Palmdale, California Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Palmdale, California is 165,487 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 32nd-largest city in California. The median household income is $81,151, the median home value is $435,300, and the median age is 33.2.
The population has grown 6.3% since 2010 (152,936 → 162,536).
165,487
Population
1560
People / sq mi
$81,151
Median Income
$435,300
Median Home Value
Palmdale covers 106.1 sq mi of land at 1560 people per square mile.
About Palmdale, CA
Palmdale is a city in California with a population of 165,487. It ranks #32 among cities in California by population. The median age is 33.2, younger than the national median. The population is 49.2% male and 50.8% female.
The median household income in Palmdale is $81,151, above the US median of $74,580. 11.9% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $435,300, with monthly rent averaging $1,736. The homeownership rate of 66.2% is close to the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Palmdale reflects 16.6% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 8.2% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 41.6 minutes each way.
Palmdale city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Palmdale city had a population of 152,936 in 2010 and 162,536 in 2024, a 6.3% growth over 14 years. The peak was 168,907 in 2020. Average annual growth rate: 0.46%.
162,536
Population (2024)
152,936
Population (2010)
168,907
Peak (2020)
0.46%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 152,936 |
| 2011 | 153,996 |
| 2012 | 154,861 |
| 2013 | 156,495 |
| 2014 | 156,770 |
| 2015 | 156,988 |
| 2016 | 156,739 |
| 2017 | 156,558 |
| 2018 | 156,158 |
| 2019 | 155,079 |
| 2020 | 168,907 |
| 2021 | 165,543 |
| 2022 | 163,520 |
| 2023 | 162,605 |
| 2024 | 162,536 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 31.8% |
| Black or African American | 13.7% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.1% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$81,151
Median Household Income
$28,767
Per Capita Income
11.9%
Poverty Rate
4.5%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$435,300
Median Home Value
$1,736
Median Rent
66.2%
Owner-Occupied
Education
77.0%
High School+
16.6%
Bachelor's+
Commute
1.3%
Drive Alone
74.0%
Public Transit
8.2%
Work From Home
41.6 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
9.2%
Foreign Born
47.4%
Non-English at Home
4.2%
Veterans
11.6%
With Disability
91.9%
Health Insurance
96.0%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 22.3% |
| Manufacturing | 11.5% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 10.2% |
| Construction | 9.5% |
| Retail Trade | 8.2% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 8.0% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 5.6% |
| Public Administration | 5.0% |
| Information | 4.7% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 1.6% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 0.4% |
Largest cities in California
Largest counties in California
Part of California
Metro areas in California
City rankings
Common questions about Palmdale, CA
Frequently Asked Questions
Palmdale, California has a population of 165,487 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 32nd-largest city in California.
The median household income in Palmdale, California is $81,151, with 11.9% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Palmdale, California is $435,300, with median monthly rent at $1,736 and a homeownership rate of 66.2%.
The median age in Palmdale, California is 33.2 years. The population is 49.2% male and 50.8% female.
The population has grown 6.3% since 2010 (152,936 → 162,536).
More from California
Population 3,857,897
Population 1,385,061
Population 990,054
Population 836,321
Population 543,615
Full rankings of California cities by population
Statewide data for California
Population, race, income, age, and trends across California
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.