CALIFORNIA’S FASTEST-GROWING CITIES, 1980-90

Palmdale, once a parched and wind-swept town on the northern border of Los Angeles County, was California’s fastest-growing city during the 1980s, according to a survey released Monday.

The Center for the Continuing Study of the California Economy said communities such as Palmdale, located in fringe areas not previously considered population centers, were the “hot spots” during the state’s tremendous growth of the past decade.

Palmdale showed a 400% rise in the number of households between 1980 and 1990. That--coupled with its sharp increases in retail sales, residential construction and assessed property valuations--made it No. 1 in the Palo Alto-based center’s study.

Among California counties, Riverside ranked first in growth during the 1980s, followed by San Bernardino, Placer, San Luis Obispo and Nevada counties.

Rank City County Growth Index 1 Palmdale Los Angeles 176 2 Fontana San Bernardino 154 3 Folsom Sacramento 149 3 Walnut Los Angeles 149 5 Victorville San Bernardino 142 6 Pleasanton Alameda 141 7 Rancho Cucamonga San Bernardino 138 7 Hercules Contra Costa 138 9 Lake Elsinore Riverside 134 10 Perris Riverside 133 11 Irvine Orange 131 12 Rocklin Placer 130 13 Moorpark Ventura 128 14 Roseville Placer 120 15 Palm Desert Riverside 119 16 Yorba Linda Orange 118 17 San Marcos San Diego 117 18 Lancaster Los Angeles 109 19 Adelanto San Bernardino 108 20 Corona Riverside 107 21 Cathedral City Riverside 103 21 San Jacinto Riverside 103 23 La Quinta Riverside 97 23 Carlsbad San Diego 97 25 Escondido San Diego 92

The growth index combines rankings on household growth, retail sales, residential building permits and assessed valuation.

Source: Center for the Continuing Study of the California Economy