City · California
Palmdale, California
Palmdale, city, in Los Angeles County, California. Palmdale had 161,845 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 4.5% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 169,450 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 164,634 (±69). GEOID 0655156.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
161,845
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 169,450 · ACS 2020-2024: 164,634 ±69
Median household income
$81,770
±$2,952 (90% margin)
California: $99,122
Median home value
$471,000
±$7,045 (90% margin)
California: $734,700
Median gross rent
$1,802
±$60 (90% margin)
California: $2,036
Where is Palmdale and what county is it in?
Palmdale is a city in Los Angeles County, California. It covers 106.1 square miles of land, 1,598 residents per square mile in 2020.
Palmdale is in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 2 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Palmdale, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 161,845 people lived in Palmdale on July 1, 2025, down 4.5% since 2020, a steeper fall than California's (−0.5%). The 2020 Census counted 169,450 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 164,634 (±69).
| Measure | Palmdale | Los Angeles County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 164,634 ±69 | 9,808,667 | +8,341 |
| Households | 46,373 ±946 | 3,416,449 | +2,969 |
| Average household size | 3.55 ±0.07 | 2.81 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 48,467 ±1,004 | 3,650,466 | +2,005 |
Palmdale's population since 2000
From 116,670 in 2000 to 161,845 in 2025: up 38.7%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Palmdale as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Palmdale?
The median resident of Palmdale is 33.0 years old; 29.5% are under 18 and 11.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 63.5%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 15.5%. 25.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Palmdale | Los Angeles County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 33.0 ±0.8 | 38.2 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 29.5% ±1.0 pts | 20.6% | – |
| 65 years and over | 11.1% ±0.7 pts | 15.2% | – |
| Male | 49.4% ±0.8 pts | 49.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 63.5% ±1.9 pts | 48.4% | +3.1 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 15.5% ±1.3 pts | 24.7% | −4.5 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 12.8% ±1.2 pts | 7.4% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 4.6% ±0.6 pts | 14.9% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.4% ±0.2 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.5% ±0.6 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.7% ±0.3 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 25.4% ±1.2 pts | 33.4% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 53.9% ±1.9 pts | 55.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.2% ±0.5 pts | 2.7% | – |
| With a disability | 11.8% ±0.7 pts | 11.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.2% ±0.8 pts | 8.2% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 77.2% ±1.3 pts | 80.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 17.1% ±1.0 pts | 36.0% | +1.6 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.4% ±0.6 pts | 13.0% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 92.8% ±1.0 pts | 90.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.4% ±0.1 pts | 1.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Palmdale earn?
Half of Palmdale's 46,373 households earn less than $81,770 a year (±$2,952), against $90,112 in Los Angeles County and $99,122 in California. In 2015-2019 the median was $77,368 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $4,402 after inflation. 15.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Palmdale | Los Angeles County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $81,770 ±$2,952 | $90,112 | +$4,402 |
| Mean household income | $102,237 ±$3,116 | $128,770 | – |
| Per capita income | $29,441 ±$982 | $45,792 | +$1,520 |
| People below the poverty line | 15.7% ±1.7 pts | 13.7% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 22.1% ±2.9 pts | 17.6% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 21.2% ±1.7 pts | 14.4% | – |
| Households with a computer | 96.4% ±0.8 pts | 96.7% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 93.0% ±0.9 pts | 93.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Palmdale?
Owners occupy 66.2% of Palmdale's occupied homes and renters 33.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $471,000 by its owner (±$7,045). The median renter pays $1,802 a month including utilities, and 55.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Palmdale | Los Angeles County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $471,000 ±$7,045 | $834,200 | +$126,406 |
| Median gross rent | $1,802 ±$60 | $1,954 | +$179 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 55.7% ±3.9 pts | 48.3% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,384 ±$57 | $3,160 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 66.2% ±1.7 pts | 45.9% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 33.8% ±1.7 pts | 54.1% | – |
| Housing units | 48,467 ±1,004 | 3,650,466 | +2,005 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.6% ±0.3 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.4% ±1.4 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 78.5% ±1.3 pts | 47.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 4.5% ±0.8 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.5% ±0.3 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 4.1% ±0.6 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 1.0% ±0.4 pts | 14.3% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 4.8% ±0.7 pts | 8.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Palmdale building?
Builders took permits for 131 new housing units in Palmdale in 2025 (124 in single-family houses), 0.8 per 1,000 residents against 2.6 across California.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Palmdale work and get to work?
72.5% of Palmdale's workers drive alone and 9.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 39.9 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 8.3%.
| Measure | Palmdale | Los Angeles County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 61.3% ±1.1 pts | 64.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 8.3% ±0.9 pts | 7.3% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 72.5% ±1.7 pts | 64.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 14.2% ±1.3 pts | 9.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.9% ±0.3 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Walked | 0.7% ±0.3 pts | 2.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 9.1% ±0.9 pts | 17.1% | +4.1 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 39.9 min ±1.2 | 30.4 min | −3.8 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Palmdale?
34 census tracts lie mostly in Palmdale, and 6 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $39,403 (Tract 9105.01) to $157,411 (Tract 9012.18).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9102.10Los Angeles County | 7,176 | $131,676 |
| Tract 9107.13Los Angeles County | 6,801 | $80,764 |
| Tract 9107.15Los Angeles County | 6,701 | $86,250 |
| Tract 9107.16Los Angeles County | 6,583 | $86,330 |
| Tract 9106.01Los Angeles County | 6,445 | $68,661 |
| Tract 9105.01Los Angeles County | 5,997 | $39,403 |
| Tract 9102.17Los Angeles County | 5,970 | $130,170 |
| Tract 9107.06Los Angeles County | 6,761 | $108,563 |
| Tract 9103.02Los Angeles County | 5,817 | $104,722 |
| Tract 9102.14Los Angeles County | 5,692 | $119,615 |
| Tract 9104.05Los Angeles County | 5,675 | $43,409 |
| Tract 9107.20Los Angeles County | 5,263 | $59,871 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Palmdale) · Census block assignment files
How does Palmdale compare with other places in California?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Palmdale is the 164th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 33rd-most populous of 483 in California.
Palmdale ranks 659th of 1,037 places in California with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 33rd | 483 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 385th | 469 |
| Residents per square mile | 650th | 1,077 |
| Median household income | 659th | 1,037 |
| Per capita income | 802nd | 1,073 |
| Median home value | 669th | 1,054 |
| Median gross rent | 531st | 987 |
| Poverty rate | 258th | 836 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 754th | 988 |
| Median age | 888th | 1,075 |
| Owner-occupied share | 531st | 1,064 |
| Work from home | 648th | 822 |
| Travel time to work | 83rd | 1,069 |
Palmdale's figures with every place in California (CSV)
Every place in California, sortable · Compare Palmdale with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Palmdale?
1 of the 57 figures for Palmdale on this page carries a coefficient of variation over 40% and is marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Palmdale are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Palmdale.