La Palma, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, La Palma, California had a total population of 15,272, the 400th largest city in California, with a median household income of $117,989, which is 19% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 5.0% — among the lowest in California.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 8.3x the median household income.
La Palma Quick Facts
How La Palma Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 15,375 | 15,272 | -0.7% |
| Median household income | $115,833 | $117,989 | +1.9% |
| Median home value | $916,600 | $973,600 | +6.2% |
How La Palma Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
La Palma Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Orange County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anaheim | 344,521 | $95,227 | 12.4% | $831,200 |
| Santa Ana | 312,534 | $93,999 | 10.8% | $713,000 |
| Irvine | 311,690 | $136,719 | 10.8% | $1,191,500 |
| Huntington Beach | 195,240 | $120,919 | 7.8% | $1,100,000 |
| Garden Grove | 170,964 | $92,174 | 12.3% | $814,100 |
| Fullerton | 140,968 | $104,286 | 12.3% | $902,600 |
| Orange | 138,266 | $117,113 | 9.5% | $945,800 |
| Costa Mesa | 110,330 | $111,505 | 9.1% | $1,115,100 |
| Mission Viejo | 92,151 | $136,123 | 5.6% | $1,009,600 |
| Westminster | 89,860 | $85,541 | 14.4% | $858,300 |
Cities Similar to La Palma
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine | 15,180 | $108,660 | $864,000 | 33.0% | 13.0% |
| Pacific Grove | 14,951 | $106,065 | $1,190,400 | 59.6% | 7.6% |
| El Sobrante (Contra Costa County) | 16,294 | $114,853 | $758,800 | 36.5% | 11.4% |
| Vincent | 15,340 | $100,443 | $634,700 | 23.7% | 6.7% |
| Los Osos | 14,166 | $108,932 | $805,800 | 53.7% | 8.1% |
Population Overview
La Palma is a small city located in California, within Orange County. The total population is 15,272. It ranks as the 400th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in La Palma is 45.1 years. This is 19% higher than the state median of 37.9 years. 11.1% 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 is $117,989. This is 19% higher than the state median of $99,122. It is also 46% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.0%. This is 58% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 3.9%. This is 41% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $973,600. Housing costs are 33% higher than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 8.3x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 67.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in La Palma is Asian, making up 54.1% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 20.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population (16.5%) is well below the state average of 40.2%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (54.1% vs 15.3%).
Education
52.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 43% higher than the state rate of 37.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.2%. Notably, 18.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for La Palma, California is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against California state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,570 Census-designated places in California. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of La Palma, California?
La Palma, California has a population of 15,272 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in La Palma, CA?
The median household income in La Palma is $117,989, which is 46% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in La Palma, CA?
The poverty rate in La Palma is 5.0%. This means approximately 761 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of La Palma, California?
La Palma's population is 20.7% White, 3.2% Black, 16.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 54.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in La Palma, CA?
The median home value in La Palma is $973,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.3x.
How educated is La Palma, California?
52.9% of adults (25+) in La Palma hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 18.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.