Palm Desert, California Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Palm Desert, California is 51,551 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 182nd-largest city in California. The median household income is $79,508, the median home value is $491,600, and the median age is 56.7.
The population has grown 9.2% since 2010 (48,684 → 53,147).
51,551
Population
1925
People / sq mi
$79,508
Median Income
$491,600
Median Home Value
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Palm Desert covers 26.8 sq mi of land at 1925 people per square mile.
About Palm Desert, CA
Palm Desert skews on age — the median resident is 56.7, older than the national median. Palm Desert is a city in California with a population of 51,551.
The typical household here earns about $79,508, near the US median of $78,538. About 7.7% of residents live below the federal poverty level, below the national 12.4%. Home values run above average at $491,600, with typical rent around $1,717.
39.9% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree, above the national average of 35.0%. About 14.1% of the workforce is home-based, close to the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 22 minutes each way.
The age structure shapes everything downstream in Palm Desert — from housing demand to the mix of working-age earners reflected in the income figures above.
Palm Desert city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Palm Desert city had a population of 48,684 in 2010 and 53,147 in 2024, a 9.2% growth over 14 years. The peak was 53,275 in 2019. Average annual growth rate: 0.64%.
53,147
Population (2024)
48,684
Population (2010)
53,275
Peak (2019)
0.64%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 48,684 |
| 2011 | 49,251 |
| 2012 | 49,775 |
| 2013 | 50,357 |
| 2014 | 50,916 |
| 2015 | 51,552 |
| 2016 | 52,077 |
| 2017 | 52,794 |
| 2018 | 53,129 |
| 2019 | 53,275 |
| 2020 | 51,196 |
| 2021 | 51,542 |
| 2022 | 51,787 |
| 2023 | 52,284 |
| 2024 | 53,147 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 68.3% |
| Black or African American | 2.2% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.1% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$79,508
Median Household Income
$57,793
Per Capita Income
7.7%
Poverty Rate
3.0%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$491,600
Median Home Value
$1,717
Median Rent
64.4%
Owner-Occupied
Education
92.7%
High School+
39.9%
Bachelor's+
Commute
0.7%
Drive Alone
69.6%
Public Transit
14.1%
Work From Home
22.4 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
36.0%
Foreign Born
76.5%
Non-English at Home
7.4%
Veterans
16.6%
With Disability
94.1%
Health Insurance
96.6%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 19.7% |
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 18.8% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 15.0% |
| Information | 7.2% |
| Construction | 7.0% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 5.5% |
| Manufacturing | 4.2% |
| Public Administration | 3.4% |
| Retail Trade | 3.2% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 0.9% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 0.5% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Palm Desert, California has a population of 51,551 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 182nd-largest city in California.
The median household income in Palm Desert, California is $79,508, with 7.7% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Palm Desert, California is $491,600, with median monthly rent at $1,717 and a homeownership rate of 64.4%.
The median age in Palm Desert, California is 56.7 years. The population is 47.3% male and 52.7% female.
The population has grown 9.2% since 2010 (48,684 → 53,147).
Where to stay in Palm Desert
Visiting or relocating to Palm Desert, CA? Compare hotels and short-term rentals across the metro — live availability and prices.
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.