As the oldest annexed neighborhood of Los Angeles, Palms has strong historical ties with the city. Over the years, Palms has evolved to become one of Los Angeles’ densest neighborhoods and has a significant population of young professionals.
In 2014, Palms was named the Best Neighborhood for Millennials by Niche.com, which based its rankings on data that included median rent and income, the percentage of millennials living in the area, crime rate, and the number of residents with college degrees.
Palms’ proximity to UCLA has much to do with its popularity among millennials. The neighborhood is home to a large number of students, as well as university alumni who have chosen to live here after graduation.
In addition to the kindred struggle of making it to the top, millennials have many other reasons to choose Palms. The neighborhood is an apartment haven – the result of a 1960s rezoning that saw many single-family homes razed to make way for a host of multifamily dwellings.
Palms’ central location in the Westside also gives residents easy access to the employment and recreational opportunities in nearby locations, including Playa Vista, West Los Angeles, Century City, Beverly Hills, and the neighboring Culver City.
Fast Facts
- Palms was founded in 1886 and was annexed by Los Angeles in 1915.
- The neighborhood was originally named The Palms by its founders, Joseph Curtis, Edward H. Sweetser and C.J. Harrison, who planted 5,000 palm trees near the then Southern Pacific depot to attract residents to the area.
- According to Mapping LA of the LA Times, Palms borders are Mar Vista and Culver City to the south, Rancho Park, Cheviot Hills and Beverlywood to the north, Mid-City to the east, and Mar Vista and Rancho Park to the west.
- Based on the latest estimates of the L.A. Department of City Planning, Palms has a population of 45,475, with a density of 21,983 people per square mile.
- The median household income in Palms is $59,589, which is about 1.2x the Los Angeles median.
- The median age of residents is about 34 years.
Los Angeles CA Real Estate
The housing stock in Palms is mostly composed of apartment buildings, with around 87% of the population renting their homes.
While a few condos are also available, multifamily dwellings here are mostly apartments. They can be found all over the neighborhood, particularly in the densest area between Overland Avenue and the 10 Freeway.
Apartment buildings are also concentrated along the Palms, Venice and Sepulveda Boulevards and Rose Avenue, and to the north of Cadillac Avenue.
The apartments in Palms are a mix of affordable and luxury properties, and range from studios to multi-bedroom units. Higher end properties come complete with such amenities as a swimming pool, fitness center, roof deck, and clubhouse, with interior details that include hardwood flooring, private balconies, and stainless steel appliances.
There are big plans to develop the area around the Expo Line light-rail station, which could transform Palms into an even more desirable location.
Dining, Shopping, Nightlife, and Major Attractions
Commercial establishments are found all over Palms, interspersed with the neighborhood’s many apartment complexes.
There are over 200 restaurants, coffee shops and bars in the neighborhood. Some of the most notable ones are:
- Sushi Central Restaurantin Overland Avenue
- The Doughroom restaurant also in Overland Avenue – a local pizzeria with a bar, offering local and seasonal food, craft beer and artisanal wines
- Yamakase – an invitation-only Japanese restaurant
For shopping, Motor Avenue features several retail outlets. Large shopping centers in the neighborhood include the National Sepulveda Shopping Center and 3500 ShopCorner.
Other attractions in Palms include:
- Museum of Jurassic Technology – features an interesting mix of exhibits, ranging from educational to bizarre.
- Palms Recreation Center
- Palms Park
- Woodbine Park
