Yucca Valley, California

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Yucca Valley has a cold desert climate, abbreviated "BWk" on climate maps.[6]

The 2010 United States Census[9] reported that Yucca Valley had a population of 20,700. The population density was 517.3 inhabitants per square mile (199.7/km²). The racial makeup of Yucca Valley was 17,280 (83.5%) White (73.7% Non-Hispanic White),[10] 666 (3.2%) African American, 232 (1.1%) Native American, 469 (2.3%) Asian, 44 (0.2%) Pacific Islander, 1,185 (5.7%) from other races, and 824 (4.0%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3,679 persons (17.8%).

The Census reported that 20,481 people (98.9% of the population) lived in households, 166 (0.8%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 53 (0.3%) were institutionalized.

There were 8,274 households, out of which 2,512 (30.4%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 3,661 (44.2%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 1,116 (13.5%) had a female householder with no husband present, 477 (5.8%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 604 (7.3%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 83 (1.0%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 2,387 households (28.8%) were made up of individuals, and 1,163 (14.1%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48. There were 5,254 families (63.5% of all households); the average family size was 3.03.

The population was spread out, with 4,937 people (23.9%) under the age of 18, 1,772 people (8.6%) aged 18 to 24, 4,676 people (22.6%) aged 25 to 44, 5,495 people (26.5%) aged 45 to 64, and 3,820 people (18.5%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.1 males.

There were 9,558 housing units at an average density of 238.9 per square mile (92.2/km²), of which 5,256 (63.5%) were owner-occupied, and 3,018 (36.5%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 4.6%; the rental vacancy rate was 9.6%. 12,220 people (59.0% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 8,261 people (39.9%) lived in rental housing units.

According to the 2010 United States Census, Yucca Valley had a median household income of $42,962, with 17.0% of the population living below the federal poverty line.[10]

The Joshua Tree is an indigenous tree in Yucca Valley, and surrounding communities, such as Landers, California, and Joshua Tree, California

As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 16,865 people, 6,949 households, and 4,489 families residing in the town. The population density was 421.3 inhabitants per square mile (162.7/km²). There were 7,952 housing units at an average density of 198.7 per square mile (76.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 87.3% White, 2.3% African American, 1.4% Native American, 1.3% Asian, 0.3% Pacific Islander, 4.6% from other races, and 3.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.4% of the population.

There were 6,949 households, out of which 27.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.1% were married couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.4% were non-families. 30.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.4 and the average family size was 2.9.

In the town 25.1% of the population was under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 22.6% from 25 to 44, 22.4% from 45 to 64, and 22.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The average number in the US over 65 was 12.4%.[12] The median age was 42 years, at a time when the average age in the US was 35.3.[12] For every 100 females, there were 90.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.1 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $30,420, and the median income for a family was $36,650. Males had a median income of $35,037 versus $25,234 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,020, lower than most of Southern California. About 16.2% of families and 19.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.3% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over.

Yucca Valley has the Twentynine Palms Base (US Marine Corps) 20 miles to the east and the Morongo Basin is home to temporary residents who work on the base.[13]

A Joshua Tree National Park border sign in Yucca Valley, CA

Yucca Valley borders Joshua Tree National Park. Amenities include a bowling alley, various retail stores and an "Old Town" area. The Sky Village weekend open-air market is another popular attraction. On Grubstakes Day, held the day before Memorial Day, there is a parade.

Old Town Yucca Valley is located on Highway 62 at the intersection of Pioneertown Road.[14] The California Welcome Center is located at 56711 Twentynine Palms Highway in Yucca Valley; it provides information on where to stay, eat and play while in the area.

Yucca Valley is home to the Desert Christ Park sculpture garden, as well as the geoglyph "Atlatl", created by artist Andrew Rogers.

Yucca Valley is governed by a town council. The community's mayor is Jim Schooler. Other town council members are mayor pro tem Rick Denison, Merl Abel, Robert Lombardo and Jeff Drozd.[15]

Yucca Valley contracts its police and public safety services from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. Fire suppression and ambulance services are provided by the San Bernardino County Fire Department and Cal Fire.

In the California State Legislature, Yucca Valley is in the 16th Senate District, represented by Democrat Melissa Hurtado, and in the 42nd Assembly District, represented by Independent Chad Mayes.[16]

In the United States House of Representatives, Yucca Valley is in California's 23rd congressional district, represented by Republican Jay Obernolte.[17]