Hacienda Heights, California


Hacienda Heights is an unincorporated suburban community and census-designated place in Los Angeles County, California, United States. As of the 2010 census, the community had a total population of 54,038, up from 53,122 at the 2000 census. Hacienda Heights is the second largest census designated place in Los Angeles County by area and the county's second largest CDP by population.

History

During Spanish rule, Hacienda Heights was a part of Rancho La Puente, which was operated by the nearby Mission San Gabriel Arcángel in San Gabriel. The Rancho was eventually acquired by John A. Rowland and William Workman in 1845 via a Mexican land grant, and eventually acquired by Elias "Lucky" Baldwin. In 1912, his descendant, Anita Baldwin, sold the property to Edwin Hart and Jet Torrance. The pair subdivided the area and named it North Whittier Heights, which became known for avocado, citrus and walnut orchards, in 1913. However, from the Great Depression era to the early 1940s, citrus growing became unprofitable because of pests and diseases, setting the impetus for the area's transformation into a suburb.
Accelerating in the 1950s, suburban residential development transformed Hacienda Heights into a residential or bedroom community. In 1961, the Hacienda Heights Branch of the Los Angeles County Public Library opened. The following year, in 1961, the area was renamed Hacienda Heights. In 1964, the local newspaper, the , was established.

Geography

Hacienda Heights is located at in the eastern San Gabriel Valley bordering City of Industry to the North, Whittier to the West, La Habra Heights to the South, and Rowland Heights to the East along the Pomona Freeway - Route 60. Hacienda Heights is a predominantly residential neighborhood.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the community has a total area of. of it is land and 0.06% is water.
Hacienda Heights also has the Puente Hills forming its 'green belt' southern border and much of its western border. The highest point is Workman Hill at. Coyotes are common concern among residents.

Demographics

2010

The 2010 United States Census reported that Hacienda Heights had a population of 54,038. The population density was 4,832.4 people per square mile.
The Census reported that 53,928 people lived in households, 70 lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 40 were institutionalized.
There were 16,193 households, out of which 6,185 had children under the age of 18 living in them, 10,151 were opposite-sex married couples living together, 2,331 had a female householder with no husband present, 1,024 had a male householder with no wife present. There were 555 unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 93 same-sex married couples or partnerships. 2,111 households were made up of individuals, and 1,047 had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.33. There were 13,506 families ; the average family size was 3.59.
The population was spread out, with 11,864 people under the age of 18, 5,184 people aged 18 to 24, 13,597 people aged 25 to 44, 15,071 people aged 45 to 64, and 8,322 people who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.1 years. For every 100 females there were 94.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.4 males.
There were 16,650 housing units at an average density of 1,488.9 per square mile, of which 12,720 were owner-occupied, and 3,473 were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.0%; the rental vacancy rate was 3.6%. 42,189 people lived in owner-occupied housing units and 11,739 people lived in rental housing units. Median value of owner-occupied housing units, 2013-2017 was $545,400 with medium gross rent of $1,734.

Landmarks

The "Puente Hills Landfill Native Habitat Preservation Authority" supports public enjoyment and access of the nearby parkland in the Puente Hills.

Hsi Lai Temple

, a branch of Fo Guang Shan Temple of Taiwan, is the largest Buddhist temple in North America. The temple encompasses and a floor area of. The temple's Ming dynasty and Qing dynasty architecture is faithful to the traditional style of buildings, Chinese gardens, and statuary of ancient Chinese monasteries. Hsi Lai was built to serve as a spiritual and cultural center for those interested in learning Buddhism and Chinese culture.

Government

Representation

In the state senate, Hacienda Heights is located in California's 32nd State Senate district, California's thirty-second state senate district is currently represented by Democrat Bob Archuleta
In the California State Assembly it is located in California's 57th State Assembly district, represented by Democrat Ian Calderon.
Federally, Hacienda Heights is located in California's 39th congressional district, which has an Even Cook PVI and is represented by Democrat Gil Cisneros.

Services

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department operates the Industry Station in the City of Industry, serving Hacienda Heights.
The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services operates the Pomona Health Center in Pomona, serving Hacienda Heights.

Cityhood

In 2003, voters were asked to decide whether the community should incorporate and become a city. Proponents argued that a new city would be able to better control development and provide increased police and fire service, while opponents argued that the new city would increase taxes and redevelop residential neighborhoods for revenue-generating businesses. Most of the prime commercial land had already been annexed by the City of Industry to escape taxes levied by the County on unincorporated areas. Ultimately the measure failed by about a 2-1 margin.

Education

The city is served by the Hacienda La Puente Unified School District.

High schools

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Glenelder Elementary School was merged with Cedarlane and Shadybend was closed down, too.

Notable people