City, Los Angeles County
© McCormack's Guides
Zip Codes: 90745, 90746, 90747, 90749, 90895
Bedroom community west of Long Beach, on its north side. Home to California State University-Dominguez Hills. Population 97,960. www.mccormacks.com
School rankings low-middling. Median age of residents is 34. Under 18 years, 28 percent. Over 55 years, 21 percent. Family town with fair number of kids.
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Carson built 5,000-6,000 homes in the 1950s and about 9,000 in the 1960s. In the 1970s, it constructed 4,800 units, in the 1980s, about 2,200 and in the last decade, about 1,300.
Because Carson built much of its housing after 1960, the homes are a little bigger and a little better-appointed than found elsewhere and, in general, Carson presents a pleasing suburban face. Lawns green and trim, homes in good repair. Carson looks “new.”
Near the university, the homes step up in quality, four and five bedrooms, many two-story units, landscaping.
State in 2008 counted 26,442 housing units: 18,654 single homes, 2,280 single attached, 3,003 multiples, 2,505 mobiles. More homes going up east of university. www.mccormacks.com
Served by L.A. Unified School District. Sample rankings: Dolores Elementary School, 40th and 50th percentiles; Carson High School, about 40th percentile.
Based at the university, a school for high I.Q. kids: Academy of Math and Sciences. It attracts students from the region, not just Carson. See Schools.
Cal State University is a great plus. It waves the flag for academic values, provides extension classes for the community and benevolently influences Carson life.
The university has a large sports stadium (named Home Depot) that also serves as the home field for the Los Angeles Galaxy soccer team. In 2007, the team signed David Beckham, as in “Bend It Like Beckham,” the European superstar married to the former Posh Spice.
For soccer and glamour fans ... Carson is looking up.
Some new tracts are gated and in a few neighborhoods, some homes, even on obviously middle-class streets, are protected by security doors and windows.
Seven homicides in 2005, eight in 2004, twelve in 2003, thirteen in 2002, eight in 2001. Counts for previous years are 17, 9, 8, 10, 19, 15, 17, 10, 12, 7, 6. Police protection is provided by sheriff’s department. See Crime.
Many industries, including a large oil refinery, and businesses on east side. Thousands of local jobs in town and in nearby cities. Large hotels. Office complexes. Floral hothouses. Large Ikea furniture store in South Bay Pavilion (mall). www.mccormacks.com
Sports complex, community center, two golf courses, about a dozen parks, community college close by, jogging and recreation at university, Carson Center for conventions, banquets. Six miles to the ocean.
In the seemingly endless quest to bring NFL football back to L.A. County, Carson is in the running for a stadium.
About 18 miles to downtown L.A. Four freeways run through or border Carson. Light rail to Long Beach and downtown L.A. Buses. About 10 miles to L.A. International Airport.
For orientation on cities, towns and neighborhoods of Los Angeles County, see County Overview.
Chamber of commerce: (310) 217-4590.
City web site: http://ci.carson.ca.us
