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CITY · 2020 ACS

Palm Desert

California · 51,163 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 $64,295. Population has grown 24% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $361,200. With a median age of 56.1, the population is older than the US median of 38.8.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 56.1
US median: 38.8
More educated
38% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 36%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

51,163
+24%since 2000
from 41,155 in 2000
1990 – 2025
1,911 / sq mi
+24%since 2000
from 1,537 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
56.1
+17%since 2000
from 48.0 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 19902024
20K29K38K47K56K1990201020202024Palm Desert
202452K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

$64,295
−11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $48,316 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
$45,916
+37%since 2000
from $33,463 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
42.9%
+5.5 ptssince 2009
from 37.4% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
12.7%
+3.6 ptssince 2000
from 9.2% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information12.5%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services6.9%
US avg: 6.6%
Wholesale trade5.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade4.1%
US avg: 10%
Public administration3.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.8%
US avg: 2.5%
Finance & insurance2.4%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical2.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.6%
US avg: 2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.5%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.3%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

$361,200
+36%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $176,400 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
$1,353
+21%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $744 in 2000
US average: $1,124
64.3%
−2.6 ptssince 2000
from 66.9% in 2000
35.7% rent
5.6
+54%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic63.6%(32,535)
Black1.8%(935)
Hispanic / Latino26%(13,315)
Asian4.6%(2,364)
Other3.4%(1,745)
Diversity Score64.9%(33,206)
65
+50%since 2000
from 43 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

38.0%
+6.5 ptssince 2000
from 31.4% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
92.8%
+3.9 ptssince 2000
from 88.9% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
14.3%
+3.0 ptssince 2000
from 11.3% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

20.3 min
+55%since 2000
from 13.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
69.2%
−9.4 ptssince 2009
from 78.5% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
4.8%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 4.6% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

4.5%
−3.9 ptssince 2011
from 8.4% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
49.0%
−2.6 ptssince 2011
from 51.7% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
41.0%
−24.8 ptssince 2009
from 65.8% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

47.0%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 47.3% in 2009
53.0%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 52.7% in 2009
17.2%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 18.9% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
6.0%
−80.7 ptssince 2013
from 86.7% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Palm Desert, California?

Palm Desert, California has about 51,163 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Palm Desert, California earns about $64,295 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 $361,200, and the typical rent is about $1,353 a month.

How educated are people in Palm Desert, California?

About 38.0% 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 12.7% 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 27,911 residents, a change of about 120 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 →