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El Monte, California

El Monte (Spanish for "The Mountain") is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The city lies in the San Gabriel Valley, east of the city of Los Angeles.

El Monte's slogan is "Welcome to Friendly El Monte" and is historically known as "The End of the Santa Fe Trail". As of the 2020 census, the city had a total population of 109,450, down from 113,475 at the 2010 census. As of 2020, El Monte was the 64th-largest city in California.

Origin of name
El Monte is situated between the San Gabriel and Rio Hondo Rivers; a marshy area roughly where the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area is now located. Residents claimed that anything could be grown in the area. Between 1770 and 1830, Spanish soldiers and missionaries often stopped here for respite. They called the area 'El Monte,' which in Spanish means 'the mountain' or 'the mount'. Most people assume the name refers to a mountain, but there were no mountains in the valley. The word is an archaic Spanish translation of that era, meaning "the wood". The first explorers had found this a rich, low-altitude land blanketed with thick growths of wispy willows, alders, and cattails, located between the two rivers. Wild grapevines and watercress also abounded. El Monte is approximately 7 miles long and 4 miles wide. When the State Legislature organized California into more manageable designated townships in the 1850s, they called it the El Monte Township. In a short time the name returned to the original El Monte.

Pre-1800s

The area, beside the San Gabriel River, is part of the homeland of the Tongva people as it has been for thousands of years. The Spanish Portolá expedition of missionaries and soldiers passed through the area in 1769–1770. Mission San Gabriel Arcángel was the center of colonial activities in the area. The site was within the Mexican land grant Rancho La Puente.

1800s
The Old Spanish Trail trade route was first established by Antonio Armijo in 1829. It passed through El Monte to its terminus at the Mission San Gabriel via what is now Valley Boulevard. The trade was woolen and other products from New Mexico for California horses and mules.

Using the Old Spanish Trail route at the end of 1841, a group of travelers and settlers, now referred to as the Workman-Rowland Party, arrived in the Pueblo of Los Angeles and this area in Alta California from Santa Fe de Nuevo México. Rowland and Workman became grantees of the Rancho La Puente in 1845.

The Old Spanish Trail from Santa Fe was continued east via the Santa Fe Trail trade route, established in 1821 as a trail and wagon road connecting Kansas City in Missouri Territory to Santa Fe, still within México.

From 1847, the Santa Fe Trail was also connected westward through the Southern Emigrant Trail, and in 1848 by the Mormon Road from Utah, passing by the El Monte area, to the Pueblo of Los Angeles. Immigrant settlement began in 1848, El Monte was a stopping place for the American immigrants going to the gold fields during the California Gold Rush. The first permanent residents arrived in El Monte around 1849-1850 mostly from Texas, Arkansas and Missouri, during a time when thousands migrated to California in search of gold. The first settlers with families were Nicholas Schmidt, Ira W. Thompson, G. and F. Cuddeback, J. Corbin, and J. Sheldon.

These migrants ventured upon the bounty of fruitful, rich land along the San Gabriel River and began to build homesteads there. The farmers were very pleased at the increasing success of El Monte's agricultural community, and it steadily grew over the years.

In the 1850s the settlement was briefly named Lexington by American settlers, but soon returned to being called El Monte or Monte. It was at the crossroad of routes between Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and the natural harbor at San Pedro. In the early days, it had a reputation as a rough town where men often settled disputes with knives and guns in its gambling saloons. Defense against Indian raids and the crimes of bandit gangs, such as that of Joaquin Murrieta, led to the formation of a local militia company called the Monte Rangers in February 1854. After the Monte Rangers disbanded, justice for Los Angeles County, in the form of volunteer posses, as in the 1857 hunt for the bandit gang of Juan Flores and Pancho Daniel, or a lynching, was often provided by the local vigilantes called the "El Monte Boys".

In 1858 the adobe Monte Station was established, a stagecoach stop on the Butterfield Overland Mail Section 2 route.

By 1861 El Monte had become a sizeable settlement, and during the American Civil War was considered a Confederate stronghold sympathetic to the secession of Southern California from California to support the Confederate States of America. A. J. King an Undersheriff of Los Angeles County (and former member of the earlier "Monte Rangers" or "Monte Boys") with other influential men in El Monte, formed a secessionist militia company, like the Los Angeles Mounted Rifles, called the Monte Mounted Rifles on March 23, 1861. However, the attempt failed when following the battle of Fort Sumter, A. J. King marched through the streets with a portrait of the Confederate General P. G. T. Beauregard and was arrested by a U.S. Marshal. State arms sent from Governor John G. Downey for the unit were held up by Union officers at the port of San Pedro. Union troops established New Camp Carleton near the town in March 1862 to suppress any rebellion, it was shut down three years later at the end of the war.

El Monte was listed as a township in the 1860 and 1870 Censuses, with a population of 1,004 in 1860 and 1,254 in 1870. The 1860 township comprised several of the old ranchos in the El Monte area, including Rancho Potrero Grande, Rancho La Puente and Rancho La Merced. (This area presently includes the cities of El Monte, Monterey Park and La Puente, among others). The 1870 census added in the former Azusa township.

Southern Pacific built a railroad depot in town in 1873, stimulating the growth of local agriculture.

1900s
El Monte was incorporated as a municipality in 1912. During the 1930s, the city became a vital site for the New Deal's federal Subsistence Homestead project, a Resettlement Administration program that helped grant single-family ranch houses to qualifying applicants. It became home to many 1930s white Americans from the Dust Bowl Migration.

Photographer Dorothea Lange took over a dozen photographs of the newly built Homestead homes for her work for the Farm Security Administration in Feb. 1936. Lange stopped in El Monte a month before she took her most well-known photograph from the period, the Migrant Mother. "In contrast to the apparently positive scene in El Monte... in San Luis Obispo County, Lange captured a far gloomier scene of a Native-American mother with her children." San Gabriel Valley in Time observed.

The area also experienced social and labor conflict during this period, such as the El Monte Berry Strike of 1933, which shed light upon institutional racism experienced by Japanese tenant farmers and Latino farm laborers.

The city has evolved into a majority Hispanic community. Representing the historical significance of the Santa Fe Trail, El Monte built the Santa Fe Trail Historical Park in 1989, at Valley Blvd and Santa Anita Ave. The trail remained America's greatest route for several decades thereafter. The El Monte Historical Museum at 3150 Tyler Avenue is considered to be one of the best community museums in the state of California.

Modern
The Asian population of El Monte had grew significantly between 1980 and 2008, and continued to grow. According to a former El Monte resident, this may have been because of overpopulation in Alhambra, Monterey Park, and other nearby heavily Asian municipalities; causing people to move to less densely populated areas like El Monte, where the cities are still accessible by freeway.

Geography
El Monte is located at 34.07333°N, -118.0275°W (34.073276, -118.027491). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.6 sqmi, of which 9.6 sqmi of it is land and 0.1 sqmi of it (0.89%) is water.

Climate
El Monte has a Mediterranean climate (Köppen climate classification Csa).

Demographics
The population has increased by more than 40% since the 1970s, with homes replacing the walnut groves for which the city was known. There is historically a large Mexican and Latino community in El Monte.

2010
The 2010 United States Census reported that El Monte had a population of 113,475. The population density was 11,761.6 PD/sqmi. The racial makeup of El Monte was 44,058 (38.8%) White (4.9% Non-Hispanic White), 870 (0.8%) African American, 1,083 (1.0%) Native American, 28,503 (25.1%) Asian (13.5% Chinese, 7.4% Vietnamese, 1.2% Filipino, 0.4% Cambodian, 0.2% Burmese, 0.2% Japanese, 0.2% Korean, 0.2% Indian, 0.2% Thai), 131 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 35,205 (31.0%) from other races, and 3,625 (3.2%) from two or more races. 78,317 (69.0%) of the population is Hispanic or Latino of any race (60.9% Mexican, 2.3% Salvadoran, 1.2% Guatemalan, 0.4% Nicaraguan, 0.3% Honduran, 0.3% Cuban, 0.2% Puerto Rican, and 0.2% Peruvian).

The Census reported that 112,395 people (99.0% of the population) lived in households, 317 (0.3%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 763 (0.7%) were institutionalized.

There were 27,814 households, out of which 14,557 (52.3%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 15,087 (54.2%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 5,298 (19.0%) had a female householder with no husband present, 2,962 (10.6%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 2,061 (7.4%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 161 (0.6%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 3,130 households (11.3%) were made up of individuals, and 1,539 (5.5%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.04. There were 23,347 families (83.9% of all households); the average family size was 4.23.

The population was spread out, with 32,234 people (28.4%) under the age of 18, 12,814 people (11.3%) aged 18 to 24, 33,263 people (29.3%) aged 25 to 44, 24,567 people (21.6%) aged 45 to 64, and 10,597 people (9.3%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.4 males.

There were 29,069 housing units at an average density of 3,013.0 /sqmi, of which 11,740 (42.2%) were owner-occupied, and 16,074 (57.8%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.4%; the rental vacancy rate was 4.6%. 46,802 people (41.2% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 65,593 people (57.8%) lived in rental housing units.

According to the 2010 United States Census, El Monte had a median household income of $39,535, with 24.3% of the population living below the federal poverty line.

2000
As of the census of 2000, there were 115,965 people, 27,034 households, and 23,005 families residing in the city. The population density was 12,139.5 PD/sqmi. There were 27,758 housing units at an average density of 2,905.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 72.39% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race, 35.67% White, 4.9% White Persons not Hispanic, 0.77% Black or African American, 1.38% Native American, 18.51% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 39.27% from other races, and 4.29% from two or more races. Mexican and Chinese were the most common ancestries.

There were 27,034 households, out of which 53.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.0% were married couples living together, 18.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 14.9% were non-families. 10.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.24 and the average family size was 4.43.

In the city, the population were 34.1% under the age of 18, 12.1% from 18 to 24, 31.5% from 25 to 44, 15.4% from 45 to 64, and 6.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $32,439, and the median income for a family was $32,402. Males had a median income of $21,789 versus $19,818 for females. The per capita income for the city was $10,316. About 22.5% of families and 26.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.9% of those under age 18 and 13.3% of those age 65 or over.

Mexican (62.0%) and Chinese (10.1%) were the most common ancestries. Mexico (63.6%) and Vietnam (13.5%) were the most common foreign places of birth.

Homelessness
In 2022, Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority's Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count counted 230 homeless individuals in El Monte.

Municipal government
The El Monte City Council has seven members—an elected Mayor and six council members elected by districts. The Mayor and City Council are elected by the voters of El Monte and are responsible for overseeing the delivery of local government services to  the residents of the city. The city manager is Alma Martinez.

State and federal representation
In the California State Senate, El Monte is in. In the California State Assembly, it is split between, and.

In the United States House of Representatives, El Monte is in.

Public safety
The City of El Monte has its own police department and contracts with the Los Angeles County Fire Department for fire services and emergency medical response.

The El Monte Police Department consists of 117 sworn police officers who provide emergency services to the citizens of El Monte. The current Chief of Police is Jake Fisher

The City of El Monte Neighborhood Services Division provides enforcement of health and safety, municipal codes, zoning and building codes. Five Neighborhood Services Officers respond to complaints and pro-actively address violations. The Animal Control Division is also part of the Neighborhood Services Division. Animal Control Officers respond to all calls related to animals.

Economy
According to the city's 2018 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:

Cathay Bank has a corporate center in El Monte. https://www.ci.el-monte.ca.us/DocumentCenter/View/3679/City-of-El-Monte-CAFR-2019-FINAL-PDF

Education
The El Monte Union High School District consists of the following schools:
 * Arroyo High School
 * El Monte High School
 * Mountain View High School
 * South El Monte High School
 * Fernando R. Ledesma High School, Formerly known as Valle Lindo Continuation School
 * Rosemead High School
 * El Monte-Rosemead Adult School

The El Monte City School District contains 17 elementary schools: one serving grades K-4, one serving grades K-5, ten serving grades K-6, and six serving grades K-8. The district also administers four Head Start (preschool) sites, which are located at the elementary schools.
 * Cherrylee Elementary School
 * Columbia Elementary School
 * Cortada Elementary School
 * Durfee Elementary School
 * Gidley Elementary School
 * Legore Elementary School
 * Mulhall Elementary School
 * New Lexington Elementary School
 * Norwood Elementary School
 * Potrero Elementary School
 * Rio Vista Elementary School
 * Shirpser Elementary School
 * Thompson, (Byron E.) Elementary School
 * Wilkerson Elementary School
 * Wright Elementary School
 * Cleminson Elementary School
 * Rio Hondo Elementary School

The Mountain View School District is a K-8 school district comprising ten elementary schools, one intermediate school, one middle school, an alternative education program for students in grades 5–8, and a Children's Center and Head Start/ State Preschool program. The district has an enrollment of 8,600 students.
 * Baker Elementary School
 * Cogswell Elementary School
 * Kranz Intermediate School
 * La Primaria Elementary School
 * Madrid Middle School
 * Maxson Elementary School
 * Miramonte Elementary School
 * Monte Vista Elementary School
 * Parkview Elementary School
 * Payne Elementary School
 * Twin Lakes Elementary School
 * Voorhis Elementary School
 * Magnolia Learning Center
 * Children's Center/Head Start/State Preschool

Transportation
El Monte is served by Metro, Foothill Transit, and the city-operated El Monte Transit. Metro's J Line ends at El Monte Station. Train service to El Monte is provided by Metrolink's San Bernardino Line, which stops at the El Monte station. Interstate 10 traverses El Monte. San Gabriel Valley Airport, a general aviation airport, is located in El Monte.

Health services
The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services operates the Monrovia Health Center in Monrovia, serving El Monte. The El Monte Comprehensive Health and Mammography Center is located on Ramona Blvd. in El Monte. It offers medical and dental services for low-income individuals, but is not an emergency center.

Media
El Monte community news is provided by the San Gabriel Valley Tribune which is published daily. Other local newspapers include Mid-Valley News and El Monte Examiner which are both published weekly.

In popular culture
El Monte is credited with being the birthplace of TV variety shows. Hometown Jamboree, a KTLA-TV Los Angeles-based show, was produced at El Monte Legion Stadium in the 1950s. The Saturday night stage show was hosted and produced by Cliffie Stone, who helped popularize country music in California.

In the 1950s, as the unstable racial climate and the hostility toward rock & roll started to emerge, rock & roll shows were forced from the City of Los Angeles by police pressure. The El Monte Legion Stadium, outside the city limits, became the site of a series for rock and roll concerts by Johnny Otis and other performers. (Johnny Otis along with Alan Freed and Dick Clark were the major powers in the growing rock and roll industry.) During the fifties, teenagers from all over Southern California flocked to El Monte Legion Stadium every Friday and Saturday night to see their favorite performers. Famous singers who performed there include: Ritchie Valens, Rosie & the Originals, Brenton Wood, Earth, Wind & Fire, The Grateful Dead,  Dick Dale and his Del-Tones and Johnny "Guitar" Watson. Disc jockeys Art Laboe and Huggy Boy enhanced the stadium's popularity with their highly publicized Friday Night Dances with many popular record artists of the late 1950s and 1960s. "El Monte Legion Stadium", as it was often called, was the "Happening" place to be for the teenagers of that era. In a closed-circuit telecast, a recorded performance of The Beatles, the Beach Boys, and Lesly Gore aired in the El Monte Legion Stadium from Mar 14–15, 1964.

El Monte is known for the long-time rock & roll hit "Memories of El Monte", written by Frank Zappa and originally recorded by The Penguins, one of the local Doo-wop groups from the 1950s that became famous nationwide. The song is in remembrance of The El Monte Legion Stadium and can be heard on many albums including Art Laboe's Memories of El Monte. Although the stadium closed their doors nearly 50 years ago, the music continues to live on. El Monte was the birthplace of singer–guitarist Mary Ford, of Les Paul and Mary Ford fame. John Larkin, known as (Scatman John), is also a native. El Monte was home to musicians Gregg Myers and Joe McDonald, who performed in the 1960s with Country Joe and the Fish. A popular attraction from 1925 to 1942 was Gay's Lion Farm. Two European retired circus stars, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Gay, operated this tourist attraction, which has been called "the Disneyland of the 1920s and 1930s" by historian Jack Barton, and many others of that era. The Gays raised wild animals for use in the motion picture industry and housed over 200 African lions. Many of the lions starred in films during the 1920s and 1930s, including the Tarzan films starring Elmo Lincoln and Johnny Weissmuller. The Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer lion logo was made with two lions from the farm, "Slats" (1924–1927), and his lookalike successor "Jackie" (1928-1956). Another one of the farm's famous lions was Numa, who appeared in several films throughout the 1920s, including Charlie Chaplin's "The Circus." In 1925, El Monte Union High School adopted "The Lions" name for its teams, and the Gays provided a lion mascot for big games. The famous live lion farm was closed temporarily due to wartime meat shortages. It never reopened, but a life-sized memorial statue can be seen next to I-10 on the SE corner of Valley Boulevard and Peck Road. The original lion statue, commissioned for the Farm, stands in front of nearby El Monte High School.

Horse racing's most famous jockey, Willie Shoemaker, was a resident and attended El Monte High School, until he dropped out to work in the nearby stables. El Monte was also briefly the home to author James Ellroy until his mother Geneva was murdered there in 1958. Former baseball player Fred Lynn was a resident of El Monte. Actor-filmmaker Timothy Carey filmed much of his underground feature The World's Greatest Sinner (1962) in El Monte. Modern authors Salvador Plascencia, 33, and Michael Jaime-Becerra, 36, both grew up in El Monte and each references El Monte in his novels. Mister Ed, the palomino of the classic 1960s television show, was foaled in 1949 in El Monte and named "Bamboo Harvester".

Notable people

 * Cris Abrego, television producer
 * Art Acevedo, police officer
 * Rob Bottin, special make-up effects creator
 * A.L.T., Chicano rapper
 * Timothy Carey, film and television actor
 * Glenn Corbett, actor
 * Mack Ray Edwards, child sex abuser and serial killer
 * James Ellroy, author
 * Mary Ford, vocalist and guitar player
 * Virginia Gilmore, actress
 * Alexandra Hay, actress
 * Roger Hernández, politician
 * Cathy LeFrançois, IFBB professional bodybuilder
 * Country Joe McDonald, lead singer for the band Country Joe & the Fish
 * Tom Morgan, Major League Baseball pitcher
 * Lorenzo Oatman and sister Olive Oatman, survivors of the Oatman Massacre of 1851 in Arizona
 * Steven Parent, aka "Stereo Steve", victim of the Charles Manson murders
 * Bill Piercy, Major League Baseball pitcher
 * Salvador Plascencia, author
 * Kim Rhode, Olympic shooter
 * Emily Rios, actress (Breaking Bad)
 * Scatman John, musician
 * Willie Shoemaker, jockey
 * Robert P. Shuler, reformer and minister of Trinity Methodist Church, Los Angeles
 * Hilda Solis, politician

Sister cities

 * 🇲🇽 Zamora, Mexico

title: El Monte, California


text:
El Segundo, California

El Segundo is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Located on Santa Monica Bay, it was incorporated on January 18, 1917, and is part of the South Bay Cities Council of Governments. The population was 16,731 as of the 2020 census, a 0.5% increase from 16,654 in the 2010 census. A significant center of the oil and aerospace industries in Southern California, roughly three quarters of the city's land is dedicated exclusively to industrial and commercial uses, including a Chevron oil refinery which alone takes up more than a quarter of the entire city.

History
The El Segundo and Los Angeles coastal area was first settled by the Tongva (or Gabrieleños) Native American tribes. The area was once a part of Rancho Sausal Redondo ("Round Willow Patch Ranch"). Rancho Sausal Redondo extended from Playa Del Rey in the north to Redondo Beach in the south. Originally a Mexican land grant owned by Antonio Ygnacio Avila, the rancho was later purchased by a Scottish baronet named Sir Robert Burnett. After his return to Scotland, the property was purchased by then-manager of the rancho, Daniel Freeman. Daniel Freeman sold portions of the rancho to several persons. George H. Peck owned the 840 acre of land where the Chevron Refinery now sits. Peck also developed land in neighboring El Porto, where a street still bears his name.

The city was incorporated in 1917. The Standard Oil Company was renamed Chevron in 1984. The El Segundo refinery entered its second century of operation in 2011.

The Douglas Aircraft Company plant in El Segundo was one of the major aircraft manufacturing facilities in California during World War II. It was one of the major producers of SBD Dauntless dive bombers, which achieved fame in the Battle of Midway. The facility, now operated by Northrop Grumman, is still an aircraft plant.

Geography
The northern and southern boundaries of the town are Los Angeles International Airport and Manhattan Beach, with the Pacific Ocean as the western boundary. Its eastern boundary is roughly marked by Aviation Blvd.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.5 sqmi, over 99% of which is land.

The beachfront area neighboring the refinery was once dominated by industrial wharves servicing oil tanker ships, and heavily polluted by sewage and storm water runoff. The major expansion of the Hyperion wastewater treatment plant in the 1980s was the impetus for rehabilitation of the beach. The old piers were demolished, an underwater oil terminal was constructed a few miles offshore, and an enormous amount of dredged sand was used to restore and dramatically enlarge the once narrow and polluted beach. The Marvin Braude Bike Trail runs along this new artificial beach, as the refinery wharves were one of the last remaining industrial facilities directly obstructing the shoreline of the Santa Monica Bay.

2010
The 2010 United States Census reported that El Segundo had a population of 16,654. The population density was 3,047.9 PD/sqmi. The racial makeup of El Segundo was 12,997 (78.0%) White (69.1% non-Hispanic White), 337 (2.0%) African American, 68 (0.4%) Native American, 1,458 (8.8%) Asian, 38 (0.2%) Pacific Islander, 799 (4.8%) from other races, and 957 (5.7%) from two or more races. There were 2,609 people of Hispanic or Latino origin, of any race (15.7%).

The Census reported that 16,578 people (99.5% of the population) lived in households, 66 (0.4%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 10 (0.1%) were institutionalized.

Of the 7,085 households, 2,183 (30.8%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 3,050 (43.0%) were married couples living together, 729 (10.3%) had a female householder with no husband present, 326 (4.6%) had a male householder with no wife present; and 369 (5.2%) were unmarried opposite-sex partnerships. About 31.8% were made up of individuals, and 8.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34. The city had 4,105 families (57.9% of all households); the average family size was 3.02.

22.3% of the population was under the age of 18, 6.7% was 18 to 24, 31.1% was 25 to 44, 29.8% was 45 to 64, and 10.1%o was 65 or older. The median age was 39.2. For every 100 females, there were 99.4 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 98.8 males.

The 7,410 housing units had an average density of 1,356.1 /mi2, of which 3,034 (42.8%) were owner-occupied and 4,051 (57.2%) occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.4%; the rental vacancy rate was 4.1%. About 49.1% of the population lived in owner-occupied housing units and 50.4% in rental housing units.

According to the 2010 United States Census, El Segundo had a median household income of $84,341, with 4.8% of the population living below the federal poverty line.

2000
As of the 2000 Census, the population density was 2,894.6 PD/sqmi. There were 7,261 housing units at an average density of 1,310.9 /mi2. The racial makeup of the city was 83.61% White, 1.17% African American, 0.47% Native American, 6.41% Asian, 0.29% Pacific Islander, 3.51% from other races, and 4.55% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 11.01% of the population.

Of the 7,060 households, 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.5% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.6% were not families. Of all households, 34.3% were made up of individuals, and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 3.00.

22.7% of the population was under age 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 38.7% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 9.5% 65 or older. The median age was 36. For every 100 females, there were 98.7 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 96.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $61,341, and for a family was $74,007. Males had a median income of $52,486 versus $41,682 for females. The per capita income for the city was $33,996. About 3.1% of families and 4.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.7% of those under age 18 and 6.0% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

The name was adopted in 1911 when Chevron built its second refinery, El Segundo, which is Spanish for "the Second". This refinery has received crude oil from the Amazon region of South America - more than 5,000 barrels per day. El Segundo is located next to the Hyperion sewage treatment plant and the El Segundo power plant. The El Segundo power plant is operated by the American energy company NRG. NRG was to create a new combined cycle power island, providing power for 240,000 households. The new power plant, slated to go online in 2013, was to use two generators: a Siemens gas turbine and an additional steam turbine. Prior to its dissolution, Unocal was headquartered in El Segundo.

In 1928 William Mines, an immigrant from Canada, leased land for a flying field. In 1930, Los Angeles Municipal Airport, later Los Angeles International Airport, opened north of El Segundo; its presence led to the concentration of aerospace and aviation-related firms in the El Segundo area. Many large aerospace companies have facilities in El Segundo, including Boeing, Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Wyle Laboratories, the Aerospace Corporation, and Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings. The last two are headquartered there. It is also home to the Los Angeles Air Force Base and the Space and Missile Systems Center, which is responsible for space-related acquisition for the military. The current Boeing factory, the Boeing Satellite Development Center, was originally built by Nash Motors in 1946 and opened in 1948. In 1955, Hughes Aircraft Company purchased the 500,000 ft2 building; it was converted to build missiles and also served as a test facility. At one time, MGM Grand Air had its headquarters in El Segundo.

Toy manufacturer Mattel, AT&T Entertainment Hub (formerly DirecTV ) direct technology marketing company PCM, Inc., and A-Mark Precious Metals are headquartered there, as well as sporting goods retailer Big 5 Sporting Goods and Stamps.com. Database company Teradata has a research and development facility in El Segundo, as well. The North American headquarters of the Japanese video game company Square Enix are also in the city.

From 1982 until 1996, the headquarters of the Los Angeles Raiders of the National Football League was located in El Segundo. The Los Angeles Kings Hockey Club is also located in El Segundo. In 2024, the Los Angeles Chargers will move their headquarters to El Segundo from Costa Mesa. The Los Angeles Lakers office headquarters and practice facility, the UCLA Health Training Center are also located in El Segundo. Their NBA G-League affiliate the South Bay Lakers plays their games there.

Film production companies are located in El Segundo, including Rhythm and Hues Studios and Lightstorm Entertainment.

The Los Angeles Times moved its newsroom from downtown Los Angeles to a 4.5 acre campus in El Segundo in 2018.

Top employers
According to the city's 2020–21 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:

Subsidiaries of companies
Nexon America, the North American branch of Korean online game publisher Nexon Co. Ltd. has its offices in El Segundo.

The North American branch of the Japanese video game publisher and developer Square Enix has its headquarters in El Segundo.

Due to its proximity to Los Angeles International Airport, El Segundo became the host of several offices of airlines. In 1979, the United Airlines Reservation Center, a two-story, $4.5 million, 55000 sqft facility in the International Center, was scheduled to begin construction. Austin Co., a firm in Irvine, was to build the facility, which was scheduled for opening in May of that year. Japan Airlines operates its United States headquarters, which was moved from New York City to El Segundo in around 2003. at Suite 620 of 300 Continental Boulevard; Cathay Pacific has an office in El Segundo. The airline moved its North America headquarters to Greater Los Angeles in 1990, and the headquarters were situated in El Segundo until 2005.

Air China operates its North American headquarters in the 13000 sqft 2131 East Maple Avenue building, south of LAX, in El Segundo. Its current North American headquarters opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony and other festivities on Friday March 26, 2010. The call center reservations, marketing, and sales employees all moved into the building. The building includes a call center with space for 50 employees; when the building opened, half of the spaces had been filled.

Air New Zealand operates its United States headquarters in El Segundo. Other airlines with offices in El Segundo include Turkish Airlines, Thai Airways, Air Tahiti Nui, Aeroméxico, China Airlines Emirates, EVA Air, and Singapore Airlines.

Infineon Technologies acquired El Segundo-based company International Rectifier in 2015.

Parks and recreation

El Segundo has its own beach, as well as two public pools; both are outdoor pools, one of which is open only during the summer months. The El Segundo Parks and Recreation staff are the basis for the hit NBC program Parks and Recreation. El Segundo has two full-sized turf fields named Campus El Segundo Athletic Fields, which are open to the public.

Athletics
In 2023, El Segundo Little League won the world championship of the Little League World Series, defeating the team from Willemstad, Curaçao in the championship. Louis Lappe hit a walk-off home run to win the game, 6–5. It was the first championship for a team from California since 2011.

Local government
According to the city's most recent Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, its various funds had $99.0 million in revenues, $91.0 million in expenditures, $206.5 million in total assets, $33.6 million in total liabilities, and $50.4 million in cash and investments.

In the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, El Segundo is in the Second District, represented by Holly Mitchell.

State and federal representation
In the California State Legislature, El Segundo is in, and in.

In the United States House of Representatives, El Segundo is in.

Education

The El Segundo Unified School District serves the residential district of El Segundo, west of Pacific Coast Highway. It operates El Segundo High School.

Eastern El Segundo is part of the tax base for the Wiseburn Unified School District, and formerly for the Centinela Valley Union High School District (CVUHSD). There are no residential areas in the eastern part of the city. This portion of the city includes corporate operations providing significant tax revenue to the districts.

Vistamar School is a private school in El Segundo.

Originally all of the city was located in the Wiseburn School District, which opened in 1896. When the Inglewood Union High School District, now known as the CVUHSD, opened in 1905, its territory included the Wiseburn district. In 1912 the El Segundo School District opened, taking territory from the Wiseburn School District. The territory of the El Segundo district continued to be in the Inglewood Union District. On November 22, 1925, the El Segundo High School District was formed and El Segundo withdrew from the Inglewood Union district.

Media
The Los Angeles Times has been headquartered in El Segundo since 2018. The local Charter Spectrum news and sports channels, Spectrum News 1, Spectrum SportsNet, and SportsNet LA are based out of El Segundo.

The El Segundo Herald is the community newspaper for El Segundo. It was established in 1911, six years before the city was incorporated. It had its centennial anniversary of service to the community in 2011.

A monthly arts and culture publication, The El Segundo Scene, began printing in May 2018. Created and run by two El Segundo residents, the magazine serves El Segundo and its neighbors in the South Bay.

Transportation
State Route 1 passes through the city as Pacific Coast Highway, while Interstate 105 begins its journey at Sepulveda Boulevard (the continuation of State Route 1 north of El Segundo city limits) just outside the northern city limits of El Segundo and heads east to Norwalk. The Los Angeles Metro C Line runs through the Eastern industrial and office district before meeting Interstate 105 and continuing along the freeway median for the rest of its length.

Amtrak's El Segundo Bus Stop (ESG) is located at the Los Angeles Metro Rail's Douglas station and is serviced by Amtrak Thruway. The stop is on Amtrak's 1c bus route that runs four times a day between Amtrak's Torrance Bus Stop (Alpine Village) and the Bakersfield Amtrak station where passengers transfer to and from trains on San Joaquins services; passengers can also connect with Pacific Surfliner at the Van Nuys Amtrak station.

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is located immediately to the north of El Segundo. In 2014, an air quality study found harmful ultrafine particles from the takeoffs and landings at LAX to be of a much greater magnitude than previously thought.

Notable people

 * Roseanne Barr, comedian, owns Full Moon and High Tides Productions
 * George Brett, baseball player, Hall of Fame
 * Ken Brett, baseball player
 * Joe Caravello, NFL football player
 * Dick Dale, guitarist, pioneer of Surf music
 * Rusty Frank, author, choreographer, producer, dance historian
 * The Ghost Inside, metalcore band
 * Mike Gordon, Assemblymember and mayor of El Segundo
 * Carl Koppelman, accountant and forensic sketch artist
 * Dave LaRoche, baseball pitcher
 * Vladimir Matyushenko, UFC fighter
 * Christopher McCandless, adventurer who inspired the book Into the Wild and the 2007 film The Call of the Wild
 * Dave McCoy, skier and businessman, founder of Mammoth Mountain, was born in El Segundo
 * Scott McGregor, baseball player
 * Lars Nootbaar, MLB baseball player for the St. Louis Cardinals
 * Bob Samuelson, volleyball player
 * John Van Hamersveld, artist and surfer
 * Paul Westphal, basketball player and coach
 * Dave Williamson, stand-up comedian

In popular culture

 * A Tribe Called Quest's single "I Left My Wallet In El Segundo" revolves around a stop through the town on the way back to Brooklyn.
 * El Segundo is frequently referenced by Fred G. Sanford in the TV series Sanford and Son.
 * Although filmed in British Columbia, the music video for the song "First Date", by pop-punk band Blink-182, takes place in El Segundo in 1974.
 * The fictitious Silicon Valley company Pied Piper tapped the real-life, El Segundo-headquartered company Wpromote to develop its ill-fated mascot, Pipey.
 * The movie Candy Cane Lane starring Eddie Murphy takes place in El Segundo.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: El Segundo, California


text:
Florence-Graham, California

Florence-Graham (locally known as Florence-Firestone) is a census-designated place in Los Angeles County, California. The population was 61,983 at the 2020 census, down from 63,387 at the 2010 census. The census area includes separate communities of Florence, Firestone Park, and Graham. It is located in the south central region of Los Angeles County. The neighboring communities are Central-Alameda, Florence, Green Meadows, Lynwood, Vernon, Walnut Park, Watts, and Compton.

Geography
Florence-Graham is located at 33.96936°N, -118.24388°W.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 3.6 sqmi, all land.

2010
At the 2010 census Florence-Graham had a population of 63,387. The population density was 17,704.2 PD/sqmi. The racial makeup of Florence-Graham was 23,896 (37.8%) white (0.7% non-Hispanic white), 5,862 (9.3%) African American, 498 (0.8%) Native American, 150 (0.2%) Asian, 25 (0.0%) Pacific Islander, 30,704 (48.4%) from other races, and 2,254 (3.6%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 57,066 persons (90.0%).

The census reported that 63,317 people (99.9% of the population) lived in households, 70 (0.1%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and no one was institutionalized.

There were 13,900 households, 9,191 (66.1%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 7,058 (50.8%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 3,459 (24.9%) had a female householder with no husband present, 1,665 (12.0%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 1,405 (10.1%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 84 (0.6%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 1,178 households (8.5%) were one person and 421 (3.0%) had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 4.56. There were 12,182 families (87.6% of households); the average family size was 4.63.

The population was spread out, with 22,198 people (35.0%) under the age of 18, 7,990 people (12.6%) aged 18 to 24, 18,758 people (29.6%) aged 25 to 44, 11,020 people (17.4%) aged 45 to 64, and 3,421 people (5.4%) who were 65 or older. The median age was 26.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.2 males.

There were 14,765 housing units at an average density of 4,123.9 per square mile, of the occupied units 5,101 (36.7%) were owner-occupied and 8,799 (63.3%) were rented. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.9%; the rental vacancy rate was 4.5%. 25,014 people (39.5% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 38,303 people (60.4%) lived in rental housing units.

According to the 2010 United States Census, Florence-Graham had a median household income of $35,543, with 30.7% of the population living below the federal poverty line.

2000
At the 2000 census there were 60,197 people, 13,354 households, and 11,617 families in the CDP. The population density was 16,799.7 PD/sqmi. There were 14,191 housing units at an average density of 3,960.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 24.55% White, 13.14% Black or African American, 0.98% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 56.40% from other races, and 4.73% from two or more races. 85.90%. was Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 13,354 households, 60.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.2% were married couples living together, 22.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 13.0% were non-families. 10.2% of households were one person, and 4.6% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 4.51 and the average family size was 4.71.

The age distribution was 40.0% under the age of 18, 12.9% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 12.4% from 45 to 64, and 4.9% 65 or older. The median age was 24 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.9 males.

The median household income was $25,425 and the median family income was $25,824. Males had a median income of $19,400 versus $16,496 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $8,092. About 34.1% of families and 35.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 43.4% of those under age 18 and 23.6% of those ages 65 or over.

Primary and secondary schools
Florence-Graham residents are zoned to Los Angeles Unified School District schools.

Zoned elementary schools within the CDP include:
 * Russell Elementary School
 * Florence Avenue Elementary School
 * Graham Elementary School
 * Lillian St. Elementary School
 * Miramonte Elementary School
 * Parmelee Elementary School

Zoned middle schools within the CDP include:
 * Charles Drew Middle School
 * Thomas A. Edison Middle School
 * Kory Hunter Middle School

Diego Rivera Learning Complex, a high school, is in the CDP.

Residents are zoned to John C. Fremont High School in Los Angeles. Some sections are jointly zoned to Fremont and Jordan High School in Los Angeles.

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles operates the St. Aloysius School (PK, 1-8) and the St. Malachy School (K-8) in Florence-Graham.

Public libraries
County of Los Angeles Public Library operates the Florence Library and the Graham Library.

The Florence Library opened in 1914 at the residence of Fred W. Cleland. On June 30, 1915, the library moved to Florence Avenue Elementary School. In 1920 the library moved to a building with a converted stable. The library moved to another location in 1924. In 1931-1932 the library moved to a storefront location. In 1964 the storefront was refurbished to mark the 50th anniversary of the library. The library moved to its current location in 1970. The library was refurbished beginning in December 2001, and it reopened in 2002.

The Graham Library opened in April 1915 in a school. Two years later the library moved to a store building. In 1928 the library moved to another building. In 1938 the library moved another time. The current location was built in 1969. The library was refurbished beginning in May 2000. The library reopened in November 2001 and was rededicated on the 8th of that month. The library has murals from the Bolivian artist Mario Cespedes.

Government
In the California State Legislature, Florence-Graham is in, and in.

In the United States House of Representatives, Florence-Graham is in.

Infrastructure
Fire protection in the CDP is provided by the Los Angeles County Fire Department with ambulance transport by Care Ambulance Service.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) operates the Century Station in Lynwood, serving the CDP.

The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services operates the South Health Center in Los Angeles, serving the CDP.

Parks and recreation
Mary M. Bethune Park, operated by the county, is within the CDP. The park includes a baseball/softball field, a basketball court, children's play areas, a community recreation room, a gymnasium, a multi-purpose field, picnic tables and barbecue grills, a skateboard park, a swimming pool, and toilets.

Franklin D. Roosevelt Park, also operated by the county, is within the CDP. In terms of county facilities it is among the oldest; the construction of the park was authorized by President of the United States Franklin D. Roosevelt as part of the Works Progress Administration projects during the Great Depression. The park has basketball courts, children's play areas, a community room, a computer center, a fitness zone, a gymnasium, picnic shelters, a senior center, a soccer field, a swimming pool, a skateboard park and tennis courts.

Colonel Leon H. Washington Park, another county park, is within the CDP. The 13.2 acre park is located on a plot of land that was formerly a lumber yard. It was named after Colonel Leon H. Washington, the founder of The Eastside Shopper (now The Sentinel). The facility has a children's play area, a community recreation center, a computer room, gymnasium, picnic areas with barbecue grills, a swimming pool, tennis courts, and toilets.

The 27 acre Ted Watkins Memorial Park, a county park, is within the CDP. The park, which is one of many contributions from Watts Labor Community Action Committee (WLCAC) was named after Ted Watkins, the founder of the WLCAC, in 1995. The park has lighted baseball/softball fields, a children's play area, a community recreation room, a computer lab, a gymnasium with a stage, picnic areas, a skateboard park, a soccer (football) field, a swimming pool, tennis courts, and toilets.

title: Florence-Graham, California


text:
Gardena, California

Gardena is a city located in the South Bay region of Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 58,829 at the 2010 census, up from 57,746 at the 2000 census. Until 2014, the U.S. census cited the City of Gardena as the place with the highest percentage of Japanese Americans in California. Gardena's Japanese American population contributes to the South Bay region of Los Angeles being home to the highest density of Japanese companies within the mainland United States.

History
Based on archaeological findings, the Tongva people hunted and fished in the area of today's Gardena. The Tongva Indians — also known as Gabrielino Indians — are probably descendants of those who crossed from Asia to North America around 10,000 years ago.

In 1784, three years after the foundation of Los Angeles, Juan Jose Dominguez (1736–1809), a Spanish soldier who arrived in San Diego, California in 1769 with Fernando Rivera y Moncada, in recognition of his military service, received the roughly 43000 acre Spanish land grant, the Rancho San Pedro. Part of this land contained what became known as Gardena Valley. After the American Civil War veterans bought parts of the land, and soon ranchers and farmers followed suit. Union Army Major General William Starke Rosecrans in 1869 bought 16000 acre. The "Rosecrans Rancho" was bordered by what later was Florence Avenue on the north, Redondo Beach Boulevard on the south, Central Avenue on the east, and Arlington Avenue on the west. The Rosecrans property was subdivided and sold in the early 1870s. One of those became the 650 acre Amestoy Ranch. Gardena proper began in 1887 when the Pomeroy & Harrison real estate developers subdivided the ranch, anticipating the coming of the Los Angeles and Redondo Railway. Civil War veteran Spencer Roane Thorpe is credited with starting the first settlement in Gardena in 1887. Railroads put Gardena on the map following a 1880s Southern California real estate boom.

Some believe the city was named for its reputation for being the only "green spot" in the dry season between Los Angeles and the sea. Because of its acres of berries, the city was dubbed "Berryland". The Strawberry Day Festival and Parade was held each May. The berry industry suffered at the time of World War I as other crops were supported by the war economy.

Japanese Americans settled in Gardena throughout its history. The only way Gardena could protect itself from a heavy county tax imposed on a planned project at a park site was to incorporate. The City of Gardena became incorporated on September 11, 1930.

From 1936 to 1980, Gardena held a local monopoly on legal cardrooms, the taxes from which accounted for nearly a third of its annual budget. As this Los Angeles suburb grew, many Japanese American families moved into the new tract homes being built.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.9 sqmi, over 99% of which is land. A 9.4 acre wetland preserve, the Gardena Willows Wetland Preserve, is located at the southeast corner of Gardena. This is a naturally occurring marshland where water seeps above-ground all year round. It hosts several species of trees and other vegetation.

Gardena is bordered by the unincorporated community of Athens on the north, the Los Angeles neighborhood of Harbor Gateway on the east and south, Torrance on the southwest, Alondra Park on the west, and Hawthorne on the northwest.

Neighborhoods in Gardena include:
 * Hermosillo
 * Moneta
 * Strawberry Park

2010
The 2010 United States Census reported that Gardena had a population of 58,829. The population density was 10,030.0 PD/sqmi. The racial makeup of Gardena was 14,498 (24.6%) White (9.3% Non-Hispanic White), 14,352 (24.4%) African American, 348 (0.6%) Native American, 15,400 (26.2%) Asian, 426 (0.7%) Pacific Islander, 11,136 (18.9%) from other races, and 2,669 (4.5%) from two or more races. There were 22,151 people of Hispanic or Latino origin, of any race (37.7%).

The Census reported that 58,035 people (98.7% of the population) lived in households, 122 (0.2%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 672 (1.1%) were institutionalized.

There were 20,558 households, out of which 7,199 (35.0%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 8,782 (42.7%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 3,931 (19.1%) had a female householder with no husband present, 1,486 (7.2%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 1,085 (5.3%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 104 (0.5%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 5,142 households (25.0%) were made up of individuals, and 1,921 (9.3%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.82. There were 14,199 families (69.1% of all households); the average family size was 3.39.

The population was spread out, with 13,410 people (22.8%) under the age of 18, 5,353 people (9.1%) aged 18 to 24, 16,656 people (28.3%) aged 25 to 44, 15,086 people (25.6%) aged 45 to 64, and 8,324 people (14.1%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37.9 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.8 males.

There were 21,472 housing units at an average density of 3,660.8 /sqmi, of which 9,852 (47.9%) were owner-occupied, and 10,706 (52.1%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.3%; the rental vacancy rate was 4.6%. 28,585 people (48.6% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 29,450 people (50.1%) lived in rental housing units.

During 2009–2013, Gardena had a median household income of $48,251, with 15.5% of the population living below the federal poverty line.

2000
As of the census of 2000, there were 57,746 people, 20,324 households, and 14,023 families residing in the city. The population density was 9,921.3 PD/sqmi. There were 21,041 housing units at an average density of 3,615.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 23.82% White, 25.99% Black or African American, 0.64% Native American, 26.82% Asian, 0.73% Pacific Islander, 16.94% from other races, and 5.05% from two or more races. 31.82% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 20,324 households, out of which 33.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.5% were married couples living together, 18.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.0% were non-families. 25.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.38.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.8% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 32.3% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $38,988, and the median income for a family was $44,906. Males had a median income of $32,951 versus $29,908 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,263. About 12.3% of families and 15.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.3% of those under age 18 and 10.1% of those age 65 or over.

Mexican and Japanese were the most common ancestries. Mexico and Korea were the most common foreign places of birth.

1980
In 1980, about 31% of the population was Anglo white, 23% was black, 21% was Japanese, and 17% was Latino. The remainder included a Korean community that was increasing in size and Chinese, Filipino, and Native American people. The National Planning Data Corp. released projected figures in 1987 estimating that of the 50,000 residents, 26.3% were Anglo, 23% were black, 22.7 were Latino, and 28% were of other racial groups. By 1989, Anglo and Japanese residents tended to live in central and southern Gardena. Middle class black people began to move into the Hollypark area in northern Gardena in the 1960s, so the black population was concentrated there.

1970–1978
According to the 1970 U.S. Census, 56% of the population was White. Racial demographic changes occurred until 1978. That year, Mayor Edmond J. Russ declared that, according to a special 1978 census, the racial demographics of Gardena had stabilized.

Japanese Americans
Gardena has a large Japanese-American community. Until 2014, it had the second-highest concentration of Japanese Americans in any U.S. municipality, the first being Honolulu. As of 2014, the nearby city of Torrance holds the highest Japanese-American population in the 48 contiguous states.

The Japanese Cultural Institute (JCI) has been is located in Gardena since 1988, and offers cultural and social activities for Japanese Americans. The building used during that year was completed in 1976.

Early in Gardena's history, Japanese migrants played a role in the agrarian economy. The Japanese Association founded the Moneta Japanese Institute in 1911, and the Parents' Association founded the Gardena Japanese School in 1916. Beginning in the 1920s, Japanese American organizations, including the Moneta Gakuen, were established continuously around the current JCI site. The Moneta Gakuen operated a school until the World War II internment.

In 1942 the U.S. military moved the Japanese in Gardena to internment camps.

In 1966, for the first time, a Nisei, Kiyoto Ken Nakaoka, was seated on the city council. Nakaoka later became Gardena's mayor in 1972. In 1980, the city was 21% Japanese, and, Japanese residents tended to live in the center and south of the city.

Korean Americans
, about 60% of the Korean population in the South Bay region lived in Gardena and Torrance. By that year, many Korean businesses had been established in Gardena because its commercial land was more affordable than that of Torrance, a middle-class base, and it also had an established Asian population. In 1990, 2,857 ethnic Koreans lived in Gardena, a 209% increase from the 1980 figure of 924 ethnic Koreans.

Economy
Digital Manga is headquartered in Suite 300 at 1487 West 178th Street. Nissin Foods has its United States headquarters and a plant in Gardena. Nissin Foods (U.S.A.) Co., Inc. opened in Gardena in 1970. Marukai Corporation U.S.A. has its headquarters in Gardena. Nissan's North America headquarters were located in Gardena until they moved to Tennessee in 2006.

National Stores Inc., which operates the Factory 2-U and the Fallas Paredes brands, has its headquarters in the Harbor Gateway area of Los Angeles, near Gardena.

Top employers
According to the city's 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, the top employers in the city as of 2020 were:

Government
In the California State Legislature, Gardena is in, and in.

In the United States House of Representatives, Gardena is in.

Primary and secondary schools
The Los Angeles Unified School District operates the city's public schools.

Zoned middle schools include:
 * Peary Middle School
 * Some areas in Gardena have a choice between Peary and Henry Clay Middle School. (Los Angeles)
 * Peary Middle school has two campuses that are connected by a bridge. One side holds classes only for 6th graders while the other containing the large field and cafeteria holds classes for the 7th and 8th graders. The primary reasoning of the splitting of grade levels in this way is to prevent bullying from older students. Peary Middle school also has a program for gifted and magnet students. Students from the magnet program are separated from the rest of the school and takes special classes with magnet teachers.

Zoned high schools include:
 * Gardena High School (Los Angeles)

In the spring of 1956, the junior high school classes stayed at the old Gardena High School while the high school classes moved into a new building. Up until the opening of the new Gardena High School, high school students held morning shifts, while junior high school students held afternoon shifts.

The northern end of the Gardena HS campus has LAUSD staff housing, Sage Park Apartments.

Private schools
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles operates Catholic schools in Gardena, including Junípero Serra High School, Maria Regina Catholic School (K-8), and St. Anthony of Padua School (K-8). Pacific Lutheran Jr./Sr. High school, a 6-12 non-Catholic private school, is in Gardena. The Gardena Christian Academy, a PreK-2 Christian school, is in Gardena.

Public services
The Gardena Office of Economic Development is a department of the city government. It aids employers in filling a variety of jobs customized to their specific needs. It also helps potential employers in setting up business enterprises.

The Gardena Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency in the city. The department has 89 sworn police officers, 24 full-time support staff, and 33 part-time employees. There are reserve, volunteer, and explorer programs. The current Chief of Police is Michael Saffell, appointed in 2020. Radio communications and the 9-1-1 call center are handled by the South Bay Regional Public Communications Authority.

The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services operates the Curtis Tucker Health Center in Inglewood and the Torrance Health Center in Harbor Gateway, Los Angeles, near Torrance and serving Gardena.

The United States Postal Service operates the Gardena Post Office at 1455 West Redondo Beach Boulevard, the South Gardena Post Office at 1103 West Gardena Boulevard, and the Alondra Post Office at 14028 Van Ness Avenue.

Libraries
Gardena Mayme Dear Library, a 16000 sqft building located in Gardena, and Masao W. Satow Library, located west of Gardena in Alondra Park (El Camino Village), unincorporated Los Angeles County, are operated by the County of Los Angeles Public Library.

Wednesday Progressive Club sponsored the formation of the Gardena Library. In 1913 the Moneta Branch was formed. In 1914 the Gardena Library became a part of the Los Angeles County Free Library system. Due to annexation the library was transferred to the Los Angeles City Library Board. In 1919 the Strawberry Park branch was formed. In August 1951 the Gardena library came back to the county system. In 1958 the Strawberry Park and Moneta branches merged into the West Gardena Branch. The current Gardena library building was dedicated on December 5, 1964. In 1969 a fire forced the West Gardena branch to go to a new location. The current Satow building, dedicated on February 26, 1977, was named after a Japanese American in the community. The Gardena library received its current name on May 30, 1992, and was named after a library volunteer, who had died prior to the renaming.

Transportation
The city operates the GTrans bus services (formerly as Gardena Municipal Bus Lines).

The National Transportation Safety Board operates the Gardena Aviation Field Office in Harbor Gateway, Los Angeles; it is the regional headquarters of the NTSB Aviation Western Region.

Notable people

 * Paul Bannai, former city councilman and first Japanese American to serve in the California State Legislature
 * Beau Bennett, retired hockey player born in Gardena who was the highest-drafted hockey player of all-time to be born and trained in California
 * Polly Bergen, actress and singer; lived in Gardena and attended Gardena High School
 * Gary Berland, professional poker player; won five World Series of Poker bracelets; born and raised in Gardena
 * Ron Block, banjo player, guitarist and singer-songwriter
 * Steven Bradford, 1978 Gardena High School graduate; first African American elected to the Gardena City Council (1997–2009); former California Assemblyman (2009–2014)
 * Enos Cabell, third baseman with the Baltimore Orioles and Detroit Tigers; attended Gardena High School
 * Ed Carmichael, gymnast, 1932 Summer Olympics bronze medalist in the vault.
 * Wayne Collett, runner, 1972 Summer Olympics silver medalist in the 400 meter event; attended Gardena High School
 * Dock Ellis, pitcher with the Pittsburgh Pirates; attended Gardena High School
 * Charlie Evans, running back with the New York Giants and Washington Redskins; born in Gardena
 * Robert L. Freedman, screenwriter and playwright; former resident of Gardena
 * Gaston Green, running back with the Los Angeles Rams and Denver Broncos; attended Gardena High School
 * H.B. Halicki, actor, filmmaker, stuntman; business owner in Gardena and premiered his Gone in 60 Seconds there in 1974
 * Juaquin Hawkins, professional basketball player; played with the Houston Rockets during the 2002-2003 NBA season
 * Lisa Leslie, Olympic gold medalist and Los Angeles Sparks basketball player; born in Gardena
 * Blydell Martin, boxer
 * Butch Patrick, actor; was living in Gardena and attending PAE when he auditioned for The Munsters
 * Art Pepper, innovative jazz saxophonist; born in Gardena
 * Paul Petersen, actor, novelist, activist; former resident of Gardena
 * William Rosecrans, Union general, congressman, and ambassador to Mexico; owner of and resident upon (from 1869) "Rosecrans Rancho," the foundation upon which Gardena later emerged
 * Kevin A. Ross, host of America's Court with Judge Ross; attended Gardena High School and served as the school's student body president
 * Daewon Song, professional skateboarder; resident of Gardena
 * George Stanich, high jumper and bronze medalist of the 1948 Summer Olympics; resident of Gardena
 * Paul Tanaka, Mayor and council-member
 * Dakarai Tucker (born 1994), basketball player for Hapoel Haifa of the Israeli Basketball Premier League
 * Tyga, rapper; attended Gardena High School
 * Billy Warlock, actor
 * Robert Woods, Los Angeles Rams wide receiver

Sister cities

 * 🇲🇽 Huatabampo, Mexico
 * 🇯🇵 Ichikawa, Japan

title: Gardena, California


text:
Glendora, California

Glendora is a city in the San Gabriel Valley in Los Angeles County, California, 26 mi east of Los Angeles. As of the 2020 census, the population of Glendora was 52,558.

Known as the "Pride of the Foothills", Glendora is nestled in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. Its downtown area, locally known as the Glendora Village, hosts dozens of restaurants, cafes, shops, and boutiques along Glendora Avenue with many community events scheduled throughout the year.

Neighborhoods and residences in Glendora reflect the city's history and range from Queen Annes, to Folk Victorians, early 20th-century bungalows, to ranch style homes, to mid-rise multi-family residential complexes, to modern mansions. Glendora's most expensive neighborhoods contain many very large, secluded, estate homes with views across the San Gabriel Valley to Downtown Los Angeles.

Glendora is bordered by Azusa and the unincorporated community of Citrus to the west, San Dimas to the east and south, Covina and the unincorporated community of Charter Oak to the south, and the San Gabriel Mountains range to the north.

History
The Tongva people settled Glendora and the surrounding areas in 6000 BC and lived there until the Spanish colonized California.

Ygnacio Palomares received the 22340 acre land grant Rancho San Jose from Governor Juan Bautista Alvarado in 1837. The land included the present day cities of Pomona, Claremont, La Verne, San Dimas, and Glendora.

Like many cities in the San Gabriel Valley, Glendora was established on previously remote agricultural land when the area became connected to the outside world upon the completion of the Santa Fe Railway's main transcontinental line from Los Angeles to Chicago in May 1887. Located at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains, Glendora was started on approximately 300 acres that were subdivided and sold by George D. Whitcomb in late March 1887. On the first day of sale, 300 lots were sold. Whitcomb was the founder of the Whitcomb Locomotive Works in Chicago and Rochelle, Illinois and had moved to California in the early 1880s. He devised the name Glendora by combining the name of his wife, Leadora Bennett Whitcomb, with the location of his home in a glen of the San Gabriel Mountains. In December 1907, the development of Glendora got a boost when passenger service opened on a new extension of the Pacific Electric Railway's Monrovia–Glendora Line which provided hourly, direct service from downtown Glendora to the Pacific Electric Building at Sixth and Main in Downtown Los Angeles. Prior to its 1911 incorporation, Glendora's administrator officially occupied the office of President of Glendora.

The downtown area as it appears now is the product of years of renovation and maintenance by the city. The former opera house, movie theatre, Pacific Electric station, banks, hotels, grocery and department stores were converted into more modern commercial buildings. The original layout can be read about on the Downtown Glendora Historical Walk, by reading placards placed along Glendora Avenue (previously called Michigan Avenue). The original townsite was bounded by Sierra Madre Avenue on the north, Minnesota Avenue on the east, Ada Avenue and the railroad on the south, and Pennsylvania Avenue on the west.

Glendora used to be home to several military academies, which have since been converted into either churches or private school facilities. These academies included Brown Military Academy, now St. Lucy's Priory High School and Church of the Open Door on Sierra Madre, and Harding Military Academy, whose property is now home to North Glendora Private, a prestigious private community adjacent to Easley Canyon atop Glendora Avenue.

From 1960 to 1978, Glendora was home to Clokey Productions which produced 85 episodes of Gumby and 65 episodes of Davey and Goliath in town. In celebration of this history, Glendora hosted the first Gumby Fest in 2014 which brought thousands of people from around the country and Canada. In 2015 the 2nd GumbyFest was held at Citrus College over an entire weekend.

Several wildfires have affected the city in recent years, the most notable being the campfire triggered Colby Fire, which displaced hundreds of Glendora residents. A relief concert titled "Glendora Band Aid" was held shortly after the fire to help raise funds to assist the homeowners who lost their homes in the fire.

Glendora has an active Chamber of Commerce, established in 1903. The mission of the Glendora Chamber is to provide tools and resources to assist the business community in prospering and adapting to the economic climate, while growing membership and promoting local purchasing.

Geography
The city lies in the eastern end of the San Gabriel Valley between the San Gabriel Mountains range to the north and the South Hills to the south.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 19.6 sqmi, of which 19.4 sqmi is land and 0.2 sqmi, or 0.84%, is water.

Climate
Glendora has a dry Mediterranean climate (Köppen Csa) characterized by hotter summers and slightly cooler winters than coastal areas in California. The dry weather lasts for most of the year except for the rainy season in the winter. Hot summer temperatures and warm Santa Ana winds in the fall increase the risk of wildfires in the surrounding mountains. The 2009 Morris Fire and 2015 Cabin Fire are some of the most recent wildfires affecting Glendora and nearby cities.

2020
As of the census of 2020, there were 52,558 people, 16,887 households, and 3.01 persons per household residing in the city. The population density was 2,582 PD/sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 70.4% White (47.9% Non-Hispanic White), 1.9% Black or African American, 0.6% Native American, 11.6% Asian, 0.3% Pacific Islander, and 7.2% from two or more races. 34.4% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

According to the 2020 United States Census, Glendora had a median household income of $96,132, with 8.3% of the population living below the federal poverty line.

2010
As of the census of 2010, there were 50,073 people, 16,819 households, and 12,866 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,581.5 PD/sqmi. There were 17,145 housing units at an average density of 895.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 75.1% White (57.0% Non-Hispanic White), 1.9% Black or African American, 0.7% Native American, 8.0% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 5.2% from other races, and 4.8% from two or more races. 30.7% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 16,819 households, out of which 38.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.1% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.5% were non-families. 19.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.88 and the average family size was 3.30.

In the city, the age of the population was diverse, with 27.6% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 12.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.6 males.

According to the 2010 United States Census, Glendora had a median household income of $74,615, with 7.8% of the population living below the federal poverty line. More recently, the L.A. Times estimated the median household income at $81,336 based on updated figures from the U.S. Census and SCAG.

Mexican (16.3%) and German (11.3%) are the most common ancestries in Glendora. Mexico (22.1%) and the Philippines (9.0%) are the most common foreign places of birth in Glendora.

City government
Glendora is run by a city council of five members. The members are elected by district and serve four-year (staggered) terms of office. Following each election, the council selects from its membership a mayor and mayor pro tem. The current mayor is Gary Boyer.

Starting in 2020, the City of Glendora will change how council members are elected by transitioning from an at-large election system to a district-based election system. This includes changing the election cycle from odd years to even years. The first phase will begin in March 2020, when representatives from Council Districts 2, 3 and 5 will be elected. The second phase will take place in 2022 when representatives from Districts 1 and 4 will be on the ballot.

Public safety services are provided by the Glendora Police Department and the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

State and federal government
In the California State Legislature, Glendora is in, and in.

In the United States House of Representatives, Glendora is split between California's 28th congressional district and California's 31st congressional district, Rep Judy Chu and Rep Grace Napolitano, respectively. url=http://www.house.gov

Education
The city has two public school districts: Glendora Unified and Charter Oak Unified School Districts (COUSD). These school districts are considered two of the best in the state and the country, consistently ranking in the top performing brackets. Both districts have schools designated as California Distinguished Schools and Gold Ribbon Schools.

Elementary schools

 * Cullen Elementary School
 * La Fetra Elementary School
 * Sellers Elementary School
 * Stanton Elementary School
 * Sutherland Elementary School
 * Washington Elementary School (COUSD)
 * Willow Elementary School (COUSD)

Middle schools

 * Goddard Middle School
 * Sandburg Middle School
 * Royal Oak Middle School (COUSD)

High schools

 * Glendora High School

Continuation high schools

 * Arrow Continuation High School (COUSD)
 * Whitcomb Continuation High School

Private schools

 * Hope Lutheran Church and School – Preschool through 8th-grade boys and girls school
 * Foothill Christian School – Preschool through 8th-grade boys and girls school
 * St. Lucy's Priory High School – All girls college-prep high school
 * St. Dorothy School – Kindergarten through 8th grade boys and girls school

Universities and colleges

 * Citrus College

Public health
There are two hospitals in the city:
 * Foothill Presbyterian Hospital
 * Glendora Community Hospital

Los Angeles County also offers community health services for Glendora residents at the Monrovia Health Center and Pomona Health Center.

Cultural facilities

 * Haugh Performing Arts Center
 * Glendora Historical Society Museum
 * Rubel Castle, constructed by Michael Rubel
 * Glendora Public Library
 * Glendora Public Market

 * Glendora Big Tree Park

Parks and trails
Glendora is an active community and it has an extensive system of parks, trails, and recreational programs for the community.
 * Big Dalton Canyon Wilderness Park and campground
 * Centennial Heritage Park - The site was constructed to depict a late 19th-century to early 20th-century citrus ranch and features the Hamilton House, a working print shop, and numerous antique farm implements. Also on site is the Orton Englehart workshop, dedicated to its namesake, native Glendoran and inventor of the horizontal action impact sprinkler. This sprinkler became known as the Rain Bird, revolutionized the irrigation industry, and was recognized as a historic landmark of agricultural engineering in 1990 by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers.
 * Finkbiner Park
 * Big Tree Park - Small park with a 140 years old Moreton Bay Fig tree.
 * Louie Pompei Memorial Sports Park
 * Glendora Urban Trail System
 * South Hills Park and wilderness trail
 * Colby Trail
 * Lower Monroe Truck Trail - Hiking and mountain biking trail.
 * Punk Out Trail
 * Mystic Canyon Trail
 * Glendora bougainvillea - The largest growth of Bougainvillea in the United States.
 * Glen Oaks Golf and Learning Center - Offers a driving range, instructional services, practice area, and the 9-hole Par 3 course itself.
 * Camp Cahuilla Summer Camp ("Dirt Camp") - One of the most popular of the Parks and Recreation programs offering activities to more than 500 children every summer.

The Glendora Mountain Road and Glendora Ridge Road are also common routes for cyclists and sightseers with views through the San Gabriel Mountains. These roads have also hosted stages of the international Tour of California.

Public transit
Glendora is served by Foothill Transit which provides connections through the city and express service to downtown Los Angeles. The Metro A Line termini station at APU/Citrus College in the adjacent city of Azusa also provides a transit link to the Metro system of trains and buses. A future extension of the A Line, from its current termini in Azusa to the City of Montclair in San Bernardino County, will include a station in Glendora to be located in the southeast corner of the intersection of Ada Avenue and Vermont Avenue. The station is not expected to be in service until 2025. Ahead of the station’s eventual opening, the rail line was renamed from the L Line to the A Line per Metro's new naming convention and will connect to the former Blue Line via the new Regional Connector in downtown Los Angeles. It will provide a "one-seat ride" (no transfers) to the Financial District of Los Angeles and downtown Long Beach.

Glendora also runs its own weekday transportation shuttle service, the Glendora Mini Bus, with shuttles serving the Metrolink Commuter Rail Station in nearby Covina, the APU/Citrus College Metro station, and an inter-school service connecting some of the city's schools. The Mini Bus also provides curb-to-curb transportation services for senior and disabled residents of Glendora.

Freeways and highways
Glendora lies at the intersection of two major freeways, the 210 and the 57, in what was formerly known as the Glendora Curve. These two freeways conveniently connect the city with the rest of the Southern California region. Historic U.S. Route 66 also traverses the city from east to west and it is an important corridor for businesses. Other major roads and highways include Foothill Boulevard, Grand Avenue, Arrow Highway, and Lone Hill Avenue.

Airports
There are no airports within the city limits. Glendora is within forty-five miles from all major area airports including Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), Ontario International Airport (ONT), Long Beach Airport (LGB), and John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Orange County.

Economy
The National Hot Rod Association and Armstrong Garden Centers are based in Glendora.

Top employers
According to the city's 2018 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:

Television
KGLN TV is a public-access channel under the exclusive editorial control of the City of Glendora. By law, programming and information appearing on this channel is limited to City-originated programming of Public Meetings, City-sponsored events/activities, City-originated information, and the California legislative network live cablecast for a portion of each program day.

News media
The San Gabriel Valley Tribune, based in Monrovia, provides mainstream news coverage for Glendora. and surrounding "Foothill cities." The Tribune carries a list of current articles as well as a history of articles concerning the City of Glendora and cities immediately surrounding the City of Glendora.

Library Happenings is a bi-monthly newsletter published and distributed by the Glendora Public Library. It generally consists of 4 or 6 pages of information about local programs and events planned for the year. There is an online version of the newsletter with issues going back to the year 2007.

Glendora City News is a local news outlet focused on issues and events that are relevant to residents of the city of Glendora, California. Founded in November 2014, the newspaper has covered local crime, real estate, social events, and political issues, including some high-profile, highly controversial actions taken by city managers which have resulted in contentious public meetings and citywide calls for the removal of city politicians. The news outlet provides detailed information about scheduled events, public meetings, and incidents of note that occur within the City of Glendora.

Of particular note for Glendora residents, the news outlet contains detailed information about ballot initiatives every time the city holds a vote, listing the ballot propositions without a discernible political bias, a stance that has earned the news outlet a moderately-large on-line subscriber base as well as 18 thousand “like” subscribers on Facebook out of a city population of 50 thousand. Consistently detailing measures on the ballot at every election has made the news source a secondary source of information, with the primary source being the City of Glendora's official web sites.

The news outlet also occasionally carries information about local employment openings that have social benefit (such as environmental jobs), and routinely carries updated information about the many foothill fires and mud slides that effect residents in the northern parts of the city during the year's fire and rain seasons. Lost and found dogs and cats also get covered fairly routinely at the news outlet, with residents contacting the newspaper asking for help locating either a found pet's guardians or their missing pets.

The news outlet also offers a Community Calendar series which covers up-coming events which include city meetings as well as local events created by local shops, fast food franchises, and volunteer organizations.

The news outlet asks local residents to provide news tips and commentary about anything that happens in the city, including information about what city planners and managers are up to. In the past such tips have led to volunteer efforts by residents who have organized clean-up efforts of public property, such as the South Hills Dog Park where the drinking water facilities had been left in disrepair and needed cleaning.

Notable people
Notable people who live or have lived in Glendora, California include:
 * Michael Anthony - Van Halen bassist and backing vocalist
 * LaVar Arrington- former NFL player
 * Steven Barnes – science fiction and mystery author, and writer
 * Adrian Carrio – racing driver
 * Bryan Clay – Olympic gold medalist
 * Rocky Dennis – subject of the biographical film Mask
 * Soleil Moon Frye – Punky Brewster actress
 * Ron Gallemore – neurosurgeon
 * Casey Jacobsen – basketball player
 * Tamra Judge - television personality, cast member of The Real Housewives of Orange County
 * David Klein – inventor of Jelly Belly candy
 * D. Wayne Lukas – racehorse trainer
 * Gabrial McNair – No Doubt keyboardist
 * José Mota – Spanish radio announcer for the Anaheim Angels and son of Manny Mota
 * Tracy Murray – former basketball player
 * Anna Nalick – singer
 * Vince Neil – singer
 * Adam Plutko - baseball player
 * Sally Rand – actress and dancer
 * Raylene – pornographic actress
 * Tony Robbins – motivational speaker
 * Aaron Rowand – baseball player
 * Misty Rowe – actress on Hee Haw
 * Julie Smith – Olympic gold medalist
 * Lynsi Snyder – owner of In-N-Out Burger
 * Alex Solis – jockey
 * Woody Strode – actor, American football player
 * The Surfaris – surf music band
 * Philip Shahbaz - voice of Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad in the Assassin’s Creed franchise
 * Deontay Wilder - World Heavy Weight Champion 2015-2020
 * Shawn Wooten – baseball player
 * DJ Peters – baseball player

Sister cities
Since about 2000, there has been an ongoing student exchange program between Goddard Middle School and Moka Higashi Junior High School. There is an ongoing student exchange program between Sandburg Middle School and Nakamura Junior High School.
 * 🇯🇵 Moka, Japan
 * 🇲🇽 Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico

title: Glendora, California


text:
Hawaiian Gardens, California

Hawaiian Gardens is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. It is the smallest city in the county in area (approximately 1.0 mi2) and was incorporated on April 9, 1964. The population was 14,149 at the 2020 census, down slightly from 14,254 at the 2010 census.

The city's unusual name originated with a 1920s refreshment stand that was decorated with palm fronds and bamboo. It was the then-rural area's main landmark for many years, and its name stuck as the small town grew up around it. As one of seven Los Angeles County cities that allow casino gambling, more than $9.2 million (65%) of the city's revenue comes from the Gardens Casino.

Geography
Hawaiian Gardens is bounded by the Los Angeles County cities of Long Beach and Lakewood and by the Orange County city of Cypress.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.0 sqmi. 1.0 sqmi of it is land and 0.01 sqmi of it (1.09%) is water. Hawaiian Gardens is the smallest city in area in Los Angeles County.

History
After a nineteenth-century property bubble crashed, Los Angeles began growing again, and by the turn of the century had reached 100,000 inhabitants. But the area that would become Hawaiian Gardens (then known as "The Delta") remained largely a rural area with dairy and truck farms and some oil development. In 1927, a fruit stand with palms was opened on the corner of two dirt roads of Carson Street and Norwalk Boulevard called Hawaiian Gardens. Thus, the name was born. During the Great Depression, the area became a refuge for people to buy or build a home due to low land costs, despite poor roads, frequent flooding, and limited access to electricity.

In the late 1920s, only Norwalk Blvd was a paved road. For the next 35 years, except for Pioneer Boulevard, Norwalk Boulevard, and Carson Street, the little town would be all dirt roads. When the city was incorporated in 1964, the paving of roads began immediately. By 1966, all streets south of Carson between Pioneer and Norwalk were paved. By 1968, all streets were paved, and the three major thoroughfares of Norwalk, Pioneer, and Carson were widened to current traffic standards.

Historic structures lost

 * Van Kampen Dairy Drive-In (1959–2011); razed for parking lot in 2013; SW Corner of Norwalk and 226th Streets
 * Bloomfield Elementary School (1924–1986); sold for $3 million in lieu of current shopping center; 12100 Carson St
 * Homebase Warehouse Store (1989–2007); sold and razed for the current bingo club at 21900 Norwalk Blvd.
 * Historic Section at 22100–21700 Norwalk Boulevard; razed in 1989 for Homebase Warehouse Store. This whole east side of Norwalk Boulevard had a few cafes, businesses, and beauty salons, some of which dated back to the 1950s.
 * Plowboys Market (1956–1999); family-owned supermarket replaced by the Gardens Casino; there were also other businesses replaced, including a Pic 'N' Save
 * The original Hawaiian Gardens City Hall (1964–1979); building razed 1988 for Gardens Shopping Center; 12134 Tilbury St.
 * The original Hawaiian Gardens Library (1979–1988); building razed 1988 for Gardens Shopping Center; 12134 Tilbury St.

2010
At the 2010 census Hawaiian Gardens had a population of 14,254. The population density was 14,905.0 PD/sqmi. The racial makeup of Hawaiian Gardens was 6,477 (45.4%) White (7.3% Non-Hispanic White), 546 (3.8%) African American, 178 (1.2%) Native American, 1,513 (10.6%) Asian, 57 (0.4%) Pacific Islander, 4,929 (34.6%) from other races, and 554 (3.9%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11,010 persons (77.2%).

The census reported that 14,238 people (99.9% of the population) lived in households, 16 (0.1%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and no one was institutionalized.

There were 3,562 households, 1,930 (54.2%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 1,819 (51.1%) were married couples living together, 714 (20.0%) had a female householder with no husband present, 337 (9.5%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 217 (6.1%) partnerships, and 20 (0.6%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 534 households (15.0%) were one person and 246 (6.9%) had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 4.00. There were 2,870 families (80.6% of households); the average family size was 4.33.

The age distribution was 4,576 people (32.1%) under the age of 18, 1,759 people (12.3%) aged 18 to 24, 4,109 people (28.8%) aged 25 to 44, 2,684 people (18.8%) aged 45 to 64, and 1,126 people (7.9%) who were 65 or older. The median age was 28.4 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.9 males.

There were 3,703 housing units at an average density of 3,872.1 per square mile, of the occupied units 1,577 (44.3%) were owner-occupied and 1,985 (55.7%) were rented. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.7%; the rental vacancy rate was 4.3%. 6,247 people (43.8% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 7,991 people (56.1%) lived in rental housing units.

According to the 2010 United States Census, Hawaiian Gardens had a median household income of $42,017, with 24.4% of the population living below the federal poverty line.

2000
At the 2000 census there were 14,779 people in 3,507 households, including 2,868 families, in the city. The population density was 15,389.5 PD/sqmi. There were 3,624 housing units at an average density of 3,773.7 /mi2. The racial makeup of the city was 38.24% White, 4.45% Black or African American, 1.28% Native American, 8.80% Asian, 0.74% Pacific Islander, 41.65% from other races, and 4.85% from two or more races. 62.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Of the 3,507 households 52.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.8% were married couples living together, 19.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.2% were non-families. 14.2% of households were one person and 5.8% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 4.21 and the average family size was 4.52.

The age distribution was 36.8% under the age of 18, 12.6% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 14.4% from 45 to 64, and 6.2% 65 or older. The median age was 25 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.4 males.

The median household income was $34,500 and the median family income was $31,840. Males had a median income of $21,074 versus $20,643 for females. The per capita income for the city was $10,728. About 19.8% of families and 22.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.4% of those under age 18 and 15.2% of those age 65 or over.

City government
The City of Hawaiian Gardens is a general law city and governs itself as a council-manager form of government. The city council is elected at-large. The city council appoints the city manager. The council establishes policies and ordinances and the city manager, assisted by the department heads, implements them. It is a contract city, meaning its main municipal services (fire, police, library) are contracted to other regional agencies. Prior to the passage of Proposition 13 in 1978, this, along with the city's gambling revenue, allowed it to keep property taxes very low. Incorporation in 1964 was primarily intended to prevent annexation to Long Beach, a full-service city with higher property taxes. As a small municipal enclave centered around gambling near many transit arteries, it has been called the "Money Laundering Capital" of Southern California.

The city council members must be Hawaiian Gardens residents and registered voters. As specified by the Constitution of California, city elections are non-partisan. One council member is also selected as a member of the Gateway Cities Council of Governments.

State and federal representation
In the California State Legislature, Hawaiian Gardens is in, and in.

In the United States House of Representatives, Hawaiian Gardens is in.

Public services
Fire protection in Hawaiian Gardens is provided by the Los Angeles County Fire Department with ambulance transport by Care Ambulance Service.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department operates the Lakewood Station in Lakewood, serving Hawaiian Gardens.

The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services operates the Whittier Health Center in Whittier, serving Hawaiian Gardens.

Hawaiian Gardens is served by the United States Postal Service Los Alamitos Post Office, located at 10650 Reagan St, Los Alamitos, CA 90720. Los Cerritos Community News serves the city.

Library Services are provided by the Los Angeles County Public Library, which operates a local branch at 11940 Carson St.

Education
Hawaiian Gardens is served by the ABC Unified School District.

Schools within Hawaiian Gardens include Venn W. Furgeson Elementary School, Hawaiian Elementary School, and Fedde Middle School (formerly called Killingsworth Junior High School).

High school students are zoned to Artesia High School in Lakewood.

The city is represented by the Cerritos Community College district and pays bonds to build facilities in that district, but geographically is closer to the Liberal Arts campus of Long Beach City College.

Top employers
According to the city's 2020 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:

title: Hawaiian Gardens, California