75-822: The Whittier Conservancy is a coalition of citizens in the city of Whittier , California . It was formed after the Whittier Narrows earthquake of October 1, 1987, which had led to the destruction of many historic buildings in Whittier, including the Lindley Building, one of Whittier's "Four Bricks", and the landmark Whittier Theater. In 1989, the Conservancy assisted the City to rezone the residential neighborhoods north of Hadley Street to protect this vital area from rampant, uncontrolled apartment construction. The Conservancy spearheaded
150-669: A political action committee founded to support the city in the lawsuit (thereby counteracting the influences of the Conservancy) and to push for further mixed-use development in the City of Whittier. Whittier, California Whittier ( / ˈ hw ɪ t i ər / ) is a city in Southern California in Los Angeles County , part of the Gateway Cities . The 14.7-square-mile (38.0 km ) city had 87,306 residents as of
225-659: A dispute with Mission San Gabriel . Nonetheless, Nieto still had a claim to 167,000 acres (680 km ) stretching from the hills north of Whittier, Fullerton , and Brea , south to the Pacific Ocean, and from what is known today as the Los Angeles River east to the Santa Ana River . Nieto built a rancho for his family near Whittier, purchased cattle and horses for his ranch, and planted cornfields. When Nieto died in 1804, his children inherited their father's property. At
300-469: A female householder with no husband present, and 28.8% were non-families. 23.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.21. In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.6% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 30.4% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 11.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age
375-443: A household in the city was $ 49,256, and the median income for a family was $ 55,726. Males had a median income of $ 40,394 versus $ 34,223 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 21,409. About 7.8% of families and 10.5% of the population were below the poverty line , including 13.7% of those under age 18 and 8.0% of those age 65 or over. Mexican and German were the most common ancestries. Mexico and El Salvador were
450-529: A larger population than Whittier proper. In the founding days of Whittier, when it was a small, isolated town, Jonathan Bailey and his wife, Rebecca, were among the first residents. They followed the Quaker religious faith and practice and held religious meetings on their porch. Other early settlers, such as Aquila Pickering, espoused the Quaker faith. As the city grew, the citizens named it after John Greenleaf Whittier ,
525-545: A mayor from the serving councilmembers to serve a one-year term as mayor. The city council hires a city manager to direct the city's departments and advise the council. The council appoints members of the Planning Commission; Parks, Recreation and Human Services Commission; Cultural Arts Commission, and Traffic Committee. Fire protection for Brea is provided by the Brea Fire Department (BFD) and law enforcement
600-463: A ministry of Trinity Lutheran Church, serves kindergarten through eighth grade. Whittier Christian School, a ministry of Calvary Baptist Church, Association of Christian Schools International serves the Whittier community. They have an elementary campus, two preschool campuses, one junior high school, and one high school. Plymouth Christian School, a ministry of Plymouth Church, serves preschool through sixth grade. Higher education institutions in
675-519: A political party or are independents. According to the city's 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, the top employers in the city are: The city is primarily served by the Brea Olinda Unified School District which operates six elementary schools, one junior high school ( Brea Junior High School ), one high school ( Brea Olinda High School ) and one continuation high school ( Brea Canyon High School ). A small portion of Brea
750-593: A population of 752, Brea was incorporated on February 23, 1917, as the eighth official city of Orange County . As oil production declined, some agricultural development took place, especially lemon and orange groves. In the 1920s, the Brea Chamber of Commerce promoted the city with the slogan “Oil, Oranges, and Opportunity.” In 1950, Brea had a population of 3,208, which is 641 more than ten years prior. The citrus groves gave way gradually to industrial parks and residential development. In 1956, Carl N. Karcher opened
825-517: A respected Quaker poet , and deeded a lot to him. Whittier wrote a dedication poem and is honored today with statues and a small exhibit at the Whittier Museum; a statue of him sits in Whittier's Central Park, and another representing his poem "The Barefoot Boy" used to reside by the City Hall and is now in front of the main library. Whittier never set foot there, but the city still bears his name and
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#1733093242752900-544: A shopping mall that had to be rebuilt. According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 14.7 square miles (38 km ), virtually all land. Whittier is bordered by the community of Hacienda Heights to the northeast, City of Industry to the north, and several other unincorporated communities in the San Gabriel Valley mostly along its northern sections. Pico Rivera lies at
975-621: A third building was dedicated on the same site in 1917. With a capacity of 1,700, the 1917 meeting house featured a balcony and was constructed of brick with mahogany paneling and pews. The present meeting house, dedicated in 1975, features many architectural elements and materials from the 1917 building, including the stained glass windows and mahogany interior. The Quakers also founded Whittier Academy (later Whittier College), and additional meetings met in East Whittier and at Whittier College's Mendenhall. The Mendenhall and East Whittier meetings kept
1050-502: A total population of 87,306 people with a density of 5,824.9 people per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 48.7% White (24.5% Non-Hispanic white , 24.2% White Hispanic ), 1.5% African American , 1.1% Native American , 5.3% Asian , 0.0% Asian Pacific American , and 8.4% from two or more races . Hispanic and Latino Americans were 65.8% of the population. 16.6% of the population were foreign born , and 3.1% of people were veterans . There were 27,093 households, of which
1125-523: Is Hutuknga . The area was visited on July 29, 1769, by the Spanish Portolá expedition – the first Europeans to see inland parts of Alta California . The party camped in Brea Canyon, near a large native village and a small pool of clean water. A historical marker dedicated to his visit stands in Brea Canyon just north of town. The village of Olinda was founded in present-day Carbon Canyon at
1200-462: Is "The Poet." By 1906, Whittier College was an educational institution with laboratories, boarding halls, a large gymnasium, and athletic fields. Due to an economic depression in the 1890s, the first bachelor's degrees were not awarded at the college for 17 years. Leona May Mendenhall donated the Mendenhall Building at Whittier College in honor of her husband, Oscar. The Mendenhalls were among
1275-622: Is a city in northern Orange County, California , United States. The population as of the 2010 census was 39,282. It is 33 miles (53 km) southeast of Los Angeles . Brea is part of the Los Angeles metropolitan area . The city began as a center of crude oil production, was later propelled by citrus production. It is a significant retail center, including the Brea Mall and downtown Brea. The city has an extensive public art program which began in 1975 and continues today with over 140 artworks in
1350-1128: Is also directed to Sonora High School in La Habra in the Fullerton Joint Union High School District . That small portion is also directed to the La Habra City School District . In addition, students can also take an assessment to place in nearby Troy High School in Fullerton , also part of the Fullerton High School District. There are many private schools in Brea, the Brea Head Start (Pre) Brea Olinda Friends School (Pre-6), Brea Congregational Pre-School, Brea Foursquare Church (Pre-5), Brea United Methodist Pre-School ("BUMPS"), Carbon Canyon Christian School (K-12), Christ Lutheran School (Pre-8), St. Angela Merici Parish School (TK-8), and Montessori of Brea (K-6). Brea
1425-664: Is also home to the Southern California College of Business and Law and the Southern California extension of Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary . Local schools have won several awards. Brea Olinda High School and Olinda Elementary School have been named Blue Ribbon Schools . Additionally, Arovista Elementary, Country Hills Elementary, Fanning Elementary, Mariposa Elementary, Olinda Elementary, Brea Junior High and Brea Olinda High schools have been named California Distinguished Schools . Laurel Elementary received
1500-405: Is called East Whittier . East Whittier was an unincorporated agricultural community until the postwar era. The eastern parts of East Whittier, developed in the 1950s and 1960s, are known as Friendly Hills, which was developed at the same time as Murphy Ranch and Leffingwell Ranch. Friendly Hills and Murphy Ranch are generally considered north of Whittier Boulevard, while Leffingwell Ranch is south of
1575-692: Is currently serving as the city manager, with Shannon DeLong as the assistant city manager. In the California State Legislature , Whittier is in the 30th Senate District , represented by Democrat Bob Archuleta , and in the 56th Assembly District , represented by Democrat Lisa Calderon . In the United States House of Representatives , Whittier is in California's 38th congressional district , represented by Democrat Linda Sánchez . The following school districts serve
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#17330932427521650-590: Is provided by the Brea Police Department . Within Carbon Canyon, in the Olinda neighborhood of Brea, is situated Olinda Landfill , a major waste management facility serving a large part of Orange County. Management of the city and coordination of city services is provided by: In the California State Legislature , Brea is in the 29th Senate District , represented by Democrat Eloise Reyes , and in
1725-455: Is rooted in the Quaker tradition. The Gabrielino first inhabited the area. Whittier's roots can be traced to Spanish soldier Manuel Nieto . In 1784, Nieto received a Spanish land grant of 300,000 acres (1,200 km ), Rancho Los Nietos , as a reward for his military service and to encourage settlement in California. The area of Nieto's land grant was reduced in 1790 as the result of
1800-491: The 2020 United States census , an increase of 1,975 from the 2010 census figure. Whittier was incorporated in February 1898 and became a charter city in 1955. The city is named for the Quaker poet John Greenleaf Whittier and is home to Whittier College . The city is surrounded by three unincorporated areas sharing the Whittier name, West Whittier-Los Nietos , South Whittier , and East Whittier , which combined are home to
1875-444: The 55th Assembly District , represented by Democrat Isaac Bryan . In the United States House of Representatives , Brea is split between California's 45th congressional district , represented by Republican Michelle Steel , and California's 40th congressional district , represented by Republican Young Kim . The 2010 United States Census reported that Brea had a population of 39,282. The population density
1950-639: The Homestead Act and built the cabin known today as the Jonathan Bailey House . Gerkens would later become the first chief of police of the Los Angeles Police Department . Gerkens' land was owned by several others before a group of Quakers purchased it and expanded it to 1,259 acres (5 km ), intending to found a Quaker community. The area soon became known as a thriving citrus ranching region, with "Quaker Brand" fruit shipped all over
2025-483: The Köppen Climate Classification system, Brea has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate , abbreviated "Csa" on climate maps. Brea is governed by a council-manager system. The five-member city council is elected to four-year terms in elections held every two years to fill alternately two and three seats. The council is made up of the mayor, the mayor pro tem and three councilmembers. The council elects
2100-534: The Pacific Electric opened the trolley line known as "Big Red Cars" from Los Angeles to Whittier. In the first two decades, over a million passengers a year rode to and from Los Angeles on the Whittier Line . During the 1920s and 30s, Whittier was a conservative sundown town . New housing tracts such as College Hills were developed under restrictive covenants and minorities were restricted to areas outside
2175-419: The United States Census Bureau , the city has an area of 12.1 square miles (31 km ). 12.1 square miles (31 km ) of it is land and 0.26% is water. It is bordered by unincorporated Orange County and Los Angeles County to the north and east, La Habra to the west, Fullerton to the southwest, Placentia to the south, Chino Hills to the northwest, and Yorba Linda to the southeast. According to
2250-495: The Whittier Narrows earthquake struck, the epicenter being six miles (10 km) north by northwest of Whittier. The seismic event, which registered 5.9 on the moment magnitude scale, killed eight people and damaged many of uptown Whittier's historic buildings. Three days later, on October 4, 1987, at 3:59 a.m., a major aftershock measuring 5.2 caused further damage. Buildings and residential structures that were already borderline unsafe were now deemed unsafe or uninhabitable. In
2325-699: The 1930s, Nixon's law office was in the National Bank of Whittier Building in Uptown Whittier. Following Nixon's return from World War II service, conservative Whittier businessman Herman Perry, Nixon's former landlord at the bank, spearheaded an effort to form a Committee of 100 Republicans in Eastern Los Angeles County to get Nixon elected to Congress in 1946. After World War II , Whittier grew rapidly. The sub-dividing of orange groves began, driven by housing shortages in southern California. In 1955,
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2400-459: The United States. Beginning in 1887, walnut trees were planted, and Whittier became the largest walnut grower in the United States. In addition to walnuts and citrus, Whittier was also a significant producer of pampas grass . For many years, the sole means of transport from this area to Los Angeles was on foot or via horse and wagon over rough dirt roads, impeding settlement, development, and
2475-669: The Whittier City Council overruling the Historic Resources Commission by a 3-2 vote and approving the demolition of three buildings on the California Domestic Water property, across the street from Whitwood Mall , before an environmental impact report had been filed. The Cal-Domestic Lawsuit has been a major event in recent Whittier politics, as it led to the creation of the Coalition for a Better Whittier,
2550-987: The area include Rio Hondo College , which lies just outside the city, Southern California University of Health Sciences , and historic Whittier College . The local newspaper is the Whittier Daily News . Other area papers include the San Gabriel Valley Tribune , the parent paper of the Whittier Daily News , the Los Angeles Times , and the Orange County Register . Music fanzine Los Angeles Flipside published locally from 1977 to 1990. Former newspapers include: Coast Reporter , Whittier Californian , Whittier Graphic , Whittier Star Reporter , and more. Brea, California Brea ( / ˈ b r eɪ ə / ; Spanish for 'tar')
2625-419: The average size was 3.07 persons. The median household income during 2016–2020 was $ 76,026, and 9.5% of the population was living in poverty . The population was spread out, with 23.0% of the population under the age of 18 and 15.1% above the age of 65. Of all people aged above 25 years, 88.5% were high school graduates, and 26.7% had a bachelor's degree or higher. 61.5% of people aged above 16 years were in
2700-464: The beginning of the 19th century and many entrepreneurs came to the area searching for "black gold" (petroleum). In 1894, the owner of the land, Abel Stearns , sold 1,200 acres (4.9 km ) west of Olinda to the newly created Union Oil Company of California , and by 1898 many nearby hills began sporting wooden oil drilling towers on the newly discovered Brea-Olinda Oil Field . In 1908 the village of Randolph, named for railway engineer Epes Randolph ,
2775-581: The board members, librarians, and citizen fundraising groups, the new library was completed at the Washington Avenue site in May 1959. In 1968, service was further expanded with the construction of the Whittwood Branch Library on Santa Gertrudes Avenue. Whittier uses a council–manager form of government. Until 2014, all five city council members were elected at-large, with the mayor being elected by
2850-664: The boulevard. The area at the extreme east of Whittier is occasionally called Sunglow. Whittier is about 15 miles (24 km) inland of the Pacific Ocean, resulting in higher daytime temperatures, and since it lies at a higher elevation than the cities further west, cold air drains into the lower elevation of the Los Angeles Basin which results in warmer night-time lows, producing an example of thermal inversion . Winter daytime highs typically range from 57 °F to 72 °F (20 °C to 27 °C) with overnight lows dropping to about 41 °F to 50 °F (6° to 12 °C). In
2925-557: The city Historic Resources Commission and comprise most of the Whittier Historic Neighborhood Association area. These districts contain many Craftsman and Spanish Colonial Revival homes. In and abutting the hills north of the historic districts is Starlite Estates. The area surrounding Whittier College is known as College Hills and was also recently designated a historic district, as it has a small cluster of homes along Earlham Drive. The area east of College Avenue
3000-698: The city limits in unincorporated Los Angeles County. Santa Fe High School is located within the City of Santa Fe Springs. Adults may attend the Whittier Adult School, which belongs to the Whittier Union High School District . The city also has three private Catholic elementary schools, K-8 The schools are operated by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles , with one (St. Mary of the Assumption School) being one of
3075-555: The city limits such as Jimtown (portions of which were destroyed by the building of the 605 Freeway ). Whittier even had a branch of the Silver Shirts . Liquor sales were forbidden in the city; Bailey's Liquor Store was just outside the city limits. Richard Nixon , though born and buried in Yorba Linda , grew up in East Whittier. He attended and played football at Whittier High School (1928-30) and Whittier College (1930-34) In
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3150-534: The city of Whittier: Five high schools, California High School , La Serna High School , Pioneer High School , Santa Fe High School , and Whittier High School comprise the Whittier Union High School District. There is one alternative continuation high school Frontier High School and a homeschooling hq, Sierra Vista High School. Although they still have Whittier postal addresses, both California High School and Pioneer High School lie outside
3225-564: The city was 43.2% White , 1.2% African American , 1.3% Native American , 3.3% Asian , 0.2% Pacific Islander , 25.8% from other races , and 5.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 65.9% of the population. There were 28,271 households, out of which 37.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.5% were married couples living together, 14.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.6% were non-families. 22.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.4% had someone living alone who
3300-609: The civilian labor force . The 2010 United States Census reported that Whittier had a population of 85,331. The population density was 5,818.6 inhabitants per square mile (2,246.6/km ). The racial makeup of Whittier was 55,117 (64.6%) White (28.3% Non-Hispanic White, 36.3% White Hispanic), 1,092 (1.3%) African American , 1,093 (1.3%) Native American , 3,262 (3.8%) Asian , 123 (0.1%) Pacific Islander , 20,848 (24.4%) from other races , and 3,796 (4.4%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 56,081 persons (65.7%). The Census reported that 83,696 people (98.1% of
3375-454: The collection placed and located throughout the city. The area began as part of the homelands of the Tongva , who lived in the area for thousands of years before any contact was made with Europeans. The tribe established numerous villages in the area interconnected by extensive trails for travel and trade with neighboring Indigenous nations. The closest known village site to the city of Brea today
3450-410: The council. Following the 2016 elections, four city council members were elected to four-year terms in districts, whereas the mayor was directly elected to two-year terms. The council also appoints a city manager. The current mayor of Whittier is Joe Vinatieri. The city council is currently made up of Fernando Dutra, Octavio Martinez, Cathy Warner, and mayor pro tempore Jessica Martinez. Brian Saeki
3525-651: The export of agriculture. Thus in 1887 "enterprising and aggressive businessmen" contracted with the Southern Pacific Railroad to build the first railroad spur to Whittier, including a depot. The businessmen covered the $ 43,000 construction cost for the six-mile spur, which branched off from the Southern Pacific mainline at a junction near what is now Studebaker Road between Firestone Boulevard and Imperial Highway. By 1906, 650 carloads of oranges and 250 carloads of lemons were shipped annually by rail. In 1904,
3600-508: The first two Carl's Jr. restaurants in Anaheim, California and Brea, California. The opening of the Orange Freeway (57) and the Brea Mall in the 1970s spurred further residential growth, including large planned developments east of the 57 Freeway in the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s. In the late 1990s, a 50-acre (200,000 m ) swath of downtown Brea centered on Brea Boulevard and Birch Street
3675-443: The founding families of Whittier. Oscar's brother, Samuel Mendenhall, helped bring in the water system and post office. The Mendenhalls were large growers for Sunkist oranges and Blue Diamond walnuts. Whittier was the first home to Azusa Pacific University , established on March 3, 1899, by the Quaker community and a Methodist evangelist under the name Training School for Christian Workers. On October 1, 1987, at 7:42 a.m.,
3750-441: The front porch of the Jonathan Bailey House . Eventually, as more Quakers arrived, the need for an actual Meeting House arose, and the first Quaker meeting house was built on the corner of Comstock Avenue and Wardman Street in 1887. The meeting soon outgrew this 100-seat meeting house, and a new larger building was erected on the corner of Philadelphia Street and Washington Avenue in 1902. By 1912, membership had grown to 1,200, and
3825-594: The largest Catholic elementary schools in Los Angeles County . St Gregory The Great School has been Number One in their deanery for the Academic Decathlon two consecutive years. Whittier Friends School is a member of the Friends Council on Education and associated with First Friends Church of Whittier, the founding Quaker meeting of Whittier. Whittier Friends School includes a licensed preschool and an elementary school (TK-6th grade). Trinity Lutheran School,
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#17330932427523900-595: The library facilities began in the Woody Building as a reading room maintained by Hester in exchange for space for his telegraph office. In 1907, a Carnegie grant funded building construction at Bailey and Greenleaf that many Whittierites fondly remember. As the city expanded, a more extensive library was needed, and the Friends of the Library was organized in 1956 to raise money for a new building. Through their efforts and those of
3975-465: The most common foreign places of birth. In 2022, Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority 's Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count counted 127 homeless individuals in Whittier. Whittier's Redevelopment Agency has numerous projects underway to revitalize the community. This includes a $ 7 million project near the historic Hoover Hotel . In addition, the agency is working on developing a 480-acre (1.9 km ) project area near Whittier Blvd. The master plan
4050-485: The new Civic Center complex was completed, and the City Council met in new chambers for the first time on March 8, 1955. The city continued to grow as the City annexed portions of Whittier Boulevard and East Whittier. The 1961 annexation added over 28,000 people to the population, bringing the total to about 67,000. However, South and West Whittier remained unannexed by the city. The first Quaker meetings were held on
4125-656: The population) lived in households, 1,083 (1.3%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 552 (0.6%) were institutionalized. There were 28,273 households, out of which 11,289 (39.9%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 14,152 (50.1%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 4,566 (16.1%) had a female householder with no husband present, 1,896 (6.7%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 1,770 (6.3%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships , and 247 (0.9%) same-sex married couples or partnerships . 6,096 households (21.6%) were made up of individuals, and 2,495 (8.8%) had someone living alone who
4200-643: The population) lived in households, 69 (0.2%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized. There were 14,266 households, out of which 5,043 (35.3%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 8,132 (57.0%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 1,605 (11.3%) had a female householder with no husband present, 632 (4.4%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 569 (4.0%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships , and 100 (0.7%) same-sex married couples or partnerships . 3,070 households (21.5%) were made up of individuals, and 1,265 (8.9%) had someone living alone who
4275-427: The population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 12,324 people (31.4%) lived in rental housing units. According to the 2010 United States Census, Brea had a median household income of $ 82,055, with 5.6% of the population living below the federal poverty line. There were 13,067 households, out of which 34.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.6% were married couples living together, 10.5% had
4350-567: The population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 34,303 people (40.2%) lived in rental housing units. During 2009–2013, Whittier had a median household income of $ 68,522, with 12.4% of the population living below the federal poverty line. As of the census of 2000, there were 83,680 people, 28,271 households, and 20,468 families residing in the city. The population density was 5,719.4 inhabitants per square mile (2,208.3/km ). There were 28,977 housing units at an average density of 1,980.5 per square mile (764.7/km ). The racial makeup of
4425-539: The poverty line, including 6.7% of those under age 18 and 5.2% of those age 65 or over. Brea is traditionally a Republican stronghold at the presidential level; however, Democratic candidate Joe Biden carried the city in 2020. According to the California Secretary of State , as of October 22, 2018, Brea has 24,775 registered voters. Of those, 9,991 (40.33%) are registered Republicans, 7,370 (29.75%) are registered Democrats, and 6,466 (26.10%) have declined to state
4500-612: The preservation of the historic Whittier Depot and the McGee House. Though primarily a historic preservation organization, the Conservancy is also interested in open space preservation, and is involved in the continuing movement to preserve the Whittier Hills as part of the Puente-Chino Hills Wildlife Corridor On May 23, 2007, the Conservancy filed suit against the City of Whittier. This was in response to
4575-548: The silent meeting longer than the main church. In 1887, the Pickering Land and Water Company set aside a 20-acre (81,000 m ) parcel of land to develop a college, but a collapse in the land boom stalled construction. Progress on developing a college was sporadic, but on July 30, 1896, the Whittier Academy, operating since 1891, officially changed its name to Whittier College with 100 students enrolled. The school mascot
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#17330932427524650-408: The summer highs range from 84 °F to 97 °F (26 °C to 35 °C) and corresponding overnight lows in the 62 °F to 70 °F (14 °C to 22 °C). Rainfall follows a Mediterranean pattern, with most rain falling during winter, while summers tend to be rather dry. The mean annual rainfall is about 14 inches (360 mm). The 2020 United States census reported that Whittier had
4725-558: The time of the 1840s Mexican–American War , much of the land that would become Whittier was owned by Pio Pico , a rancher and the last Mexican governor of Alta California. Pio Pico built a hacienda here on the San Gabriel River, known today as Pio Pico State Historic Park . Following the Mexican–American War, German immigrant Jacob F. Gerkens paid $ 234 to the U.S. government to acquire 160 acres (0.6 km ) of land under
4800-445: The west, La Habra Heights to the east, La Habra to the southeast and Santa Fe Springs to the south. There are several neighborhoods in Whittier. The area centered around Philadelphia Street and Greenleaf Avenue is known as Uptown Whittier and contains the traditional central business core. Just north of Uptown Whittier are the neighborhoods known as Central Park and Hadley-Greenleaf. They have been designated historic districts by
4875-529: The years following the earthquake, the city's deteriorating uptown business district became the focus of renewed development, meeting opposition from many Whittier citizens. The Whittier Conservancy was formed in 1987 to stop the demolition of many historic buildings and residences after the disaster. The city also created a Historic Resources Commission to oversee the approval of landmark designations, historic districts, and Mills Act proposals. The Whittier Narrows earthquake also destroyed The Quad at Whittier ,
4950-438: Was 3,243.9 inhabitants per square mile (1,252.5/km ). The racial makeup of Brea was 26,363 (67.1%) White (52.7% Non-Hispanic White), 549 (1.4%) African American , 190 (0.5%) Native American , 7,144 (18.2%) Asian , 69 (0.2%) Pacific Islander , 3,236 (8.2%) from other races , and 1,731 (4.4%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9,817 persons (25.0%). The census reported that 39,213 people (99.8% of
5025-404: Was 35.4 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.5 males. There were 29,591 housing units at an average density of 2,017.8 per square mile (779.1/km ), of which 16,207 (57.3%) were owner-occupied, and 12,066 (42.7%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.3%; the rental vacancy rate was 5.1%. 49,393 people (57.9% of
5100-404: Was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.9 males. The median income for a household in the city was $ 64,820, and the median income for a family was $ 68,423. Males had a median income of $ 50,500 versus $ 35,674 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 26,307. About 3.4% of families and 5.3% of the population were below
5175-419: Was 38.7 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.9 males. There were 14,785 housing units at an average density of 1,221.0 units per square mile (471.4 units/km ), of which 9,266 (65.0%) were owner-occupied, and 5,000 (35.0%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.3%; the rental vacancy rate was 5.3%. 26,889 people (68.5% of
5250-420: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75. There were 10,369 families (72.7% of all households); the average family size was 3.23. The population was spread out, with 9,057 people (23.1%) under the age of 18, 3,654 people (9.3%) aged 18 to 24, 10,669 people (27.2%) aged 25 to 44, 10,952 people (27.9%) aged 45 to 64, and 4,950 people (12.6%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age
5325-450: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.88 and the average family size was 3.38. In the city, the population was spread out, with 28.3% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 30.6% from 25 to 44, 18.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.1 males. The median income for
5400-423: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.96. There were 20,614 families (72.9% of all households); the average family size was 3.46. The population was spread out, with 21,686 people (25.4%) under the age of 18, 9,198 people (10.8%) aged 18 to 24, 23,627 people (27.7%) aged 25 to 44, 20,819 people (24.4%) aged 45 to 64, and 10,001 people (11.7%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age
5475-656: Was adopted in June 2005 by the City Council. In 2019, Whittier's first food hall , Poet Gardens , opened in Uptown Whittier. The Whittwood Town Center is a shopping destination in Whittier. According to the city's 2013 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are: On April 17, 1900, the Whittier Public Library Board of Trustees held its first meeting in Landrum Smith's drugstore. With an initial collection of 60 books and 200 magazines,
5550-562: Was founded just south of Brea Canyon for oil workers and their families. Baseball legend Walter Johnson grew up in Olinda at the start of the 20th century where he worked in the surrounding oil fields as a youth. The villages of Olinda and Randolph grew and merged as the economy boomed. On January 19, 1911, the town's map was filed under the new name of Brea, from the Spanish language word for natural asphalt, also called bitumen, pitch or tar . With
5625-482: Was heavily redeveloped into a shopping and entertainment area with movie theaters, sidewalk cafes, a live comedy club from The Improv chain, numerous shops and restaurants, and a weekly farmer's market. It is locally known and signed as Downtown Brea. The downtown area opened in 2000. Sunset magazine named Brea one of the five best suburbs to live in the Western United States in early 2006. According to
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