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CITY · 2010 ACS

Palm Desert

California · 48,445 residents · 26.777 sq mi
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The short version

Palm Desert has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $56,897. Population has grown 18% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $384,300. With a median age of 53.0, the population is older than the US median of 37.2.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $52,703
Older
median age 53.0
US median: 37.2
More educated
34% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 72%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

48,445
+18%since 2000
from 41,155 in 2000
1990 – 2025
1,809 / sq mi
+18%since 2000
from 1,537 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
53.0
+10%since 2000
from 48.0 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 19902024
20K29K38K47K56K1990201020202024Palm Desert
202452K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

$56,897
−7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $48,316 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
$41,237
+23%since 2000
from $33,463 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
39.0%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 37.4% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
8.8%
−0.4 ptssince 2000
from 9.2% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
0.499
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information12.6%
US avg: 11.5%
Other services9.2%
US avg: 7%
Wholesale trade9.1%
US avg: 7.2%
Public administration4.2%
US avg: 4.9%
Retail trade3%
US avg: 10.9%
Transportation & warehousing2.9%
US avg: 3.1%
Arts, entertainment, food2.2%
US avg: 2.4%
Finance & insurance2.1%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical1.9%
US avg: 4.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.8%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction1.7%
US avg: 1.4%
Education & health services0.3%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

$384,300
+72%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $176,400 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
$1,160
+23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $744 in 2000
US average: $853
40.3%
−26.5 ptssince 2000
from 66.9% in 2000
34.4% rent
37.5%
+4.9 ptssince 2009
from 32.6% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
38.0%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 37.6% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
55.1%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 57.3% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
6.8
+85%since 2000
from 3.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Palm Desert on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic77.6%(31,919)
Black1.1%(446)
Hispanic / Latino17.1%(7,031)
Asian2.5%(1,036)
Other0%
Diversity Score43.2%(17,787)
2010
White, non-Hispanic70.4%(34,115)
Black1.6%(782)
Hispanic / Latino22.8%(11,038)
Asian3.3%(1,587)
Other1.3%(607)
Diversity Score55.4%(26,854)
55
+28%since 2000
from 43 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

33.6%
+2.1 ptssince 2000
from 31.4% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
90.3%
+1.4 ptssince 2000
from 88.9% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
12.3%
+1.0 ptssince 2000
from 11.3% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

19.6 min
+49%since 2000
from 13.1 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
76.9%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 78.5% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
10.2%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 8.7% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
1.2%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.0% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
6.8%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 6.6% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
2.7%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 3.2% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
0.9%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.9% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
5.6%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 4.6% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

9.9%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 9.0% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
35.5%
−30.3 ptssince 2009
from 65.8% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

48.6%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 47.3% in 2009
51.4%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 52.7% in 2009
18.5%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 18.9% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
15.1%
−30.8 ptssince 2009
from 45.9% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Palm Desert, California?

Palm Desert, California has about 48,445 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Palm Desert, California?

The typical household in Palm Desert, California earns about $56,897 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 $384,300, and the typical rent is about $1,160 a month.

How educated are people in Palm Desert, California?

About 33.6% 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 8.8% 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 25,193 residents, a change of about 108 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →