Palmdale Has Fastest Growth for 3rd Year

For the third straight year, Palmdale has been named the fastest growing of California’s 448 incorporated cities, a research group said Tuesday.

The survey by the Center for the Continuing Study of the California Economy, an independent research firm in Palo Alto, showed that Palmdale grew from a population of 17,396 in 1984 to 45,859 at the end of 1988. The city has added about 3,000 residents since then.

The center said the new residents are being drawn by relatively low home prices and the area’s potential for job growth.

“We are getting a lot of home buyers who want more house for their money,” said Steve Buffalo, a spokesman for the city. An estimated 90% of new Palmdale home buyers are commuters, he said.

Palmdale achieved the top growth ranking based on five-year gains of 164% in population, 169% in assessed property valuation and 115% in retail sales.

City officials expect Palmdale’s growth to continue. During the first five months of this year, more than $200 million worth of building permits were issued.