Palmdale, California

city in Los Angeles County, California, United States

Palmdale is the largest city in the desert area of California. It is a suburb of Los Angeles. It has a population of 169,450 and is the 6th largest city in Los Angeles County.

Palmdale, California
Palmdale, looking southeast toward the Antelope Valley Freeway and the San Gabriel Mountains
Palmdale, looking southeast toward the Antelope Valley Freeway and the San Gabriel Mountains
Flag of Palmdale, California
Official seal of Palmdale, California
Motto: 
"A Place to Call Home"
Location of Palmdale in Los Angeles County, California
Location of Palmdale in Los Angeles County, California
Palmdale is located in the Los Angeles metropolitan area
Palmdale
Palmdale
Location within the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area
Palmdale is located in California
Palmdale
Palmdale
Location within the State of California
Palmdale is located in the United States
Palmdale
Palmdale
Location within the contiguous United States
Coordinates: 34°34′52″N 118°6′2″W / 34.58111°N 118.10056°W / 34.58111; -118.10056
CountryUnited States
StateCalifornia
CountyLos Angeles
Established1886
IncorporatedAugust 24, 1962[1]
Area
 • City106.32 sq mi (275.37 km2)
 • Land106.08 sq mi (274.74 km2)
 • Water0.24 sq mi (0.63 km2)  0.24%
Elevation2,657 ft (810 m)
Population
 • City169,450
 • Rank6th in Los Angeles County
32nd in California
 • Density1,600/sq mi (620/km2)
 • Urban
359,559 (US: 115th)[4]
 • Urban density4,240.9/sq mi (1,637.4/km2)
DemonymPalmdalite
Time zoneUTC−8 (Pacific Time Zone)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−7 (PDT)
ZIP Codes[6]
93550–93552, 93590–93591, 93599
Area code661
FIPS code06-55156
GNIS feature IDs1652769, 2411359
Websitewww.cityofpalmdaleca.gov

Even though Palmdale is in Los Angeles County, it is not connected to the larger Los Angeles population area. It is separated from it by a mountain range called the San Gabriel Mountains that are over 40 miles wide and almost 2 miles high overall. It is in Antelope Valley.

Palmdale is the home of several airplanes used by NASA and the Air Force, giving it the nickname of "the aerospace capital of America."

Palmdale Airport does not have any passenger air service.

The city's demographics is primarily Mexican and white.

History

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The indigenous Kitanemuk were the first to settle in the area.[7]

In 1886, when land in the Antelope Valley sold for 50 cents an acre, a group of 50 Swiss and German families migrated from the Midwest and settled in what is now known as Palmdale. They named their new community “Palmenthal” because they had mistaken the native Joshua trees for palm trees.

The high desert community of Palmdale has rich agricultural roots and a unique aviation history.

The City of Palmdale celebrated its 50th anniversary of incorporation on Aug. 24, 2012. It has consistently been one of the fastest-growing cities in California and in the country. Since 1980, Palmdale’s population has soared from 12,277 to 158,605. Despite its growth, Palmdale continues to cherish the small-town values of a family-oriented community while enjoying all of the conveniences of its booming retail and commercial sectors.

In 1772 Captain Pedro Fages, a Spanish soldier in pursuit of deserting sailors, crossed the southern part of the Antelope Valley into Leona Valley.

After the Shoshone Indians left the valley, immigrants from Spain and Mexico established large cattle ranches there.

Sister cities

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References

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  1. "California Cities by Incorporation Date". California Association of Local Agency Formation Commissions. Archived from the original (Word) on November 3, 2014. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
  2. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  3. "Palmdale". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved October 13, 2014.
  4. United States Census Bureau (December 29, 2022). "2020 Census Qualifying Urban Areas and Final Criteria Clarifications". Federal Register.
  5. "Palmdale (city) QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
  6. "ZIP Code(tm) Lookup". United States Postal Service. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
  7. Early Palmdale

Other websites

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