Native Americans, such as theSerrano,Chemehuevi andCahuilla peoples, lived in the area. Colonel Henry Washington made the first recorded exploration of Twentynine Palms, where he found people of the Chemehuevi who lived in the surrounding hills and near the spring 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 smallIndian reservation belonging to theTwenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians.[6][7]
Apost office was established in 1927.[8] A road named Utah Trail honors the late-19th centurywagon trains andpioneers, allegedly originating inSt. George, Utah, and stretching all the way to Twentynine Palms.
At the2010 census,[26] 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),[27] 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.[27]
At the2000 census there were 14,764 people in 5,653 households, including 3,855 families, in the city. The population density was 269.3 inhabitants per square mile (104.0 inhabitants/km2). There were 6,952 housing units at an average density of 126.8 units per square mile (49.0 units/km2). Theracial makeup of the city was 71% 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 people of any race were 14.9%.[28]
Of the 5,653 households 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 households were one person and 7.4% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.6 and the average family size was 3.1.
The age distribution was 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% 65 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 household income was $31,178 and the median family income 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 thepoverty line, including 25.3% of those under age 18 and 10% of those age 65 or over.
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 59.1 square miles (153 km2), all land.[29] 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 ft (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 (38 °C) on 89 days of the year and 90 °F (32 °C) on 154 days; thefreezing mark is reached an average of 17 nights, annually. Extremes range from 10 °F (−12 °C) on December 23, 1990, to 118 °F (48 °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 (38 °C). The wettest month is August, with 0.65 in (17 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 outdoormurals painted on local buildings featuring various aspects of desert life and history.[32][33]
The 29 Palms Historical Society, housed in the original schoolhouse of the city, maintains a museum devoted to local history.[34] The Historical Society also hosts an annual "Weed Show" each November devoted to art work composed ofweeds.[35][36] The Twentynine Palms Artists' Guild maintains exhibits devoted to local artists.[37]
The Oasis of Mara,[38] the original source of water and the historic source of all economic activity in the area, is divided into two parts: to the east, a long strip of palm trees 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. To the west, the remainder of the oasis is owned by the 29 Palms Inn, a historic hotel, and ends in a large shaded pond.[39]
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 set in place rules governing vacation rentals, and has granted approximately one hundred permits,[40] compared to over one thousand in the nearby community ofJoshua Tree.
Mayfield College[45] 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.[46]The Sun Runner Magazine of California Desert Life and Culture is published bi-monthly.[47]
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:
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.[62]
