Twentynine Palms, California

Geography

The city is located in the Mojave Desert in Southern California. It lies on the northern side of the Joshua Tree National Park and includes one of the entrances to the Park, at the Oasis of Mara.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 59.1 square miles (153 km²), all land.

The city is at an elevation of 1,988 feet (606 m).

The Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms is located there.

Climate

Due in large part to its elevation of more than 1,900 ft (580 m) above sea level, Twentynine Palms has a slightly cooler climate, especially during winter, than Palm Springs but with essentially the same subtropical desert characteristics. Temperatures reach 100 °F (38 °C) on 90 days, 90 °F (32 °C) on 155 days, and the freezing mark on 24 nights annually. Extremes range from 10 °F (−12 °C) on December 23, 1990 to 118 °F (48 °C) on July 11, 1961.

History

Twentynine Palms was named for the palm trees found there in 1852 by Col. Henry Washington while surveying the San Bernardino base line. A post office was established in 1927.

Nearby is a small Indian reservation belonging to the Twentynine Palms Band of Mission Indians.

The Joshua Tree National Park wilderness area which lies just alongside to the South of Twentynine Palms was designated a National Monument in 1936 and became a National Park in 1994.

The nearby Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms was founded in 1952.

Demographics

Its population as of July 1, 2013 was estimated at 25,768.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 25,048 people, 8,095 households, and 5,847 families residing in the city. The population density was 423.5 people per square mile (163.5/km²). There were 9,431 housing units at an average density of 159.5 per square mile (61.6/km²), of which 2,742 (33.9%) were owner-occupied, and 5,353 (66.1%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.6%; the rental vacancy rate was 9.2%. 6,876 people (27.5% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 14,825 people (59.2%) lived in rental housing units. The racial makeup of the city was 71.6%, White (60.8% non-Hispanic), 8.2% African American, 1.3% Native American, 3.9% Asian, 1.4% Pacific Islander, 6.7% from other races, and 6.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 20.8% of the population.

The Census reported that 21,701 people (86.6% of the population) lived in households, and 3,347 (13.4%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters.

There were 8,095 households out of which 43.3% had children under the age of 18 living in them, 54.5% were opposite-sex married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.9% had a male householder with no wife present. There were 5.0% unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 1.6% same-sex married couples or partnerships. 21.1% of households were made up of individuals and 5.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.10.

In the city, the population was spread out with 25.6% under the age of 18, 30.0% aged 18 to 24, 25.5% aged 25 to 44, 13.1% aged 45 to 64, and 5.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 23.5 years. For every 100 females there were 129.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 139.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $42,572. About 14.4% of the population were living below the poverty line.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 14,764 people, 5,653 households, and 3,855 families residing in the city. The population density was 269.3 inhabitants per square mile (104.0/km²). There were 6,952 housing units at an average density of 126.8 per square mile (49.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 71.0% White, 9.4% African American, 1.5% Native American, 3.8% Asian, 10.2% Pacific Islander, 6.2% from other races, and 6.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.9% of the population. The Hispanic population has increased 50% since the 2000 census.

There were 5,653 households out of which 39.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.8% were married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.8% were non-families. 25.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.6 and the average family size was 3.1.

In the city, the population was spread out with 31.2% under the age of 18, 15.2% from 18 to 24, 28.4% from 25 to 44, 16.7% from 45 to 64, and 8.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27 years. For every 100 females there were 101.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,178, and the median income for a family was $32,251. Males had a median income of $25,081 versus $25,141 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,613. About 13.6% of families and 16.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.3% of those under age 18 and 10.0% of those age 65 or over.

Government

The city uses a council-manager form of government. An elected city council establishes policy and appoints a city manager who executes these policies.

State and federal representation

In the California State Legislature, Twentynine Palms is in the 16th Senate District, represented by Republican Jean Fuller, and in the 42nd Assembly District, represented by Republican Chad Mayes.

In the United States House of Representatives, Twentynine Palms is in California's 8th congressional district, represented by Republican Paul Cook.

Economy

The Oasis of Mara, maintained by the United States National Park Service, is visited by about 140,000 people every year; per Indian legend, the Oasis is the location of the original 29 palm trees planted by the Serrano Indians.

Education

Copper Mountain College is a community college serving the Morongo Basin.

The Morongo Unified School District provides an education for public school students.

Mayfield College offers a training program to prepare active duty service members for careers in the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration (HVAC/R) industry.

Media

The Desert Trail newspaper in Yucca Valley is published weekly. The Sun Runner Magazine of California Desert Life and Culture is published bi-monthly.

There is one AM station: KNWH a transmitter of KNWQ-1140 KNews Radio – Twentynine Palms (San Bernardino) CA US news/talk, and several FM Stations – Twentynine Palms (San Bernardino) CA US hot ac, Low Power FM Translator and K214CR|r.KCRW-89.9 NPR – Twentynine Palms (San Bernardino) CA US public.

Roads

Notable people

Music

A song, "The Lady from 29 Palms", was written by Allie Wrubel in 1947 and recorded by such artists as Frank Sinatra, Freddy Martin, Tony Pastor, and The Andrews Sisters.

The album Lily on the Beach by German electronic music ensemble Tangerine Dream contains an instrumental piano ballad called "Twenty-Nine Palms".

Former Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant had a hit single called "29 Palms", from his solo album Fate of Nations in 1993.

The band Sublime mentioned the city of Twentynine Palms, CA in their song "April 29, 1992 (Miami)" off of their self-titled album, and also in their song "Thanx" off of their 40 oz. to Freedom album.

Track two of the album "Places" by Brad Mehldau, released in 2000, is named after the city.

In 2006, the pop punk band Forever Came Calling was founded here.

Film

Some scenes in the 1963 comedy film It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World were shot in Twentynine Palms.

Some scenes in the 1964 comedy film "Kiss Me, Stupid" were shot in Twentynine Palms.

Twentynine Palms is a 2003 drama/horror film set in Twentynine Palms.

Radio

On April 22, 1945, The Jack Benny Program was broadcast from Twentynine Palms Auxiliary Naval Air Station. There were jokes about the base's dry, hot weather, along with a comedic sketch of the town's history.