Imperial County, California Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Imperial County, California
Median Imperial County effective property tax rate: 1.17%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%.
Median Imperial County home value: $177,768
Median annual Imperial County tax bill: $2,267, lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Imperial County calculated?
Property taxes in Imperial County are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which is often lower than the actual market value due to property tax exemptions such as the homestead or senior exemption.
Understanding your county's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Whether you live in Imperial or another part of Imperial County, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Imperial County, California Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.17%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$2,080
$1,930
How Does the Imperial County Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Imperial County property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Imperial County's median effective tax rate of 1.17% to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure used for tax purposes, which is typically lower than market value after applicable exemptions. Our calculator uses the median effective rate for a more accurate estimate than the statutory millage rate alone.
Your actual bill may vary based on your specific exemptions, local school district levies, and any special assessment districts that apply to your property. Imperial County's median tax rate is higher than California's 1.21% state median tax rate, while the county's median property tax bill of $2,267 is $133 lower than the state median bill of $2,400.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore city and ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Imperial County.
Property Tax Rates Across Imperial County, California
What Are Effective Property Tax Rates Across Imperial County?
Local government entities set tax rates, which vary widely across Imperial County. Each year, the county estimates its budget for public services and divides that total by the assessed value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction.
Below, compare Imperial County's effective property tax rate to other counties in California or the U.S. median of 1.02%.
Imperial County's median effective rate stands at 1.17%, which is higher than the national median of 1.02%. Within Imperial County, the highest rate is found in Niland at 3.63%, while Holtville has the lowest at 1.10%.
These variations reflect differences in local school district levies, Mello-Roos Community Facility Districts assessments, and special district bonds — which compound the base county rate.
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Imperial County Tax Rate
1.17%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective California Tax Rate
1.21%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Imperial County, California
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brawley | 1.05% | 1.09% | 1.12% | 1.13% | 1.39% |
| Calexico | 1.20% | 1.22% | 1.26% | 1.27% | 1.38% |
| Calipatria | 1.19% | 1.26% | 1.33% | 1.34% | 1.50% |
| El Centro | 1.09% | 1.11% | 1.15% | 1.16% | 1.20% |
| Heber | 1.12% | 1.13% | 1.17% | 1.47% | 1.80% |
| Holtville | 1.03% | 1.07% | 1.10% | 1.12% | 1.33% |
| Imperial | 1.10% | 1.13% | 1.19% | 1.49% | 2.09% |
| Niland | 2.13% | 2.69% | 3.63% | 5.66% | 8.58% |
| Ocotillo | 1.14% | 1.20% | 1.26% | 1.38% | 1.54% |
| Palo Verde | 1.12% | 1.14% | 1.21% | 1.30% | 1.49% |
| Salton City | 1.47% | 1.89% | 2.36% | 3.00% | 4.23% |
| Seeley | 1.19% | 1.20% | 1.24% | 1.31% | 1.42% |
| Thermal | 1.47% | 1.79% | 2.25% | 3.17% | 4.90% |
| Westmorland | 1.01% | 1.05% | 1.12% | 1.12% | 1.16% |
| Winterhaven | 1.12% | 1.14% | 1.20% | 1.30% | 1.46% |
| Bard | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Bombay Beach | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Imperial County, California
When examining property taxes in Imperial County, understanding the distinction between "market value" and "assessed value" is crucial.
The market value is what a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open and competitive market, often influenced by location, property condition, and economic market trends. The Imperial County Assessor estimates the market value for tax purposes.
The assessed value is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits determined by local laws and offerings. The tax assessed value is the figure used to calculate your property taxes or the amount multiplied by your tax rate to get your tax bill. Imperial County’s median property tax bill is $2,267, compared with the national median property tax bill of $2,400 and the national median property tax rate of 1.02%.
Assessment notices:
In Imperial County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of May.
Each property owner receives an assessment notice that contains both the market value and assessed value, along with an estimate of your property tax bill. For example, Imperial has the highest median home price at $251,382, while Imperial also has the highest median tax bill at $3,361.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Imperial County, California
Source: Ownwell
$21,880
$136,631
$251,382
Median Imperial County Market Value
$177,768
Median California Market Value
$427,605
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Imperial County, California
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brawley | $60,000 | $111,080 | $175,296 | $258,795 | $329,417 |
| Calexico | $94,665 | $142,220 | $192,980 | $257,553 | $317,652 |
| Calipatria | $31,737 | $56,948 | $96,574 | $151,178 | $199,159 |
| El Centro | $73,112 | $118,911 | $183,138 | $277,061 | $372,145 |
| Heber | $57,891 | $143,708 | $193,323 | $266,945 | $330,766 |
| Holtville | $52,610 | $93,014 | $149,036 | $229,199 | $309,638 |
| Imperial | $104,364 | $175,104 | $251,382 | $307,182 | $368,207 |
| Niland | $7,226 | $12,059 | $21,880 | $40,254 | $71,116 |
| Ocotillo | $21,021 | $32,192 | $57,497 | $85,170 | $119,272 |
| Palo Verde | $22,540 | $40,636 | $64,578 | $124,099 | $326,145 |
| Salton City | $43,895 | $68,101 | $97,764 | $136,535 | $217,458 |
| Seeley | $31,931 | $55,313 | $99,524 | $142,066 | $200,727 |
| Thermal | $21,241 | $42,370 | $80,490 | $145,699 | $200,680 |
| Westmorland | $32,354 | $61,404 | $103,898 | $150,365 | $208,130 |
| Winterhaven | $22,366 | $36,329 | $62,072 | $104,397 | $249,185 |
| Bard | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Bombay Beach | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Imperial County, California
Property tax bills in Imperial County are based on the assessed value of a home and the local tax rate, so a higher market value usually leads to a larger bill. For homeowners, the bill is determined by multiplying the assessed value by the applicable rate, with local levies and voter-approved charges also affecting the final amount. The median home price in Imperial County is $177,768, which helps explain why bills can vary widely from one property to another.
What homeowners pay can differ a lot across the county. The 25th percentile tax bill is $1,386, while the 75th percentile is $3,429 and the 90th percentile reaches $4,531. The highest median tax bill is $3,361 in Imperial, compared with $715 in Ocotillo. Compared with the national median property tax bill of $2,400, many Imperial County homeowners may pay less or more depending on location, home value, and local assessments.
Median Imperial County Tax Bill
$2,267
Median California Tax Bill
$5,134
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Imperial County, California
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brawley | $726 | $1,303 | $2,073 | $3,099 | $4,196 |
| Calexico | $1,182 | $1,796 | $2,510 | $3,412 | $4,335 |
| Calipatria | $434 | $758 | $1,335 | $2,071 | $2,728 |
| El Centro | $835 | $1,370 | $2,129 | $3,224 | $4,374 |
| Heber | $702 | $1,699 | $2,806 | $3,742 | $4,545 |
| Holtville | $581 | $1,037 | $1,691 | $2,667 | $3,688 |
| Imperial | $1,313 | $2,252 | $3,361 | $4,397 | $5,277 |
| Niland | $478 | $635 | $941 | $1,269 | $1,782 |
| Ocotillo | $302 | $429 | $715 | $1,042 | $1,538 |
| Palo Verde | $326 | $497 | $801 | $1,464 | $3,686 |
| Salton City | $1,375 | $1,847 | $2,354 | $3,067 | $3,976 |
| Seeley | $433 | $749 | $1,235 | $1,798 | $2,627 |
| Thermal | $470 | $1,443 | $2,153 | $3,094 | $3,974 |
| Westmorland | $327 | $679 | $1,146 | $1,713 | $2,432 |
| Winterhaven | $289 | $466 | $781 | $1,236 | $2,842 |
| Bard | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Bombay Beach | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | November 30 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Imperial Tax Assessor | |
| Website | common1.mptsweb.com |