United States › California › Palm Desert CITY · 2000 CENSUS
Palm Desert California · 41,155 residents · 26.8 sq mi
Time machine
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The short version
Palm Desert is home to 41,155 people in California. The median age is 48.0, about 13 years above the US median. The population has risen by half since 1990, adding 17,903 people. The typical home is worth $176,400. About 31% of adults have finished a four-year degree. Poverty is uncommon here, at 9.2% of people here.
At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $42,589
Older
median age 48.0
US median: 35.2
More educated
31% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
More affordable
home values down 22%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01
Population & growth from 42.4 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
20K 29K 38K 47K 56K 1990 2000 2010 2020 2024 Palm Desert Age distribution, 2000
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 02
Income & economy $48,316
−2%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $37,315 in 1990
US average: $42,589
from $25,926 in 1990
US average: $21,522
from 7.1% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
$176,400
−22%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $172,300 in 1990
US average: $120,530
$744
−19%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $696 in 1990
US average: $602
from 63.9% in 1990
33.1% rent
Section 04
Race & ethnicity 1990
White, non-Hispanic 91.2%(21,211)
Hispanic / Latino 13.4%(3,121)
2000
White, non-Hispanic 77.6%(31,919)
Hispanic / Latino 17.1%(7,031)
No data for the years selected.
Section 04 · Origins
Detailed origins & ancestry Detailed origin tables are available for 2024; showing 2024 data.
Hispanic origin
+ 5 more hispanic origin groups with data Ancestry
+ 41 more ancestry groups with data from 23.6% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
from 86.2% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
from 7.9% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06
Commute & transportation from 16.3 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07
Work & employment No data for the years selected.
Section 08
People & community No data for the years selected.
Marital status
Men 15+
Never married 24.6%(4,080)
SHARE WITHIN EACH SEX · POPULATION 15 AND OVER · 2000
Section 09
Health coverage Showing 2024 (the nearest year with coverage data).
from 13.3% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
from 41.3% in 2020
US average: 54.8%
Direct-purchase
from 24.6% in 2020
US average: 13.8%
from 36.4% in 2020
US average: 18.4%
from 19.5% in 2020
US average: 20.9%
VA health care
from 3.5% in 2020
US average: 2.2%
Any private
from 62.6% in 2020
US average: 67.1%
Any public
from 52.6% in 2020
US average: 36.7%
Shares are "alone or in combination": a person with both Medicare and Medicaid counts in each, so categories overlap and do not sum to 100%.
Section 09 · Service history
Veterans Veterans by period of service, 2024
Gulf War (2001 or later) 6.5%(196)
Share of the 3,029 veterans here. A veteran who served across eras counts in each, so shares can total more than 100%. Peacetime-only service is included in the total but not shown as an era.
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Drill deeper
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Frequently asked
How many people live in Palm Desert, California? Palm Desert, California has about 41,155 residents according to the 2000 Census.
What is the median household income in Palm Desert, California? The typical household in Palm Desert, California earns about $48,316 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.
Is Palm Desert, California expensive? In Palm Desert, California, the median home is worth about $176,400, and the typical rent is about $744 a month.
How educated are people in Palm Desert, California? About 31.4% of adults age 25 and over in Palm Desert, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the poverty rate in Palm Desert, California? About 9.2% of people in Palm Desert, California live below the federal poverty line.
Has Palm Desert, California grown since 1990? Yes, Palm Desert, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 17,903 residents, a change of about 77 percent over that period.
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