West Covina, California

West Covina is a city located in eastern Los Angeles County, California, in the San Gabriel Valley region. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 105,080. As of 2002, it is the 50th largest city in California.

Related Topics:
Los Angeles County, California - San Gabriel Valley - 2000 - California

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

West Covina was incorporated as an independent city in 1923 to keep the city of Covina from building a sewage farm there. For several years in the 1950s, it was the fastest-growing city in the United States, with suburban development completely replacing the area's agricultural base.

Related Topics:
1923 - Covina - Suburb

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Over the past two decades, West Covina has experienced significant demographic change. The Hispanic proportion of its population has increased from 21% in 1980 to 45.7% in 2000, while the white non-Hispanic proportion has decreased from 64.8% to 23% in that period. The proportion of the population that is Asian or Pacific Islander increased from 3.8% to 22.6% from 1980 to 2000. At the same time, the population of the city as a whole has grown:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• 1980 - 80,291
• 1990 - 96,086
• 2000 - 105,080
• 2004 - 108,668 (estimate)

New York Yankees first baseman Jason Giambi was born in West Covina in 1971.

Related Topics:
New York Yankees - Jason Giambi - 1971

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

As part of the pro-active redevelopment efforts of the city's business districts, it has successfully attracted many popular restaurant chains (Hooters, Elephant Bar, TGI Friday's), big-box retailers, and auto dealers (Toyota, Honda, Hummer, Jaguar). The city also boasts of two fairly large shopping malls, both of which are owned by Westfield Shoppingtown. A Hong Kong Supermarket replaced a moribund Ralph's supermarket and strip mall and was completely remodeled to include many Asian cuisine restaurants ? mostly Chinese with some Filipino, Malaysian, Thai, and Vietnamese) ? and shops. Similar developments have occurred in other parts of the city, albeit with more Filipino businesess. The BKK Landfill on Azusa Avenue was closed in the early 1990s and a Home Depot store will be located on the site. There is a weekday shuttle bus system called GO WEST, which helps the flow around the city. There is also a free shuttle bus to the Baldwin Park Metrolink station for those who park in the West Covina Civic Center parking structure.

Related Topics:
Hooters - Elephant Bar - TGI Friday's - Toyota - Honda - Hummer - Jaguar - Westfield Shoppingtown - Hong Kong Supermarket - Ralph's - Home Depot - Baldwin Park - Metrolink

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 
West Covina, California: Geography ►