Twentynine Palms, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Twentynine Palms is a small city in California with a population of 28,738. Residents earn $56,000 per year, which is 25% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
28,738 Population 489/sq mi density
$56,000 Median Income $29,241 per capita
$238,400 Home Value $247,998 Zillow
$1,271 Median Rent 30.0% income on rent
70°F Avg Temperature
239 Violent Crime/100K 1,161 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$56,000 median income, 1.6% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.3 / 5.0
$238,400 home value, $1,271/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
239 violent crimes/100K (37% below avg)
C+
Education
3.0 / 5.0
24.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $56,000
25% lower than US avg
Home Value $238,400
15% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 239/100K
37% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 24.7%
27% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,271
9% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 34.7%
8% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.6%
56% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 11.7%
6% lower than US avg

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

People

Population28,738
Median Age24.6 yrs
Density489/mi²
Male / Female56% / 44%
Largest GroupWhite 57%
Veterans16.6%

Economy

B+
Median Income$56,000
Per Capita$29,241
Unemployment1.6%
Poverty11.7%
County GDP$137,914M
Commute16 min

Housing

A
Home Value$238,400
Rent$1,271
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$247,998
Rent Burden30.0%

Crime

F
Violent239/100K
Property1,161/100K
Murder7.7/100K
Assault185/100K
Burglary571/100K

Health

Obesity34.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.3%

Climate

Avg Temp70°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain3.9 in/yr
Elevation2,120 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+24.7%
High School+93.1%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 50% / D 48%
Commute16 min
Broadband95.9%
EV Stations15
Libraries48

Is Twentynine Palms a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Twentynine Palms receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Twentynine Palms offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Twentynine Palms is $56,000, 25% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.6%. 11.7% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Twentynine Palms is $238,400, 15% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,271 per month. A price-to-income ratio of 4.3x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Twentynine Palms is below the national average at 239 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,161 per 100,000, 41% below the national average.

Education

24.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Twentynine Palms enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 70°F. Winters average 53°F in January while summers reach 91°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 3.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Twentynine Palms has a population of 28,738 with a density of 489 people per square mile. The median age is 24.6 years, 37% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (56.8%), with 4.1% Hispanic, 9.9% Black.

Population

28,738
Total Population
489
People / sq mi
24.6yrs
Median Age
37% below US avg
58.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 56.1%
Female 43.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Twentynine Palms vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only82.1%
5% above US avg
Spanish17.9%
34% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Twentynine Palms vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Twentynine Palms is $56,000, which is 25% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 11.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes.

Income: Twentynine Palms vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$56,000
25% below US avg
Per Capita Income$29,241
Avg Weekly Wage$1,199
IRS Avg AGI$67,148

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.6%
56% below US avg
Poverty Rate11.7%
6% below US avg
Establishments (County)77,170
County GDP$137,914M

Business (County)

Restaurants4,197
Healthcare5,144
Retail5,298
Manufacturing1,765

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,047
73% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.54%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time16.1 min
Drive Alone68.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home8.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Twentynine Palms is $238,400, 15% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,271 (9% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $247,998.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$238,400
15% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$247,998
Median List Price$325,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$325,000
$/Sq Ft$225
Homes Sold21
Sale-to-List Ratio97.6%
Price Drops18.9%
Inventory127

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,271
9% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,464
Rent Burden30.0%

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-Occupied37.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,047
73% above US avg
Effective Rate2.54%
In Twentynine Palms, 34.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.3% report depression. 24.4% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity34.7%
8% above US avg
Diabetes11.5%
High Blood Pressure34.3%
Asthma10.8%
COPD6.6%
Stroke3.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.0%
Physical Inactivity24.4%
Depression22.3%
Mental Distress19.7%
Physical Distress14.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.2%
Checkup Rate69.6%
Premature Death9,378/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.9/10
Exercise Access86.8%
Healthcare Facilities5,144
Twentynine Palms has a violent crime rate of 239 per 100,000 residents, 37% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,161 per 100,000 (41% below US avg). The murder rate is 7.7 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent239.1/100K
37% below US avg
Murder7.7/100K
22% above US avg
Rape27.0/100K
Robbery19.3/100K
Assault185.1/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,160.6/100K
41% below US avg
Burglary570.6/100K
Theft455.0/100K
Vehicle Theft135.0/100K
Arson34.7/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)419
FEMA Disasters455

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Twentynine Palms has an average annual temperature of 70°F (21°C). Winters average 53°F in January while summers reach 91°F in July. Annual precipitation is 3.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

53°F Jan (11°C) 91°F Jul (33°C)
Annual Average70.3°F
30% above US avg
January Average53°F (11°C)
July Average91°F (33°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall3.9 inches
90% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation2,120 ft (646 m)
Area58.8 sq mi (152.2 km²)
Population Density489/sq mi
Coordinates34.1478°N, 116.0660°W
County FIPS06071
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 24.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (27% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 2.1-point margin. 95.9% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 49.7%
D 47.5%

Winner: Republican by 2.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+24.7%
27% below US avg
High School+93.1%
School Test Score4.69
C+ Education Grade (3.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density489/sq mi
Total Area58.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access95.9%
EV Charging Stations15
Alt Fuel Stations20
Public Libraries48
Healthcare Facilities5,144
Restaurants4,197
Retail Stores5,298

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)419
FEMA Disaster Declarations455
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute16.1 min
Drive Alone68.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home8.2%

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