Westmont, California

Westmont, California
Unincorporated community
George Washington Preparatory High School
Location of Westmont in Los Angeles County, California.
Westmont, California Location in the United States
Coordinates: 33°56′29″N118°18′8″W / 33.94139°N 118.30222°W / 33.94139; -118.30222
Country	United States
State	California
County	Los Angeles
Area [1]
• Total	1.848 sq mi (4.785 km2)
• Land	1.848 sq mi (4.785 km2)
• Water	0 sq mi (0 km2)  0%
Elevation [2]	217 ft (66 m)
Population  (April 1, 2020) [3]
• Total	33,913
• Density	18,000/sq mi (7,100/km2)
Time zone	UTC-8 (Pacific)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP code	90047
Area codes	213/323 [4]
FIPS code	06-84592
GNIS feature ID	1867072

Westmont is an unincorporated community in Los Angeles County, California, a part of the South Los Angeles area, just east of Inglewood. The population was 33,913 at the 2020 census, ^[5] up from 31,853 at the 2010 census. For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau has defined Westmont as a census-designated place (CDP).

Geography

Westmont has a total area of 1.8 square miles (4.7 km²), all land. ^[6] It adjoins the Vermont Vista neighborhood of the city of Los Angeles.

History

In 2009, Westmont was the subject of a feature story by Hector Tobar in the Los Angeles Times who wrote that the community was "officially (but rarely) called Westmont" but that it had "no "'mont,' not even a hill. It got its name, it seems, from being west of Vermont Avenue." Tobar noted that Westmont's unemployment rate was at the time "a staggering 23.6%, the highest in Los Angeles County." ^[7]

Five years later, the strip of Vermont Avenue which is shared between Westmont and Vermont Vista was called "death alley" by the newspaper because during the past seven years sixty people had been killed by violence on that two-mile stretch. It remained at the highest rate of killings of any neighborhood in Los Angeles County. ^[8]

The 2014 article stated that "The area was long been controlled by a gang named the Underground Crips, whose members would, in more violent days, walk across Normandie Avenue to shoot at rivals." ^[9]

Demographics

According to the Los Angeles Times , fewer than six percent of residents held bachelor's degrees in 2000. The neighborhood is fraught with gang and police-related violence, as well as structural racism and entrenched poverty. ^[10]

For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau has designated the unincorporated area as a census designated place (CDP).

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1970	29,310		—
1980	27,916		−4.8%
1990	31,044		11.2%
2000	31,623		1.9%
2010	31,853		0.7%
2020	33,913		6.5%
[11]

2020

Westmont CDP, California – Racial and Ethnic Composition
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.

Race / Ethnicity	Pop 2010 [12]	Pop 2020 [13]	% 2010	% 2020
White alone (NH)	324	427	1.02%	1.26%
Black or African American alone (NH)	15,955	13,717	50.09%	40.45%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)	38	59	0.12%	0.17%
Asian alone (NH)	99	194	0.31%	0.57%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)	30	59	0.09%	0.17%
Some Other Race alone (NH)	148	231	0.46%	0.68%
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH)	388	831	1.22%	2.45%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	14,871	18,395	46.69%	54.24%
Total	31,853	33,913	100.00%	100.00%

2010

In the 2010 census Westmont had a population of 31,853. The population density was 17,239.9 inhabitants per square mile (6,656.4/km²). The racial makeup of Westmont was 16,262 (51.1%) African American, 5,037 (15.8%) white (including 1.0% non-Hispanic white), ^[14] 188 (0.6%) Native American, 126 (0.4%) Asian, 31 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 9,180 (28.8%) from other races, and 1,029 (3.2%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14,871 persons (46.7%). ^[15]

The census reported that 31,693 people (99.5% of the population) lived in households, 119 (0.4%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 41 (0.1%) were institutionalized.

There were 9,695 households, 4,750 (49.0%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 2,995 (30.9%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 3,194 (32.9%) had a female householder with no husband present, 904 (9.3%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 776 (8.0%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 52 (0.5%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 2,141 households (22.1%) were one person and 669 (6.9%) had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 3.27. There were 7,093 families (73.2% of households); the average family size was 3.78.

The age distribution was 9,860 people (31.0%) under the age of 18, 3,759 people (11.8%) aged 18 to 24, 8,577 people (26.9%) aged 25 to 44, 6,979 people (21.9%) aged 45 to 64, and 2,678 people (8.4%) who were 65 or older. The median age was 29.9 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.3 males.

There were 10,588 housing units at an average density of 5,730.6 per square mile, of the occupied units 3,012 (31.1%) were owner-occupied and 6,683 (68.9%) were rented. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.5%; the rental vacancy rate was 8.8%. 10,864 people (34.1% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 20,829 people (65.4%) lived in rental housing units.

2000

In the 2000 census there were 31,623 people, 9,255 households, and 7,089 families living in the CDP. The population density was 17,103.0 inhabitants per square mile (6,603.5/km²). There were 10,186 housing units at an average density of 5,509.0 per square mile (2,127.0/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 11.8% White, 58.0% African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 25.8% from other races, and 3.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 39.5%. ^[16]

Of the 9,255 households 47.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.9% were married couples living together, 34.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.4% were non-families. 19.2% of households were one person and 5.0% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 3.41 and the average family size was 3.85.

The age distribution was 37.8% under the age of 18, 10.5% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 16.3% from 45 to 64, and 6.0% 65 or older. The median age was 26 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.5 males.

The median household income was $23,323 and the median family income was $23,712. Males had a median income of $24,682 versus $25,775 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $9,765. About 35.3% of families and 36.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 46.7% of those under age 18 and 22.1% of those age 65 or over.

Mexican and Unspecified African were the most common ancestries according to Mapping L.A. Mexico and El Salvador were the most common foreign places of birth. ^[17]

Government

In the California State Legislature, Westmont is in the 30th Senate District , represented by Democrat Bob Archuleta, and in the 62nd Assembly District , represented by Democrat Anthony Rendon. ^[18]

In the United States House of Representatives, Westmont is in California's 43rd congressional district , represented by Democrat Maxine Waters. ^[19]

Law enforcement is provided by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. ^[20]

Education

Woodcrest School, 1151 109th Street

The area is within the Los Angeles Unified School District. ^[21]

Areas considered to be in Westmont are generally zoned to:^{[ citation needed ]}

• Century Park Elementary School
• Woodcrest Elementary School
• Washington Preparatory High School
• Middle College High School
• Animo South Los Angeles Charter High School

LAUSD schools in Westmont include: ^[22]

• Boys Academic Leadership Academy ^[23]
• George Washington Preparatory High School ^[24]
• Duke Ellington Continuation High School ^[25]
• Woodcrest Elementary School ^[26]
• 95th Street Elementary School ^[27]

Charter schools in Westmont include:

• Animo South Los Angeles Charter High School of Green Dot Public Schools ^[28]

Library Service

• Woodcrest Community Library, County of Los Angeles Public Library ^[29]

Notable people

• Ice Cube (O'Shea Jackson), rapper, actor, writer, producer, and director grew up on Van Wick Street in Westmont. ^[30]

See also

• Killing of Dijon Kizzee

• Greater Los Angeles portal

References

1. "2010 Census U.S. Gazetteer Files – Places – California". United States Census Bureau.
2. "Westmont". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior . Retrieved March 25, 2015.
3. "Westmont CDP QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved August 18, 2021.
4. "Planning Letter PL-494 NPA 213 and 323 Boundary Elimination Overlay (California)" (PDF). North American Numbering Plan Administration. August 9, 2016. p. 6. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
5. "Westmont CDP QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved August 18, 2021.
6. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
7. "Hope Endures in Hard Times," Los Angeles Times, September 15, 2009, image 2
8. Nicole Santa Cruz and Ken Schwencke, "Tiny Westmont Has L.A. County's Top Homicide Rate," Los Angeles Times, January 19, 2014, image 1 (with map of the area)
9. "Westmont's Tide of Violence," Los Angeles Times, January 19, 2014, image 18
10. Nicole Santa Cruz; Ruben Vives (September 5, 2020). "'A forgotten city': An L.A. community beset by police violence and crime hopes for change". L.A. Times.
11. "Historical Population Data for California". Archived from the original on March 11, 2007. Retrieved March 11, 2007.
12. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Westmont CDP, California". United States Census Bureau .
13. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Westmont CDP, California". United States Census Bureau .
14. "Census data". quickfacts.census.gov.
15. "2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA – Westmont CDP". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
16. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
17. "Westmont Profile - Mapping L.A. - Los Angeles Times". Los Angeles Times.
18. "Statewide Database". UC Regents. Archived from the original on February 1, 2015. Retrieved December 7, 2014.
19. "California's 43rd Congressional District - Representatives & District Map". Civic Impulse, LLC.
20. Santa Cruz, Nicole; Vives, Ruben (September 5, 2020). "'A forgotten city': An L.A. community beset by police violence and crime hopes for change". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
21. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Los Angeles County, CA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. p. 10 (PDF p. 11/19). Retrieved November 19, 2023.
22. "2020 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Westmont CDP, CA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau . Retrieved November 19, 2023. - Compare with school addresses
23. "Home". Boys Academic Leadership Academy. Retrieved November 19, 2023. 1511 W 110th St Los Angeles, CA 90047 - Compare to the census map
    Note: Note that the City of Houston had stated: "The U.S. Postal Service establishes ZIP codes and mailing addresses in order to maximize the efficiency of their system, not to recognize jurisdictional boundaries."
24. "Home". George Washington Preparatory High School . Retrieved November 19, 2023. 10860 S Denker Ave Los Angeles, CA 90047 - Compare address to the census map.
25. "Home". Duke Ellington Continuation High School. Retrieved November 19, 2023. 1541 W 110th St Los Angeles, CA 90047 - Compare address to the census map.
26. "Home". Woodcrest Elementary School. Retrieved November 19, 2023. 1151 W 109th St Los Angeles, CA 90044 - Compare address to the census map.
27. "Home". 95th Street Elementary School. Retrieved November 19, 2023. 1109 W 96th St Los Angeles, CA 90044 - Compare address to the census map.
28. "Home". Animo South Los Angeles Charter High School . Retrieved November 19, 2023. 11130 S. Western Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90047
29. "Woodcrest Library". County of Los Angeles Public Library . Retrieved November 19, 2023. 1340 W 106th St, Los Angeles, CA 90044 - Compare to the census map
    Note: Note that the City of Houston had stated: "The U.S. Postal Service establishes ZIP codes and mailing addresses in order to maximize the efficiency of their system, not to recognize jurisdictional boundaries."
30. Sunday William, "Ice Cube's Net Worth in 2020:Early Life," Kingged.com, January 9, 2020