Rowland Heights, California
Encyclopedia
Rowland Heights is an unincorporated community of 13.1 square miles (33.9 km²), located in and below the Puente Hills
in the San Gabriel Valley
, in Los Angeles County, California
. The population of the census-designated place
(CDP) was 48,993 at the 2010 census, up from 48,553 at the 2000 census. Because Rowland Heights is an unincorporated community instead of an incorporated city, it is dependent upon County of Los Angeles representation (County Board of Supervisors
).
was granted to John Rowland
and William Workman
in 1842. In 1868, John Rowland and William Workman divided Rancho La Puente, leaving Rowland the eastern half and Workman the western half. Rowland Heights was originally part of the Workman Temple homestead in California's rancho days. The original John A. Rowland homestead was behind the 99 Ranch Market
near the corner of Gale Avenue and Nogales Street.
Rowland Heights has grown significantly during the 1990s. Originally built on a pig
farm
that covered much of modern day Rowland Heights, the Rowland Homestead was mostly orange
groves until the eastward sprawl from Los Angeles spawned working-class communities and affordable housing developments then formed. As the 60 freeway
was extended beyond the western boundary, the community continued growth equal to that of most communities in Southern California. Development next to the freeway, zoned for industrial investment, eventually helped to support the housing developments that continued well into the 21st century.
Since the 1980s, many upper-middle-class immigrants from Taiwan
and South Korea
have settled in the hillside homes of Rowland Heights (and in neighboring regions such as Hacienda Heights
, Walnut
, and Diamond Bar). Also, Rowland Heights has also attracted immigrants from mainland China because the area is advertised in China as having good homes and convenient shopping. Additionally, working-class Latino
s have settled in the lower, flat sections. The city has developed an eclectic suburban "Chinatown
" and "Koreatown
", mostly in the form of upscale strip malls mostly on Colima Road, with another concentration around Nogales Street. There are several large Asian supermarket
s - such as a 99 Ranch Market (billed as the chain's largest location during the late 1980s), Hong Kong Supermarket
, and Monterey Park-based Shun Fat Supermarket
(a relatively recent development that replaced Vons market) - in the area. Also there are Korean supermarkets such as DoReMi Market (it used to be known as HanGook Market but changed its name recently) and Greenland Market.
Once predominantly Anglo and Hispanic, this area has gradually become one of the Chinese centers in the greater Los Angeles. Originally formed by the stream of business expansions from Monterey Park
(now a heavily mainland Chinese enclave), which is the undisputed "Chinatown" of Los Angeles, Rowland Heights has become an area comparable to a "Chinatown" by itself largely populated by Taiwanese. Locals refer to Rowland Heights as "Little Taipei", due to its high concentration of Taiwan
ese restaurants and businesses. It has become the center for Chinese commercial and cultural activity in the southeastern region of the San Gabriel Valley. While Rowland Heights and adjacent areas are still predominantly Waishengren (mainland Chinese refugees who fled to Taiwan in 1949
), in recent years many mainland Chinese] emigres have also been increasingly purchasing homes and starting small businesses in the area. As an example, some eateries of Taiwanese cuisine are now actually operated by mainland Chinese. Additionally, there are several popular eateries in the area, including Supreme Dragon (serving mainland Chinese noodle and dumplings), a Taiwanese-style food court
inside a strip mall, and Happy Harbor Seafood Restaurant (inside of the 99 Ranch Market center) as well as several trendy restaurants geared towards the young and affluent Asian population such as a large Thai restaurant called Coconut Bay Bar & Grill across from 99 Ranch Supermarket. More recently, a popular branch of the Taco Bell fast-food franchise very close to a local high school was replaced by a Vietnamese beef noodle soup
(or Pho
) restaurant, located at the corner of Colima Road and Otterbein Avenue.
Possibly owing to Rowland Heights as evolving into the cultural center for the Chinese diaspora,
mostly 49er Taiwanese (multi-generational natives of the island formerly known as Formosa), with a growing number of mainland Chinese - and as the connection to and from northern Orange County (mostly to the city of La Habra), Fullerton Road in Rowland Heights is among the heavily traversed roads in the region.
As with most housing patterns in the Southland, pricier homes are usually found on the nearby hills, while more affordable housing is located close to the freeways. In this case, these are located near Highway 60 by the City of Industry.
Unlike its unincorporated neighbor to the west (Hacienda Heights), Rowland Heights has never held a cityhood election. However, recent talks about the County shortchanging the area in terms of basic services, the views of the RHCCC, the potential development of the hills above Rowland Heights along with annexation from the ever-encroaching Diamond Bar - concerned residents have banded together in a Political Action Committee the Rowland Heights Advocate for City Hood ID#1296887 to research the possibility of becoming a city.
(LASD) operates the Walnut/Diamond Bar Station in Walnut
. It is spread out over 260 square miles (673.4 km²), encompassing the contract cities of Diamond Bar and Walnut, and the unincorporated area of Rowland Heights Heights. In addition the LASD operates the Rowland Heights Asian Community Center.
Rowland Heights is located in Los Angeles County
. It lies where Los Angeles County, Orange County
and San Bernardino County
meet.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the CDP has a total area of 13.1 mi2, all of it land.
was 3,745.2 people per square mile (1,446.0/km²). The racial makeup of Rowland Heights was 11,506 (23.5%) White, 772 (1.6%) African American, 175 (0.4%) Native American, 29,284 (59.8%) Asian, 61 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 5,658 (11.5%) from other races
, and 1,537 (3.1%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13,229 persons (27.0%).
The Census reported that 48,831 people (99.7% of the population) lived in households, 148 (0.3%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 14 (0%) were institutionalized.
There were 14,520 households, out of which 5,557 (38.3%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 9,137 (62.9%) were opposite-sex married couples
living together, 2,080 (14.3%) had a female householder with no husband present, 1,097 (7.6%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 424 (2.9%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships
, and 69 (0.5%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 1,585 households (10.9%) were made up of individuals and 638 (4.4%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.36. There were 12,314 families
(84.8% of all households); the average family size was 3.54.
The population was spread out with 9,960 people (20.3%) under the age of 18, 4,854 people (9.9%) aged 18 to 24, 12,918 people (26.4%) aged 25 to 44, 14,819 people (30.2%) aged 45 to 64, and 6,442 people (13.1%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.2 years. For every 100 females there were 96.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.9 males.
There were 15,152 housing units at an average density of 1,158.3 per square mile (447.2/km²), of which 9,811 (67.6%) were owner-occupied, and 4,709 (32.4%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.8%; the rental vacancy rate was 7.2%. 33,167 people (67.7% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 15,664 people (32.0%) lived in rental housing units.
operates the Pomona Health Center in Pomona
, serving Rowland Heights.
In the state legislature
Rowland Heights is located in the 24th and 29th Senate
Districts, represented by Democrat Gloria J. Romero and Republican Bob Huff
respectively, and in the 58th and 60th Assembly
Districts, represented by Democrat Charles M. Calderon
and Republican Curt Hagman
respectively. Federally, Rowland Heights is located in California's 38th
and 42nd
congressional districts, which have Cook PVIs
of D +20 and R +10 and are represented by Democrat Grace Napolitano
and Republican Gary Miller
respectively.
and the Metro
provide bus transit services throughout the San Gabriel Valley
. The main Metro Bus Terminal is in El Monte
. In addition, the Metrolink
commuter train runs west towards Downtown Los Angeles
and east to San Bernardino
through the Valley.
Several cities such as Monterey Park
and West Covina
provide their own in-city transportation shuttles. The fare is usually 25 cents.
The San Gabriel Valley is served by several major freeways, including the San Bernardino Freeway
(Interstate 10), Foothill Freeway (I-210
), San Gabriel River Freeway (I-605), and the Long Beach Freeway (I-710). State highways include the Orange Freeway (State Route 57
), the Pomona Freeway (State Route 60
), Ventura Freeway
(State Route 134), and the Pasadena Freeway
(State Route 110).
The Long Beach Freeway (I-710) ends abruptly (or begins, depending on one's perspective) on the western border of Alhambra
, near California State University, Los Angeles
. For several years, the extension of the 710 Freeway to the 110 Freeway in Pasadena has generated a long, controversial, and contentious debate. Many residents in South Pasadena
fear losing their homes and businesses to clear the way for construction. The MTA, an ardent proponent of the extension, has proposed the idea of constructing an underground tunnel connecting the two freeways.
In 2002, the Foothill Freeway was extended beginning from San Dimas
and La Verne
, just outside of the San Gabriel Valley area. It replaced the State Route 30 and it reaches into San Bernardino County
.
State Route 39 (Azusa Avenue and San Gabriel Canyon Road) leads north into the San Gabriel Mountains
to the Crystal Lake Recreation Area
. The portion connecting to the Angeles Crest Highway
(State Route 2) is inaccessible and has been closed off since the early 1970s due to rockslides.
China Airlines
operates private bus services to Los Angeles International Airport
from Hong Kong Super Market at 18414 Colima Road in Rowland Heights, 91748 to feed its flight to Taipei
, Taiwan
.
has 4 National Blue Ribbon Schools, 16 "California State Distinguished Schools" and more state Golden Bell awards than any other school district in the region. There are more than 16,000 students and 21 elementary and secondary schools in the district, serving the communities of Rowland Heights, Walnut
, La Puente, City of Industry
and West Covina. Students from other communities may attend Rowland Heights schools after obtaining a permit.
Public High Schools in Rowland Heights:
Alternative Schools
Public primary/middle schools
Mount San Antonio College is in nearby Walnut
, to serve area High Schools.
Barbara Boxer
(Democrat)
URL: Senator Boxer's Homepage
U.S. Senate: California
Dianne Feinstein
(Democrat)
URL: Senator Feinstein's Homepage
U.S. Congress: 38th District
Grace Napolitano
(Democrat)
URL: Congresswoman Napolitano's Homepage
U.S. Congress: 42nd District
Gary G. Miller (Republican)
URL: Congressman Miller's Homepage
California State Senate: 24th District
Gloria J. Romero (Democrat)
URL: Senator Romero's Homepage
California State Senate: 29th District
Bob Huff
(Republican)
URL: Senator Huff's Homepage
California State Assembly: 58th District
Charles M. Calderon
(Democrat)
URL: Assemblyman Calderon's Homepage
California State Assembly: 60th District
Curt Hagman
(Republican)
URL: Assemblyman Hagman's Homepage
Los Angeles County: 4th Supervisorial District
Don Knabe
(Republican)
URL: Supervisor Knabe's Homepage
Puente Hills
The Puente Hills is a chain of hills, one of the lower Transverse Ranges, in an unincorporated area in eastern Los Angeles County, California.-Geography:...
in the San Gabriel Valley
San Gabriel Valley
The San Gabriel Valley is one of the principal valleys of Southern California, United States. It lies to the east of Los Angeles, to the north of the Puente Hills, to the south of the San Gabriel Mountains, and west of the Inland Empire. It derives its name from the San Gabriel River that flows...
, in Los Angeles County, California
Los Angeles County, California
Los Angeles County is a county in the U.S. state of California. As of 2010 U.S. Census, the county had a population of 9,818,605, making it the most populous county in the United States. Los Angeles County alone is more populous than 42 individual U.S. states...
. The population of the census-designated place
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
(CDP) was 48,993 at the 2010 census, up from 48,553 at the 2000 census. Because Rowland Heights is an unincorporated community instead of an incorporated city, it is dependent upon County of Los Angeles representation (County Board of Supervisors
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is the five-member nonpartisan governing board of Los Angeles County, California. Members of the board of supervisors are elected by district. They were as of December 2, 2008:*District 1: Gloria Molina...
).
History
The Mexican land grant Rancho La PuenteRancho La Puente
Rancho La Puente was a ranch in the eastern San Gabriel Valley that, in its fullest extent, measured just under , and remained intact until about 1870. By modern landmarks, the ranch extended from San Gabriel River on the west to just west of the 57 Freeway on the east and from Ramona...
was granted to John Rowland
John A. Rowland
John A. Rowland was an early settler and rancher of the eastern San Gabriel Valley area of Los Angeles County, California. He and his family were very prominent in the region's early development and the unincorporated community of Rowland Heights, California is named for him.-Early life:John...
and William Workman
Workman-Temple family
The Workman-Temple family relates to the pioneer interconnected Workman and Temple families that were prominent in: the history of colonial Pueblo de Los Angeles and American Los Angeles; the Los Angeles Basin and San Gabriel Valley regions; and Southern California — from 1830 to 1930 in Mexican...
in 1842. In 1868, John Rowland and William Workman divided Rancho La Puente, leaving Rowland the eastern half and Workman the western half. Rowland Heights was originally part of the Workman Temple homestead in California's rancho days. The original John A. Rowland homestead was behind the 99 Ranch Market
99 Ranch Market
Although most of its customers are ethnic Chinese Americans and Taiwanese Americans, shoppers also include recent immigrants from China, ethnic Chinese from Vietnam, and others. The chain sells a wide range of imported food products and merchandise from Hong Kong, Japan, Mainland China, Taiwan, ...
near the corner of Gale Avenue and Nogales Street.
Rowland Heights has grown significantly during the 1990s. Originally built on a pig
Pig
A pig is any of the animals in the genus Sus, within the Suidae family of even-toed ungulates. Pigs include the domestic pig, its ancestor the wild boar, and several other wild relatives...
farm
Farm
A farm is an area of land, or, for aquaculture, lake, river or sea, including various structures, devoted primarily to the practice of producing and managing food , fibres and, increasingly, fuel. It is the basic production facility in food production. Farms may be owned and operated by a single...
that covered much of modern day Rowland Heights, the Rowland Homestead was mostly orange
Orange (fruit)
An orange—specifically, the sweet orange—is the citrus Citrus × sinensis and its fruit. It is the most commonly grown tree fruit in the world....
groves until the eastward sprawl from Los Angeles spawned working-class communities and affordable housing developments then formed. As the 60 freeway
California State Route 60
State Route 60 is a state highway in the U.S. state of California. It runs from Interstate 10 near the Los Angeles River in Los Angeles east to I-10 in Riverside County, with overlaps at State Route 57 and Interstate 215.-Route description:...
was extended beyond the western boundary, the community continued growth equal to that of most communities in Southern California. Development next to the freeway, zoned for industrial investment, eventually helped to support the housing developments that continued well into the 21st century.
Since the 1980s, many upper-middle-class immigrants from Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
and South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
have settled in the hillside homes of Rowland Heights (and in neighboring regions such as Hacienda Heights
Hacienda Heights, California
Hacienda Heights is an unincorporated census-designated place in and below the Puente Hills of the San Gabriel Valley, in Los Angeles County, California, United States...
, Walnut
Walnut, California
Walnut is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 29,172 at the 2010 census and its current mayor is Tom King, a former Detective from the Los Angeles Police Department....
, and Diamond Bar). Also, Rowland Heights has also attracted immigrants from mainland China because the area is advertised in China as having good homes and convenient shopping. Additionally, working-class Latino
Latino
The demonyms Latino and Latina , are defined in English language dictionaries as:* "a person of Latin-American descent."* "A Latin American."* "A person of Hispanic, especially Latin-American, descent, often one living in the United States."...
s have settled in the lower, flat sections. The city has developed an eclectic suburban "Chinatown
Chinatown
A Chinatown is an ethnic enclave of overseas Chinese people, although it is often generalized to include various Southeast Asian people. Chinatowns exist throughout the world, including East Asia, Southeast Asia, the Americas, Australasia, and Europe. Binondo's Chinatown located in Manila,...
" and "Koreatown
Koreatown
Koreatown is a term to describe a Korean ethnic enclave within a city or metropolitan area. Similar terms may include Little Seoul or Little Korea.-Beijing:There are more than 150,000 Koreans living in Beijing...
", mostly in the form of upscale strip malls mostly on Colima Road, with another concentration around Nogales Street. There are several large Asian supermarket
Asian supermarket
An Asian supermarket, sometimes called an "Oriental supermarket", is a grocery store in non-Asian countries that stocks items imported from the many countries in East and Southeast Asia. They carry items and ingredients generally well-suited for Asian cuisines and not found in most Western...
s - such as a 99 Ranch Market (billed as the chain's largest location during the late 1980s), Hong Kong Supermarket
Hong Kong Supermarket
Hong Kong Supermarket is a growing supermarket chain in the Los Angeles region of Southern California. It operates mainly in the newer suburban overseas Chinese communities, particularly in the Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and New York City areas....
, and Monterey Park-based Shun Fat Supermarket
Shun Fat Supermarket
Shun Fat Supermarket is a small, but growing, Chinese Vietnamese American supermarket chain in the San Gabriel Valley region in California, Sacramento, California, San Pablo, California, and Las Vegas, Nevada....
(a relatively recent development that replaced Vons market) - in the area. Also there are Korean supermarkets such as DoReMi Market (it used to be known as HanGook Market but changed its name recently) and Greenland Market.
Once predominantly Anglo and Hispanic, this area has gradually become one of the Chinese centers in the greater Los Angeles. Originally formed by the stream of business expansions from Monterey Park
Monterey Park, California
Monterey Park is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States, east of downtown Los Angeles. The city's motto is "Pride in the past, Faith in the future"...
(now a heavily mainland Chinese enclave), which is the undisputed "Chinatown" of Los Angeles, Rowland Heights has become an area comparable to a "Chinatown" by itself largely populated by Taiwanese. Locals refer to Rowland Heights as "Little Taipei", due to its high concentration of Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
ese restaurants and businesses. It has become the center for Chinese commercial and cultural activity in the southeastern region of the San Gabriel Valley. While Rowland Heights and adjacent areas are still predominantly Waishengren (mainland Chinese refugees who fled to Taiwan in 1949
Chinese Civil War
The Chinese Civil War was a civil war fought between the Kuomintang , the governing party of the Republic of China, and the Communist Party of China , for the control of China which eventually led to China's division into two Chinas, Republic of China and People's Republic of...
), in recent years many mainland Chinese] emigres have also been increasingly purchasing homes and starting small businesses in the area. As an example, some eateries of Taiwanese cuisine are now actually operated by mainland Chinese. Additionally, there are several popular eateries in the area, including Supreme Dragon (serving mainland Chinese noodle and dumplings), a Taiwanese-style food court
Food court
A food court is generally an indoor plaza or common area within a facility that is contiguous with the counters of multiple food vendors and provides a common area for self-serve dining. Food courts may be found in shopping malls and airports, and in various regions may be a standalone development...
inside a strip mall, and Happy Harbor Seafood Restaurant (inside of the 99 Ranch Market center) as well as several trendy restaurants geared towards the young and affluent Asian population such as a large Thai restaurant called Coconut Bay Bar & Grill across from 99 Ranch Supermarket. More recently, a popular branch of the Taco Bell fast-food franchise very close to a local high school was replaced by a Vietnamese beef noodle soup
Beef noodle soup
Beef noodle soup is a Chinese noodle soup made of stewed beef, beef broth, vegetables and Chinese noodles. It exists in various forms throughout East Asia and Southeast Asia. It was created by the Hui people during the Tang Dynasty of China.In the West, this food may be served in a small portion...
(or Pho
PHO
PHO may refer to:* Primary Health Organisation* Potentially hazardous object, an asteroid or comet that could potentially collide with Earth...
) restaurant, located at the corner of Colima Road and Otterbein Avenue.
Possibly owing to Rowland Heights as evolving into the cultural center for the Chinese diaspora,
mostly 49er Taiwanese (multi-generational natives of the island formerly known as Formosa), with a growing number of mainland Chinese - and as the connection to and from northern Orange County (mostly to the city of La Habra), Fullerton Road in Rowland Heights is among the heavily traversed roads in the region.
As with most housing patterns in the Southland, pricier homes are usually found on the nearby hills, while more affordable housing is located close to the freeways. In this case, these are located near Highway 60 by the City of Industry.
Local politics
As part of an unincorporated community, Rowland Heights residents,circa 1980, formed a series of community based organizations, including the Rowland Heights Community Coordinating Council(or RHCCC) to give input to their government representatives (the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors) and their State and Federal legislators. Among the items of concern for the residents was the growth of the community away from a semi-rural setting to a more highly congested area. As a result, the Rowland Heights General Plan was formed to govern the growth of the community. Over the years these Rowland Heights community based organizations slowly disbanded until approximately 2000, when the Rowland Heights residents reestablished the RHCCC to take on the issues of unmitigated and unplanned growth (increased building density), traffic, lack of community services, among other items. Through hard work, the residents were able to work with their County of Los Angeles representatives to put in place building density and design standards to control growth to some extent. To this day, the RHCCC continues to exist as a community-based organization of resident volunteers consisting of a Nine Person Board of Directors, a Development Committee, Community Improvement Committee, Membership Committee and other committees and task forces. The RHCCC is dedicated to provide a forum and a conduit for the flow of information for the residents of Rowland Heights regarding issues that affect the community and quality of life. It conducts a general meeting to present information to the public (including proposed development projects), a Board meeting to analyze community input and concerns and formulate a plan regarding how to address the same, a Development Committee to study proposed projects and their impact on the community, a Membership Committee to promote and increase awareness of community issues, and a Community Improvement Committee to address concerns with items such as graffiti abatement and community beautification.Unlike its unincorporated neighbor to the west (Hacienda Heights), Rowland Heights has never held a cityhood election. However, recent talks about the County shortchanging the area in terms of basic services, the views of the RHCCC, the potential development of the hills above Rowland Heights along with annexation from the ever-encroaching Diamond Bar - concerned residents have banded together in a Political Action Committee the Rowland Heights Advocate for City Hood ID#1296887 to research the possibility of becoming a city.
Community library
The library interior has 14000 square feet (1,300.6 m²) of space and has approximately 134,215 book titles, 260 magazine and newspaper subscriptions, 7,004 audio recordings and 5,798 video cassettes. The Library also has resources of ethnic and non-English (Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Vietnamese) materials, local history materials, telephone directories, pamphlets and maps, microforms and CD-ROM educational materials.The community room will seat approximately 80 persons.Law enforcement
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's DepartmentLos Angeles County Sheriff's Department
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is a local county law enforcement agency that serves Los Angeles County, California. It is the fourth largest local policing agency in the United States, with the New York City Police Department being the first. The second largest is the Chicago Police...
(LASD) operates the Walnut/Diamond Bar Station in Walnut
Walnut, California
Walnut is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 29,172 at the 2010 census and its current mayor is Tom King, a former Detective from the Los Angeles Police Department....
. It is spread out over 260 square miles (673.4 km²), encompassing the contract cities of Diamond Bar and Walnut, and the unincorporated area of Rowland Heights Heights. In addition the LASD operates the Rowland Heights Asian Community Center.
Geography
Rowland Heights is located at 33°58′51"N 117°53′23"W (33.980962, -117.889791).Rowland Heights is located in Los Angeles County
Los Angeles County, California
Los Angeles County is a county in the U.S. state of California. As of 2010 U.S. Census, the county had a population of 9,818,605, making it the most populous county in the United States. Los Angeles County alone is more populous than 42 individual U.S. states...
. It lies where Los Angeles County, Orange County
Orange County, California
Orange County is a county in the U.S. state of California. Its county seat is Santa Ana. As of the 2010 census, its population was 3,010,232, up from 2,846,293 at the 2000 census, making it the third most populous county in California, behind Los Angeles County and San Diego County...
and San Bernardino County
San Bernardino County, California
San Bernardino County is a county in the U.S. state of California. As of the 2010 census, the population was 2,035,210, up from 1,709,434 as of the 2000 census...
meet.
According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the CDP has a total area of 13.1 mi2, all of it land.
Demographics
| Rowland Heights CDP Population by year http://www.census.gov |
2010 48,993 2000 48,553 1990 42,647 1980 28,252 1970 16,881 |
2010
The 2010 United States Census reported that Rowland Heights had a population of 48,993. The population densityPopulation density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 3,745.2 people per square mile (1,446.0/km²). The racial makeup of Rowland Heights was 11,506 (23.5%) White, 772 (1.6%) African American, 175 (0.4%) Native American, 29,284 (59.8%) Asian, 61 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 5,658 (11.5%) from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1,537 (3.1%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13,229 persons (27.0%).
The Census reported that 48,831 people (99.7% of the population) lived in households, 148 (0.3%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 14 (0%) were institutionalized.
There were 14,520 households, out of which 5,557 (38.3%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 9,137 (62.9%) were opposite-sex married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 2,080 (14.3%) had a female householder with no husband present, 1,097 (7.6%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 424 (2.9%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships
POSSLQ
POSSLQ is an abbreviation for "Persons of Opposite Sex Sharing Living Quarters," a term coined in the late 1970s by the United States Census Bureau as part of an effort to more accurately gauge the prevalence of cohabitation in American households....
, and 69 (0.5%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 1,585 households (10.9%) were made up of individuals and 638 (4.4%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.36. There were 12,314 families
Family (U.S. Census)
A family or family household is defined by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes as "a householder and one or more other people related to the householder by birth, marriage, or adoption. They do not include same-sex married couples even if the marriage was performed in a state...
(84.8% of all households); the average family size was 3.54.
The population was spread out with 9,960 people (20.3%) under the age of 18, 4,854 people (9.9%) aged 18 to 24, 12,918 people (26.4%) aged 25 to 44, 14,819 people (30.2%) aged 45 to 64, and 6,442 people (13.1%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.2 years. For every 100 females there were 96.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.9 males.
There were 15,152 housing units at an average density of 1,158.3 per square mile (447.2/km²), of which 9,811 (67.6%) were owner-occupied, and 4,709 (32.4%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.8%; the rental vacancy rate was 7.2%. 33,167 people (67.7% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 15,664 people (32.0%) lived in rental housing units.
County, state, and federal politics
The Los Angeles County Department of Health ServicesLos Angeles County Department of Health Services
Health services to over 10 million residents in the Los Angeles County are provided by the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Mental health services are provided by the County Department of Mental Health...
operates the Pomona Health Center in Pomona
Pomona, California
-2010:The 2010 United States Census reported that Pomona had a population of 149,058, a slight decline from the 2000 census population. The population density was 6,491.2 people per square mile...
, serving Rowland Heights.
In the state legislature
California State Legislature
The California State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of California. It is a bicameral body consisting of the lower house, the California State Assembly, with 80 members, and the upper house, the California State Senate, with 40 members...
Rowland Heights is located in the 24th and 29th Senate
California State Senate
The California State Senate is the upper house of the California State Legislature. There are 40 state senators. The state legislature meets in the California State Capitol in Sacramento. The Lieutenant Governor is the ex officio President of the Senate and may break a tied vote...
Districts, represented by Democrat Gloria J. Romero and Republican Bob Huff
Bob Huff
Robert S. Huff is a U.S. politician, who is a Republican member of the California State Senate, representing the 29th Senate District, which includes portions of Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino counties...
respectively, and in the 58th and 60th Assembly
California State Assembly
The California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature. There are 80 members in the Assembly, representing an approximately equal number of constituents, with each district having a population of at least 420,000...
Districts, represented by Democrat Charles M. Calderon
Charles M. Calderon
Charles M. Calderon began his second stint in the California State Assembly in 2006. He represents the 58th District, which includes the cities of Montebello, Pico Rivera, Hacienda Heights Rowland Heights, South San Gabriel, South San Jose Hills, Valinda and portions of City of Industry, Downey,...
and Republican Curt Hagman
Curt Hagman
Curt Hagman is a Republican assemblyman from California's 60th State Assembly District The district includes all, or portions of Anaheim, Chino Hills, Diamond Bar, Industry, La Habra, La Habra Heights, La Mirada, Orange, Rowland Heights, San Dimas, Villa Park, Walnut, Whittier, and Yorba...
respectively. Federally, Rowland Heights is located in California's 38th
California's 38th congressional district
California's 38th congressional district is congressional district in the U.S. state of California based in Los Angeles County centered around suburban Los Angeles...
and 42nd
California's 42nd congressional district
California's 42nd congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of California that covers parts of Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino counties in Southern California.The district is currently represented by Republican Gary G...
congressional districts, which have Cook PVIs
Cook Partisan Voting Index
The Cook Partisan Voting Index , sometimes referred to as simply the Partisan Voting Index , is a measurement of how strongly an American congressional district or state leans toward one political party compared to the nation as a whole...
of D +20 and R +10 and are represented by Democrat Grace Napolitano
Grace Napolitano
Graciela Flores Napolitano is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2003. She is a member of the Democratic Party. She previously served in the California State Assembly and the Norwalk, City Council....
and Republican Gary Miller
Gary Miller
Gary Gene Miller is the U.S. Representative for , and previously the 41st, serving since 2003. He is a member of the Republican Party.-Early life, education and career:...
respectively.
Transportation
Foothill TransitFoothill Transit
Foothill Transit is a joint powers authority of 21 member cities in the San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys. It operates a fixed-route bus public transit service in the San Gabriel Valley of Greater Los Angeles, California.-Overview:...
and the Metro
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority is the California state-chartered regional transportation planning agency and public transportation operating agency for the County of Los Angeles formed in 1993 out of a merger of the Southern California Rapid Transit District and the...
provide bus transit services throughout the San Gabriel Valley
San Gabriel Valley
The San Gabriel Valley is one of the principal valleys of Southern California, United States. It lies to the east of Los Angeles, to the north of the Puente Hills, to the south of the San Gabriel Mountains, and west of the Inland Empire. It derives its name from the San Gabriel River that flows...
. The main Metro Bus Terminal is in El Monte
El Monte, California
El Monte is a residential, industrial, and commercial city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The city's slogan is "Welcome to Friendly El Monte," and historically is known as "The End of the Santa Fe Trail." As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 113,475,...
. In addition, the Metrolink
Metrolink (Southern California)
Metrolink is a commuter rail system serving Los Angeles and the surrounding area of Southern California; it currently consists of six lines and 55 stations using of track....
commuter train runs west towards Downtown Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
and east to San Bernardino
San Bernardino, California
San Bernardino is a city located in the Riverside-San Bernardino metropolitan area , and serves as the county seat of San Bernardino County, California, United States...
through the Valley.
Several cities such as Monterey Park
Monterey Park, California
Monterey Park is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States, east of downtown Los Angeles. The city's motto is "Pride in the past, Faith in the future"...
and West Covina
West Covina, California
West Covina is a city located in Los Angeles County, California. Located some east of Downtown Los Angeles in the eastern San Gabriel Valley, it is a mostly middle class suburb of Los Angeles...
provide their own in-city transportation shuttles. The fare is usually 25 cents.
The San Gabriel Valley is served by several major freeways, including the San Bernardino Freeway
San Bernardino Freeway
The San Bernardino Freeway, formerly known as the Ramona Freeway is a freeway in Los Angeles and Orange Counties in the southern part of the U.S. state of California. It refers to the following two segments:...
(Interstate 10), Foothill Freeway (I-210
Interstate 210 (California)
Interstate 210 and State Route 210 together form a contiguous highway, called the Foothill Freeway, in the Greater Los Angeles area of the U.S. state of California. The western portion of the route is an auxiliary Interstate Highway, while the eastern portion is a state highway...
), San Gabriel River Freeway (I-605), and the Long Beach Freeway (I-710). State highways include the Orange Freeway (State Route 57
California State Route 57
State Route 57 , also known as the Orange Freeway, is a north–south state highway in the Greater Los Angeles Area of the U.S. state of California. It connects the interchange of Interstate 5 and State Route 22 near downtown Orange, locally known as the Orange Crush, with the Glendora Curve...
), the Pomona Freeway (State Route 60
California State Route 60
State Route 60 is a state highway in the U.S. state of California. It runs from Interstate 10 near the Los Angeles River in Los Angeles east to I-10 in Riverside County, with overlaps at State Route 57 and Interstate 215.-Route description:...
), Ventura Freeway
Ventura Freeway
The Ventura Freeway is a freeway in southern California running from Ventura to Pasadena. It is the principal east-west route through Ventura County and in the southern San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles County. From Ventura to its intersection with the Hollywood Freeway in the southeastern San...
(State Route 134), and the Pasadena Freeway
Pasadena Freeway
The Arroyo Seco Parkway, formerly known as the Pasadena Freeway, is the first freeway in California and the western United States. It connects Los Angeles with Pasadena alongside the Arroyo Seco. It is notable not only for being the first, mostly opened in 1940, but for representing the...
(State Route 110).
The Long Beach Freeway (I-710) ends abruptly (or begins, depending on one's perspective) on the western border of Alhambra
Alhambra, California
Alhambra is a city located in the western San Gabriel Valley region of Los Angeles County, California, United States, which is approximately eight miles from the Downtown Los Angeles civic center. As of the 2010 census, the population was 83,089, down from 85,804 at the 2000 census. The city's...
, near California State University, Los Angeles
California State University, Los Angeles
California State University, Los Angeles is a public comprehensive university, part of the California State University system...
. For several years, the extension of the 710 Freeway to the 110 Freeway in Pasadena has generated a long, controversial, and contentious debate. Many residents in South Pasadena
South Pasadena, California
South Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 25,619, up from 24,292 at the 2000 census. It is located in in the West San Gabriel Valley...
fear losing their homes and businesses to clear the way for construction. The MTA, an ardent proponent of the extension, has proposed the idea of constructing an underground tunnel connecting the two freeways.
In 2002, the Foothill Freeway was extended beginning from San Dimas
San Dimas, California
San Dimas is a city located in the San Gabriel Valley, in Los Angeles County, California. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 33,371. The city historically took its name from San Dismas Canyon in the San Gabriel Mountains above the northern section of present day San Dimas...
and La Verne
La Verne, California
La Verne is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 31,063 at the 2010 census, down from 31,638 at the 2000 census.-History:...
, just outside of the San Gabriel Valley area. It replaced the State Route 30 and it reaches into San Bernardino County
San Bernardino County, California
San Bernardino County is a county in the U.S. state of California. As of the 2010 census, the population was 2,035,210, up from 1,709,434 as of the 2000 census...
.
State Route 39 (Azusa Avenue and San Gabriel Canyon Road) leads north into the San Gabriel Mountains
San Gabriel Mountains
The San Gabriel Mountains Range is located in northern Los Angeles County and western San Bernardino County, California, United States. The mountain range lies between the Los Angeles Basin and the Mojave Desert, with Interstate 5 to the west and Interstate 15 to the east...
to the Crystal Lake Recreation Area
Crystal Lake Recreation Area
Crystal Lake Recreation Area is part of the San Gabriel River District of the Angeles National Forest in California, USA. It consists of a lake, a public campground, and Deer Flats, a group campground. It is located approximately 26 miles north on Hwy...
. The portion connecting to the Angeles Crest Highway
Angeles Crest Highway
The Angeles Crest Highway is a two-lane segment of California State Route 2 in the United States. The road is in length, with its western terminus at the intersection at Foothill Boulevard in La Cañada Flintridge and its eastern terminus at State Route 138 northeast of Wrightwood...
(State Route 2) is inaccessible and has been closed off since the early 1970s due to rockslides.
China Airlines
China Airlines
China Airlines is both the flag carrier and the largest airline of Republic of China . Although not directly state-owned, the airline is owned by China Airlines Group, which is owned by the China Aviation Development Foundation...
operates private bus services to Los Angeles International Airport
Los Angeles International Airport
Los Angeles International Airport is the primary airport serving the Greater Los Angeles Area, the second-most populated metropolitan area in the United States. It is most often referred to by its IATA airport code LAX, with the letters pronounced individually...
from Hong Kong Super Market at 18414 Colima Road in Rowland Heights, 91748 to feed its flight to Taipei
Taipei
Taipei City is the capital of the Republic of China and the central city of the largest metropolitan area of Taiwan. Situated at the northern tip of the island, Taipei is located on the Tamsui River, and is about 25 km southwest of Keelung, its port on the Pacific Ocean...
, Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
.
Education
Rowland Unified School DistrictRowland Unified School District
Rowland Unified School District is a school district in the San Gabriel Valley, Los Angeles County, California. Its headquarters are in Rowland Heights, an unincorporated area in the county....
has 4 National Blue Ribbon Schools, 16 "California State Distinguished Schools" and more state Golden Bell awards than any other school district in the region. There are more than 16,000 students and 21 elementary and secondary schools in the district, serving the communities of Rowland Heights, Walnut
Walnut
Juglans is a plant genus of the family Juglandaceae, the seeds of which are known as walnuts. They are deciduous trees, 10–40 meters tall , with pinnate leaves 200–900 millimetres long , with 5–25 leaflets; the shoots have chambered pith, a character shared with the wingnuts , but not the hickories...
, La Puente, City of Industry
City of Industry
City of Industry may refer to:* City of Industry, California - a city located in Los Angeles County, California* City of Industry , directed by John Irvin and starring Harvey Keitel and Stephen Dorff...
and West Covina. Students from other communities may attend Rowland Heights schools after obtaining a permit.
Public High Schools in Rowland Heights:
- Rowland High School Students: 2,522) Grades: 09 - 12
- Nogales High School; Grades: 09 - 12
Alternative Schools
- Santana High School
- Rowland Unified Community Day School Students: 57; Grades: 07 - 12
Public primary/middle schools
- Blandford Elementary, Students: 640; Grades: K-6
- Hollingworth Elementary,
- Hurley Elementary,
- Fajardo Elementary; Grades K-6 CLOSED
- Jellick Elementary, Students; 573: Grades: K-6
- Killian Elementary Students: 662; Grades: K - 06
- La Seda Elementary School; Grades K-6 CLOSED
- Northam Elementary; Grades K-6
- Rorimer Elementary School, Students: 603;
- Rowland Elementary, Students; 585 Grades: K- 6
- Rowland Assistive Technology Academy, Special Education, Grades K-12
- Shelyn Elementary, Students: 669; Grades: K-6
- Stanley G. Oswalt Elementary School, 846 students, Grades: K-7
- Ybarra Academy for the Arts and Technology, Students 588; K-8
- Yorbita Elementary, Students:665; K-6
- Alvarado Intermediate, Students: 1,134; Grades: 7-8
- Giano Intermediate, Grades: 7-8
- Telesis Academy of Science and Technology, Grades: K-8
Mount San Antonio College is in nearby Walnut
Walnut
Juglans is a plant genus of the family Juglandaceae, the seeds of which are known as walnuts. They are deciduous trees, 10–40 meters tall , with pinnate leaves 200–900 millimetres long , with 5–25 leaflets; the shoots have chambered pith, a character shared with the wingnuts , but not the hickories...
, to serve area High Schools.
Political Representation - Government
U.S. Senate: CaliforniaBarbara Boxer
Barbara Boxer
Barbara Levy Boxer is the junior United States Senator from California . A member of the Democratic Party, she previously served in the U.S. House of Representatives ....
(Democrat)
URL: Senator Boxer's Homepage
U.S. Senate: California
Dianne Feinstein
Dianne Feinstein
Dianne Goldman Berman Feinstein is the senior U.S. Senator from California. A member of the Democratic Party, she has served in the Senate since 1992. She also served as 38th Mayor of San Francisco from 1978 to 1988....
(Democrat)
URL: Senator Feinstein's Homepage
U.S. Congress: 38th District
Grace Napolitano
Grace Napolitano
Graciela Flores Napolitano is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2003. She is a member of the Democratic Party. She previously served in the California State Assembly and the Norwalk, City Council....
(Democrat)
URL: Congresswoman Napolitano's Homepage
U.S. Congress: 42nd District
Gary G. Miller (Republican)
URL: Congressman Miller's Homepage
California State Senate: 24th District
Gloria J. Romero (Democrat)
URL: Senator Romero's Homepage
California State Senate: 29th District
Bob Huff
Bob Huff
Robert S. Huff is a U.S. politician, who is a Republican member of the California State Senate, representing the 29th Senate District, which includes portions of Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino counties...
(Republican)
URL: Senator Huff's Homepage
California State Assembly: 58th District
Charles M. Calderon
Charles M. Calderon
Charles M. Calderon began his second stint in the California State Assembly in 2006. He represents the 58th District, which includes the cities of Montebello, Pico Rivera, Hacienda Heights Rowland Heights, South San Gabriel, South San Jose Hills, Valinda and portions of City of Industry, Downey,...
(Democrat)
URL: Assemblyman Calderon's Homepage
California State Assembly: 60th District
Curt Hagman
Curt Hagman
Curt Hagman is a Republican assemblyman from California's 60th State Assembly District The district includes all, or portions of Anaheim, Chino Hills, Diamond Bar, Industry, La Habra, La Habra Heights, La Mirada, Orange, Rowland Heights, San Dimas, Villa Park, Walnut, Whittier, and Yorba...
(Republican)
URL: Assemblyman Hagman's Homepage
Los Angeles County: 4th Supervisorial District
Don Knabe
Don Knabe
Donald R. Knabe is a member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, serving the Fourth District. Knabe is the current Chairman for the 2010 session. He recently was reelected on the June 3, 2008 election....
(Republican)
URL: Supervisor Knabe's Homepage