Willowbrook, California | |
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 Location of Willowbrook inLos Angeles County, California | |
  Willowbrook, California Location of Willowbrook Show map of the Los Angeles metropolitan area Willowbrook, California Willowbrook, California (southern California) Show map of southern California Willowbrook, California Willowbrook, California (California) Show map of California Willowbrook, California Willowbrook, California (the United States) Show map of the United States | |
| Coordinates:33°55′3″N118°15′10″W / 33.91750°N 118.25278°W /33.91750; -118.25278 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  California |
| County | Los Angeles |
| Area | |
• Total | 1.679 sq mi (4.349 km2) |
| • Land | 1.676 sq mi (4.342 km2) |
| • Water | 0.0027 sq mi (0.007 km2) 0.17% |
| Elevation | 95 ft (29 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 24,295 |
| • Density | 14,490/sq mi (5,595/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−8 (PST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−7 (PDT) |
| ZIP Code | 90022, 90059 & 90061[2] |
| Area codes | 310/424,323 |
| FIPS code | 06-85614 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1867074 |
Willowbrook, alternatively namedWillow Brook,[3] is anunincorporated community andcensus-designated place (CDP) inLos Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 24,295 at the 2020 census.[4]
Willowbrook is the home to the newly renovated[5]Martin Luther King Jr. Outpatient Center. Also located in Willowbrook is theCharles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, which oversees residency training programs, allied health programs, a medical education program (jointly with the University of California, Los Angeles), a medical magnet high school, the area Head Start program, and various centers forhealth disparities research. Due to severe deficiencies, the former King/Drew Medical Center lost accreditation of several key residency training programs.
Long before the name "Willowbrook" was given, willows and a slow, shallow brook separated this portion of the Los Angeles plain from the rest of it. The original rancho boundary of the 1840s was a lone, streamside willow tree along the present intersection of 125th Street and Mona Boulevard.[6]
In the early days, springs were abundant in Willowbrook. Winter rains brought up fineryegrass stands between gravelly ridges left by the long-ago floods of theLos Angeles River.Anastacio Avila was grazing cattle on the land as early as 1820. The Mexican governor had granted him 3,599 acres (14.56 km2) acres by 1843. The grant was calledRancho La Tajauta, and it extended from the marshes along presentAlameda Street westward to approximately the present line of theHarbor Freeway. Within the area covered by Rancho La Tajauta is all of present-day Willowbrook.[6]
In 1894 and 1895, the first subdivisions in the Willowbrook area were registered along what is nowRosecrans Avenue. The name of Willowbrook was first formally used when Willowbrook Tract was recorded by the County Recorder in 1903. Next to the tract was the recently openedPacific Electric Railway toLong Beach. There is no indication that a townsite had been envisioned and that street patterns were not synchronized. The Willowbrook name came into use for the entire area, because Pacific Electric Railroad Company's Big Red Cars stopped at Willowbrook's 126th Street.[6] The first branch of the Los Angeles County Free Library was established in Willowbrook: "It was opened in April, 1913, in a private house, but has been located for several years since in the post office building."[7]
In Willowbrook, lot purchasers expected to live a definitely suburban life. The deep lots, sometimes 300 feet or 91 meters in depth, attracted working-class families, especially newcomers to Southern California. The Big Red Cars offered fast and convenient transport to shops in downtown Los Angeles and jobs in port areas of Long Beach andSan Pedro. During theDepression years, residents used the land behind their homes to cultivate fruits and vegetables, run hogs, and raise chickens. This use of land, along with the vacant lots filled withmustard plants, enhanced the rural appearance of the area. Increased suburban growth occurred in Willowbrook after the end of the Depression andWorld War II, but not so much that the agricultural character of the area was drastically modified. Even theWatts Riots of 1965 did not change that, although Willowbrook had a variety of buildings, including the community library of Willowbrook, damaged.[6]
The blend of agricultural and residential land use persisted at Willowbrook into the early 1980s, when a redevelopment plan drawn up by theWatts Labor Community Action Committee from 1965 to 1993 and funded by Los Angeles County caused the area to lose its rural character. 365 acres (1.48 km2) acres of Willowbrook land were redeveloped under this plan to include new commercial and residential facilities. The appearance of present-day Willowbrook is similar to other communities in the South Central section of Los Angeles because of this.[6]
Willowbrook is located at33°55′3″N118°15′10″W / 33.91750°N 118.25278°W /33.91750; -118.25278 (33.917515, -118.252705).[8]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 1.7 square miles (4.4 km2), over 99% of it land.[1] Before the 2020 census, part of the Willowbrook CDP was transferred to theWest Rancho Dominguez CDP, reducing the area of Willowbrook by more than half.[9]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 28,705 | — | |
| 1980 | 30,845 | 7.5% | |
| 1990 | 32,772 | 6.2% | |
| 2000 | 34,138 | 4.2% | |
| 2010 | 35,983 | 5.4% | |
| 2020 | 24,295 | −32.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[10] 1860–1870[11][12] 1880-1890[13] 1900[14] 1910[15] 1920[16] 1930[17] 1940[18] 1950[19] 1960[20][21] 1970[22] 1980[23] 1990[24]2000[25] 2010[9] 2020[26] | |||
Willowbrook first appeared as an unincorporated place in the1970 U.S. census as part of the Compton census county division;[22] and as acensus designated place in the1980 United States census.[23]
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[27] | Pop 2010[28] | Pop 2020[26] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 292 | 328 | 259 | 0.86% | 0.91% | 1.07% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 15,089 | 12,172 | 4,365 | 44.20% | 33.83% | 17.97% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 63 | 48 | 32 | 0.18% | 0.13% | 0.13% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 78 | 87 | 115 | 0.23% | 0.24% | 0.47% |
| Native Hawaiian orPacific Islander alone (NH) | 40 | 46 | 34 | 0.12% | 0.13% | 0.14% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 53 | 73 | 86 | 0.16% | 0.20% | 0.35% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 226 | 250 | 231 | 0.66% | 0.69% | 0.95% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 18,297 | 22,979 | 19,173 | 53.60% | 63.86% | 78.92% |
| Total | 34,138 | 35,983 | 24,295 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
The2020 United States census reported that Willowbrook had a population of 24,295. The population density was 14,495.8 inhabitants per square mile (5,596.9/km2). The racial makeup was 9.6%White, 18.4%African American, 2.2%Native American, 0.6%Asian, 0.2%Pacific Islander, 55.1% fromother races, and 13.9% from two or more races.Hispanic or Latino of any race were 78.9% of the population.[29]
The census reported that 98.8% of the population lived in households, 1.2% lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and no one was institutionalized.[29]
There were 5,780 households, out of which 51.9% included children under the age of 18, 39.8% were married-couple households, 8.8% werecohabiting couple households, 33.7% had a female householder with no partner present, and 17.7% had a male householder with no partner present. 14.9% of households were one person, and 6.5% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 4.15.[29] There were 4,711families (81.5% of all households).[30]
The age distribution was 28.7% under the age of 18, 11.6% aged 18 to 24, 29.0% aged 25 to 44, 21.8% aged 45 to 64, and 8.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.1 males.[29]
There were 5,958 housing units at an average density of 3,554.9 units per square mile (1,372.6 units/km2), of which 5,780 (97.0%) were occupied. Of these, 43.3% were owner-occupied, and 56.7% were occupied by renters.[29]
In 2023, the US Census Bureau estimated that the median household income was $60,386, and theper capita income was $20,983. About 15.5% of families and 17.0% of the population were below the poverty line.[31]
At the2010 census, Willowbrook had a population of 35,983. The population density was 9,544.1 inhabitants per square mile (3,685.0/km2). The racial makeup of Willowbrook was 8,245 (22.9%) White (0.9% Non-Hispanic White),[32] 12,387 (34.4%) African American, 273 (0.8%) Native American, 119 (0.3%) Asian, 49 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 13,858 (38.5%) from other races, and 1,052 (2.9%) from two or more races. There were 22,979 residents of Hispanic or Latino origin, of any race (63.9%).[33]
The census reported that 35,577 people (98.9% of the population) lived in households, 116 (0.3%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 290 (0.8%) were institutionalized.
There were 8,721 households, 4,920 (56.4%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 3,626 (41.6%) wereopposite-sex married couples living together, 2,635 (30.2%) had a female householder with no husband present, 859 (9.8%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 640 (7.3%)unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 38 (0.4%)same-sex married couples or partnerships. 1,336 households (15.3%) were one person and 585 (6.7%) had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 4.08. There were 7,120 families (81.6% of households); the average family size was 4.38.
The age distribution was 11,790 people (32.8%) under the age of 18, 4,500 people (12.5%) aged 18 to 24, 9,595 people (26.7%) aged 25 to 44, 7,200 people (20.0%) aged 45 to 64, and 2,898 people (8.1%) who were 65 or older. The median age was 28.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.1 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 89.2 males.
There were 9,600 housing units at an average density of 2,546.3 per square mile, of the occupied units 4,525 (51.9%) were owner-occupied and 4,196 (48.1%) were rented. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.5%; the rental vacancy rate was 5.9%. 19,021 people (52.9% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 16,556 people (46.0%) lived in rental housing units.
According to the 2010 United States Census, Willowbrook had a median household income of $34,005, with 31.5% of the population living below the federal poverty line.[32]
According toMapping L.A., Mexican (43.8%) and Unspecified African (1.6%) were the most common ancestries in 2000. Mexico (85.1%) and El Salvador (6.9%) were the most common foreign places of birth.[34]
In theCalifornia State Legislature, Willowbrook is inthe 35th senatorial district, represented byDemocrat Laura Richardson, and inthe 65th Assembly district, represented byDemocrat Mike Gipson.[35]
In theUnited States House of Representatives, Willowbrook is inCalifornia's 43rd congressional district, represented byDemocrat Maxine Waters.[36]
TheLos Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) operates the Century Station inLynwood, serving Willowbrook.[37]
TheUnited States Postal Service Willowbrook Post Office is located at 2241 East El Segundo Boulevard in the CDP.[38][39]
Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital, replacing theKing Drew Hospital − Martin Luther King, Jr. Multi-Service Ambulatory Care Center in 2015, is located in Willowbrook.[38] TheCharles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science andKing Drew Magnet High School of Medicine and Science are adjacent.
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Willowbrook/Rosa Parks station is a station on theA andC lines of theLos Angeles Metro Rail. The station is located in theCentury Freeway (Interstate 105) median, above the intersection ofImperial Highway and Wilmington Avenue in Willowbrook. It is a major transfer point for commuters.[40][41]
As a major transfer station, Willowbrook/Rosa Parks station is also a major bus hub, serving many bus routes operated byLA Metro and other regional/municipal transit agencies. The station also haspark and ride facilities, including 975 parking spaces and 4 bike lockers. To the east of the station is the Metro Rail Operations Center, which is the dispatch hub for all Metro Rail trains.
TheLos Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro) providesMetro Local bus services to and from the Willowbrook area.
TheLos Angeles County Department of Public Works also operates two shuttle services that serve the Willowbrook area:[42]
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science is located in Willowbrook.[38]
Most residents are zoned to schools in theCompton Unified School District.[43] Zoned elementary schools within the CDP include Anderson, Carver, Jefferson, King, and Lincoln.[38] Bunche Middle School, Willowbrook Middle School andCentennial High School are located outside of the CDP inCompton.[38][44] Cesar Chavez Continuation High School is in Willowbrook.[38]
A portion is in theLos Angeles Unified School District.[43]
LA County Library operates the Willowbrook Library at 11737 Wilmington Ave. inside the CDP.[38][45]
Los Angeles County operates area parks.
The 7.22-acre (29,200 m2) George Washington Carver Park (previously Willowbrook Neighborhood Park) has a lighted baseball field, an arts and crafts room, a "Nike GO" outdoor basketball court, a community room, a lighted softball field, a multipurpose field, a multipurpose room, picnic areas with barbecue pits, and a swimming pool.[38][46]
Earvin "Magic" Johnson County Recreation Area, a 94-acre (380,000 m2) park, mostly in Willowbrook and partially in Los Angeles, has play areas for children, picnic areas with barbecue pits, soccer fields, toilet facilities, and walking paths.[38][47] TheCalifornia Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment has issued a safe eatingadvisory for any fish caught in Magic Mike Lakes due to elevated levels of mercury and PCBs.[48]
Enterprise County Park, a 10-acre (40,000 m2) park located in the Rosewood neighborhood in Willowbrook, has an athletic field, a lighted baseball/softball diamond, a community recreation room, a gymnasium, a multi-purpose field, picnic areas with barbecue pits, and a swimming pool.[38][49]
Athens Park, a 20-acre (81,000 m2) park, within the Athens Village area and in Willowbrook, has two lighted baseball/softball diamonds, a basketball court, children's play areas, a community recreation multipurpose room, a computer lab, a gymnasium, a multi-purpose field, picnic areas with barbecue pits, a swimming pool, tennis courts, and toilet facilities.[38][50] Mona County Park, an 8.4-acre (34,000 m2) park, has a lighted baseball/softball diamond, an outdoor basketball court, a children's play area, a community room, a gymnasium, a shaded picnic shelter, a swimming pool, and the Tiny Tot Learning Center.[38][51]
Media related toWillowbrook (Los Angeles Metro station) at Wikimedia CommonsAuthority control databases: Geographic |
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