Cudahy, California

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Cudahy, California
City
City of Cudahy
Coat of arms of Cudahy, California
Coat of arms
Location of Cudahy in Los Angeles County, California.
Location of Cudahy in Los Angeles County, California.
Cudahy, California is located in the United States
Cudahy, California
Cudahy, California
Location in the United States
Coordinates: 33°57′51″N 118°10′57″W / 33.96417°N 118.18250°W / 33.96417; -118.18250Coordinates: 33°57′51″N 118°10′57″W / 33.96417°N 118.18250°W / 33.96417; -118.18250
Country United States
State California
County Los Angeles
IncorporatedNovember 10, 1960[1]
Government
 • MayorElizabeth Alcantar
 • city council[2]Jose Gonzalez
Chris Garcia
Blanca Lozoya
Jack Guerrero
Area
 • Total1.23 sq mi (3.18 km2)
 • Land1.18 sq mi (3.05 km2)
 • Water0.05 sq mi (0.13 km2)  4.15%
Elevation121 ft (37 m)
Population
 • Total23,805
 • Estimate 
(2019)[6]
23,569
 • Density20,041.67/sq mi (7,739.65/km2)
Time zoneUTC-8 (PST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP Code
90201
Area code(s)213/323
FIPS code06-17498
GNIS feature ID1652694
Websitewww.cityofcudahy.com

Cudahy (/ˈkʌdəheɪ/ KUD-ə-hay) is a city located in southeastern Los Angeles County, California. In area, Cudahy is the second smallest city in Los Angeles County after Hawaiian Gardens but with one of the highest population densities of any incorporated city in the United States. It is part of the Gateway Cities region[7] and had a population of 23,805 as of the 2010 U.S. Census.[8]

History[edit]

Cudahy is named for its founder, meat-packing baron Michael Cudahy,[9] who purchased the original 2,777 acres (11.2 km2) of Rancho San Antonio in 1908 to resell as 1-acre (4,000 m2) lots.[citation needed]

These "Cudahy lots" were notable for their dimensions—in most cases, 50 to 100 feet (15 to 30 m) in width and 600 to 800 feet (183 to 244 m) in depth, a length equivalent to a city block or more in most American towns. Such parcels, often referred to as "railroad lots", were intended to allow the new town's residents to keep a large vegetable garden, a grove of fruit trees (usually citrus), and a chicken coop or horse stable. This arrangement, popular in the towns along the lower Los Angeles and San Gabriel rivers, proved particularly attractive to the Southerners and Midwesterners who were leaving their struggling farms in droves in the 1910s and 1920s to start new lives in Southern California.[citation needed]

Sam Quinones of the Los Angeles Times said that the large, narrow parcels of land gave Cudahy Acres a "rural feel in an increasingly urban swath."[9] As late as the 1950s, some Cudahy residents were still riding into the city's downtown areas on horseback. After World War II the city was a White American blue collar town with steel and automobile plants in the area.[9]

By the late 1970s, the factories closed down and the white residents of Cudahy left for jobs and housing in the San Gabriel and San Fernando Valleys. Stucco apartment complexes were built on former tracts of land. The population density increased; in 2007 the city was the second-densest in California, after Maywood.[10]

The city was subjected to a major political corruption incident when the former mayor and the one-time city manager were indicted on bribery and extortion charges for supporting the opening of a medical marijuana dispensary. As a result of these charges, on July 12, 2012, ex-mayor David Silva, councilman Osvaldo Conde, and former City Manager Angel Perales, 43, each pleaded guilty to one count of bribery and extortion; according to plea agreements they each face up to 30 years in prison.[11]

On January 14, 2020, Delta Air Lines Flight 89 dumped jet fuel onto Cudahy, while making an emergency landing at Los Angeles International Airport. Park Avenue Elementary School suffered the brunt of this dumping.[12] This incident sparked outrage because of the city's previous history of environmental damage, including the construction of the same school on top of an old dump site that contained contaminated soil with toxic sludge, and pollution from the Exide battery plant.[13] The mayor, Elizabeth Alcantar, pushed for better compensation from Delta for the impact on residents and the city.[14]

Geography[edit]

Cudahy is located at 33°57′51″N 118°10′57″W / 33.964214°N 118.182575°W / 33.964214; -118.182575.[15]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.175 square kilometers (1.226 sq mi), over 95% of it land.[16]

Cudahy is bordered by Bell on the north, Bell Gardens on the east, South Gate on the south and southwest, and Huntington Park on the west.

In 2007, of the 5,800 housing units, 5,000 were rentals.[10]

Demographics[edit]

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
197016,998—
198018,2757.5%
199022,81724.9%
200024,2086.1%
201023,805−1.7%
2019 (est.)23,569[6]−1.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[17]

2010[edit]

At the 2010 census Cudahy had a population of 23,805. The population density was 19,417.5 people per square mile (7,497.2/km2). The racial makeup of Cudahy was 11,708 (49.2%) White (2.1% Non-Hispanic White),[18] 333 (1.4%) African American, 246 (1.0%) Native American, 137 (0.6%) Asian, 24 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 10,339 (43.4%) from other races, and 1,018 (4.3%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 22,850 persons (96.0%).[19]

The census reported that 23,797 people (100% of the population) lived in households, 8 (0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and no one was institutionalized.

There were 5,607 households, 3,712 (66.2%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 2,941 (52.5%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 1,362 (24.3%) had a female householder with no husband present, 686 (12.2%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 589 (10.5%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 42 (0.7%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 399 households (7.1%) were one person and 176 (3.1%) had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 4.24. There were 4,989 families (89.0% of households); the average family size was 4.32.

The age distribution was 8,325 people (35.0%) under the age of 18, 2,858 people (12.0%) aged 18 to 24, 7,279 people (30.6%) aged 25 to 44, 4,121 people (17.3%) aged 45 to 64, and 1,222 people (5.1%) who were 65 or older. The median age was 27.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.5 males.

There were 5,770 housing units at an average density of 4,706.5 per square mile, of the occupied units 1,011 (18.0%) were owner-occupied and 4,596 (82.0%) were rented. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.3%; the rental vacancy rate was 2.3%. 4,355 people (18.3% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 19,442 people (81.7%) lived in rental housing units.

According to the 2010 United States Census, Cudahy had a median household income of $38,267, with 31.8% of the population living below the federal poverty line.[18]

2000[edit]

At the 2000 census there were 24,208 people in 5,419 households, including 4,806 families, in the city. The population density was 21,627.7 inhabitants per square mile (8,345.3/km2). There were 5,542 housing units at an average density of 4,951.3 per square mile (1,910.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 43.14% White, 1.24% Black or African American, 1.28% Native American, 0.74% Asian, 0.17% Pacific Islander, 48.06% from other races, and 5.37% from two or more races. 94.14% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[20] Of the 5,419 households 66.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.6% were married couples living together, 21.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 11.3% were non-families. 8.1% of households were one person and 3.5% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 4.47 and the average family size was 4.58.

The age distribution was 39.9% under the age of 18, 12.4% from 18 to 24, 32.3% from 25 to 44, 11.7% from 45 to 64, and 3.7% 65 or older. The median age was 24 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,040, and the median family income was $28,833. Males had a median income of $19,149 versus $16,042 for females. The per capita income for the city was $8,688. About 26.4% of families and 28.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.1% of those under age 18 and 18.1% of those age 65 or over.

Latino communities These were the ten cities or neighborhoods in Los Angeles County with the largest percentage of Latino residents, according to the 2000 census:[21]

  1. East Los Angeles, California, 96.7%
  2. Maywood, California, 96.4%
  3. City Terrace, California, 94.4%
  4. Huntington Park, California, 95.1%
  5. Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, 94.0%
  6. Cudahy, California, 93.8%
  7. Bell Gardens, California, 93.7%
  8. Commerce, California 93.4%
  9. Vernon, California, 92.6%
  10. La Puente, California, 92.1%

Government[edit]

In the California State Legislature, Cudahy is in the 33rd Senate District, represented by Democrat Lena Gonzalez, and in the 63rd Assembly District, represented by Democrat Anthony Rendon.[22]

In the United States House of Representatives, Cudahy is in California's 40th congressional district, represented by Democrat Lucille Roybal-Allard.[23]

Cudahy's council is elected through at-large elections with four-year seats.

Elections[edit]

2015[edit]

In March 2015, Measure A, which proposed a term limit of two four-year terms for City Council members, with partial terms of any length counting as a full term, was put to a vote.[24] The measure was approved, with 672 "yes" votes to 133 "no" votes.[25]

In that same election, five people (Christian Hernandez, Cristian Markovich, Adam Ochoa, Diane Oliva, and Baru Sanchez) ran for three city council seats.[26] Hernandez, Markovich, and Sanchez won the election.[27]

Infrastructure[edit]

Police Services used to be contracted through the City of Maywood, by the Maywood-Cudahy Police Department, now disbanded. In an emergency meeting conducted July 21, 2010, Cudahy city leaders agreed to contract for police services with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.[28]

Fire protection in Cudahy is provided by the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services operates the Whittier Health Center in Whittier, serving Cudahy.[29]

The United States Postal Service Cudahy Post Office is located at 4619 Elizabeth Street.[30]

Economy[edit]

After World War II the population of Cudahy worked for plants operated by General Motors, Chrysler, Firestone, and Bethlehem Steel.[9] In 2007 the largest employers in Cudahy were the Kmart/Big Lots Center and the Superior Super Warehouse.[10]

Education[edit]

Cudahy is a part of the Los Angeles Unified School District. Cudahy is served by several schools, including Teresa Hughes Elementary School, Park Avenue Elementary School, Elizabeth Learning Center (a neighborhood school for grades K-8 and a high school for grades 9 through 12), Ochoa Learning Center (K-8), and Bell High School in Bell.

All residents are zoned to Bell High School.[31][32] Any student who lives in the Bell or Huntington Park High School zones may apply to Maywood Academy High School; Maywood Academy, which opened in 2005 and moved into its permanent campus in 2006, does not have its own attendance boundary because it lacks American football, track and field, and tennis facilities.[33]

Jaime Escalante Elementary School opened in Cudahy on August 16, 2010,[34] named after Jaime Escalante, who was an East Los Angeles-high school educator.[35]

An analysis based on census data, classified Cudahy as the 4th least educated city in California with 37.9 of its population not having completed the ninth grade.[36]

Public libraries[edit]

The County of Los Angeles Public Library operates the Cudahy Library at 5218 Santa Ana Street.[37]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "California Cities by Incorporation Date". California Association of Local Agency Formation Commissions. Archived from the original (Word) on November 3, 2014. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
  2. ^ "Cudahy City Council". City of Cudahy.
  3. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  4. ^ "Cudahy". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
  5. ^ "Cudahy (city) QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on March 29, 2015. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  6. ^ a b "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  7. ^ City of Cudahy (July 6, 2009). The City of Cudahy – About the City. Retrieved on 2009-07-06 from "Archived copy". Archived from the original on April 1, 2009. Retrieved July 6, 2009.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link).
  8. ^ City of Cudahy. Los Angeles Almanac. Retrieved May 27, 2011.
  9. ^ a b c d Quinones, Sam. "Novices threaten Cudahy's status quo." Los Angeles Times. January 2, 2007. 1. Retrieved on October 26, 2009.
  10. ^ a b c Quinones, Sam. "Novices threaten Cudahy's status quo." Los Angeles Times. January 2, 2007. 2. Retrieved on October 26, 2009.
  11. ^ "CA Pot Shop Bribes". TheRepublic. Archived from the original on February 4, 2013.
  12. ^ "Elementary school kids doused as jet dumps fuel before emergency landing". Los Angeles Times. January 14, 2020. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  13. ^ "Jet fuel dumped on schools, children sparks questions and outrage". Los Angeles Times. January 15, 2020. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  14. ^ Reyes-Velarde, Alejandra (February 11, 2020). "This 26-year-old became a small-town California mayor. Then a jet dumped fuel on her snakebit city". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 11, 2020.
  15. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  16. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on January 12, 2012. Retrieved 2012-11-18.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  17. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  18. ^ a b "Cudahy (city) QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau". State and County QuickFacts. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on March 29, 2015. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  19. ^ "2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Cudahy city". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  20. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  21. ^ "Latino" Mapping L.A., Los Angeles Times
  22. ^ "Statewide Database". UC Regents. Archived from the original on February 1, 2015. Retrieved November 24, 2014.
  23. ^ "California's 40th Congressional District - Representatives & District Map". Civic Impulse, LLC.
  24. ^ "Consolidated Elections - March 3, 2015 - Measures Appearing On The Ballet" (PDF). County of Los Angeles. Retrieved December 27, 2017.
  25. ^ "Consolidated Returns" (PDF). County of Los Angeles. p. 8. Retrieved December 27, 2017.
  26. ^ "Consolidated Elections - Final List Of Qualified Candidates To Appear On The Ballot" (PDF). County of Los Angeles. p. 3. Retrieved December 27, 2017.
  27. ^ "Consolidated Returns" (PDF). County of Los Angeles. p. 6. Retrieved December 27, 2017.
  28. ^ "Cudahy to contract with the Sheriff's Department". latimes.com.
  29. ^ "Whittier Health Center Archived May 27, 2010, at the Wayback Machine." Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. Retrieved on March 18, 2010.
  30. ^ "Post Office Location – CUDAHY." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on December 6, 2008.
  31. ^ "Cudahy city, California Archived June 7, 2011, at the Wayback Machine." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on July 2, 2010.
  32. ^ "Proposed Changes to South East HS Area Schools." Los Angeles Unified School District. Retrieved on June 24, 2010.
  33. ^ "School History Archived November 24, 2010, at the Wayback Machine." Maywood Academy High School. Retrieved on July 2, 2010.
  34. ^ "Jaime Esclante Elementary". California Department of Education. Archived from the original on August 2, 2012. Retrieved February 6, 2012.
  35. ^ "Cudahy school named after teacher Jaime Escalante". ABC7. March 27, 2011. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  36. ^ "[1] Archived January 11, 2012, at the Wayback Machine." Retrieved on February 6, 2012.
  37. ^ "Cudahy Library." County of Los Angeles Public Library. Retrieved on December 6, 2008.

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]

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