Antelope Valley pear orchard, 1928
Palmdale’s story
140 years in pictures
Census counts: 11,522 in 1960, 169,450 in 2020. The archive holds 9 old photos and papers going back to 1928 and 3 maps from 1932 on.
- 1886Palmdale is settled
Population
161,845
2025 Census estimate · −4.5% since 2020
Typical home
$499K
+0% in a year
Household income
$82K
median
Median age
33.0
years
Jobs based here
34,160
A commuter town
TownGrade
D−
#796 of 841 in CA
Is Palmdale a good place to live?
Palmdale earns a D−, ranked 796th of 841 in California, mostly because of safety and schools. Its police reported 777 violent crimes reported to the FBI in 2025, a higher rate per resident than 82% of U.S. towns. Its schools rank behind 75% of the state's. One bright spot: it has 189 miles of trail. Palmdale’s average trip to work is 40 minutes, against 28 minutes in California’s towns and 25 minutes across U.S. towns. Palmdale's civic life (library use, community groups, volunteering) trails 98% of U.S. towns. The typical home is worth about $499K, 5.2 years of the Los Angeles metro’s $96K median household income.
What makes Palmdale stand out
Where Palmdale beats most towns, and one thing worth knowing.
A growing town
Palmdale has grown 6% since 2010
152,750 counted in 2010 and 169,450 in 2020; an estimated 161,845 in 2025.
Since 2020 the trend has turned: down 4.5%, after 10.9% growth in the decade before.
U.S. Census 2010 & 2020 counts · Census Bureau estimate, July 1, 2025
How Palmdale grades
Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within California), ordered by how far Palmdale is from typical.
Cost of livingDOpen →Hazard riskearthquakes tops the listDOpen →SafetyC−Open →SchoolsCOpen →Jobs & income$82K median household incomeCOpen →HealthPalmdale Regional Medical Center 4.8 miles awayC+Open →WalkabilityEPA walkability 8 of 20; 4.8% of households have no car; 1.7% of workers walk, bike or ride transitBOpen →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
Outdoors8% conserved landA−Open →History22 notable people born hereC−Open →Civic life0.4 library visits per resident; 2.2 community nonprofits per 1,000 residentsD−Open →
Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.
ClimateMild winters, 96° summer afternoons–Open →Housing market$499K typical home, up 0% in a year; 43 days on market–Open →Who lives hereMedian age 33.0; 17% of adults have a four-year degree–Open →
How TownRatings grades towns →
Getting set up
The full setup list →Moving to Palmdale: who provides what
Who provides power, water and the rest in Palmdale, and how to reach them.
PowerSouthern California Edison31.5¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterPalmdale Water Dist.No health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet6 providers99% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & dumpBy addressTown’s hauler · day by addressTown site
SchoolsAntelope Valley Union Joint High School DistrictPalmdale Elementary School DistrictWestside Union Elementary School District3 districts serve Palmdale; which school depends on your address and gradeNCES
Register to voteOnlineIn California you can register online until 15 days before Election Day, in person up to and including Election Day, or by mail (postmarked 15 days before).vote.govWho runs elections hereLos Angeles Registrar-Recorder County ClerkLos Angeles County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Sep 2025
ZIP codes93550, 93551, 9355293550 48% · 93551 28% · 93552 24%Census 2020
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Nov 18, 2024.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Palmdale.
Palmdale has more 90° days than nearly all U.S. towns, but it has commutes longer than most of California.
OutdoorsA−
Palmdale has set aside 7.7% of its land for conservation
The trail density in Palmdale is 1.8 miles per square mile. The biggest place to walk is Marie Kerr Park, 58 acres with 2.9 miles of trail.
#186for trails in CA
| Palmdale | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miles of trail per square mile | 1.8 miles per square mile | 1.0 | 0.4 |
| Conserved land | 7.7% | 4.2% | 4.3% |
7.7%
conserved · 5,202 of 67,752 acres
189 mi
of trails · 1.8 per sq mi
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Marie Kerr Park | 2.9 mi | 58 |
| 2. Domenic Massari Park | 1.7 mi | 35 |
| 3. Pelona Vista Park | 0.7 mi | 24 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
SchoolsC
Palmdale’s grade for schools is a C
Its public schools are run by the Palmdale Elementary school district. Two of its 43 schools are below, each with why it’s listed.
25%of CA districts it outscoresCSchool Grade
| School | Level | Students | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hillview MiddleLargest public middle schoolGrades 6–8 | Grades 6–8 | 1,100 | D− |
| Highland HighLargest public high schoolGrades 9–12 | Grades 9–12 | 2,706 | – |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within CA on state tests and graduation
Natural hazardsHazard risk grade D
Earthquakes leads a very high hazard risk in Palmdale
Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 89% of U.S. communities. Since 1978, 10 flood insurance claims have been paid out in Palmdale.
89risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
EarthquakesInland flooding
10
paid flood claims since 1978
9
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
SafetyC−
Palmdale’s grade for safety is a C−
Palmdale’s violent crime rate is 4.8 per 1,000 residents. Palmdale reports more crime per resident than most U.S. towns we grade: about 82% report less. Palmdale’s property crime rate is 17 per 1,000 residents.
18%of U.S. towns report more crimeC−Safety Grade
| Palmdale | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 4.8 per 1,000 residents | 2.9 | 1.6 |
| Property crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 17 per 1,000 residents | 13.3 | 9.9 |
Violent crime per 1,000 residents
Palmdale4.8
California4.4
U.S.3.3
Property crime per 1,000 residents
Palmdale17
California18.2
U.S.15.5
18th
percentile among U.S. towns we grade
28th
percentile among CA towns
777
violent crimes reported in 2025
2,744
property crimes reported in 2025
FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to police
HousingCost of living grade D
Palmdale’s grade for cost of living is a D
64% of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent in Palmdale. The typical Palmdale home is worth about $499,000, about the same as a year ago, 34% below the California typical home.
$499KZillow home value
| Palmdale | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent | 64% | 55% | 48% |
| Median rent | $1,802 a month | $1,898 a month | $1,185 a month |
| Households that own their home | 66% | 64% | 73% |
Typical home value
Palmdale$499K
California$762K
Market temperature
43
days on market
100.3%
sale-to-list price
+0%
value change, 1 year
105
homes sold in May
Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
Work & commuteJobs & income grade C
Palmdale has 0.6 jobs for every working resident, so most commute out
The average commute for its 59,656 working residents takes 39.9 minutes, against 28.7 across California. Jobs based here grew from 25,226 in 2013 to 34,160.
Most working residents leave Palmdale for work: only 15% work in town. 16% of Palmdale residents live below the poverty line. Jobs based in Palmdale grew to 34,160 in 2023, 8,934 more than in 2013.
15%work in town
| Palmdale | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below the poverty line | 16% | 10% | 9.6% |
| Working residents who work in town | 15% | 6.6% | 8% |
| Work from home | 9.1% | 14% | 11% |
| Median household income | $82,000 | $95,000 | $80,000 |
Where working residents work
In Palmdale15%
Los Angeles22%
Lancaster12%
Santa Clarita5%
Burbank2%
35 mi
median commute distance
34,160
jobs based in Palmdale
A commuter town
jobs vs. working residents
B
Walkability grade: more walkable than 58% of U.S. towns
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
Climate
Palmdale has mild winters and hot summers
The Palmdale weather station records that about 118 days a year reach 90°, more than in 98% of U.S. towns. July afternoons average 96.2°, hotter than in 98% of U.S. towns; January nights average 34.7°.
Palmdale has mild winters and hot summers, with very little rain. Snow is almost unheard of.
96°summer high
| Palmdale | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| July high | 96°F | 89°F | 85°F |
| January low | 35°F | 41°F | 22°F |
Typical low → high °F
Winter35–60°
Spring45–73°
Summer62–94°
Fall48–79°
Nov 19
typical first frost
Mar 10
typical last frost
+2.0°
vs. the 20th-century average
96°
typical summer high
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
HealthC+
On CDC estimates, Palmdale is less healthy than 64% of U.S. towns
Palmdale beats the California average on 2 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 16.
36%healthier than U.S. townsC+Health Grade
| Palmdale | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feel lonely (CDC PLACES) | 43% | 36% | 33% |
| Food insecurity (CDC PLACES) | 28% | 16% | 14% |
| Yearly checkup (CDC PLACES) | 70% | 72% | 79% |
| Fair or poor health (CDC PLACES) | 28% | 22% | 19% |
32 measures vs. California
2 better14 too close to call16 worse
| What stands out | Palmdale | CA |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer adults who have had cancer | 4.8% | 6.4% |
| Fewer adults with heart disease | 5.1% | 5.6% |
| More adults facing housing insecurity | 23.2% | 14.9% |
Palmdale Regional Medical Center
4.8 mi away · emergency room
2 of 3
care shortages: primary care, dental
27th
percentile among CA towns
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Nearby attractions
All 246 attractions →Hollywood Walk of Fame and 130 more within 40 miles
Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around Palmdale. Close and well known come first.
Big draw37 mi LandmarkHollywood Walk of Fame10.0M visitors a year
Big draw34 mi LandmarkHollywood Sign
Big draw39 mi Stadium & arenaCrypto.com Arena
Big draw39 mi MuseumLa Brea Tar Pits
Big draw37 mi Stadium & arenaDodger Stadium
Big draw35 mi Theme parkUniversal Studios Hollywood8.7M visitors a yearSources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · photos via Wikimedia Commons
Photo credits
Hollywood Walk of Fame: BenSherman, Public domain · Hollywood Sign: Thomas Wolf, www.foto-tw.de, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Crypto.com Arena: Troutfarm27, CC BY-SA 4.0 · La Brea Tar Pits: Daniel Schwen, CC BY-SA 2.5 · Dodger Stadium: Frederick Dennstedt from los angeles, usa, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Universal Studios Hollywood: 林振宇, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Keep exploring
Everything we know about Palmdale
20pages on Palmdale
The big questions
SchoolsCBehind 75% of CA districts · 43 schoolsSafetyC−4.8 violent crimes per 1,000 residents (2025)HealthC+Better than CA on 2 of 32 CDC measuresCost of livingD$499K typical home · up 0% in a yearWork & commuteC$82K median household income · 34,160 jobs hereNatural hazardsDFEMA risk higher than 89% of U.S. communities · earthquakes
Out and about
The story
After high school
Colleges nearby
1 within 15 miles of the center of Palmdale
About 7 of every 100 Palmdale residents are enrolled in college, about the same as California.
A commuter town
85% of working residents leave Palmdale for work
Where Palmdale’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
34,160jobs based in Palmdale
15%of working residents work in town
35 mimedian commute distance
Census LEHD 2023
Famous people from Palmdale
22 notable people were born in Palmdale.
E
Eric CalvilloSalvadoran-American soccer player · born 1998
C
Carlos AguilarAmerican soccer player · born 1988About Palmdale
City in California, United States
Palmdale is a suburban city in northern Los Angeles County, California, United States. The city lies in the Antelope Valley of Southern California. The San Gabriel Mountains separate Palmdale from the Los Angeles Basin to the south. On August 24, 1962, Palmdale became the first city in Antelope Valley. Forty-seven years later, in November 2009, voters approved making it a charter city. Palmdale's population was 169,450 at the 2020 census, up from 152,750 at the 2010 census. Palmdale is the 33rd most populous city in California. Together with its immediate northern neighbor, the city of Lancaster, the Palmdale–Lancaster urban area had a population of 359,559 in 2020.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Established
- 1886
- Area
- 106 sq mi
- Elevation
- 2,657 ft
- ZIP code
- 93550, 93551, 93552
- Area code
- 661
Palmdale’s neighbors
6 towns share a border with Palmdale.
Leona ValleySun VillageLittlerockLancasterQuartz HillActonPalmdale
How the neighbors grade
| Town | CA rank | Overall | Cost | Safety | Schools | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palmdale | #796 | D− | D | C− | C | C+ |
| Leona Valley | — | — | D− | — | C+ | A− |
| Sun Village | #822 | D− | C− | — | C− | C− |
| Littlerock | — | — | C | — | C− | C− |
| Lancaster | #793 | D− | D | D | C− | C+ |
| Quartz Hill | #559 | D | C− | — | C− | B+ |
| Acton | #618 | D | D− | — | C | B+ |
Leona Valley and Littlerock have fewer than 2,500 residents, so they get subject grades but no overall grade. Leona Valley, Sun Village, Littlerock, Quartz Hill and Acton report no FBI crime data of their own. Compare Palmdale with a neighbor →
Questions about Palmdale
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Palmdale, CA a good place to live?
Palmdale grades D− overall, better than 2% of U.S. towns and #796 of 841 in California. It grades C+ for health, C− for safety and C for schools. Cost of living is its weak spot, with a D.
What is Palmdale, CA known for?
22 notable people were born here, including Paul George and Zoot Horn Rollo.