.31
|Apr precipitation inch = 0.09
|May precipitation inch = 0.06
|Jun precipitation inch = 0.00
|Jul precipitation inch = 0.14
|Aug precipitation inch = 0.18
|Sep precipitation inch = 0.26
|Oct precipitation inch = 0.21
|Nov precipitation inch = 0.22
|Dec precipitation inch = 0.39
|year precipitation inch =

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 3.2
|Feb precipitation days = 2.7
|Mar precipitation days = 1.9
|Apr precipitation days = 0.7
|May precipitation days = 0.3
|Jun precipitation days = 0.1
|Jul precipitation days = 0.8
|Aug precipitation days = 1.4
|Sep precipitation days = 1.1
|Oct precipitation days = 0.9
|Nov precipitation days = 1.3
|Dec precipitation days = 2.8

|source 1 = NOAA<ref name = NOAA>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00044223&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Imperial, CA
|access-date = March 26, 2023
}}
</ref>
|source 2 = National Weather Service<ref name = NOWData>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=psr
|publisher = National Weather Service
|title = NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Phoenix
|access-date = March 26, 2023
}}
</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1910= 1257
|1920= 1885
|1930= 1943
|1940= 1493
|1950= 1759
|1960= 2658
|1970= 3094
|1980= 3451
|1990= 4113
|2000= 7560
|2010= 14758
|2020= 20263
|estyear= 2021
|estimate= 21017
|estref=
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}

===2010===
The [[2010 United States Census]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0636280|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140715035512/http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0636280|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 15, 2014|title=2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Imperial city|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=July 12, 2014}}</ref> reported that Imperial had a population of 14,758. The population density was {{convert|2,519.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of Imperial was 9,298 (63.0%) [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 331 (2.2%) [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 154 (1.0%) [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]],  370 (2.5%) [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 13 (0.1%) [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 3,783 (25.6%) from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 809 (5.5%) from two or more races. The ethnic makeup of Imperial was 11,046 (74.8%) [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race.

The Census reported that 14,727 people (99.8% of the population) lived in households, 0 (0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 31 (0.2%) were institutionalized.

There were 4,405 households, out of which 2,464 (55.9%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 2,669 (60.6%) were [[marriage|opposite-sex married couples]] living together, 697 (15.8%) had a female householder with no husband present, 255 (5.8%) had a male householder with no wife present.  There were 268 (6.1%) [[POSSLQ|unmarried opposite-sex partnerships]], and 27 (0.6%) [[same-sex partnerships|same-sex married couples or partnerships]]. 621 households (14.1%) were made up of individuals, and 181 (4.1%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.34.  There were 3,621 [[family (U.S. Census)|families]] (82.2% of all households); the average family size was 3.69.

The population was spread out, with 4,927 people (33.4%) under the age of 18, 1,376 people (9.3%) aged 18 to 24, 4,618 people (31.3%) aged 25 to 44, 2,881 people (19.5%) aged 45 to 64, and 956 people (6.5%) who were 65 years of age or older.  The median age was 29.9 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.6 males.  For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.3 males.

There were 4,751 housing units at an average density of {{convert|811.2|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}, of which 4,405 were occupied, of which 3,130 (71.1%) were owner-occupied, and 1,275 (28.9%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 4.5%; the rental vacancy rate was 4.5%.  10,692 people (72.4% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 4,035 people (27.3%) lived in rental housing units.

===2000===
As of the [[2000 United States Census|census of 2000]], there were 8,100 people, 2,308 households, and 1,911 families residing in the city.  The population density was {{convert|1,932.2|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  There were 2,385 housing units at an average density of {{convert|609.6|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  The racial makeup of the city was 58.5% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 2.7% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.8% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 2.7% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.2% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 30.9% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 4.3% from two or more races.  61.1% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 2,308 households, out of which 53.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.9% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.2% were non-families. 14.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.  The average household size was 3.3 and the average family size was 3.6.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 35.3% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 33.8% from 25 to 44, 16.8% from 45 to 64, and 6.3% who were 65 years of age or older.  The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.8 males.  For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $49,451, and the median income for a family was $53,053. Males had a median income of $37,373 versus $27,778 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $16,538.  About 8.9% of families and 11.6% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 15.2% of those under age 18 and 5.2% of those age 65 or over.
[[File:Imperial County.JPG|thumb|right|Aerial over Imperial/HWY 86]]

== Arts and culture ==
[[File:California Mid Winter Fair.jpg|thumb|Mid-Winter Fair in Imperial]]

The annual California Mid-Winter Fair takes place in Imperial, often in February, and receives over 100,000 visitors.{{citation needed|date=January 2021}}

The California Mid-Winter Fairgrounds is located in the heart of Imperial. The Mid-Winter Fair is the county's largest attended event. The fair lasts for a total of 10 days and is held at the end of February or beginning of March each year. The fairgrounds will host other events during the year such as; festivals, barbecues, car races, concerts, trade shows, and private parties. Visitors are from nearby [[Mexicali, Baja California]], [[Mexico]] and numerous "snowbirds" across Southern California and the country (U.S.) temporarily reside in Imperial.

Imperial is also home to the Imperial Market Days.

Imperial Market Days is a signature, sponsorship funded event series put on by the City of Imperial to promote quality of life opportunities locally and throughout the Imperial Valley. Starting in October, the events take place in Downtown Imperial. These events are free for the public to attend. The synergy between local businesses and the community has attracted record crowds of up to 13,000 people throughout the region. Over 100 vendors participate in each event. [https://www.cityofimperial.org/]

==Government==
In the [[California State Legislature]], Imperial is in {{Representative|casd|18|fmt=sdistrict}},<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://senate.ca.gov/senators |title=Senators |access-date=April 8, 2013 |publisher=State of California}}</ref> and {{Representative|caad|36|fmt=adistrict}}.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://assembly.ca.gov/assemblymembers |title=Members Assembly |access-date=April 8, 2013 |publisher=State of California}}</ref>

In the [[United States House of Representatives]], Imperial is in {{Representative|cacd|25|fmt=district}}.<ref>{{Cite GovTrack|CA|25|access-date=April 8, 2013}}</ref>

==Infrastructure==
===Utilities===
The city operates its own water and sewer system.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://cityofimperial.org/departments/public-services | title=Public Services &#124; the City of Imperial }}</ref> Trash service is provided by [[Republic Services]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.icphd.org/environmental-health/solid-waste/solid-waste-facilities/ | title=Solid Waste Facilities &#124; Imperial County Public Health Department }}</ref> Other utility providers for Imperial are [[Southern California Gas]], [[Imperial Irrigation District]], [[Pacific Bell|AT&T California]], and [[Spectrum (brand)|Spectrum]].

==Notable people==
*[[Royce Freeman]], football player
*[[Charles Harris Garrigues]], newspaperman<ref name=ulwaf>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wOkeZu6MVvwC&q=He+Usually+Lives+With+a+Female&pg=PT7 | title=He Usually Lived With a Female: The Life of California Newspaperman Charles Harris (Brick) Garrigues | date= January 1, 2006| publisher=Quail Creek Press | location=Los Angeles | isbn=978-0963483010 | first=George | last=Garrigues}}</ref>
*[[Ben Hulse]], member of the California State Senate<ref name = "south">{{cite book|last=McGroarty|first=John Steven|title=California of the South|chapter-url=http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~npmelton/imphuls.htm|volume=V|year=1933|publisher=Clarke Publ.|pages=243–244|chapter=Hon. Ben Hulse}}</ref>
*[[Andy Ruiz Jr.]], boxer, former WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO world heavyweight champion.

==See also==
{{Portal|California}}
*[[San Diego–Imperial, California]]
*[[El Centro Metropolitan Area]]
*[[Imperial County Airport]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Imperial, California}}
*{{official website|http://www.cityofimperial.org/}}
*[http://www.imperialchamber.org/ Imperial Chamber of Commerce]

{{Cities of Imperial County, California}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Imperial County, California|Imperial]]
[[Category:El Centro metropolitan area|*]]
[[Category:Communities in the Lower Colorado River Valley]]
[[Category:Imperial Valley]]
[[Category:Incorporated cities and towns in California]]
[[Category:Populated places in the Colorado Desert]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1904]]
[[Category:1904 establishments in California|Imperial]]