Colonel Henry Washington made the first recorded exploration of Twentynine Palms, where he found people of theChemehuevi tribe who lived in the surrounding hills and near the spring that they called "Mar-rah" or "Oasis of Mara".[6] The community was named for the 29 palms (Washingtonia filifera) that the Serrano had planted surrounding the Oasis of Mara. Nearby is also a small Indian reservation belonging to theTwenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians.[6][7]
A post office was established in 1927.[8] A road named Utah Trail honors the late-19th centurywagon trains and pioneers, originating inSt. George, Utah and stretching all the way to Twentynine Palms.
The census reported that 77.2% of the population lived in households, 22.8% lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and no one was institutionalized.[27]
There were 8,353 households, out of which 36.5% included children under the age of 18, 50.1% were married-couple households, 6.7% werecohabiting couple households, 22.2% had a female householder with no partner present, and 21.0% had a male householder with no partner present. 24.2% of households were one person, and 7.8% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.6.[27] There were 5,767families (69.0% of all households).[28]
The age distribution was 20.9% under the age of 18, 26.0% aged 18 to 24, 32.6% aged 25 to 44, 13.1% aged 45 to 64, and 7.4% who were 65years of age or older. The median age was 25.7years. For every 100 females, there were 150.2 males.[27]
There were 9,541 housing units at an average density of 162.4 units per square mile (62.7 units/km2), of which 8,353 (87.5%) were occupied. Of these, 36.4% were owner-occupied, and 63.6% were occupied by renters.[27]
In 2023, the US Census Bureau estimated that the median household income was $56,000, and theper capita income was $29,241. About 11.7% of families and 15.4% of the population were below the poverty line.[29]
At the2010 census,[30] there were 25,048 people in 8,095 households, including 5,847 families, in the city. The population density was 423.5 inhabitants per square mile (163.5/km2). There were 9,431 housing units at an average density of 159.5 per square mile, of the occupied units 2,742 (33.9%) were owner-occupied and 5,353 (66.1%) were rented. 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. Theracial makeup of the city was 71.6%White (60.8%non-Hispanic),[31] 8.2%African American, 1.3%Native American, 3.9%Asian, 1.4%Pacific Islander, 6.7% from other races, and 6.9% mixed with two or more races.Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 20.8% of the population.
The census reported that 21,701 people (86.6% of the population) lived inhouseholds, and 3,347 (13.4%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters.
Of the 8,095 households, 43.3% had children under the age of 18 living in them, 54.5% wereopposite-sex married couples living together and 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, while 4.9% had a male householder with no wife present. There were 5% of residents living asunmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 1.6% assame-sex married couples or partnerships. Some 21.1% of households were one person, and 5.6% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.68, and the average family size was 3.1.
The age distribution was 25.6% under the age of 18, 30% aged 18 to 24, 25.5% aged 25 to 44, 13.1% aged 45 to 64, and 5.8% who were over 65. The median age was 23.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 129 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and older, there were 139.9 males.
The median household income was $42,572; about 14.4% of the population were living below thepoverty line.[31]
The city is located in the Mojave Desert, in inlandSouthern California. It lies on the northern side of Joshua Tree National Park and contains one of the entrances to Joshua Tree, the Oasis of Mara.
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 58.7 square miles (152 km2), all land.[4] The city is at an elevation of 1,988 feet (606 m) above sea level.[1]
Due, in large part, to its elevation of more than 1,900 feet (580 m) above sea level, Twentynine Palms has a slightly cooler climate, especially during winter, than nearbyPalm Springs, but with essentially the samesubtropical-desert characteristics. On average, temperatures reach 100 °F (37.8 °C) on 89 days of the year and 90 °F (32.2 °C) on 154 days; thefreezing mark is reached an average of 17 nights, annually. Extremes range from 10 °F (−12.2 °C) on December 23, 1990, to 118 °F (47.8 °C) on July 11, 1961. Winters are moderately cool, with daytime highs in the 60s °F and lows in the 40s °F. Summers are very hot, with regular daytime high temperatures above 100 °F (37.8 °C). The wettest month is August, with 0.65 inches (16.5 mm) inches of rain, mostly frommonsoonthunderstorms; in some areas of low-lying terrain or canyons,flash flooding may be a concern.
Climate data for Twentynine Palms, California, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1935–present
The city has a series of 26 outdoor murals painted on buildings featuring various aspects of desert life and history.[34][35]
The 29 Palms Historical Society is housed in the original schoolhouse of the city and maintains a museum devoted to local history.[36] The Historical Society also hosts an annual "Weed Show" each November devoted to art work composed of weeds.[37][38] The Twentynine Palms Artists' Guild maintains exhibits devoted to local artists.[39]
The Oasis of Mara[40] is the original source of water and the historic source of all economic activity in the area. A long strip of palm trees to the east terminates at the Joshua Tree National Park Visitor's Center, which is visited by approximately 140,000 people every year and is maintained by theUnited States National Park Service. The remainder of the oasis to the west is owned by the 29 Palms Inn and ends in a large shaded pond.[41]
The current economy depends largely on the local Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, as well as tourism associated with Joshua Tree National Park. In February 2015, the city established rules governing vacation rentals and has granted approximately 100 permits,[42] compared to over 1,000 in the nearby community ofJoshua Tree.
Mayfield College[47] offers a training program to prepare active duty service members for careers in the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration (HVAC/R) industry.
The Desert Trail newspaper in Yucca Valley is published weekly.[48]The Sun Runner Magazine of California Desert Life and Culture is published bi-monthly.[49]
KEXV and KPLM are low power TV stations for the town and Yucca Valley.
KVMD is licensed in Twentynine Palms and serves all of Los Angeles and the Inland Empire.
There is one AM station:KNWH a transmitter ofKNWQ-1140 "KNews" Radio – Twentynine Palms (Inland Empire, California andCoachella Valley radio markets) CA US news/talk. There are seven commercial and two public FM stations:
The base hostedThe Jack Benny Program on April 22 of the same year. There were jokes about the base's dry, hot weather, along with a comedic sketch of the town's history.[62]
