City profile · California · Census ACS 2023

La Palma, CA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for La Palma - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

15,375
Residents
$115,833
Median income
$916,600
Median home
$3,236
Median rent (state)

La Palma - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, La Palma places in the 86th percentile for household income and the 31st percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

86th
percentile, household income
96th
percentile, home value
98th
percentile, median rent
31st
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: La Palma, CA

La Palma is a small town in California, home to 15,375 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $115,833 per year, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 3.6%. La Palma's housing stock carries a median value of $916,600, and the median resident age is 46.6 years. Educational attainment runs 48.8% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 59.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 0 residential units authorized here in 2024 (No Permits). Crime here tracks close to the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 2032.9 crimes per 100,000 residents, near the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score).

California carries a cost-of-living premium: the state registers 110.7 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Well Above Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $3,236 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts California's average monthly utility costs around $275 (state average). On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 99.8 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

15,375 residents

Census ACS 2023 - California

Median Household Income

$115,833 /yr

Poverty 3.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

110.7 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, California average

How does La Palma compare to other US cities?

La Palma measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 86% higher than other cities
Home value 96% pricier than other cities
Median rent 98% pricier than other cities
Safety 31% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just California and the picture shifts: La Palma ranks #245 of 441 California cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares La Palma against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to California only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

California-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places La Palma toward the top of California's cities

Among the 1,458 California cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, La Palma ranks #138 - the 82nd percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares La Palma only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#360 of 1,338
73rd percentile in California
Median Gross Rent
#138 of 1,458
82nd percentile in California
Median Home Value
#278 of 1,343
79th percentile in California
Poverty Rate
#984 of 1,450
32nd percentile in California
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#288 of 1,458
80th percentile in California

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within California only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

86thIncome percentile
31stSafety percentile

86th percentile nationally for median household income · 31st percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

La Palma's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

La Palma's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 40 Avg. percentile National median
La Palma's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How La Palma's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$916,600 4th percentile more affordable than 4% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). This entry sits in this band. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. La Palma $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - La Palma, CA La Palma, CA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not La Palma, CA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution La Palma, CA median $115,833/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
La Palma, CA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for La Palma, CA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 48.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 3.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 59.7%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
15,375
Median Income
$115,833
Median Home Value
$916,600
Median Age
46.6
Poverty Rate
3.6%
Labor force participation
59.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
48.8%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2032.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
208.7
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1824.2
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
5
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
14,800 residents15,000 residents15,200 residents15,400 residents15,600 residents15,800 residents 202020212022202320242025 15,562 residents 14,907 residents ▼ -4.2%
La Palma's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

Total Permits (2024)
0
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 1
2021 2
2022 0
2023 0
2024 0

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
72.3%
Carpool
12.2%
Public Transit
0.9%
Walk
0.8%
Work from Home
12.5%
Other
1.3%

Based on 7,540 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for California - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$150
avg/month
Natural Gas
$55
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$70
avg/month
Total Utilities
$275
estimated/month

Estimates reflect California state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a California state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county La Palma sits in

Cost of Living Index
110.7
Well Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$3,236/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
99.8 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in California

Coto de Caza
15,363 people
Walnut Park
15,446 people
Alpine
15,470 people
Discovery Bay
15,243 people
Vincent
15,151 people
Los Osos
15,048 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to La Palma's 15,375 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Minneola, FL
15,371 people
Princeton Meadows, NJ
15,382 people
Ewa Beach, HI
15,388 people
Santaquin, UT
15,391 people
Dentsville, SC
15,396 people
Eden, NC
15,353 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to La Palma's $115,833 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

McCool Junction, NE
$115,833 median income
Clintondale, PA
$115,833 median income
North Wales, PA
$115,833 median income
Easton, WA
$115,836 median income
Jacksonville Beach, FL
$115,825 median income
Elma Center, NY
$115,859 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - La Palma, CA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition La Palma, CA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 31.4% 51.9% 9.9% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 16.9% White 31.4% Black or African American 2.8% Asian 51.9% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.5% Some other race 3.3% Two or more races 9.9% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How La Palma compares to nearby California cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
La Palma (this city) 15,375 $115,833
Coto de Caza 15,363 $232,470
Walnut Park 15,446 $79,205
Alpine 15,470 $111,723
Census ACS 5-year FIPS CA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about La Palma, CA?

What is the population of La Palma, CA? +

La Palma, CA has a population of 15,375 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in La Palma, CA? +

Median annual household income in La Palma runs $115,833, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in La Palma? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for La Palma; the closest available measure is the California state average, a cost of living index of 110.7 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within California vary by metro area.

Is La Palma, CA safe? +

La Palma has a total crime rate of 2032.9 per 100,000 residents, which is near the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in La Palma, CA? +

La Palma's median home value sits at $916,600, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.