Discover

: ''See also: East Los Angeles (region)''

'East Los Angeles' (often shortened to 'East L.A.' or 'East Los' or in Spanish 'El Este') is an unincorporated area in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The community is bounded by the Boyle Heights neighborhood of the city of Los Angeles to the west, the unincorporated area of City Terrace to the northwest, the city of Monterey Park to the northeast, the city of Montebello to the east, and the city of Commerce to the south. It forms part of the East Los Angeles region. The unincorporated area of East Los Angeles was once known as "Maravilla" and also "Belvedere Gardens," just like Chinatown and parts of Lincoln Heights were once known as "Sonoratown" because of the Mexican population that inhabited them. As of the 2000 census, this area had a total population of 124,283. East Los Angeles is represented by Gloria Molina in the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. This community receives its police service from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and fire service is provided by the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

Contents

Geography

Demographics

Emergency services

Education

Political Issues

Notable residents

Popular Culture

External links

Geography

East Los Angeles is located at (34.031462, -118.168653). East Los Angeles lies directly east of downtown Los Angeles. (see map)
According to the United States Census Bureau, the community has a total area of 19.3 km² (7.4 mi²), all land.

Demographics

'East Los Angeles CDP Population by year [1], [2]

'2000' 124,283 '1990' 126,379 '1980' 110,017 '1970' 104,881 '1960' 104,270

As of the census of 2000, there were 124,283 people, 29,844 households, and 25,068 families residing in the community. The population density was 6,449.7/km² (16,697.4/mi²). There were 31,096 housing units at an average density of 1,613.7/km² (4,177.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the community was 39.26% White, 0.39% Black or African American, 1.29% Native American, 0.77% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 54.01% from other races, and 4.22% from two or more races. 96.80% of the population were Hispanic or Latino; Hispanics or Latinos can be of any race.
There were 29,844 households out of which 51.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.1% were married couples living together, 21.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.0% were non-families. 12.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.15 and the average family size was 4.42.
In the community the population was spread out with 34.6% under the age of 18, 12.6% from 18 to 24, 30.7% from 25 to 44, 14.2% from 45 to 64, and 7.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 26 years. For every 100 females there were 101.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.2 males.
The median income for a household in the community was $28,544, and the median income for a family was $29,755. Males had a median income of $21,065 versus $18,475 for females. The per capita income for the community was $9,543. About 24.7% of families and 27.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 35.0% of those under age 18 and 13.5% of those age 65 or over.

Emergency services

Since East Los Angeles is an unincorporated area, fire protection in East Los Angeles is provided by the Los Angeles County Fire Department with ambulance transport by Care Ambulance Service. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department provides law enforcement.

Education

East Los Angeles is split between Los Angeles Unified School District and Montebello Unified School District [3].
The only high school in the LAUSD section of East L.A. is James A. Garfield High School. There are current plans for the building of Esteban Torres High School in the former Hammel Street Elementary School grounds (Hammel ES still exists at a new address). The high school is expected to open in 2010.
Adult Education programs from the Eastside Learning Center and East Los Angeles Occupational Center are intended and currently plan to be relocated at the East LA Star Hospital site. The East La Star Adult Educationproject is expected to be completed by 2011.
East Los Angeles College was once part of East Los Angeles until Monterey Park annexed East Los Angeles College.

Political Issues

Despite multiple failed attempts in the past, residents are currently campaigning for cityhood for East Los Angeles. [4] A ballot measure may appear in November 2008. [5] Proponents of incorporation include California State Senator Gloria Romero.

Notable residents

★ De la Hoya, Oscar -- Gold medalist and world boxing champion.

★ Lucille Roybal-Allard -- Representative in the U.S. Congress

★ Jaime Escalante -- Teacher

★ Maria Helena Viramontes -- chicana fiction writer.

★ Edward James Olmos -- Actor, Producer, and Director

★ Juan Rangel -- Chicano Comedian - Long time resident of Exeter, California

★ Kid Frost -- Chicano Rapper

★ Val Valentino -- Latino magician (grew up in East Los Angeles and later moved to Las Vegas)

★ Taboo, -- Latino Singer in the group Black Eyed Peas. (Family graduated from Garfield High School).

Popular Culture

East L.A. was both the origin and destination of Cheech Marin in both the song and the movie Born in East L.A.. At the end of the song (which was a parody of Born in the U.S.A.), he parodies Randy Newman's I Love L.A. by singing the East L.A. streets Soto Street, Brooklyn Avenue, City Terrace, and Whittier Boulevard.
The Boyle Heights area of Los Angeles is often mistakenly referred to as East L.A.

External links

★ Cityhood for East Los Angeles

★ Eastside Gold Line Extension

★ PBS history of East Los Angeles

★ Map of East Los Angeles

★ The Gangs of East Los