City, Los Angeles County
© McCormack's Guides
Zip Codes: 91731, 91732, 91734, 91735
Bedroom city located about 12 miles east of downtown L.A. Great variety of single homes. Country feeling in some neighborhoods. School rankings low to middling. Population 126,053. www.mccormacks.com
Median age of residents is 27. Under 18 years, 34 percent. Over 55 years, 13 percent. Family town. Many playmates.
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Like about a half-dozen other cities in L.A. County, El Monte went in for deep-lot housing. Scattered around the town are lots roughly the size of a football field. Some have just one home and a lot of open space. Others have four or six or eight or more homes, served by one driveway. Some of the newer “complexes” will be protected by gates.
In some instances, modern homes (stucco, tile roofs, two stories) will be set down across from old, small homes. On other streets, toward the center of town, El Monte runs to everyday suburban tract with three-bedroom homes but even here the unexpected enters.
A few of these streets are almost entirely shaded by trees. This combined with the good upkeep of the homes creates a pleasing impression.
El Monte’s boom started in war years. Between 1940 and 1970, about 50 percent of its housing stock was constructed, single homes outnumbering apartments by two to one. Mobile home park can be found on the south side, near the San Gabriel River. www.mccormacks.com
The state in 2008 counted 28,817 housing units: 15,499 single homes, 3,391 single attached, 8,521 multiples, 1,406 mobiles.
Since the 1970s, the city has constructed several thousand homes and apartments in each decade — good choice of old and new suburbia.
Served by El Monte elementary and high school districts and by Mountain View Elementary District. Sample rankings: Durfee Elementary, 20th to 40th percentile; Shirpser Elementary, 20th to 40th; Arroyo High, 50th and 60th percentile. Both the elementary and the high school districts have passed bonds to renovate their schools. See Schools.
Four homicides in 2005, seven in 2004, three in 2003, seven in 2002, nine 2001, six in 2000. The counts for previous years are 8, 11, 7, 9, 30, 16, 19, 17, 13, 9. El Monte has its own police department. See Crime.
Library, community center, seniors center, town museum, nine parks, aquatic center. Close to large regional parks and several golf courses. City rec. department runs sports leagues for kids and adults. www.mccormacks.com
Metrolink (commuter rail) to downtown L.A. Interstate 10 crosses the center of city. Easy freeway access. On the east side, Interstate 605, which runs to Orange County. Buses. Internal trolleys. Small airport at north end of town.
Many jobs in bordering city of Industry and this will mean a short commute for some residents.
For orientation on cities, towns and neighborhoods of Los Angeles County, see County Overview.
Chamber of commerce: (626) 443-0180.
City web site: www.ci.el-monte.ca.us
