[3] Per Japanese census data,[6] the population of Imabetsu has decreased by more than two-thirds over the past 60 years and is now much less than it was a century ago.

The area around Imabetsu was controlled by the Tsugaru clan of Hirosaki Domain during the Edo period.

Imabetsu has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town legislature of six members.

In terms of national politics, the town is part of Aomori 1st district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

The public high school operated by the Aomori Prefectural Board of Education closed in April 2022.