City, Los Angeles County
© McCormack's Guides
Zip Code: 91010
More a neighborhood than a city. Rich, secluded, all but a few streets closed to the public. Located in the foothills of the San Gabriel mountains, just above the City of Duarte. Population: 948. Median age of residents is 42. Under 18 years, 25 percent. Over 55 years, 28 percent. www.mccormacks.com
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Up until about 40 years ago, it was easy in California for neighborhoods and small towns to incorporate themselves as legal cities and take control of their zoning, planning, taxes and expenditures. Now it’s much harder.
During the boom years following World War II, suburbia galloped across the countryside, pleasing developers and countless buyers but also upsetting many. Some groups wanted to retain the flavor and habits of their small towns or a certain way of life.
Bradbury residents wanted to keep the rural horse-country atmosphere they had come to love and to avoid tract housing. So they incorporated the neighborhood in 1957. Building restrictions were tightened in 1998.
Behind the gates, the housing runs to custom homes, many on five-acre lots. The majority of breadwinners are managers or professionals, the census reports.
The state in 2008 counted 333 housing units: 331 single homes, no single attached, 2 multiples, zero mobiles. In 1990s, about 21 homes were built and the population increased by 26. www.mccormacks.com
The few children attend private schools or schools in the Duarte Unified District. Academic rankings land above and below the 50th percentile, with Duarte High School scoring 60th and 70th percentiles. Bond passed to renovate schools. See Schools.
Police protection by private patrols and the sheriff’s department. Zero homicides between 1995 and 2005. Duarte has a few streets open to the public and occasionally will report a burglary or theft. But the crime rate is one of the lowest in L.A. County and the state. See Crime.
About 21 miles to downtown L.A., possibly the only drawback to the town. The Foothill Freeway (I-210) can be picked up in Duarte.
For recreation, many families supply their own. Stores in Duarte. Bradbury is about eight miles east of Pasadena, which offers much in the way of shopping, culture and amusements.
No businesses in Bradbury. No chamber of commerce. In planning, a city hall-community center. As a legal city, Bradbury is able to capture state funds for some of its projects. www.mccormacks.com
For orientation on cities, towns and neighborhoods of Los Angeles County, see County Overview.
For information, call city hall at (626) 358-3218.
City web site: www.cityofbradbury.org
