Palmdale, California

About Palmdale, California

Palmdale, the first community within the Antelope Valley to incorporate as a city (on August 24, 1962), is located in the northeast reaches of Los Angeles County, California, United States, separated from Los Angeles by the San Gabriel Mountain range. As of the 2000 US census, the city had a total population of 116,670. As of January 1, 2008, the city proper has a total population estimate of 147,897 according to California state department of finance. As of the 2007 population estimate, the Palmdale / Lancaster, CA Urbanized Area (a US Census Bureau defined term) has a population of 462,272 according to the Greater Antelope Valley Economic Alliance report.

Over the last 25 years this city has consistently been ranked in the top 25 fastest growing cities in the United States (based on percentage change). As of January 1, 2008, the population was estimated at nearly 147,897 according to the state department of finance (which issues the population number on May 1 of each year) making Palmdale the seventh largest city in Los Angeles County. For most of its existence it has had a small population; however it now is arguably the largest "desert city" (from an Angeleno viewpoint) in California. With 104.59 square miles (272 km²) of land in its incorporated boundaries, the city is in the top 100 largest cities in the United States in geographic area. Palmdale is also one of the largest cities in the United States that is not currently served by either an Interstate Freeway nor a U.S. Highway.

The city is known as a family-oriented community with a high quality of life. A first-class medical campus called Palmdale Regional Medical Center is under construction (expected to open in 2009), which will include the region's largest emergency department, a helipad, medical office towers, and a senior housing complex. A new multimodal transportation center, serving local and commuter bus and train services, opened in 2005. A voter-initiated and approved bond has funded major park and recreation expansions, including an earthen outdoor amphitheater (capacity 10,000), two new pools, other recreation buildings and a water park. Downtown revitalization includes hundreds of new senior housing units, a new senior center, which will break ground soon, and expanded open space. A new 48,000 sq ft (4,500 m²). sheriff station opened in July 2006, the largest in Los Angeles County. Two additional fire stations are being built, one on the east side and one on the west side.