La Palma (
Spanish
Spanish might refer to:
* Items from or related to Spain:
**Spaniards are a nation and ethnic group indigenous to Spain
**Spanish language, spoken in Spain and many countries in the Americas
**Spanish cuisine
**Spanish history
**Spanish culture
...
for "The Palm") is a city in
Orange County,
California
California () is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States that lies on the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. It borders Oregon to the north, Nevada and Arizona to the east, and shares Mexico–United States border, an ...
, United States. The population was 15,568 at the
2010 Census,
up from 15,408 at the
2000 census.
History
La Palma was incorporated on October 26, 1955. It was originally incorporated as Dairyland, and was one of three dairy cities in the region (the other two being Dairy Valley, now
Cerritos, and Dairy City, now
Cypress
Cypress is a common name for various coniferous trees or shrubs from the ''Cupressus'' genus of the '' Cupressaceae'' family, typically found in temperate climates and subtropical regions of Asia, Europe, and North America.
The word ''cypress'' ...
) but when the dairies moved east in 1965, the name of the community was changed to La Palma, after the region's Spanish heritage and its main thoroughfare, La Palma Avenue.
Geography
According to the
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau, officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the Federal statistical system, U.S. federal statistical system, responsible for producing data about the American people and American economy, econ ...
, the city has a total area of . of it is land and of it (1.32%) is water. This makes it the smallest city in Orange County in terms of area.
Biogeography
The most common native species: Hairy Sand Verbena, Red Sand Verbena, and Pink Sand Verbena.
Demographics
La Palma was first listed as a city in the
1970 U.S. Census.
[ Prior to that, the area was part of unincorporated Anaheim Township.][
]
2020
2010
The 2010 US Census reported that La Palma had a population of 15,568. The population density was . The racial makeup of La Palma was 5,762 (37.0%) White (27.8% Non-Hispanic White),[
] 802 (5.2%) African American, 56 (0.4%) Native American, 7,483 (48.1%) Asian, 41 (0.3%) Pacific Islander, 760 (4.9%) from other races, and 664 (4.3%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2,487 persons (16.0%).
The census reported that 15,548 people (99.9% of the population) lived in households, 14 (0.1%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 6 (0%) were institutionalized.
There were 5,080 households, 1,949 (38.4%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 3,331 (65.6%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 641 (12.6%) had a female householder with no husband present, 240 (4.7%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 134 (2.6%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 26 (0.5%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 716 households (14.1%) were one person and 389 (7.7%) had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 3.06. There were 4,212 families (82.9% of households); the average family size was 3.37.
The age distribution was 3,423 people (22.0%) under the age of 18, 1,418 people (9.1%) aged 18 to 24, 3,805 people (24.4%) aged 25 to 44, 4,445 people (28.6%) aged 45 to 64, and 2,477 people (15.9%) who were 65 or older. The median age was 41.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.7 males.
There were 5,224 housing units at an average density of 2,852.0 per square mile, of the occupied units 3,648 (71.8%) were owner-occupied and 1,432 (28.2%) were rented. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.3%; the rental vacancy rate was 6.0%. 11,315 people (72.7% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 4,233 people (27.2%) lived in rental housing units.
According to the 2010 United States Census, La Palma had a median household income of $87,289, with 7.2% of the population living below the federal poverty line.
2000
At the 2000 census there were 15,408 people in 4,979 households, including 4,227 families, in the city. The population density was . There were 5,066 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 44.6% Asian, 36.3% White, 10.3% Hispanic
The term Hispanic () are people, Spanish culture, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or broadly. In some contexts, Hispanic and Latino Americans, especially within the United States, "Hispanic" is used as an Ethnici ...
, 4.5% Black, .3% Pacific Islander, .2% Native American, .2% from other races, and 3.5% from two or more races.
Of the 4,979 households 37.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.5% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 15.1% were non-families. 11.6% of households were one person and 3.6% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 3.09 and the average family size was 3.35.
The age distribution was 23.8% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 28.3% from 45 to 64, and 10.2% 65 or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.3 males.
The median household income was $68,438 and the median family income was $74,524. Males had a median income of $50,988 versus $36,242 for females. The per capita income for the city was $26,598. About 4.0% of families and 4.9% of the population were below the poverty line
The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line, or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...
, including 6.0% of those under age 18 and 2.8% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
Top employers
According to La Palma's 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:
Government
According to th
Orange County Registrar of Voters
as of May 15, 2025, La Palma has 10,076 registered voters. Of those, 2,998 (35.87%) are registered Democrats, 2,637 (31.55%) are registered Republicans, and 2,446 (29.27%) have declined to state a political party/are independents.
Federal, state, and county representation
In the United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is a chamber of the Bicameralism, bicameral United States Congress; it is the lower house, with the U.S. Senate being the upper house. Together, the House and Senate have the authority under Artic ...
, La Palma is in since 2025.
In the California State Senate
The California State Senate is the upper house of the California State Legislature (the lower house being the California State Assembly). The state senate convenes, along with the state assembly, at the California State Capitol in Sacramento.
...
, La Palma resides within California's 36th senatorial district
California's 36th senatorial district is one of 40 California California State Senate, State Senate districts. It is currently represented by Tony Strickland of Huntington Beach.
District profile
The district includes most of coastal Orange ...
, represented by Republican Tony Strickland since 2025.
In the California State Assembly
The California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature (the upper house being the California State Senate). The Assembly convenes, along with the State Senate, at the California State Capitol in Sacramento, Califor ...
, La Palma resides within California's 67th State Assembly district
California's 67th State Assembly district is one of 80 California State Assembly districts. It is currently represented by Democrat Sharon Quirk-Silva of Fullerton.
District profile
The district primarily encompasses parts of north Orange ...
, represented by Democrat Sharon Quirk-Silva since 2016.
For the Orange County Board of Supervisors
The Orange County Board of Supervisors is the five-member governing body of Orange County, California, along with being the executive of the county.
Membership
The board consists of five supervisors elected by districts to four-year terms by t ...
, La Palma resides within the 1st district, represented by Janet Nguyen
Janet Q. Nguyen (born May 1, 1976) is an American politician serving on the Orange County Board of Supervisors, representing the First District, since December 4, 2024. She previously heldthe same office from 2007 to 2014. A Republican, she ser ...
since 2024.
Education
*Los Coyotes Elementary: Centralia Elementary School District
*G.B. Miller Elementary: Centralia Elementary School District
*Steve Luther Elementary: Cypress School District
*Walker Junior High School: Anaheim Union High School District
*John F. Kennedy High School: Anaheim Union High School District
*Beacon Day School for Children with Autism and Related Disorders: Private
Infrastructure
''Los Cerritos Community News
''Los Cerritos Community News'', also known as ''Cerritos Community News'', is a local weekly newspaper published in California. It covers the cities of Artesia, Bellflower, Buena Park, Cerritos, Commerce, Downey, Hawaiian Gardens, East L ...
'' serves the city.
Transportation
Orange County Transportation Authority
The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is the transportation planning commission for Orange County, California, in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. OCTA is responsible for funding and implementing transit and capital projects for ...
operates three bus routes in La Palma.
Emergency services
Fire protection in La Palma is provided by the Orange County Fire Authority
Orange most often refers to:
*Orange (fruit), the fruit of the tree species '' Citrus'' × ''sinensis''
** Orange blossom, its fragrant flower
** Orange juice
* Orange (colour), the color of an orange fruit, occurs between red and yellow in the ...
with ambulance transport by Care Ambulance Service
Care may refer to:
Organizations and projects
* CARE (New Zealand), Citizens Association for Racial Equality, a former New Zealand organisation
* CARE (England) West Midlands, Central Accident Resuscitation Emergency team, a team of doctors & p ...
. The La Palma Police Department provides law enforcement services.
Health Care
La Palma is served by one health care facility:
La Palma Intercommunity Hospital
(Hospital)
Water Services
Water in La Palma is supplied by the City of La Palma Public Works & Community Services Department, which sources its water from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is a regional wholesaler and the largest supplier of treated water in the United States. The name is usually shortened to "Met," "Metropolitan," or "MWD." It is a cooperative of fourteen cit ...
. This water is imported from both Northern California and the Colorado River. Additionally, groundwater is supplied by Orange County Water District, sourced by an underground aquifer that replenishes from the Santa Ana River, local rainfall, and imported water.
Crime
The Uniform Crime Report (UCR), collected annually by the FBI, compiles police statistics from local and state law enforcement agencies across the nation. The UCR records Part I and Part II crimes. Part I crimes become known to law enforcement and are considered the most serious crimes including homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, and arson. Part II crimes only include arrest data. The 2023 UCR Data for La Palma is listed below:
Notable people
* Hugo Arellano (born 1998) – soccer player
* Nathan Baesel
Nathan Baesel (born April 7, 1974, in La Palma, California) is an American actor.
Biography
Baesel attended Buena Park High School. After high school he went to Fullerton College, before graduating from Juilliard School in 2002. He has appeared ...
(born 1974) – actor
* Ami Bera
Amerish Babulal "Ami" Bera ( ; born March 2, 1965) is an American physician and politician who has been serving as a member of the United States House of Representatives from California since 2013. He is a member of the Democratic Party and repr ...
(born 1965) – U.S. representative
The United States House of Representatives is a chamber of the bicameral United States Congress; it is the lower house, with the U.S. Senate being the upper house. Together, the House and Senate have the authority under Article One of th ...
for California
* Derrick Deese Jr. (born 1998) – National Football League
The National Football League (NFL) is a Professional gridiron football, professional American football league in the United States. Composed of 32 teams, it is divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National ...
(NFL) player
* John Lamb (born 1990) – Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (baseball), National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada. MLB i ...
(MLB) player
* Steve Rotter (born 1998) – volleyball player
References
External links
*
{{authority control
Cities in Orange County, California
Incorporated cities and towns in California
Populated places established in 1955
1955 establishments in California