South Gate, California
Encyclopedia
South Gate is a city in Los Angeles County
, California
, United States
. The sixteenth largest city in Los Angeles County, it encompasses 7.4 square miles (19.2 km²). South Gate is located just 7 miles (11.3 km) southeast of downtown Los Angeles It is part of the Gateway Cities
region of southeastern Los Angeles County. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 94,396, belying the California Department of Finance's January 1, 2009 estimate that the city had a total population of 102,770. The "City of South Gate" was incorporated on January 20, 1923. South Gate became known as an official "Azalea City" when it adopted the azalea as its official flower in 1965. An image of the azalea is used in the official “All American City” seal. In 1990, South Gate was one of ten U.S. communities to receive the All-America City Award
from the National Civic League
.
s. In the summer of 1769, a group of Spanish explorers set out from the coast of San Diego to explore the uncharted territory between San Diego and the Bay of Monterey. With them was Father Juan Crespi, considered by historians to be one of the great diarists of the new world explorations. His daily entries were remarkably revealing of the country through which the caravan passed. They proceeded in the general direction of the San Gabriel Valley, across the Los Angeles River, which Crespi named "Porciuncula" on August 2, 1769. There would be no history of South Gate without including the story of the Lugo Spanish Land Grant. That grant encompassed a great part of what is now the City of South Gate and is a vital and colorful part of this area's history. While stationed at Mission San Antonio de Padua
near Salinas
, California, Francisco Lugo’s first California son, Antonio Maria Lugo was born in 1775. That son became Don Antonio Maria Lugo, Spanish aristocrat and soldier, who settled on 30000 acres (121.4 km²) of land that encompasses what is now the City of South Gate. In 1810, the King of Spain formally granted the land to Lugo, the land grant was a reward for his and his father's military service to the crown. Rancho San Antonio extended from the low range of hills which separated it from the San Gabriel Valley to the old Dominguez Ranch at its south, and from the eastern boundary of the pueblo of Los Angeles to the San Gabriel River. Lugo also became the mayor of a little town called Los Angeles
, from 1816–1819,
A little more than 100 years after the establishment of the Lugo Land Grant, the area at the south gate of the ranch became the City of South Gate. As Don Lugo's family grew, he obtained San Bernardino Rancho and other grants in his children's names.
The future South Gate site and adjacent mesas presented a colorful spectacle when countless heads of cattle and horses were herded from all directions to a common point for the annual great spring rodeo. Lugo would direct the proceedings and settle disputes regarding ownership of contested animals as well as adjudicate agricultural disputes. In his saddle, he was the court and the plains his courtroom.
The Land Grant was handed down from generation to generation, dividing among offspring and eventually parceled and sold to people outside the Lugo family.
Don Antonio's son Vincente (1820–1889) built his adobe dwelling in the 1850s on 5.5 acres (22,257.7 m²). It is known as Lugo Ranch, and is situated on modern day Gage Avenue in the City of Bell Gardens.
Before the end of the 1870s, much of the original land grant had been replaced by tracts of 40 acres (161,874.4 m²). By 1880, cattle raising had been replaced by agriculture as the most important local industry. During the years between 1910 and 1940, most of the agricultural land was replaced by homes and factories. Today, with the land divided by freeways, it is difficult to imagine those early centuries when it was a vast plain stretching from the mountains to the sea.
The R.D. Tweedy family has played an important part in South Gate's history. Mr. Tweedy was born in 1812 in Illinois, and came to California by ox-drawn cart in 1852. Mrs. Tweedy rode across the prairies perched on her rocking chair in the ox cart. The family was large, and several generations have lived in this city. The family members bought some 2000 acres (8.1 km²) of the land on which much of South Gate was built. The "downtown business district" in South Gate was named after the family and is known as the Tweedy Mile.
The city was named in 1918 after the South Gate Gardens on the Cudahy Ranch. The city was incorporated five years later, in 1923, using the shortened form of the name. The name refers to the city's being south of Los Angeles.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area
of 7.4 square miles (19.2 km²). 7.2 square miles (18.6 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it is water
. The total area is 1.59% water.
The Los Angeles River
runs through the eastern part of South Gate.
was 12,837.6 people per square mile (4,956.6/km²). The racial makeup of South Gate was 47,645 (50.5%) White, 890 (0.9%) African American, 878 (0.9%) Native American, 732 (0.8%) Asian, 99 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 40,624 (43.0%) from other races
, and 3,528 (3.7%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 89,442 persons (94.8%).
The Census reported that 94,308 people (99.9% of the population) lived in households, 16 (0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 72 (0.1%) were institutionalized.
There were 23,278 households, out of which 13,805 (59.3%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 13,183 (56.6%) were opposite-sex married couples
living together, 4,706 (20.2%) had a female householder with no husband present, 2,261 (9.7%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 1,879 (8.1%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships
, and 134 (0.6%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 2,292 households (9.8%) were made up of individuals and 996 (4.3%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.05. There were 20,150 families
(86.6% of all households); the average family size was 4.24.
The population was spread out with 29,374 people (31.1%) under the age of 18, 11,298 people (12.0%) aged 18 to 24, 28,039 people (29.7%) aged 25 to 44, 19,062 people (20.2%) aged 45 to 64, and 6,623 people (7.0%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29.4 years. For every 100 females there were 96.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.9 males.
There were 24,160 housing units at an average density of 3,285.7 per square mile (1,268.6/km²), of which 10,658 (45.8%) were owner-occupied, and 12,620 (54.2%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.5%; the rental vacancy rate was 3.6%. 46,665 people (49.4% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 47,643 people (50.5%) lived in rental housing units.
The racial makeup of the city was 41.6% White (0.78% White Non-Hispanic), 1.2% Black or Afican-American
, 0.9% American Indian
and Alaska Native, 0.8% Asian
and 51% some other race (mostly Mestizo
). 92% of the population are Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There are 23,213 households out of which 58.2% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.6% are married couples living together, 18.4% have a female householder with no husband present, and 13.6% are non-families. 10.4% of all households are made up of individuals and 4.8% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 4.15 and the average family size is 4.37. In the city the population is spread out with 35.6% under the age of 18, 12.5% from 18 to 24, 31.6% from 25 to 44, 14.9% from 45 to 64, and 5.4% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 26 years. For every 100 females there are 98.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 95.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $35,695, and the median income for a family is $35,789. Males have a median income of $25,350 versus $19,978 for females. The per capita income for the city is $10,602. 19.2% of the population and 17.4% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 24.2% of those under the age of 18 and 12.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
58.08% of the people in South Gate, CA are religious, meaning they affiliate with a religion
. 39.99% are Catholic
; 6.75% are Protestant; 1.04% are LDS; 3.33% are another Christian faith; 5.93% in South Gate, CA are Jewish; 0.07% are an eastern faith; 0.98% affiliate with Islam.
During the 1940s and 1950s, South Gate was one of the most fiercely segregationist cities in Southern California. Gangs of white youths were known to prowl the streets looking for blacks who dared to cross over from neighboring Watts
. One of the most infamous clubs of the area at that time was the "Spook Hunters
".
The next year South Gate began to change. In August 1965, the Watts riots erupted. Watts was virtually 100 percent black, and South Gate, immediately to the east of Watts, was nearly 100 percent white. Although the rioters were mostly confined to black areas of south-central Los Angeles and did not cross the line into South Gate, younger whites in South Gate started to look elsewhere to buy their first houses. As the white population of South Gate began to decline, the Mexican population, which earlier had established a foothold, began to increase.
Since the 1970s, South Gate has had a large Hispanic
community, which became dominant in the 1990s as working-class Hispanics and immigrant Latin American families filled the vacuum left by white flight
.
South Gate's commercial activity is concentrated in the following zones:
As of April 1, 2009, the City of South Gate imposes a 10.25-percent,which is now 10.75. 11 cents per dollar sales tax (statewide plus local supplementary), which matches Pico Rivera
's sales tax rate as the highest in the State of California.
On July 9, 2009, the South Gate City Council held a special meeting where a resolution was adopted declaring a fiscal emergency for the City of South Gate. Resolution adopted declaring the City of South Gate in a fiscal emergency.
The City Council consists of five persons elected at large by the residents of South Gate. These Council members serve a four year term and establish the governing policies and procedures for the city. The Mayor is selected on an annual, rotating basis from among the Council members.
The City Clerk in South Gate is an elected position that serves a four-year term. As the official record keeper for the City, the City Clerk is responsible for maintaining all central and legal files, preparing City Council meeting agendas and minutes, conducting municipal elections and assisting the Los Angeles Registrar-Recorder with voter registration.
Bernal was elected City Treasurer
of South Gate on March 24.
, along with three accomplices on the city council, accepted bribes and in turn gave taxpayer dollars to friends and relatives to perform city contracts. The three accomplices formed a majority of the five member city council, so they could effectively run the city any way they wanted. For example, in 2002, Robles was arrested on felony threat charges but was appointed by the city council to the deputy city manager position and had his legal bills covered by the city. The city council gave themselves a 2000% pay raise, and cut the pay of city clerk Carmen Avalos by 90%, after she complained about corruption and election fraud in the city to the California State Secretary.
On January 28, 2003, voters recalled Robles along with his political allies, former Mayor Xochitl Ruvalcaba, former Vice Mayor Raul Moriel, and former city councilwoman Maria Benavides.
Robles was convicted of bribery in July 2005. In November 2006 he was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, ordered to pay the city of South Gate $639,000 in restitution, and was immediately put into custody.
In March 2006, Rudy Navarro, who was elected to replace Albert Robles as city treasurer, was caught making a false statement on his biography as posted on the city's official web site. He claimed that he earned a degree from San Diego State University, when he actually had not completed all the requirements.
South Gate's recent political history has been characterized by political observers and editors as having elements of Third World Politics.
The most complete account of the South Gate corruption scandal can be found in journalist Sam Quinones' book, ANTONIO'S GUN AND DELFINO'S DREAM: True Tales of Mexican Migration (Univ. of New Mexico Press, 2007). See www.samquinones.com.
On June 5, 2007, the city reported that it is facing a severe financial crisis.
operates the Whittier Health Center in Whittier
, serving South Gate.
public school system. A small section of South Gate is served by the Paramount Unified School District
and Downey Unified School District.
When South East opened, within the City of South Gate, the school's attendance boundary took land formerly zoned to South Gate High School, Huntington Park High School
, and David Starr Jordan High School
.
Part of South Gate is served by Downey Unified School District.
operates the Leland R. Weaver Library at 4035 Tweedy Boulevard and the Hollydale Library at 12000 South Garfield Avenue.
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...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The sixteenth largest city in Los Angeles County, it encompasses 7.4 square miles (19.2 km²). South Gate is located just 7 miles (11.3 km) southeast of downtown Los Angeles It is part of the Gateway Cities
Gateway Cities
The Gateway Cities of Southern California are those located in southeastern Los Angeles County. There is some cross-over between these cities and those composing South Los Angeles, East Los Angeles, the South Bay, and the San Gabriel Valley...
region of southeastern Los Angeles County. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 94,396, belying the California Department of Finance's January 1, 2009 estimate that the city had a total population of 102,770. The "City of South Gate" was incorporated on January 20, 1923. South Gate became known as an official "Azalea City" when it adopted the azalea as its official flower in 1965. An image of the azalea is used in the official “All American City” seal. In 1990, South Gate was one of ten U.S. communities to receive the All-America City Award
All-America City Award
The All-America City Award is given by the National Civic League annually to ten cities in the United States.The oldest community recognition program in the nation, the award recognizes communities whose citizens work together to identify and tackle community-wide challenges and achieve uncommon...
from the National Civic League
National Civic League
The National Civic League is an American non-profit organization that advocates for transparency, effectiveness, and openness in local government...
.
History
The South Gate area was inhabited by the Gabrielino/Tongva Indians before development by Spanish ranchers. Spaniards have been living in this area of California since the mid-16th century. Among the early Spanish settlers was one of California’s first families, the LugoLugo
Lugo is a city in northwestern Spain, in the autonomous community of Galicia. It is the capital of the province of Lugo. The municipality had a population of 97,635 in 2010, which makes is the fourth most populated city in Galicia.-Population:...
s. In the summer of 1769, a group of Spanish explorers set out from the coast of San Diego to explore the uncharted territory between San Diego and the Bay of Monterey. With them was Father Juan Crespi, considered by historians to be one of the great diarists of the new world explorations. His daily entries were remarkably revealing of the country through which the caravan passed. They proceeded in the general direction of the San Gabriel Valley, across the Los Angeles River, which Crespi named "Porciuncula" on August 2, 1769. There would be no history of South Gate without including the story of the Lugo Spanish Land Grant. That grant encompassed a great part of what is now the City of South Gate and is a vital and colorful part of this area's history. While stationed at Mission San Antonio de Padua
Mission San Antonio de Padua
Mission San Antonio de Padua was founded on July 14, 1771, the third mission founded in Alta California by Father Presidente Junípero Serra, and site of the first Christian marriage and first use of fired-tile roofing in Upper California.-History:...
near Salinas
Salinas
-People:*Anita Reeves Salinas, Chilean television, film and theatre actress*Camilo Salinas, Chilean musician*Carlos Salinas de Gortari, a Mexican president*Francisco de Salinas, a 16th century Spanish music theorist*Francisco Vidal Salinas, Chilean politician...
, California, Francisco Lugo’s first California son, Antonio Maria Lugo was born in 1775. That son became Don Antonio Maria Lugo, Spanish aristocrat and soldier, who settled on 30000 acres (121.4 km²) of land that encompasses what is now the City of South Gate. In 1810, the King of Spain formally granted the land to Lugo, the land grant was a reward for his and his father's military service to the crown. Rancho San Antonio extended from the low range of hills which separated it from the San Gabriel Valley to the old Dominguez Ranch at its south, and from the eastern boundary of the pueblo of Los Angeles to the San Gabriel River. Lugo also became the mayor of a little town called 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...
, from 1816–1819,
A little more than 100 years after the establishment of the Lugo Land Grant, the area at the south gate of the ranch became the City of South Gate. As Don Lugo's family grew, he obtained San Bernardino Rancho and other grants in his children's names.
The future South Gate site and adjacent mesas presented a colorful spectacle when countless heads of cattle and horses were herded from all directions to a common point for the annual great spring rodeo. Lugo would direct the proceedings and settle disputes regarding ownership of contested animals as well as adjudicate agricultural disputes. In his saddle, he was the court and the plains his courtroom.
The Land Grant was handed down from generation to generation, dividing among offspring and eventually parceled and sold to people outside the Lugo family.
Don Antonio's son Vincente (1820–1889) built his adobe dwelling in the 1850s on 5.5 acres (22,257.7 m²). It is known as Lugo Ranch, and is situated on modern day Gage Avenue in the City of Bell Gardens.
Before the end of the 1870s, much of the original land grant had been replaced by tracts of 40 acres (161,874.4 m²). By 1880, cattle raising had been replaced by agriculture as the most important local industry. During the years between 1910 and 1940, most of the agricultural land was replaced by homes and factories. Today, with the land divided by freeways, it is difficult to imagine those early centuries when it was a vast plain stretching from the mountains to the sea.
The R.D. Tweedy family has played an important part in South Gate's history. Mr. Tweedy was born in 1812 in Illinois, and came to California by ox-drawn cart in 1852. Mrs. Tweedy rode across the prairies perched on her rocking chair in the ox cart. The family was large, and several generations have lived in this city. The family members bought some 2000 acres (8.1 km²) of the land on which much of South Gate was built. The "downtown business district" in South Gate was named after the family and is known as the Tweedy Mile.
The city was named in 1918 after the South Gate Gardens on the Cudahy Ranch. The city was incorporated five years later, in 1923, using the shortened form of the name. The name refers to the city's being south of Los Angeles.
Geography
South Gate is located at 33°56′39"N 118°11′42"W (33.944264, -118.194903).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 city has a total area
Area
Area is a quantity that expresses the extent of a two-dimensional surface or shape in the plane. Area can be understood as the amount of material with a given thickness that would be necessary to fashion a model of the shape, or the amount of paint necessary to cover the surface with a single coat...
of 7.4 square miles (19.2 km²). 7.2 square miles (18.6 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it is water
Water
Water is a chemical substance with the chemical formula H2O. A water molecule contains one oxygen and two hydrogen atoms connected by covalent bonds. Water is a liquid at ambient conditions, but it often co-exists on Earth with its solid state, ice, and gaseous state . Water also exists in a...
. The total area is 1.59% water.
The Los Angeles River
Los Angeles River
The Los Angeles River is a river that starts in the San Fernando Valley, in the Simi Hills and Santa Susana Mountains, and flows through Los Angeles County, California, from Canoga Park in the western end of the San Fernando Valley, nearly southeast to its mouth in Long Beach...
runs through the eastern part of South Gate.
Climate
South Gate has a semi-arid Mediterranean climate with mild winters and hot, dry summers. The average annual precipitation is 14.8 inches (375.9 mm) per year with most occurring between November and April. Temperatures range from a low of 40 °F (4.4 °C) to a high of 110 °F (43.3 °C). The average daily temperatures range from 54 °F (12.2 °C) to 73 °F (22.8 °C).Demographics
2010
The 2010 United States Census reported that South Gate had a population of 94,396. 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 12,837.6 people per square mile (4,956.6/km²). The racial makeup of South Gate was 47,645 (50.5%) White, 890 (0.9%) African American, 878 (0.9%) Native American, 732 (0.8%) Asian, 99 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 40,624 (43.0%) 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 3,528 (3.7%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 89,442 persons (94.8%).
The Census reported that 94,308 people (99.9% of the population) lived in households, 16 (0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 72 (0.1%) were institutionalized.
There were 23,278 households, out of which 13,805 (59.3%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 13,183 (56.6%) 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, 4,706 (20.2%) had a female householder with no husband present, 2,261 (9.7%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 1,879 (8.1%) 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 134 (0.6%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 2,292 households (9.8%) were made up of individuals and 996 (4.3%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.05. There were 20,150 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...
(86.6% of all households); the average family size was 4.24.
The population was spread out with 29,374 people (31.1%) under the age of 18, 11,298 people (12.0%) aged 18 to 24, 28,039 people (29.7%) aged 25 to 44, 19,062 people (20.2%) aged 45 to 64, and 6,623 people (7.0%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29.4 years. For every 100 females there were 96.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.9 males.
There were 24,160 housing units at an average density of 3,285.7 per square mile (1,268.6/km²), of which 10,658 (45.8%) were owner-occupied, and 12,620 (54.2%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.5%; the rental vacancy rate was 3.6%. 46,665 people (49.4% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 47,643 people (50.5%) lived in rental housing units.
2000
As of the 2000 census, there were 96,375 people, 23,213 households, and 20,063 families residing in the city. The population density was 13,084.6 per square mile (5,052.0/km²). There are 24,269 housing units at an average density of 3,294.9 per square mile (1,271.4/km²).The racial makeup of the city was 41.6% White (0.78% White Non-Hispanic), 1.2% Black or Afican-American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
, 0.9% American Indian
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
and Alaska Native, 0.8% Asian
Asian people
Asian people or Asiatic people is a term with multiple meanings that refers to people who descend from a portion of Asia's population.- Central Asia :...
and 51% some other race (mostly Mestizo
Mestizo
Mestizo is a term traditionally used in Latin America, Philippines and Spain for people of mixed European and Native American heritage or descent...
). 92% of the population are Hispanic
Hispanic
Hispanic is a term that originally denoted a relationship to Hispania, which is to say the Iberian Peninsula: Andorra, Gibraltar, Portugal and Spain. During the Modern Era, Hispanic sometimes takes on a more limited meaning, particularly in the United States, where the term means a person of ...
or 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."...
of any race.
There are 23,213 households out of which 58.2% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.6% are married couples living together, 18.4% have a female householder with no husband present, and 13.6% are non-families. 10.4% of all households are made up of individuals and 4.8% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 4.15 and the average family size is 4.37. In the city the population is spread out with 35.6% under the age of 18, 12.5% from 18 to 24, 31.6% from 25 to 44, 14.9% from 45 to 64, and 5.4% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 26 years. For every 100 females there are 98.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 95.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $35,695, and the median income for a family is $35,789. Males have a median income of $25,350 versus $19,978 for females. The per capita income for the city is $10,602. 19.2% of the population and 17.4% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 24.2% of those under the age of 18 and 12.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Religion
There are approximately 40 churches located in the City representing a variety of religious denominations.58.08% of the people in South Gate, CA are religious, meaning they affiliate with a religion
Religion
Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...
. 39.99% are Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
; 6.75% are Protestant; 1.04% are LDS; 3.33% are another Christian faith; 5.93% in South Gate, CA are Jewish; 0.07% are an eastern faith; 0.98% affiliate with Islam.
Demographics history
South Gate developed during the 1920s and 1930s as an industrial city (primarily in "metal-bashing" industries) and its blue-collar community was predominantly non-Hispanic white.During the 1940s and 1950s, South Gate was one of the most fiercely segregationist cities in Southern California. Gangs of white youths were known to prowl the streets looking for blacks who dared to cross over from neighboring Watts
Watts, Los Angeles, California
Watts is a mostly residential neighborhood in South Los Angeles, California.-History:The area now known as Watts is located on the Rancho La Tajauta Mexican land grant...
. One of the most infamous clubs of the area at that time was the "Spook Hunters
Spook Hunters
The Spook Hunters were a white racist youth gang of South Gate, California, active from the 1940s to the 1950s. The gang was founded as a reaction to the growing African American population in the neighboring city of Los Angeles...
".
The next year South Gate began to change. In August 1965, the Watts riots erupted. Watts was virtually 100 percent black, and South Gate, immediately to the east of Watts, was nearly 100 percent white. Although the rioters were mostly confined to black areas of south-central Los Angeles and did not cross the line into South Gate, younger whites in South Gate started to look elsewhere to buy their first houses. As the white population of South Gate began to decline, the Mexican population, which earlier had established a foothold, began to increase.
Since the 1970s, South Gate has had a large Hispanic
Hispanic
Hispanic is a term that originally denoted a relationship to Hispania, which is to say the Iberian Peninsula: Andorra, Gibraltar, Portugal and Spain. During the Modern Era, Hispanic sometimes takes on a more limited meaning, particularly in the United States, where the term means a person of ...
community, which became dominant in the 1990s as working-class Hispanics and immigrant Latin American families filled the vacuum left by white flight
White flight
White flight has been a term that originated in the United States, starting in the mid-20th century, and applied to the large-scale migration of whites of various European ancestries from racially mixed urban regions to more racially homogeneous suburban or exurban regions. It was first seen as...
.
Economy
As of June 2009, California's EDD lists the unemployment rate in South Gate as 14.4%, with negative job growth. The California State Board of Equalization lists South Gate's sale tax rate as 10.75%. The income per capita is $11,566, which includes all adults and children. The median household income is $41,064.South Gate's commercial activity is concentrated in the following zones:
- Tweedy Mile (on Tweedy Blvd. from Alameda St to Atlantic Ave.)
- Firestone Blvd. (from Long Beach Blvd. to Garfield Ave.)
- El Paseo (Corner of Firestone Blvd. and Garfield Ave.)
- Hollydale (on Garfield Ave. from 105 Freeway to Imperial Hwy.)
As of April 1, 2009, the City of South Gate imposes a 10.25-percent,which is now 10.75. 11 cents per dollar sales tax (statewide plus local supplementary), which matches Pico Rivera
Pico Rivera, California
Pico Rivera is a city located in southeastern Los Angeles County, California, United States. The city is situated approximately 11 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles, on the eastern edge of the Los Angeles basin, and on the southern edge of the area known as the San Gabriel Valley...
's sales tax rate as the highest in the State of California.
On July 9, 2009, the South Gate City Council held a special meeting where a resolution was adopted declaring a fiscal emergency for the City of South Gate. Resolution adopted declaring the City of South Gate in a fiscal emergency.
Local government
City Council- Greg Martinez—Mayor
- María Dávila -Vice Mayor
- Bill De Witt - council member
- Gill Hurtado - council member
- Henry C Gonzalez - council member
- Raul Salinas - City Attorney
The City Council consists of five persons elected at large by the residents of South Gate. These Council members serve a four year term and establish the governing policies and procedures for the city. The Mayor is selected on an annual, rotating basis from among the Council members.
City Clerk
- Carmen Ávalos
The City Clerk in South Gate is an elected position that serves a four-year term. As the official record keeper for the City, the City Clerk is responsible for maintaining all central and legal files, preparing City Council meeting agendas and minutes, conducting municipal elections and assisting the Los Angeles Registrar-Recorder with voter registration.
City Treasurer
- Maria Belen Bernal
Bernal was elected City Treasurer
City Treasurer
The City Treasurer is a position of responsibility for a city according to the prevailing laws in that city.The treasurer of a public agency is elected by the voting public or is appointed by the city council or city manager...
of South Gate on March 24.
Political parties
63.10% of the people in South Gate are registered as Democrats. 35.60% are registered Republican. Remaining are independent: 1.30%.Scandal and corruption
From 2001 to 2003, then-city treasurer, Albert RoblesAlbert Robles
Albert T. Robles is an American politician and former mayor, councilman, treasurer, and deputy city manager for the City of South Gate, California. He also served as an elected Director of the Central Basin Municipal Water District in Carson, California...
, along with three accomplices on the city council, accepted bribes and in turn gave taxpayer dollars to friends and relatives to perform city contracts. The three accomplices formed a majority of the five member city council, so they could effectively run the city any way they wanted. For example, in 2002, Robles was arrested on felony threat charges but was appointed by the city council to the deputy city manager position and had his legal bills covered by the city. The city council gave themselves a 2000% pay raise, and cut the pay of city clerk Carmen Avalos by 90%, after she complained about corruption and election fraud in the city to the California State Secretary.
On January 28, 2003, voters recalled Robles along with his political allies, former Mayor Xochitl Ruvalcaba, former Vice Mayor Raul Moriel, and former city councilwoman Maria Benavides.
Robles was convicted of bribery in July 2005. In November 2006 he was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, ordered to pay the city of South Gate $639,000 in restitution, and was immediately put into custody.
In March 2006, Rudy Navarro, who was elected to replace Albert Robles as city treasurer, was caught making a false statement on his biography as posted on the city's official web site. He claimed that he earned a degree from San Diego State University, when he actually had not completed all the requirements.
South Gate's recent political history has been characterized by political observers and editors as having elements of Third World Politics.
The most complete account of the South Gate corruption scandal can be found in journalist Sam Quinones' book, ANTONIO'S GUN AND DELFINO'S DREAM: True Tales of Mexican Migration (Univ. of New Mexico Press, 2007). See www.samquinones.com.
Finances
South Gate was $150 million in debt in 2005.In addition, South Gate has one of the highest state and city taxes within California at 10.75%.On June 5, 2007, the city reported that it is facing a severe financial crisis.
County representation
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 Whittier Health Center in Whittier
Whittier, California
Whittier is a city in Los Angeles County, California about southeast of Los Angeles. The city had a population of 85,331 at the 2010 census, up from 83,680 as of the 2000 census, and encompasses 14.7 square miles . Like nearby Montebello, the city constitutes part of the Gateway Cities...
, serving South Gate.
City parks
South Gate offers nine city parks for the enjoyment of its citizens.- South Gate Park covers a total of 96.8 acres (391,736 m²), and is the largest park within the city limits. This park is used to carry out most of the Parks and RecreationParks and RecreationParks and Recreation is an American comedy television series on NBC that focuses on Leslie Knope , a mid-level bureaucrat in the parks department of Pawnee, a fictional town in Indiana. Created by Greg Daniels and Michael Schur, the series debuted on April 9, 2009; it has run for three seasons and...
Department’s community programs. There are a total of six different facilities at this park, some of which can be rented out for a variety of events. These facilities include the Municipal Auditorium, Girls Club House, 18 hole Golf Course, Senior Recreation Center, Swim Stadium, and Sports Center. You will also find athletic fields, outdoor basketball courts, two playgrounds, tennis courts, a skate park, several shaded areas for picnics, and a Jr. Hockey Rink. Park closes at 10:00 pm. - Hollydale Regional Park covers 56 acres (226,624.2 m²), has a playground, tennis courts, a baseball field, soccer fields, a picnic area (groups of 50+ by reservation only), and an Equestrian Center that is also available for rent. Park closes at sunset.
- Cesar Chavez Park covers 9 acres (36,421.7 m²), has two playgrounds and a pergola. No reservation needed for picnics. Park closes at sunset.
- Circle Park covers 4 acres (16,187.4 m²), and is a neighborhood park. It has a small playground, a ball field and a grass area. Park closes at sunset.
- Hollydale Community Park covers 2.2 acres (8,903.1 m²), it has a playground, outdoor basketball courts, and a Community Center. Park closes at 10:00pm.
- State Street Park covers 0.8 acres (3,237.5 m²) and only has a grass fields. is a neighborhood park, No reservation needed for picnics. Park closes at sunset.
- Gardendale Tot Lot covers 0.45 acres (1,821.1 m²), and is a neighborhood park. It has a playground and a small grass area. Park closes at sunset.
- Triangle Park covers 0.3 acres (1,214.1 m²), has a pergola, a seating area, a bike rack, and a drinking fountain. Park closes at sunset.
- Stanford Park covers 0.19 acres (768.9 m²) and is a neighborhood park. It has a playground and a small grass area. Park closes at sunset.
Education
Schools located in South Gate include: 16 public (12 elementary, 2 high school and 2 middle high school) and two parochial schools. Adult Education classes are conducted at both the junior and senior high schools. The City is also served by 3 community colleges (Compton, Cerritos and East Los Angeles—main campus and South Gate satellite) and 3 California State Universities (Dominguez Hills, Long Beach and Los Angeles.)Public schools
Most of South Gate is served by the Los Angeles Unified School DistrictLos Angeles Unified School District
Los Angeles Unified School District is the largest public school system in California. It is the 2nd largest public school district in the United States. Only the New York City Department of Education has a larger student population...
public school system. A small section of South Gate is served by the Paramount Unified School District
Paramount Unified School District
Paramount Unified School District is a school district headquartered in Paramount, California, United States.The district serves the city of Paramount, and portions of Lakewood, Bellflower, Long Beach, and South Gate with eleven elementary schools, five middle schools, one comprehensive high...
and Downey Unified School District.
LAUSD primary schools
- Bryson Avenue Elementary School (opened 1931, partially a Math, Science, Technology magnet schoolMagnet schoolIn education in the United States, magnet schools are public schools with specialized courses or curricula. "Magnet" refers to how the schools draw students from across the normal boundaries defined by authorities as school zones that feed into certain schools.There are magnet schools at the...
) - Independence Elementary School (opened 1997)
- Liberty Boulevard Elementary School (opened 1932)
- Madison Elementary School (opened 2005)
- Montara Avenue Elementary School (opened 1988)
- San Gabriel Avenue Elementary School (opened 1920)
- San Miguel Avenue Elementary School (opened 1989, partially a math and science magnet schoolMagnet schoolIn education in the United States, magnet schools are public schools with specialized courses or curricula. "Magnet" refers to how the schools draw students from across the normal boundaries defined by authorities as school zones that feed into certain schools.There are magnet schools at the...
) - Stanford Avenue Elementary School (1-5, opened 1924)
- Stanford New Primary Center (K, opened 2004)
- State Street Elementary School (opened 1932)
- Tweedy Elementary School (opened 1950)
- Victoria Avenue Elementary School (opened 1925)
LAUSD charter schools
- Aspire Firestone (opened 2010)
- Aspire Gateway (opened 2010)
LAUSD middle schools
- South Gate Middle School (opened 1941)
- South East Middle SchoolSoutheast Middle School (South Gate, California)South East Middle School opened in 2004 as a middle school servicing the community of South Gate, California, a city adjacent to the Watts area of Los Angeles.The school is operated by the Los Angeles Unified School District....
(opened 2004)
LAUSD high schools
- South Gate High SchoolSouth Gate High SchoolSouth Gate High School is located on Firestone Boulevard, South Gate, California, United States. The school, which serves grades 9 through 12, is part of the Los Angeles Unified School District...
(opened 1932) - South East High SchoolSouth East High School (South Gate, California)Ms. Criss Ms. Corral Ms. George Address 2720 Tweedy BoulevardSouth Gate, California 90280 Enrollment 2,800 Athletic Conference Eastern LeagueCIF Los Angeles City Section Colors SilverBlue Nickname Jaguars...
(opened 2005)
When South East opened, within the City of South Gate, the school's attendance boundary took land formerly zoned to South Gate High School, Huntington Park High School
Huntington Park High School
Huntington Park High School is a public high school in Huntington Park, California, part of the Los Angeles Unified School District.-History:...
, and David Starr Jordan High School
David Starr Jordan High School
David Starr Jordan High School is a public comprehensive four-year high school in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Watts in California.Some sections of Florence-Graham, an unincorporated neighborhood in Los Angeles County, are jointly zoned to Jordan and John C. Fremont High School...
.
LAUSD middle and high schools
- International Studies Learning CenterInternational Studies Learning CenterSouth Gate, California 90280 Enrollment 450 350 Colours Hunter Green Khaki Mascot Dragon...
(opened in 2004)
Paramount Unified School District
- Hollydale School (K-8)
- Paramount High SchoolParamount High SchoolParamount High School is a comprehensive public high school in Paramount, California. The school serves students in grades 9-12 on two campuses, West Campus for 9th grade students and Senior Campus for grades 10-12...
Part of South Gate is served by Downey Unified School District.
Private primary schools
- Lollypop Lane Preschool and Kindergarten
- Redeemer Lutheran School
- Saint Helen Elementary School
Colleges and universities
- Career College of America
- South Gate Satellite Campus, East Los Angeles CollegeEast Los Angeles CollegeEast Los Angeles College is a community college of the Los Angeles Community College District in the Los Angeles suburb of Monterey Park. Fourteen communities comprise its primary service area...
Public libraries
County of Los Angeles Public LibraryCounty of Los Angeles Public Library
-Library System:The County of Los Angeles Public Library is the 4th largest public library system in the United States which serves residents living in 51 of the 88 incorporated cities of Los Angeles County, California...
operates the Leland R. Weaver Library at 4035 Tweedy Boulevard and the Hollydale Library at 12000 South Garfield Avenue.
Notable natives and residents
- Earl BascomEarl W. BascomEarl W. Bascom was an American painter, printmaker, rodeo performer and sculptor, raised in Canada, who portrayed his own experiences cowboying and rodeoing across the American and Canadian West.- Childhood :...
, actor, artist, sculptor, inventor, rodeo pioneer, California Rodeo Hall of Fame inductee. - Lee GreenwoodLee GreenwoodMelvin Lee Greenwood is an American country music artist. Active since the early 1980s, he has released more than twenty major-label albums and has charted more than 35 singles on the Billboard country music charts....
, country music recording artist; born in South Gate - Don HornDon HornDonald Glenn Horn is a former National Football League quarterback. He was a first round pick All American out of San Diego State University by the Green Bay Packers, but his NFL career was less impressive because he only threw for 3,369 yards and 20 touchdowns in 8 seasons...
, NFL player for the Green Bay PackersGreen Bay PackersThe Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
, Denver BroncosDenver BroncosThe Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Cleveland BrownsCleveland BrownsThe Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, and the San Diego ChargersSan Diego ChargersThe San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. - Dave HuppertDave HuppertDavid Blain Huppert is a former catcher in Major League Baseball and the inaugural manager of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs of Minor League Baseball's International League for the season...
, MLB player for the Baltimore OriolesBaltimore OriolesThe Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
and Milwaukee BrewersMilwaukee BrewersThe Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
, assistant coach for the Washington NationalsWashington NationalsThe Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
and Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia PhilliesThe Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
. - Augie OjedaAugie OjedaOctavio "Augie" Ojeda is an American professional baseball infielder who is a free agent...
, MLB player for the Chicago CubsChicago CubsThe Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
, Minnesota TwinsMinnesota TwinsThe Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
and Arizona DiamondbacksArizona DiamondbacksThe Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
lived in South Gate and played for the youth baseball traveling team South Gate Cardinals from ages 9–15. - Lorenzo RomarLorenzo Romar-References:1. http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FocusOnTheFamilyDailyBroadcast/~3/dnPdyF5PmG0/ffd_20110314.mp3-External links:*...
, NBA player for the Golden State WarriorsGolden State WarriorsThe Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. They are part of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
, Milwaukee BucksMilwaukee BucksThe Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. They are part of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1968 as an expansion team, and currently plays at the Bradley Center....
, and the Detroit PistonsDetroit PistonsThe Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
; head coach of the Pepperdine WavesPepperdine UniversityPepperdine University is an independent, private, medium-sized university affiliated with the Churches of Christ. The university's campus overlooking the Pacific Ocean in unincorporated Los Angeles County, California, United States, near Malibu, is the location for Seaver College, the School of...
men's basketball team, Saint Louis BillikensSaint Louis UniversitySaint Louis University is a private, co-educational Jesuit university located in St. Louis, Missouri, United States. Founded in 1818 by the Most Reverend Louis Guillaume Valentin Dubourg SLU is the oldest university west of the Mississippi River. It is one of 28 member institutions of the...
men's basketball team, and Washington Huskies men's basketball team. - Cypress HillCypress HillCypress Hill is an American hip hop group from South Gate, California. Cypress Hill was the first Latino hip-hop group to have platinum and multi-platinum albums, selling over 18 million albums worldwide...
, an American/Latin American hip-hop group, the first Latino hip-hop group to have Platinum AlbumsRIAA certificationIn the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America awards certification based on the number of albums and singles sold through retail and other ancillary markets. Other countries have similar awards...
. - Amelia EarhartAmelia EarhartAmelia Mary Earhart was a noted American aviation pioneer and author. Earhart was the first woman to receive the U.S. Distinguished Flying Cross, awarded for becoming the first aviatrix to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean...
was taught to fly at an unpaved air strip in South Gate named Kinner Field. It was located on Martin Luther King Jr Blvd (formerly Century Boulevard) at the intersection with Long Beach Boulevard. This is now officially the northern most part of the neighboring city of LynwoodLynwoodLynwood can refer to several places.*Cities in the United States:** Lynwood, California***cf. Straight Outta Lynwood, an album by Weird Al Yankovic** Lynwood, Illinois*A suburb of Perth** Lynwood, Western Australia*A district of Brookhaven, Georgia...
. - Glenn Seaborg, the 1951 co-winner of the "Nobel Prize", who also worked on the Manhattan Project lived in a neighborhood which later became part of South Gate.
See also
- South Central Los AngelesSouth Los AngelesSouth Los Angeles, often abbreviated as South L.A. and formerly South Central Los Angeles, is the official name for a large geographic and cultural portion lying to the southwest and southeast of downtown Los Angeles, California. The area was formerly called South Central, and is still widely known...
- Albert RoblesAlbert RoblesAlbert T. Robles is an American politician and former mayor, councilman, treasurer, and deputy city manager for the City of South Gate, California. He also served as an elected Director of the Central Basin Municipal Water District in Carson, California...
- Seaborg HomeSeaborg Home (South Gate, California)The Seaborg Home was the family home of Nobel-prize winning chemist and nuclear pioneer, Glenn Seaborg from 1922 to 1934. Herman Theodore and Selma Olivia Seaborg moved at Selma's urging from Ishpeming, MI in 1922 with their children Glenn Theodore Seaborg and Jeanette Bonniksen to Home...
- South Gate High SchoolSouth Gate High SchoolSouth Gate High School is located on Firestone Boulevard, South Gate, California, United States. The school, which serves grades 9 through 12, is part of the Los Angeles Unified School District...
- South East High SchoolSouth East High School (South Gate, California)Ms. Criss Ms. Corral Ms. George Address 2720 Tweedy BoulevardSouth Gate, California 90280 Enrollment 2,800 Athletic Conference Eastern LeagueCIF Los Angeles City Section Colors SilverBlue Nickname Jaguars...
- List of California public officials charged with crimes, South Gate
External links
- CityOfSouthGate.org - City of South Gate's official website
- The History of South Gate – published on the City of South Gate's official website
- SouthGateHS.org - South Gate High School's official website.
- SouthEastHS.com - South East High School's official
- http://www.southgatems.org - South Gate Middle School's official website
- SGChamber.org - South Gate Chamber of Commerce official website.
- www.samquinones.com -- website of journalist Sam Quinones