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Westminster, California | |
|---|---|
 Westminster City Hall, Tet 2024 | |
 Flag  Seal | |
| Motto: "The City of Progress Built on Pride."[2] | |
 Location of Westminster withinOrange County, California | |
  Westminster, California Location in the United States | |
| Coordinates:33°45′5″N117°59′38″W / 33.75139°N 117.99389°W /33.75139; -117.99389 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Orange[1] |
| Incorporated (city) | March 27, 1957[3] |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council-Manager |
| • Mayor | Chi Charlie Nguyen |
| • Vice Mayor | Carlos Manzo(District 2) |
| • City council[5] |
|
| • City manager | Christine Cordon[4] |
| Area | |
• Total | 10.04 sq mi (26.00 km2) |
| • Land | 10.04 sq mi (26.00 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0.00 km2) 0% |
| Elevation | 39 ft (12 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 90,911 |
| • Rank | 92nd in California (2024) |
| • Density | 9,056/sq mi (3,497/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−8 (PST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−7 (PDT) |
| ZIP Codes | 92683–92685 |
| Area codes | 657/714 |
| FIPS code | 06-84550 |
| GNIS feature IDs | 1652811,2412236 |
| Website | www |
Westminster is a city in westernOrange County, California, United States. Westminster was founded in 1870 by Rev. Lemuel Webber as aPresbyteriantemperance colony and was incorporated in 1957.
Westminster is bordered by the city ofSeal Beach on the west, byGarden Grove on the north and east, and byHuntington Beach andFountain Valley on the south.Santa Ana, thecounty seat of Orange County, is east of Westminster.
Westminster has one of the largestVietnamese populations in the US. They settled largely inLittle Saigon,[7] and the city is known as the "capital" of overseas Vietnamese with 39,799Vietnamese Americans, or 43.8% of the total population, as of the2020 United States census.[8]
In the court caseMendez v. Westminster (1947), aHispanic man sued theWestminster School District for forcing his daughter,Sylvia Mendez, to attend a school for Mexican children. They eventually won and thus began the process of desegregation. Sylvia Mendez was later awarded thePresidential Medal of Freedom by PresidentBarack Obama on February 15, 2011.
Westminster won theAll-America City Award in 1996.[9]
Westminster was founded in 1870 by Rev. Lemuel Webber as aPresbyteriantemperance colony. The name is derived from theWestminster Assembly of 1643, which established the basic tenets of the Presbyterian faith. During the early years of its history, farmers refused to harvest grapes since they associated grapes withalcohol.
During the late 1800s, arable land held dairy farms alongside agricultural plots which cultivated walnuts, strawberries, celery, and lima beans until they were replaced by the sugar beet industry at the turn of the century.[7][10]
A change in tariffs laws along with an influx of beet pests resulted in the collapse of the Southern California Sugar Beet Industry[11] and was supplemented by goldfish farms.[7]
Transitions from agricultural spacing to suburban housing was delayed by the economic strain of the Great Depression and later 1933 earthquake as well as a severe flood in 1938.[7][10] The varied residential landscape is a direct result from the relatively early homeowner development of less uniform spaces.[10]
Westminster was incorporated in 1957, at which time it had 10,755 residents. Originally, the city was namedTri-City because it was to be the amalgamation of three cities: Westminster, Barber City, and Midway City.Midway City ultimately refused incorporation, leaving only Barber City to be absorbed into the new city, which changed its name to Westminster in a vote just five months later.[12] The former Barber City was located in the western portion of the current city of Westminster.
The city has attracted large numbers ofimmigrants,refugees, andLGBTQ+ groups due to historic accessibility and community that had been built.[10] One of the most notable examples of this is the influx of a Vietnamese refugee population during the 1970s due to theVietnam War.[13] Westminster hosts a portion ofLittle Saigon, the largest population of ethnically Vietnamese people outside ofVietnam. The heart of the enclave runs along Bolsa Avenue,[13] where historic shops such asDanh's Pharmacy[14] (one of the first Vietnamese businesses on the street) and cultural icons likeAsian Garden Mall[15] (also known as Phước Lộc Thọ) line the street. The area is the first officially recognized Vietnamese business enclave.[10][16]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.0 square miles (26 km2), all land. TheSan Diego Freeway and a short segment of theGarden Grove Freeway pass through Westminster.
Westminster is bordered by the city ofSeal Beach on the west, byGarden Grove on the north and east, and byHuntington Beach andFountain Valley on the south.Santa Ana, thecounty seat ofOrange County, is east of Westminster, although a small portion of Garden Grove lies between the two cities. Westminster borders the unincorporated area of Midway City, except for a small portion where Midway City borders Huntington Beach on the south. TheLittle Saigon district of the town is mostly situated on Bolsa Avenue between Magnolia Street and Brookhurst Street.[17]
| Climate data for Westminster | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 69.1 (20.6) | 70.0 (21.1) | 71.1 (21.7) | 73.9 (23.3) | 75.0 (23.9) | 79.0 (26.1) | 82.9 (28.3) | 84.0 (28.9) | 82.9 (28.3) | 80.1 (26.7) | 73.9 (23.3) | 70.0 (21.1) | 76.0 (24.4) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 46.9 (8.3) | 48.0 (8.9) | 50 (10) | 52.0 (11.1) | 55.9 (13.3) | 60.1 (15.6) | 63.0 (17.2) | 64.0 (17.8) | 63.0 (17.2) | 57.9 (14.4) | 51.1 (10.6) | 46.0 (7.8) | 54.8 (12.7) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 3.18 (81) | 3.05 (77) | 2.78 (71) | 0.67 (17) | 0.25 (6.4) | 0.11 (2.8) | 0.02 (0.51) | 0.12 (3.0) | 0.34 (8.6) | 0.36 (9.1) | 1.17 (30) | 1.79 (45) | 13.84 (351.41) |
| Source: www.intellicast.com, September 2017[18] | |||||||||||||
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1890 | 585 | — | |
| 1900 | 1,590 | 171.8% | |
| 1910 | 4,550 | 186.2% | |
| 1920 | 7,997 | 75.8% | |
| 1930 | 14,822 | 85.3% | |
| 1940 | 16,115 | 8.7% | |
| 1950 | 23,433 | 45.4% | |
| 1960 | 33,663 | 43.7% | |
| 1970 | 60,076 | 78.5% | |
| 1980 | 71,133 | 18.4% | |
| 1990 | 78,118 | 9.8% | |
| 2000 | 88,207 | 12.9% | |
| 2010 | 89,701 | 1.7% | |
| 2020 | 90,911 | 1.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[19] 1850–1870[20][21] 1880–1890[22] 1900[23] 1910[24] 1920[25] 1930[26] 1940[27] 1950[28] 1960[29] 1970[30] 1980[31] 1990[32]2000[33] 2010[34] 2020[35] | |||
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[36] | Pop 2010[37] | Pop 2020[35] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 31,962 | 22,972 | 17,962 | 36.24% | 25.61% | 19.76% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 764 | 700 | 853 | 0.87% | 0.78% | 0.94% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 293 | 132 | 146 | 0.33% | 0.15% | 0.16% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 33,511 | 42,414 | 46,513 | 37.99% | 47.28% | 51.16% |
| Native Hawaiian orPacific Islander alone (NH) | 393 | 324 | 415 | 0.45% | 0.36% | 0.46% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 101 | 113 | 250 | 0.11% | 0.13% | 0.27% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 2,045 | 1,870 | 2,427 | 2.32% | 2.08% | 2.67% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 19,138 | 21,176 | 22,345 | 21.70% | 23.61% | 24.58% |
| Total | 88,207 | 89,701 | 90,911 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
The2020 United States census reported that Westminster had a population of 90,911. The population density was 9,056.7 inhabitants per square mile (3,496.8/km2). The racial makeup of Westminster was 23.1%White, 1.0%African American, 0.8%Native American, 51.4%Asian, 0.5%Pacific Islander, 14.3% fromother races, and 8.8% from two or more races.Hispanic or Latino of any race were 24.6% of the population.[38]
The census reported that 99.3% of the population lived in households, 0.3% lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0.4% were institutionalized.[38]
There were 27,025 households, out of which 34.6% included children under the age of 18, 52.5% were married-couple households, 5.1% werecohabiting couple households, 26.0% had a female householder with no partner present, and 16.4% had a male householder with no partner present. 16.1% of households were one person, and 9.3% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 3.34.[38] There were 21,111families (78.1% of all households).[39]
The age distribution was 19.1% under the age of 18, 9.6% aged 18 to 24, 23.8% aged 25 to 44, 28.9% aged 45 to 64, and 18.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.4 males.[38]
There were 27,910 housing units at an average density of 2,780.4 units per square mile (1,073.5 units/km2), of which 27,025 (96.8%) were occupied. Of these, 53.7% were owner-occupied, and 46.3% were occupied by renters.[38]
In 2023, the US Census Bureau estimated that the median household income was $82,686, and theper capita income was $34,477. About 14.0% of families and 15.8% of the population were below the poverty line.[40]
At the2010 census Westminster had a population of 89,701. The population density was 8,926.5 inhabitants per square mile (3,446.5/km2). The racial makeup of Westminster was 32,037 (35.7%) White (25.6% Non-Hispanic White),[41] 849 (0.9%) African American, 397 (0.4%) Native American, 42,597 (47.5%) Asian, 361 (0.4%) Pacific Islander, 10,229 (11.4%) from other races, and 3,231 (3.6%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 21,176 persons (23.6%). A total of 36,058 residents were of Vietnamese ancestry (40.2% of city residents), the highest concentration ofVietnamese Americans of any community in the United States.[42]
The census reported that 89,031 people (99.3% of the population) lived in households, 381 (0.4%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 289 (0.3%) were institutionalized.
There were 26,164 households, 10,759 (41.1%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 14,986 (57.3%) wereopposite-sex married couples living together, 3,681 (14.1%) had a female householder with no husband present, 1,810 (6.9%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 1,114 (4.3%)unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 151 (0.6%)same-sex married couples or partnerships. 4,247 households (16.2%) were one person and 2,170 (8.3%) had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 3.40. There were 20,477 families (78.3% of households); the average family size was 3.74.
The age distribution was 20,920 people (23.3%) under the age of 18, 8,568 people (9.6%) aged 18 to 24, 24,065 people (26.8%) aged 25 to 44, 23,356 people (26.0%) aged 45 to 64, and 12,792 people (14.3%) who were 65 or older. The median age was 38.7 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.4 males.
There were 27,650 housing units at an average density of 2,751.5 per square mile, of the occupied units 15,135 (57.8%) were owner-occupied and 11,029 (42.2%) were rented. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.5%; the rental vacancy rate was 7.3%. 51,408 people (57.3% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 37,623 people (41.9%) lived in rental housing units.
During 2009–2013, Westminster had a median household income of $52,633, with 16.7% of the population living below the federal poverty line.[41]
| Year | Democratic | Republican | Third Parties |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020[43] | 44.66%18,738 | 53.81%22,577 | 1.53%644 |
| 2016[44] | 54.80%16,785 | 39.43%12,078 | 5.77%1,767 |
| 2012[45] | 50.00%14,607 | 47.59%13,902 | 2.41%704 |
| 2008[46] | 42.08%13,069 | 56.03%17,402 | 1.89%586 |
| 2004[47] | 34.71%10,501 | 64.16%19,413 | 1.13%341 |
| 2000[48] | 42.73%11,453 | 53.87%14,439 | 3.40%912 |
| 1996[49] | 41.33%9,945 | 48.34%11,630 | 10.33%2,486 |
| 1992[50] | 32.35%8,935 | 43.48%12,011 | 24.17%6,677 |
| 1988[51] | 32.88%9,058 | 65.83%18,133 | 1.29%356 |
| 1984[52] | 25.76%7,246 | 73.09%20,561 | 1.15%323 |
| 1980[53] | 25.40%6,805 | 65.52%17,553 | 9.08%2,432 |
In theCalifornia State Legislature, Westminster is inthe 36th senatorial district, represented byRepublican Tony Strickland, and inthe 70th Assembly district, represented byRepublican Tri Ta.[54]
In theUnited States House of Representatives, Westminster is inCalifornia's 45th congressional district, represented by DemocratDerek Tran.[55]
In theOrange County Board of Supervisors, Westminster is in first district represented byJanet Nguyen since 2024.
Westminster has a city council form of local government.[56] The city council is the legislative body of Westminster, and councilmembers are elected to four-year terms in their respective districts, a total of four. The city council focuses on maintaining order and resolving issues to progress development of the city. Westminster also has a mayor who is elected at-large by the citywide electorate. Currently, the Westminster City Council is made up of:
| Aggravated Assault | Homicide | Rape | Robbery | Burglary | Larceny Theft | Motor Vehicle Theft | Arson | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westminster | 271 | 3 | 15 | 92 | 434 | 1,739 | 281 | 10 |
According to the city's 2017 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,[63] the top employers in the city are:
| # | Employer | # of Employees |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Westminster School District | 1,029 |
| 2 | Kindred Hospital-Westminster | 450 |
| 3 | Walmart | 346 |
| 4 | Target | 325 |
| 5 | City of Westminster | 320 |
| 6 | Macy's | 300 |
| 7 | Honda World | 217 |
| 8 | Westminster High School | 200 |
| 9 | J. C. Penney Co | 185 |
![[icon]](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=https%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aWiki_letter_w_cropped.svg) | This sectionneeds expansion with: More relevant shopping info, if sourced. You can help byadding to it.(October 2009) |
The city's majorshopping mall wasWestminster Mall, which consisted of more than 180 stores. The mall was located south of the 405 freeway, between Goldenwest Street and Edwards Street. Westminster'sLittle Saigon community is home to theAsian Garden Mall (Phước Lộc Thọ), a large Asian mall.
Since joining the Sequential Brands company, theDVS Shoes footwear brand relocated fromTorrance, California to Westminster. The company's headquarters is located on Fenwick Lane.[64]
Four school districts have boundaries that cover parts of Westminster:[65]
Huntington Beach Union HSD operatesWestminster High School, while Garden Grove USD operatesLa Quinta High School.
Some sections of HBUHSD Westminster are zoned toOcean View High School.[66]
Asahi Gakuen, apart-time Japanese school, leases La Quinta on Saturdays for its Orange County campus.[67] PreviouslyBolsa Grande High School in Garden Grove, next to Westminster housed the Asahi Gakuen Orange County campus.[68]
Orange County Transportation Authority operates bus service in Westminster.[69]
Water in Westminster is supplied by the City of Westminster Water Division, which sources its water from theMetropolitan Water District of Southern California via Municipal Water District of Orange County. This water is imported from Northern California and the Colorado River. In addition, groundwater is pumped from an underground aquifer managed by Orange County Water District by 9 wells within the city.[70]
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{{citation}}: CS1 maint: others (link){{cite web}}:External link in|title=オレンジ校 La Quinta High School
BOLSA GRANDE HIGH SCHOOL 9401 Westminster Ave., CA 92644
But two years ago, as the castaway competition washed ashore in the Cook Islands, Hoang's sister set him straight, and the 22-year-old professional video gamer from Westminster was hooked – so much so that when he heard a rumor earlier this year that the show was ending for good, he panicked.
He grew up in Westminster, the son of refugee parents who escaped Vietnam by boat in 1978.
Dylan Rieder, a professional skateboarder and model, died Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2016, of leukemia, according to multiple news sources. He was 28. Rieder was born May 5, 1988, in Westminster, California.
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