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La Palma

city

La Palma is a city located in Orange County, California, known for its residential character and strong sense of community. Situated in the northwestern corner of the county, it offers a suburban environment with convenient access to major highways and nearby attractions. The city's population was 15,581 as of the 2020 Census. La Palma's economy is characterized by a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. Key industries include healthcare, retail, and professional services. The city is focused on stimulating local business growth and attracting new businesses to enhance its economic stability. Originally incorporated as Dairyland in 1955, La Palma was one of three dairy cities in the region. In 1965, the city changed its name to La Palma, embracing its Spanish heritage and reflecting the name of its main thoroughfare, La Palma Avenue. Today, La Palma is known for its well-maintained parks, community events, and high quality of life.

La Palma, California

Overview

Classification: City
FIPS Code: 0640256
Country: United States
County: Orange County

Geography

Region: Southern California
Elevation: 46 ft
Total Area: 1.8 sq mi
Land Area: 1.78 sq mi
Water Area: 0.023 sq mi
Latitude: 33.84944
Longitude: -118.04389
Climate: Mediterranean climate, characterized by warm, dry summers and mild, wetter winters
Neighboring Areas: Buena Park · Cerritos · Cypress · Hawaiian Gardens

Demographics

Population (2020): 15,581
Est. Population (2026): 14,857
Median Age: 45.1
Median Income: $117,989
Poverty Rate: 4.99%
Family Households: 76.6%
Owner-Occupied: 67.6%
Racial & Ethnic Composition: The racial composition of La Palma includes approximately 54.27% Asian, 24.66% White, 3.81% Other Race, and 3.25% Black or African American. There are also smaller percentages of Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, Native American, and multiracial populations.

Governance

Government Type: Council-Manager
Governing Body: City Council
Body Size: 5 members
School District: La Palma residents are serviced by five separate school districts comprised of three elementary districts and two high school districts
Municipal Services: Police · Fire · Public Works · Parks & Recreation · Library

U.S. Congress

Padilla, Alex

Schiff, Adam B.

Schiff, Adam B.D

U.S. Representative

Huffman, Jared

Huffman, JaredD

U.S. Representative - District 2

Kiley, Kevin

U.S. Representative - District 3

Thompson, Mike

Thompson, MikeD

U.S. Representative - District 4

McClintock, Tom

McClintock, TomR

U.S. Representative - District 5

Bera, Ami

U.S. Representative - District 6

Matsui, Doris O.

Matsui, Doris O.D

U.S. Representative - District 7

Garamendi, John

Garamendi, JohnD

U.S. Representative - District 8

Harder, Josh

U.S. Representative - District 9

DeSaulnier, Mark

DeSaulnier, MarkD

U.S. Representative - District 10

Pelosi, Nancy

U.S. Representative - District 11

Simon, Lateefah

Simon, LateefahD

U.S. Representative - District 12

Mullin, Kevin

U.S. Representative - District 15

Khanna, Ro

U.S. Representative - District 17

Lofgren, Zoe

U.S. Representative - District 18

Panetta, Jimmy

Panetta, JimmyD

U.S. Representative - District 19

Fong, Vince

U.S. Representative - District 20

Costa, Jim

U.S. Representative - District 21

Valadao, David G.

Valadao, David G.R

U.S. Representative - District 22

Obernolte, Jay

Obernolte, JayR

U.S. Representative - District 23

Carbajal, Salud O.

Carbajal, Salud O.D

U.S. Representative - District 24

Ruiz, Raul

U.S. Representative - District 25

Brownley, Julia

Brownley, JuliaD

U.S. Representative - District 26

Whitesides, George

Whitesides, GeorgeD

U.S. Representative - District 27

Chu, Judy

U.S. Representative - District 28

Rivas, Luz M.

U.S. Representative - District 29

Friedman, Laura

Friedman, LauraD

U.S. Representative - District 30

Cisneros, Gilbert Ray

Cisneros, Gilbert RayD

U.S. Representative - District 31

Sherman, Brad

U.S. Representative - District 32

Aguilar, Pete

U.S. Representative - District 33

Gomez, Jimmy

U.S. Representative - District 34

Torres, Norma J.

Torres, Norma J.D

U.S. Representative - District 35

Lieu, Ted

U.S. Representative - District 36

Kamlager-Dove, Sydney

Kamlager-Dove, SydneyD

U.S. Representative - District 37

Sánchez, Linda T.

Sánchez, Linda T.D

U.S. Representative - District 38

Takano, Mark

U.S. Representative - District 39

Kim, Young

U.S. Representative - District 40

Calvert, Ken

U.S. Representative - District 41

Garcia, Robert

Garcia, RobertD

U.S. Representative - District 42

Waters, Maxine

Waters, MaxineD

U.S. Representative - District 43

Barragán, Nanette Diaz

Barragán, Nanette DiazD

U.S. Representative - District 44

Tran, Derek

U.S. Representative - District 45

Correa, J. Luis

Correa, J. LuisD

U.S. Representative - District 46

Min, Dave

U.S. Representative - District 47

Issa, Darrell

U.S. Representative - District 48

Levin, Mike

U.S. Representative - District 49

Peters, Scott H.

Peters, Scott H.D

U.S. Representative - District 50

Jacobs, Sara

U.S. Representative - District 51

Vargas, Juan

U.S. Representative - District 52

Economy

Unemployment Rate: 3.6%
Economic Profile: Residential/suburban · Commercial
Employment Sectors: Healthcare · Retail · Professional Services
Major Employers: ADP · La Palma Intercommunity Hospital

Education

School Districts: Anaheim Union High School District · Buena Park School District · Centralia School District · Cypress School District · Fullerton Joint Union High School District
Colleges & Universities: California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) · University of California, Irvine (UCI) · Chapman University · California State University, Long Beach (CSULB)

Infrastructure

Transportation: Easily accessible via major highways · Close proximity to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Long Beach Airport (LGB)
Utilities: Water supplied by the City of La Palma Public Works & Community Services Department, sourcing from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and Orange County Water District · Fiber/broadband
Major Facilities: La Palma Intercommunity Hospital

Recreation

Outdoor Access: Yes
Major Recreation Areas: Central Park · Denni Street Park · El Rancho Verde Park
Parks & Trails: Central Park · Edison Right of Way Greenbelt Walkway

History

Incorporated: October 26, 1955
Named After: The city is named after the Spanish word for "The Palm"
Historical Significance: La Palma represents a shift from agricultural land to a suburban city in Orange County. Its incorporation as Dairyland aimed to preserve agricultural land, but later evolved into a master-planned residential, commercial, and industrial city.
Key Events: Originally incorporated as Dairyland · Changed name to La Palma in 1965 · Transitioned from agricultural to suburban community