Every year the city holds the annual Sand Castles event, which draws about 400,000 people over three days.
As of the census of 2000, there were 26,992 people, 9,272 households, and 6,453 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,440.7/km² (6,324.2/mi²). There were 9,739 housing units at an average density of 880.6/km² (2,281.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 62.26% White, 5.26% African American, 1.10% Native American, 6.55% Asian, 0.60% Pacific Islander, 17.77% from other races, and 6.45% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 40.08% of the population.
There were 9,272 households out of which 40.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.2% were married couples living together, 18.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.4% were non-families. 21.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.84 and the average family size was 3.30.
In the city the population was spread out with 29.4% under the age of 18, 13.9% from 18 to 24, 32.3% from 25 to 44, 16.8% from 45 to 64, and 7.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females there were 99.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $35,882, and the median income for a family was $37,352. Males had a median income of $29,692 versus $24,201 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,003. About 14.1% of families and 18.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.7% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over.
According to estimates by the San Diego Association of Governments, the median household income of Imperial Beach in 2005 was $49,104 (not adjusted for inflation). When adjusted for inflation (1999 dollars; comparable to Census data above), the median household income was $39,874.