Communities, Los Angeles County
© McCormack's Guides
Zip Codes: 90022, 90023
Large unincorporated community to the immediate east of downtown L.A. Housing over hills and flatlands. Also known as “East Los.” Census population 124,283. www.mccormacks.com
Click for regional or detailed map
School scores generally low. Crime not tracked by the FBI but many homes have security doors and window bars.
East Los Angeles has some of the oldest housing and one of the best commutes in the county. It’s a popular place for immigrants seeking to get a toehold in L.A. About 63 percent of the housing was built before 1960.
But it also has a solid foundation of home ownership. About 37 percent of the housing units are owner occupied, the 2000 census reported.
Appearances vary by block. Some suffer from graffiti and litter, others are clean. Some houses are kept up and in good repair; others aren’t. Lively business section. Many shops. On weekends, the streets are crowded with shoppers.
Homes in the northern section, known as City Terrace, are draped over hills with narrow streets. The rest of East L.A. is generally flat. www.mccormacks.com
Educated by the Los Angeles School District. Sample rankings: Belvedere Elementary, 10th to 40th percentiles; Eastman Avenue Elementary, 10th percentile; Garfield High, 30th percentile. Several magnet schools also serve the neighborhood. Ramona High School is being rebuilt. See Schools.
A large California state university and a community college border East L.A. Many classes and activities. Both encourage residents to take an interest in education.
Being unincorporated, East Los Angeles is governed by the county board of supervisors and its departments. Patrolled by sheriff’s deputies. Over last 30 years, several efforts have been made to incorporate the neighborhood as a city but all have failed.
About 10 parks, including Belvedere, a half-mile square. Several libraries. Outdoor murals. Shopping along Cesar Chavez Boulevard and in downtown.
About four miles from downtown L.A. Buses. Metrolink (commute rail) station at the university. Four freeways cross the community. Great commute. www.mccormacks.com
For orientation on cities, towns and neighborhoods of Los Angeles County, see County Overview.
Chamber of commerce: (323) 722-2005.
