History and Profile

Palmdale’s history, regional setting, and demographic makeup play a key role in understanding key issues, opportunities, and the community’s vision. This chapter provides a brief overview of Palmdale’s history and community profile.

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Location and planning Boundaries

Palmdale is located in northern Los Angeles County situated in the Antelope Valley region of Southern California, approximately 60-miles driving distance from downtown Los Angeles. The Planning Area for the 2045 General Plan includes land within Palmdale City Limits, Sphere of Influence (SOI), and several unincorporated Los Angeles County areas. Together, these areas measure a total of 129,032 acres (or 201.6 square miles).

Sphere of Influence
The Sphere of Influence (SOI) is the “probable physical boundaries and service area” of a city, as defined by the State General Plan Guidelines. Within these areas the City of Palmdale has power to affect developments, though formal authority is limited. Palmdale’s Sphere of Influence spans 69 square miles and includes the County Islands mentioned in the previous section as well as land to the south near the Little Rock Creek Wash and San Gabriel Mountain range, as well as a small area to the west near Leona Valley.
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Unincorporated County Islands
The four incorporated County Islands areas including the area located east of Plant 42, currently owned by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) measuring 16,381 acres (or 25.6 square miles); Desert View Highlands which is recognized as a census-designated place, entirely developed with residential homes, commercial uses, and two elementary schools, spanning 273 acres; a small area north of Avenue Q and east of 3rd Street East that encompasses a mobile home park and vacant land; and 118 acres of duplexes, light industrial, and vacant parcels in an area bounded by East Avenue Q, Sierra Highway, 10th Street East, and East Avenue P-8.
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Sphere of Influence
The Sphere of Influence (SOI) is the “probable physical boundaries and service area” of a city, as defined by the State General Plan Guidelines. Within these areas the City of Palmdale has power to affect developments, though formal authority is limited. Palmdale’s Sphere of Influence spans 69 square miles and includes the County Islands mentioned in the previous section as well as land to the south near the Little Rock Creek Wash and San Gabriel Mountain range, as well as a small area to the west near Leona Valley.
Unincorporated County Islands
The four incorporated County Islands areas including the area located east of Plant 42, currently owned by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) measuring 16,381 acres (or 25.6 square miles); Desert View Highlands which is recognized as a census-designated place, entirely developed with residential homes, commercial uses, and two elementary schools, spanning 273 acres; a small area north of Avenue Q and east of 3rd Street East that encompasses a mobile home park and vacant land; and 118 acres of duplexes, light industrial, and vacant parcels in an area bounded by East Avenue Q, Sierra Highway, 10th Street East, and East Avenue P-8.

A Brief History of Palmdale

Distant Past
Empty field with yellow flowers.
Distant Past

Thousands of years ago, the Antelope Valley was a major trade route for Native Americans traveling from Arizona and New Mexico to California’s coast.
1800’s–Early 1900’s
Historical building in Palmdale.
1800’s–Early 1900’s

Modern settlement of Palmdale began in the mid-1800s fueled by the gold rush, cattle ranching, arrival of stagecoaches, and completion of the Southern Pacific Railroad line in 1876. Serious population growth did not occur until the California aqueduct was completed in 1913, which attracted a substantial number of farmers.
1960’s
Single family housing development.
1960’s

Palmdale became the first community in the Antelope Valley to incorporate, in 1962, with the incorporation of 1,300 acres of land around the present-day civic center.
By 1965 the new city had annexed 20 square miles of land and industry was thriving. Many investors purchased large quantities of land, including the 17,750 acres purchased by the Los Angeles Airports Division.
1980’s–1990’s
Exterior of single family home.
1980’s–1990’s

The 1980s and 1990s were the decades that really started to define Palmdale’s transformation. Newly constructed affordable, single-family housing caused a dramatic spike in population. The City, like its northern neighbor Lancaster, became a bedroom community for those employed in the Los Angeles basin. In 1980, Palmdale’s population was 12,227. By 1990, it had grown to 68,842. In 1991, the Palmdale Auto Center (today known as the Palmdale Auto Mall) and the Antelope Valley Mall opened, which drew regional visitors and employed hundreds of local workers.
In the 1990s a dramatic increase in families moving to Palmdale from the Los Angeles basin had unanticipated consequences as crime notably worsened. In response, the multifamily zoning code explicitly discouraged middle density housing (to discourage lower-income residents), in lieu of large single-family dwellings. Due to the lack of affordable middle housing options (townhomes, apartments, duplexes, etc.), many large single-family homes are rented on a by-room basis.
2000’s
Empty public pool at Marie Kerr Park.
2000’s

Since 2000, a voter-approved tax has funded major park and recreation expansions, including the Palmdale Amphitheater, two new pools, other recreation buildings, satellite library and DryTown Water Park. Downtown revitalization efforts included hundreds of new senior housing units, a new senior center, and expanded open space. A third high school was established in 2003, Knight High School. A Los Angeles County sheriff station opened in July 2006, the largest in Los Angeles County. Two additional fire stations have been built, one on the east side and one on the west side of town.

Community Snapshot

To capture the local social fabric of the City, the following community profile was developed with data from the 2020 American Community Survey. Click each graphic to expand.

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Air Quality

OUTCOME: Improved air quality for all residents.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATOR:

  • Improved air quality with increased landscaping and trees.

TARGET:

  • Expanded tree canopy, especially in disadvantaged communities.

 

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATOR:

  • Reduced exposure to toxic air pollution from industrial facilities.

TARGET:

  • Increase in the percentage of housing units, especially in disadvantaged communities, with air pollution reduction features and other measures that eliminate pollutants.
  • Reduce smoking in public outdoor places in accordance with Ordinance No. 1580 and/or Ordinance No. 1571.
Health & Quality of Life

OUTCOME: Improved health and quality of life, and lower rates of chronic diseases, among all residents.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATOR:

  • Greater opportunities for physical activity.

TARGET:

  • Increase in the proportion of residents living within a 20-minute walking distance from a dedicated public park, school, or multi-use trail.

 

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATOR:

  • Improved access to healthy food.

TARGET:

  • Increase in the proportion of residents living within a 20-minute walking distance of a grocery store, farmers market, community garden, or other healthy food retailer.
Housing

OUTCOME: Diverse housing options including mixed-use and affordable options, for existing and future residents.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATOR:

  • Diversified housing stock in Palmdale.

TARGET:

  • Substantial increase in new multifamily housing units by 2045, 20% of which are affordable to families earning less than 80% of the area median income.
Equitable Economy

OUTCOME: An equitable local economy that provides career pathways and economic opportunities for existing residents, especially local youth.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATOR:

  • Expanded economic opportunities for existing residents.

TARGET:

  • Increase in the number of youths who participate in job training programs and are connected to employment opportunities in local industries.
Vision Themes and Guiding Principles

Described below are values and direction for Palmdale 2045, set forth by the Palmdale community that chart a course for the future of the City. Vision themes paint a picture of what Palmdale will look like in the future, serving as a foundation for policies and implementation actions. While guiding principles provide further details on a vision theme and serve as a framework for future decision making. Together, the vision themes and guiding principles establish the basis for each element of Palmdale 2045, reflecting the unique needs and priorities for Palmdale residents. Through an extensive community engagement process, the vision themes and guiding principles were vetted by the community; initially prepared with input from the Palmdale General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC), community members, and later confirmed by the Planning Commission and City Council.