City, Los Angeles County
© McCormack's Guides
Zip Code: 91706
Blue-collar, middle-income city that built most of its housing between 1950 and 1990 and offers a lot of housing choices, especially in single homes. Population 81,281. www.mccormacks.com
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Median age of residents is 27. Under 18 years, 35 percent. Over 55 years, 12 percent. Demographic translation: Many young families, many kids.
Baldwin Park started its housing boom in the late 1940s and the 1950s when it constructed 6,300 units. In the following decade it erected 3,500 units and in the 1970s, about 2,700 units. In the 1980s, housing starts bumped up to 2,800 units and in the last decade, they dropped to 1,100 units.
For the most part, Baldwin Park built for blue-collar America, many of them veterans starting out in their first homes, generally two and three bedrooms. Some of this housing is faded but for every home that needs some paint applied and shrubs trimmed, you’ll see two or three that show loving attention.
The newer homes are generally larger than the older. Downtown fixed up: brick crosswalks, trees, traffic slowed, median strip planted. San Gabriel Mountains a strong presence in town.
State in 2008 counted 17,867 units: 12,081 single homes, 1,878 single attached, 3,565 multiples, 343 mobiles. www.mccormacks.com
Children are educated in the schools of the Baldwin Park Unified School District. Scores, state comparison, land generally in the 10th to 70th percentile. District voters in 1996 okayed $26 million bond for renovation of schools and in 2002 approved another bond for $47 million. School district has designated Santa Fe Elementary, which has the highest scores, as a fundamental school. Students apply for admission. See Schools.
Five homicides in 2005, three in 2004, five in 2003, six in 2002, five in 2001, seven in 2000, seven in 1999. Counts for previous years are 8, 8, 12, 7, 7, 8, 12, 11, 8. See Crime.
Community center with indoor pool. Seven parks. Boys and Girls Club. Summer concerts. Seniors center. Teen center. Performing arts center. Sports programs for kids, adults.
Target, Home Depot. Kaiser Medical Center.
Two freeways, Interstates 10 and 605. Many local jobs, especially in nearby City of Industry. About 18 miles to downtown L.A. Metrolink (commuter rail) to downtown. Parking expanded at Metrolink station. www.mccormacks.com
Baldwin Park introduced the world to the first drive-through restaurant, an In-N-Out Burger. Town calls itself the “Hub of the San Gabriel Valley.”
Named after Elias “Lucky” Baldwin, pioneer developer, speculator, gambler.
For orientation on cities, towns and neighborhoods of Los Angeles County, see County Overview.
Chamber of commerce (626) 960-4848.
City web site: www.baldwinpark.com
