City, Los Angeles County
© McCormack's Guides
Zip Codes: 91009, 91010
Bedroom city in foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. Generally middle class. Well-cared-for. In 1998, passed a $43 million bond to renovate schools. Crime low. Population 22,953. www.mccormacks.com
Median age of residents is 35. Under 18 years, 28 percent. Over 55 years, 20 percent. Family town, rounded.
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Named after an ex-corporal in the Mexican army who was granted 7,000 acres. Before suburbia, orange groves.
Pretty town that slopes up to San Gabriel Mountains then moves into foothills. Ordinarily, this would push housing way up scale. But Duarte even in its hill neighborhoods was built for the middle class. Some homes expand to a second floor and a third car in garage but that’s about it for opulence.
About half of Duarte's housing predates 1970; half after. The newest homes will be found in the east hills.
Bulk of the city, including the high school, middle school and civic center, are located between Royal Oaks Drive and Interstate 210. This sector, which also takes in a large sports park, a performing arts center and Huntington Street, the main shopping thoroughfare, sets the tone for the town — well maintained, intimate, a compact town with a center. www.mccormacks.com
South of the freeway, homes on some streets run to old and small. Maintenance is generally good but a few homes have faded in appearances. Train tracks on south side.
Good town for getting away from some of the hustle and bustle of L.A. The San Gabriel River on the east side is not much of a river but it has created a wash, a large portion of which has been turned into a catch basin for winter rains. No development. On its north, Duarte borders Bradbury, a gated city of fewer than 1,000 residents who incorporated to stifle development. Duarte on its north also butts up against the San Gabriels, too steep for housing.
The state in 2008 counted 6,948 housing units: 4,343 single homes, 874 single attached, 1,502 multiples, 229 mobiles.
Education by the Duarte Unified School District, which also takes in Bradbury and small unincorporated section to south of Duarte. Many homes in this section go for lower prices. www.mccormacks.com
North of the freeway, the elementary schools score higher, a reflection of the area's demographics. Many grades are scoring below the 50th percentile, a few at the 50th and a few above. See Schools.
Three homicides in 2004. Counts for previous years are 0, 1, 1, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 1, 4, 2, 0. City contracts with the sheriff for police protection. See Crime.
Swim center. Fitness center. Nine-hole golf course. Seniors center. After-school programs for kids. Teen center. About a dozen parks. Hiking and horse trials. Large regional parks. Library. Museum. Performing arts center. Summer concerts. Route 66 parade. Town has poet laureate; he reads at special events. In 2005, high school choir performed at schools in China.
Two medical centers: City of Hope and Santa Teresita.
City continues to spruce up its downtown and west side (Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Target).
About 20 miles to downtown L.A. Many jobs in Pasadena, about eight miles to west. Duarte is split by Interstate 210; quick connection to I-605. In planning a light-rail line with station in downtown Duarte. www.mccormacks.com
For orientation on cities, towns and neighborhoods of Los Angeles County, see County Overview.
Chamber of commerce (626) 357-3333.
City web site: www.accessduarte.com
