Imperial County Property Taxes

Imperial County, California

Effective Tax Rate

0.00%

42% below state avg

Median Annual Tax

$0

$196/mo escrow

#56 of 58 counties in California

Estimate Your Tax

$
$50K$2M

Annual Tax

$0

Monthly

$0

Eff. Rate

0.84%

vs. California Avg42% below
vs. National Avg12.7% below

At a Glance

Median Home Value

$279,500

State avg $569,022

Tax w/ Mortgage/yr

$2,679

$223/mo escrow

Tax w/o Mortgage/yr

$1,586

$132/mo

State Tax Rate Rank

#56

of 58 counties (1 = lowest)

Data Story

About Property Taxes in Imperial County, California

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.

How Imperial County Compares

Median Annual Property Tax

Imperial County$2,348
California State Average$4,045
National Average$1,924

Imperial County

0.84%

Effective rate

California Avg

0.71%

Effective rate

National Avg

0.91%

Effective rate

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the property tax rate in Imperial County, California?
The effective property tax rate in Imperial County, California is 0.84%. This rate is calculated by dividing the median property tax payment by the median home value in the county.
How much are property taxes in Imperial County?
The median annual property tax payment in Imperial County is $2,348. Homeowners with a mortgage pay a median of $2,679, while those without a mortgage pay $1,586.
How does Imperial County compare to the California average?
Imperial County's effective tax rate of 0.84% is higher than the California state average of 0.71%. The median annual property tax in Imperial County is $2,348, compared to the state average of $4,045.
What is the median home value in Imperial County, California?
The median home value in Imperial County, California is $279,500, according to U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates.
Why is Imperial County property tax rate higher than the California average?
Imperial County's effective property tax rate of 0.84% is higher than the California average of 0.71%. This difference of 0.13% can be attributed to local funding needs for schools, infrastructure, and municipal services. Higher rates often correlate with more urbanized areas or counties with greater public service demands.
How does Imperial County rank for property taxes in California?
Imperial County ranks #56 out of 58 counties in California by effective property tax rate (1 = lowest). With a rate of 0.84% and median annual tax of $2,348, it falls in the upper third of counties statewide.

Counties with Similar Tax Rates

Nearby Counties

Other Counties in California

Data updated: March 2026

Data from U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. Effective tax rate is calculated as median property tax divided by median home value.