La Palma city, California Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

La Palma city is a small city located in California. The total population is 15,375. It ranks as the 399th most populous out of 1,577 cities and towns in California.

Age Demographics

The median age in La Palma city is 46.6 years. This is 24% higher than the state median of 37.6 years. 10.5% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in La Palma city is $115,833. This is 20% higher than the state median of $96,334. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 47% higher. The poverty rate stands at 5.3%. This is 56% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 3.6%. This is 44% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $916,600. Housing costs are 32% higher than the state median of $695,400. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.9x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 68.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% higher than the state average of 55.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in La Palma city is Asian, making up 51.4% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 24.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (16.9%) is well below the state average of 39.8%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (51.4% vs 15.0%).

Education

48.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 34% higher than the state rate of 36.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.9%. Notably, 17.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for La Palma city, California is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against California state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,577 Census-designated places in California. For official data, visit data.census.gov.