Desert Palms, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Desert Palms is a small city in California with a population of 6,522. Residents earn $81,954 per year, which is 9% above the national average.

4.1 /5.0
A Great
6,522 Population 2,434/sq mi density
$81,954 Median Income $57,637 per capita
$526,500 Home Value
$2,175 Median Rent
76°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.1 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.4 / 5.0
$81,954 median income, 1.4% unemployment
B
Affordability
3.0 / 5.0
$526,500 home value, $2,175/mo rent
A+
Education
4.9 / 5.0
48.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $81,954
9% higher than US avg
Home Value $526,500
87% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 48.9%
45% higher than US avg
Median Rent $2,175
87% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.3%
10% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.4%
61% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 9.4%
24% lower than US avg

How Desert Palms Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population6,522
Median Age76.2 yrs
Density2,434/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 93%

Economy

A
Median Income$81,954
Per Capita$57,637
Unemployment1.4%
Poverty9.4%
County GDP$134,757M
Commute25 min

Housing

B
Home Value$526,500
Rent$2,175
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity35.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.4%
Heart Disease5.1%

Climate

Avg Temp76°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain2.9 in/yr
Elevation116 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+48.9%
High School+95.5%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 49% / D 48%
Commute25 min
Libraries60

Is Desert Palms a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Desert Palms receives an overall livability score of 4.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, a highly educated population, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Desert Palms stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Desert Palms is $81,954, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.4%. 9.4% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Desert Palms is $526,500, making it a premium housing market at 87% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $2,175 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. The price-to-income ratio of 6.4x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 48.9% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 95.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Desert Palms has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 76°F. Winters average 59°F in January while summers reach 94°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 2.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Desert Palms has a population of 6,522 with a density of 2,434 people per square mile. The median age is 76.2 years, 96% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (93%), with 2.5% Black.

Population

6,522
Total Population
2,434
People / sq mi
76.2yrs
Median Age
96% above US avg
2.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45.6%
Female 54.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Desert Palms vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only91.6%
17% above US avg
Spanish8.4%
37% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Desert Palms vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Desert Palms is $81,954, which is 9% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 9.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Income: Desert Palms vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$81,954
9% above US avg
Per Capita Income$57,637
Avg Weekly Wage$1,149
IRS Avg AGI$72,983

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.4%
61% below US avg
Poverty Rate9.4%
24% below US avg
Establishments (County)86,446
County GDP$134,757M

Business (County)

Restaurants4,533
Healthcare5,585
Retail5,636
Manufacturing1,632

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,854
96% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.30%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.9 min
Work from Home38.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Desert Palms is $526,500, 87% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $2,175 (87% above US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$526,500
87% above US avg
Median List Price$549,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$549,000
$/Sq Ft$293
Homes Sold21
Sale-to-List Ratio96.8%
Price Drops37.3%
Inventory118

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$2,175
87% above US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,513
1 Bedroom$1,647
2 Bedrooms$2,053
3 Bedrooms$2,752
4 Bedrooms$3,165

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied83.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,854
96% above US avg
Effective Rate1.30%
In Desert Palms, 35.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 24.4% report depression. 22.0% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Desert Palms vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.3%
10% above US avg
Diabetes9.0%
Heart Disease5.1%
High Blood Pressure30.4%
Asthma10.7%
COPD5.5%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.2%
Physical Inactivity22.0%
Depression24.4%
Mental Distress18.8%
Physical Distress13.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate99.3%
Checkup Rate70.6%
Premature Death7,817/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.3/10
Exercise Access89.8%
Healthcare Facilities5,585

Crime Rates: Desert Palms vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)341
FEMA Disasters910

Safety Score

Desert Palms has an average annual temperature of 76°F (24°C). Winters average 59°F in January while summers reach 94°F in July. Annual precipitation is 2.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

59°F Jan (15°C) 94°F Jul (35°C)
Annual Average76.0°F
41% above US avg
January Average59°F (15°C)
July Average94°F (35°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall2.9 inches
92% below US avg
Snowfall0.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation116 ft (35 m)
Area2.7 sq mi (6.9 km²)
Population Density2,434/sq mi
Coordinates33.7791°N, 116.2982°W
County FIPS06065
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 48.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (45% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 1.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 49.3%
D 48%

Winner: Republican by 1.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+48.9%
45% above US avg
High School+95.5%
School Test Score4.69
A+ Education Grade (4.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density2,434/sq mi
Total Area2.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries60
Healthcare Facilities5,585
Restaurants4,533
Retail Stores5,636

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)341
FEMA Disaster Declarations910

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.9 min
Work from Home38.0%

Nearby Cities

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