La Palma, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

La Palma is a small city in California with a population of 15,375. Residents earn $115,833 per year, which is 54% above the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
15,375 Population 8,638/sq mi density
$115,833 Median Income $53,050 per capita
$916,600 Home Value $1,177,992 Zillow
$2,239 Median Rent
65°F Avg Temperature
75 Violent Crime/100K 1,546 property/100K
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
5.0 / 5.0
$115,833 median income, 2.2% unemployment
C
Affordability
2.2 / 5.0
$916,600 home value, $2,239/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
75 violent crimes/100K (80% below avg)
A+
Education
4.9 / 5.0
48.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $115,833
54% higher than US avg
Home Value $916,600
225% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 75/100K
80% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 48.8%
45% higher than US avg
Median Rent $2,239
93% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 19.7%
39% lower than US avg
Unemployment 2.2%
39% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.6%
71% lower than US avg

How La Palma Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population15,375
Median Age46.6 yrs
Density8,638/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 31%

Economy

A+
Median Income$115,833
Per Capita$53,050
Unemployment2.2%
Poverty3.6%
County GDP$351,753M
Commute33 min

Housing

C
Home Value$916,600
Rent$2,239
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$1,177,992

Crime

F
Violent75/100K
Property1,546/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault25/100K
Burglary538/100K

Health

Obesity19.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression16.3%
Heart Disease4.2%

Climate

Avg Temp65°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain12.0 in/yr
Elevation51 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+48.8%
High School+93.9%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 47% / D 50%
Commute33 min
EV Stations1
Libraries67

Is La Palma a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, La Palma receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. La Palma offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in La Palma is $115,833, which is significantly higher than the national average — 54% above $75,149. This places La Palma among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.2%. Only 3.6% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 33 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in La Palma is $916,600, making it a premium housing market at 225% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $2,239 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 7.9x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Safety & Crime

La Palma is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 75 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,546 per 100,000, 21% below the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 48.8% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 93.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

La Palma enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F. Winters average 57°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 12.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

La Palma has a population of 15,375 with a density of 8,638 people per square mile. The median age is 46.6 years, 20% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (31.4%), with 1.7% Hispanic, 2.8% Black.

Population

15,375
Total Population
8,638
People / sq mi
46.6yrs
Median Age
20% above US avg
1.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.2%
Female 51.8%

Race & Ethnicity

La Palma vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only50.0%
36% below US avg
Spanish50.0%
273% above US avg

Social Characteristics

La Palma vs U.S. Average

The median household income in La Palma is $115,833, which is 54% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 3.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 33 minutes.

Income: La Palma vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$115,833
54% above US avg
Per Capita Income$53,050
Avg Weekly Wage$1,565
IRS Avg AGI$116,511

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.2%
39% below US avg
Poverty Rate3.6%
71% below US avg
Establishments (County)148,394
County GDP$351,753M

Business (County)

Restaurants8,853
Healthcare13,951
Retail9,811
Manufacturing4,357

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$10,097
188% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.10%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time32.9 min
Work from Home12.5%

Walkability

The median home value in La Palma is $916,600, 225% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $2,239 (93% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $1,177,992.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$916,600
225% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$1,177,992
Median List Price$1,086,949

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$1,086,949
$/Sq Ft$689
Homes Sold4
Sale-to-List Ratio100.1%
Price Drops9.1%
Inventory11

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$2,239
93% 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-Occupied68.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$10,097
188% above US avg
Effective Rate1.10%
In La Palma, 19.7% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 16.3% report depression. 22.6% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: La Palma vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity19.7%
39% below US avg
Diabetes10.3%
Heart Disease4.2%
High Blood Pressure25.8%
Asthma8.1%
COPD3.3%
Stroke2.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking13.6%
Physical Inactivity22.6%
Depression16.3%
Mental Distress14.9%
Physical Distress10.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.7%
Checkup Rate73.0%
Premature Death5,325/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.1/10
Exercise Access99.1%
Healthcare Facilities13,951
La Palma has a violent crime rate of 75 per 100,000 residents, 80% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,546 per 100,000 (21% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: La Palma vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent75.1/100K
80% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape6.3/100K
Robbery43.8/100K
Assault25.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,546.0/100K
21% below US avg
Burglary538.3/100K
Theft888.8/100K
Vehicle Theft118.9/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)238
FEMA Disasters364

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
La Palma has an average annual temperature of 65°F (18°C). Winters average 57°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 12.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

57°F Jan (14°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average64.9°F
20% above US avg
January Average57°F (14°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall12.0 inches
68% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation51 ft (16 m)
Area1.8 sq mi (4.6 km²)
Population Density8,638/sq mi
Coordinates33.8506°N, 118.0396°W
County FIPS06059
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 48.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (45% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 2.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 47.1%
D 49.7%

Winner: Democrat by 2.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+48.8%
45% above US avg
High School+93.9%
School Test Score4.69
A+ Education Grade (4.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density8,638/sq mi
Total Area1.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations3
Public Libraries67
Healthcare Facilities13,951
Restaurants8,853
Retail Stores9,811

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)238
FEMA Disaster Declarations364
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute32.9 min
Work from Home12.5%

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