City, Los Angeles County
© McCormack's Guides
Zip Code: 90202
Small bedroom city, low to middle income, located about 10 miles southeast of downtown L.A. Population 47,002. www.mccormacks.com
Median age of residents is 24. Under 18 years, 39 percent. Over 55 years, 8 percent. Another family town. Loads of kiddies. School rankings low-middling.
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Bell Gardens started booming in the late 1940s and swung into high gear in the 1950s and 1960s. These three decades account for about 80 percent of the city's housing. In the 1970s, housing starts came in at 1,950; in the 1980s, they dropped to 900; and in the last decade to 800.
The boom-year housing was aimed at veterans buying their first home. Among owner-occupied units, census figures show, two- and three-bedroom homes were the most popular.
Some of this housing is showing its age, and the level of care varies from street to street.
Bell Gardens is one of those cities that favored deep-lot housing. The homes or apartments are built on one lot served by one driveway. www.mccormacks.com
Many of the original residents have taken their equity and moved up and out, creating a situation that welcomes newcomers and first-time buyers.
The state in 2010 counted 9,963 housing units: 4,026 single homes, 2,474 single attached, 3,067 apartments or condos, 396 mobiles.
The children are educated in the schools of the Montebello Unified District. Academic rankings often fall below the 20th percentile. Bell Gardens High scores in 30th percentile. Voters passed bond in 1998 to renovate schools. See Schools.
Five homicides in 2005, two in 2004, ten in 2003, four in 2002, five in 2001, three in 2000, five each in 1999 and 1998. The counts for previous years are 6, 5, 10, 7, 8, 5, 6, 7. Many homes have security doors and window bars. See Crime.
Library. Four parks, including a large regional park on the south side. Golf course. www.mccormacks.com
Interstate 710 runs up the west side of the city, Interstate 5, the east side. Buses. Straight shot to downtown L.A. Close to commute rail station in City of Commerce. Check out noise from freight trains.
Many local jobs, which means short commutes for residents.
For orientation on cities, towns and neighborhoods of Los Angeles County, see County Overview.
Chamber of commerce: (562) 806-7700.
City web site: www.bellgardens.org
