Imperial Beach

Imperial Beach is one of the eighteen incorporated cities in the San Diego County. Located on the border of the U.S and Mexico, it is known as the "Most Southwesterly City in the Continental United States".

History
This area is first settled by Americans in the 1880s. In 1887, the first subdivision map, which referred to this area as South San Diego Beach, was filed. It is later renamed into Imperial Beach to attract visitors from the Imperial Valley as a summer retreat beach resort. In the early 1900s, this city is also stationed by U.S Cavalry troops to quell the conflicts on the U.S-Mexico border. Imperial Beach is incorporated in July 18, 1956 as the 10th in the San Diego County.

Local Industries
Imperial Beach has experienced a relatively slow industrial development over its history. The first building was not built until 1903, and the roads were not paved until 1940s. Prior to the World War II, merchandise were transported into the city by train, which run between palm city and Coronado, and/or by Palm City horses. The economy is primarily agricultural based. In the 1940s, the outbreak of the World War II boost defense industry around San Diego Bay, and thereby raising the housing price in the Imperial Beach. In addition, the streets were paved, lighting districted formed, and community center was built during this decade. Population grew in between 1940s and 1960s. The local businesses and industries also increased in support of the growing population. However, compared to other cities in the San Diego County, its economy growth was slow. It has one of the lowest sales tax revenue among all cities, and it nearly went bankrupt in 1978.

Imperial Beach in the 1900s remained as a residential city instead of a tourist spot such as the City of Coronado. Its tourism industry only started to develop in the last two to three decades. In 1999, the famous tourist spot, Portwood Pier Plaza, opened. In 2004, the City became to implement Redevelopment Plan to enhance the commercial corridor along Palm Avenue and Seacoast Drive. The first major hotel, the Pier South Resort, which hosted 78 rooms, was opened in 2014. In 2020, a 100 rooms Hampton Inn&Suites opened in the historical center of the City. The opening of these two hotels brought considerable amount of transient occupancy tax revenue to the Imperial Beach.

Currently, according to Data USA, the industries with greatest amount of employees are Accommodation & Food Services and Retail & Trade, and Health Care and Social Assistance.