La Mirada, California
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| City of La Mirada | |||
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| Motto: Dedicated to Service | |||
| Coordinates: 33°54′8″N 118°0′35″W / 33.90222°N 118.00972°W | |||
| Country | United States | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| State | California | ||
| County | Los Angeles | ||
| Incorporated (city) | 1960-03-23 [1] | ||
| Government | |||
| - Type | General Law City Council-Manager |
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| - City Council | Susan Tripp[2], (Mayor) Pete Dames (Mayor Pro Tem) Gabe Garcia Steve Jones Hal Malkin |
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| - City Manager | Tom Robinson | ||
| Area | |||
| - Total | 7.88 sq mi (20.40 km2) | ||
| - Land | 7.85 sq mi (20.33 km2) | ||
| - Water | 0.03 sq mi (0.07 km2) 0.34% | ||
| Elevation | 194 ft (59 m) | ||
| Population (2007)[3] | |||
| - Total | 50,093 | ||
| - Density | 5,960.6/sq mi (2,301.4/km2) | ||
| Time zone | PST (UTC-8) | ||
| - Summer (DST) | PDT (UTC-7) | ||
| ZIP Code | 90637-90639[4] | ||
| Area code(s) | 562/714 [5] | ||
| FIPS code | 06-40032 | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 1652736 | ||
| Website | http://www.cityoflamirada.org/ | ||
La Mirada is a city within Los Angeles County, California[6][7], California, United States. The population was 46,783 at the 2000 census.
It is best known as the home of Biola University (formerly the Bible Institute of Los Angeles), an evangelical Christian institution of higher education. It is also the home of the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts. McCoy/Rigby Entertainment produces six musicals per season. The company includes the actress-gymnast Cathy Rigby, noted for starring in the staged production of Peter Pan.
Splash!, a pirate-themed aquatics center, had its grand opening celebrations on November 10 and 11th, 2007. The center includes a 50-meter pool, 25-yard pool, and a fun area titled "Buccaneer Bay" which has three water slides, a lazy river, and much more.
The City of La Mirada was named a “Best Place to Live” by CNN Money Magazine. La Mirada placed 34th on the list, with the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts and the Splash! La Mirada Regional Aquatics Center as two of its main attributes.[8] The list features 100 U.S. cities with 7,500 to 50,000 citizens with a population that is less than 90% Caucasian. California had the most nominations with eight other cities making the list. The nominations were based on data such as low crime rates, education scores, population growth, accessibility, housing affordability, school quality, arts and leisure opportunities and racial diversity.
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[edit] History
La Mirada (Spanish for The View) was the creation of two men, Andrew McNally, a printer and mapmaker from Chicago (see Rand McNally) and his son-in-law Edwin Neff.
In 1888, McNally purchased over 2200 acres (8.9 km²) of Rancho Los Coyotes[9], south of Whittier, for $200,000. He developed 700 acres (2.8 km²) into his own home called Windermere Ranch and surrounded it with olive, orange and lemon groves. McNally built a plant to process the olive oil, which was of the best quality, as well as a railroad station on Stage Road. From here his olive oil and fruit were shipped all over the U.S.
In 1896, McNally turned his property over to his daughter and his son in law. McNally and Neff formed the La Mirada Land Company, which published a booklet entitled "The Country Gentleman in California", advertising parcels of land for sale including pictures, a map and descriptions of the scenic olive, alfalfa, lemon and grapefruit groves.
In 1946, "Along Your Way", a "Station by Station Description of the Santa Fe Route Through the Southwest," describes La Mirada with a population of 213, surrounded by orange, lemon, walnut and olive groves; oil wells; olive oil factory; and fruit packing houses.
The city received a lot of attention for the fact that it was going to be completely structured and planned out. Referred to as "the Nation's completely planned city" during the early 1950s,[10] the city of La Mirada received a lot of attention from the State Fair[11]. The Fair praised the city for planning for the future while still maintaining practicality for today.
In 1953, the land was sold to subdivisions for 5.2 million dollars, one of the largest real estate transactions in California. By 1960, the year the city was incorporated, La Mirada had grown from a mere 100 homes to over 8,000[12]. The city was incorporated as "Mirada Hills" on March 23, 1960. On November 8, 1960, voters approved a change of name to the current La Mirada, which was officially certified on December 15, 1960.
Today, the current population is near 50,000 with the addition of a new subdivision on the eastern portion of the town.
[edit] Geography
La Mirada is located at 33°54′8″N 118°0′35″W / 33.90222°N 118.00972°W (33.902130, -118.009663)[13]. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 20.4 km² (7.9 mi²). 20.3 km² (7.8 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it (0.38%) is water. The city is on the border between Orange and Los Angeles Counties. Cities which border it are Fullerton and La Habra on the east; Buena Park on the south; Cerritos and Santa Fe Springs to the west; and unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County and small portions of Orange County to the north.
[edit] Climate
La Mirada, like the rest of the Los Angeles basin is well-known for its year-round pleasant weather:
-On average, the warmest month is July.
-The highest recorded temperature was 110°F in 1988.
-On average, the coolest month is December.
-The lowest recorded temperature was 30°F in 1990.
-The maximum average precipitation occurs in February.
La Mirada has a Mediterranean climate or Dry-Summer Subtropical (Köppen climate classification Csb on the coast, Csa inland), enjoying plenty of sunshine throughout the year, with an average of 263 sunshine days and only 35 days with measurable precipitation annually.[14]
| Climate chart for La Mirada, California | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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3.5
70
48
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3.6
71
49
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2.9
73
56
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0.9
77
53
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0.2
79
57
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0.1
84
61
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0
89
64
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0
89
65
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0.2
88
64
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0.3
82
58
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1
75
52
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1.7
71
47
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| average temperatures in °F precipitation totals in inches source: Weather.com / NWS |
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Metric conversion
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The period of April through November is warm to hot and dry with average high temperatures of 71 - 79°F and lows of 50 - 62°F. Due to the moderating effect of the ocean, temperatures are cooler than more inland areas of Los Angeles, where temperatures frequently exceed 90°F (32°C) and occasionally reach 100°F (38°C) in inland areas (due to the moderating effect of the ocean).
The period of November through March is somewhat rainy, as shown in the table to left.[15]
The Los Angeles area is also subject to the phenomenon typical of a microclimate. As such, the temperatures can vary as much as 18°F (10°C) between inland areas and the coast, with a temperature gradient of over one degree per mile (1.6 km) from the coast inland. California has also a weather phenomenon called "June Gloom or May Grey", which sometimes gives overcast or foggy skies in the morning at the coast, but usually gives sunny skies by noon, during late spring and early summer.
The Los Angeles region averages 15 inches (385 mm) of precipitation annually, which mainly occurs during the winter and spring (November thru April) with generally light rain showers, but sometimes as heavy rainfall and thunderstorms. Coastal areas gets slightly lower rainfall, while the mountains gets slightly higher rainfall. Snowfall is extremely rare in the city basin, but the mountains within city limits slopes typically receive snowfall every winter.
The greatest snowfall recorded in downtown Los Angeles was 2 inches (5 cm) in 1932.[16][17]
[edit] Demographics
As of the census[18] of 2000, there were 46,783 people, 14,580 households, and 11,518 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,301.0/km² (5,960.6/mi²). There were 14,811 housing units at an average density of 728.5/km² (1,887.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 64.46% White, 1.93% Black or African American, 0.75% American Indian, 14.88% Asian, 0.27% Pacific Islander, 13.64% from other races, and 4.08% from two or more races. 33.47% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 14,580 households out of which 37.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.1% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.0% were non-families. 17.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.10 and the average family size was 3.49.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.2% under the age of 18, 10.7% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 93.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $61,632, and the median income for a family was $66,598 (these figures had risen to $77,952 and $87,037 respectively as of a 2007 estimate[19]). Males had a median income of $47,364 versus $31,993 for females. The per capita income for the city was $22,404. About 3.7% of families and 5.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.1% of those under age 18 and 4.5% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Government and politics
In the state legislature La Mirada is located in the 30th Senate District, represented by Democrat Ronald S. Calderon, and in the 60th Assembly District, represented by Republican Bob Huff. Federally, La Mirada is located in California's 39th congressional district, which has a Cook PVI of D +13[20] and is represented by Democrat Linda Sánchez.
The city is governed by a five-member council-manager government, each elected at-large (i.e., by the entire city's voting population, not by districts) to four year terms. Each year the five members vote one of themselves to be the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem.
[edit] Emergency services
Police services for La Mirada are contracted to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) through its Norwalk station. The Norwalk Station is also responsible for providing contracted police services to the city of Norwalk as well as unincorporated South Whittier. The department has a substation in La Mirada located adjacent to City Hall. Many deputies assigned to La Mirada drive patrol cars marked with the La Mirada logo, but wear Los Angeles County uniforms.
The city also employs a civilian Public Safety team to support the LASD. Public Safety Officers are unarmed and do not have arrest powers. They carry out ancillary duties such as issuing animal/bicycle licenses, fingerprinting, and writing reports on non-hazardous matters (e.g., forgery, vandalism). They are also charged with enforcing parking and municipal codes.
Fire protection and paramedic services are provided by the Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACoFD). The department maintains Station #49 in La Mirada adjacent to City Hall. With neighboring La Habra recently folding its city fire department into the LACoFD (despite being located in Orange County), a new station designated #194 is under construction on the east side of the city near the La Mirada/La Habra city limits to improve fire service to recently-developed residential and commercial areas in both cities.
Ambulance and EMT service are provided by private carriers including Care Ambulance Service and American Medical Response.
In the event of a major disaster La Mirada HamWatch volunteers provide real time communications support to law enforcement and life saving agencies through the use of Amateur (Ham) Radio.
[edit] Education
Public education in La Mirada is governed by the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District, headquartered in neighboring Norwalk. La Mirada has one public secondary school – La Mirada High School – within its city limits.
Several private schools – both denominational and non-denominational – are located in La Mirada.
The city is home to one private higher education institution, Biola University.
[edit] Transportation
La Mirada's main arterial streets are Rosecrans Avenue and Imperial Highway. Valley View Avenue, La Mirada Boulevard, and Santa Gertrudes Avenue are other important arterials. Interstate 5 passes through the southwest corner of the city, while Beach Boulevard (CA-39) passes through the east end of the city.
Freight railroad traffic through the city is handled by BNSF Railway on its right-of-way in the southwest portion of the city. Metrolink operates commuter rail service on this right-of-way; the nearest stations to La Mirada are Buena Park and Norwalk/Santa Fe Springs.
Public transportation is provided by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) and Norwalk Transit.
[edit] Notable residents
- Gary Allan, country singer
- Tony Corrente, NFL referee
- Jennie Finch, Olympic softball player.
- Eddie Glass, rock musician Nebula
- Janine Lindemulder, American exotic dancer and adult film actress
- Johnny Martin, Musician The Chelsea Smiles
- Eric Winter, Actor from Days of our Lives 2002-2005
[edit] References
- ^ "Incorporation Dates of California Cities" (DOC). http://www.cacities.org/resource_files/20457.IncorpDateLO.doc. Retrieved on 2007-01-18.
- ^ "City Council information". http://www.cityoflamirada.org/index.aspx?page=156. Retrieved on 2009-04-06.
- ^ "La Mirada Redevelopment Manager Application" (PDF). http://www.cityoflamirada.org/Jobs_07/RedevelopManager2.pdf. Retrieved on 2007-05-16.
- ^ "USPS - ZIP Code Lookup - Find a ZIP+ 4 Code By City Results". http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/zcl_1_results.jsp?visited=1&pagenumber=0&state=ca&city=La%20Mirada. Retrieved on 2007-01-18.
- ^ "Number Administration System - NPA and City/Town Search Results". http://www.nanpa.com/nas/public/npa_city_query_step2.do?method=displayData&cityToNpaModel.stateAbbr=CA&cityToNpaModel.city=La%20Mirada. Retrieved on 2007-01-18.
- ^ Cities Within Each County, California State Association of Counties
- ^ City of La Mirada Web Site Fact Sheet
- ^ "Best Places to Live: Top 100". http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/moneymag/0707/gallery.BPTL_top_100.moneymag/34.html. Retrieved on 2008-10-15.
- ^ "History of La Mirada". http://www.cityoflamirada.org/history.htm. Retrieved on 2008-10-15.
- ^ "Postcard from State Fair". http://ourlamirada.com/lamirada/modelhome1953.html/history.htm. Retrieved on 2008-10-15.
- ^ "1953 State Fair Article". http://ourlamirada.com/lamirada/calstatefair1953.html/history.htm. Retrieved on 2008-10-15.
- ^ "History of La Mirada". http://www.cityoflamirada.org/history.htm. Retrieved on 2008-10-15.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2005-05-03. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ "Weatherbase: Historical Weather for Los Angeles, California, United States of America". Weatherbase.com. http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=159227&refer=. Retrieved on 2009-01-08.
- ^ www.weather.com
- ^ Rasmussen, Cecilia (2005-03-10). "We're Not in Kansas, but We Do Get Twisters - Los Angeles Times". Articles.latimes.com. http://articles.latimes.com/2005/mar/10/local/me-surroundings10. Retrieved on 2009-01-08.
- ^ Burt, Christopher. Extreme Weather: A Guide and Record Book. New York: Norton, 2004: 100.
- ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ACSSAFFFacts?_event=Search&geo_id=&_geoContext=&_street=&_county=la+mirada&_cityTown=la+mirada&_state=04000US06&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&pctxt=fph&pgsl=010
- ^ "Will Gerrymandered Districts Stem the Wave of Voter Unrest?". Campaign Legal Center Blog. http://www.clcblog.org/blog_item-85.html. Retrieved on 2008-02-10.
Elaine Davidson actress from Young and Restless 1980?-2009
[edit] External links
- La Mirada Official Website
- Norwalk-La Mirada School District
- Old pictures of schools, churches, shopping center, etc
- La Mirada, California is at coordinates 33°54′08″N 118°00′35″W / 33.90213°N 118.009663°WCoordinates: 33°54′08″N 118°00′35″W / 33.90213°N 118.009663°W
