La Puente, California


La Puente is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The city had a population of 39,816 at the 2010 census and is approximately 20 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. The city name is Spanish for "The Bridge".

History

The original inhabitants of the area now occupied by the city of La Puente were the Kizh. They lived in a village called Awingna, which linguists translate as "abiding place." The Awingna chief Matheo was baptized at Mission San Gabriel in 1774.
In 1769, the Spanish Portolá expedition became the first Europeans to see inland portions of Alta California. On July 30, the party camped on the east side of the San Gabriel River, in today's unincorporated area of Bassett. Father Juan Crespi wrote in his diary that, the next day, they had to build a bridge to cross the miry San Gabriel River.
With the establishment of Mission San Gabriel, the area encompassing Awingna and what is now the city of La Puente became part of Rancho La Puente, established as a mission outpost and ranch. The rancho was visited by the Jedediah Smith party in November 1826, the first Americans to travel overland to California.
Following secularization of the missions in the 1830s, former mission ranchos passed into private ownership. In 1842, John Rowland and William Workman were granted the Rancho La Puente. In 1884, the area was named Puente. In Crespi's diary, it's written as "la puente", and that spelling has persisted.
The area was known for its fruit and walnut groves during the 1930s. The city was even home to the world's largest walnut packing plant. Today, the city is heavily urbanized, but the area still has some historical landmarks from its founding days nearby, for instance, the Workman and Temple Family Homestead Museum in neighboring City of Industry.
Redevelopment of the business districts in La Puente have been ongoing. However, the local government has been relatively unsuccessful in its attempts to attract big-box retailers and restaurant chains. La Puente retains many aging 1950s-era strip malls.

Geography

La Puente is located at . The city, which is mostly flat, covers about of land in the San Gabriel Valley.

Demographics

2010

The 2010 United States Census reported that La Puente had a population of 39,816. The population density was 11,443.2 people per square mile. La Puente is 49.4% White, 1.4% Black or African American, 1.1% Native American, 8.4% Asian, and 0.1% Pacific Islander. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 33,896 persons.
The Census reported that 39,773 people lived in households, 43 lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 were institutionalized.
There were 9,451 households, out of which 5,186 had children under the age of 18 living in them, 5,367 were opposite-sex married couples living together, 1,824 had a female householder with no husband present, 930 had a male householder with no wife present. There were 584 unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 65 same-sex married couples or partnerships. 989 households were made up of individuals, and 472 had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.21. There were 8,121 families ; the average family size was 4.34.
The population was spread out, with 11,423 people under the age of 18, 4,640 people aged 18 to 24, 11,468 people aged 25 to 44, 8,619 people aged 45 to 64, and 3,666 people who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.8 males.
There were 9,761 housing units at an average density of 2,805.3 per square mile, of which 5,693 were owner-occupied, and 3,758 were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.0%; the rental vacancy rate was 3.9%. 24,961 people lived in owner-occupied housing units and 14,812 people lived in rental housing units.
According to the 2010 United States Census, La Puente had a median household income of $53,794, with 14.3% of the population living below the federal poverty line.

2000

As of the census of 2000, there were 41,063 people, 9,461 households, and 8,183 families living in the city. The population density is 4,542.8/km2. There were 9,660 housing units at an average density of 1,068.7/km2. The racial makeup of the city was 39.11% White, 1.96% African American, 1.28% Native American, 7.16% Asian, 0.17% Pacific Islander, 45.14% from other races, and 5.19% from two or more races. 83.10% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 9,461 households, out of which 50.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.4% were married couples living together, 17.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 13.5% were non-families. 10.1% of all households were someone living alone and 4.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.34 and the average family size was 4.48.
The population age distribution was 33.8% under the age of 18, 11.6% from 18 to 24, 31.0% from 25 to 44, 15.9% from 45 to 64, and 7.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $41,222, and the median income for a family was $41,079. Males had a median income of $26,381 versus $22,018 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,336. 18.9% of the population and 16.3% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 24.6% were under the age of 18 and 9.3% were 65 or older.

Government

In the California State Legislature, La Puente is in, and in.
In the United States House of Representatives, La Puente is in.

Infrastructure

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department operates the Industry Station in the City of Industry, serving La Puente.
The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services operates the Pomona Health Center in Pomona, serving La Puente.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department operates the following fire Stations:
Fire Station 26
Fire Station 43
Both Fire Stations 26 and 43 are members of the LACOFD Battalion 12. Battalion 12 consists of the cities of Rowland Heights, La Puente, La Mirada, Industry and Hacienda Heights.

Economy

The income per capita of the city of La puente is $16,899, which includes all children and adults. The city's median household income is $62,709.

Top employers

According to the City's 2013 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:
#Employer# of Employees
1Northgate González Markets120
2Bodega Latina Corp 80
3Food 4 Less75
4Ed Butts Ford70
5Big Saver Foods60
6Merritt's Ace Hardware43
7Burger King37
8CVS/Pharmacy35
999 Cents Only Stores32
10Jack in the Box32

Education

School districts include:
Elementary schools: Lasallette Elementary School, Temple Academy, Nelson Elementary School, Sparks Elementary School, Sunkist Elementary School, Northam Elementary School
Private schools: Saint Joseph School, Saint Louis of France, Saint Martha's Catholic School
High schools: Bassett High School, La Puente High School, Nogales High School, William Workman High School
Private high schools: Bishop Amat Memorial High School

Notable people