Pico Rivera, CA

Pico Rivera, California

Introduction to Pico Rivera, California

The California city of Pico Rivera is located in southeastern Los Angeles County, on the eastern edge of the Los Angeles basin and on the southern edge of the San Gabriel Valley. Situated only 12 miles southeast of Los Angeles, Pico Rivera is accessible to Interstates I-605 (San Gabriel Freeway), I-5 (Santa Ana Freeway), and I-60 (Pomona Freeway). The city is also within a thirty minute drive from Los Angeles International, Ontario, and John Wayne airports.

Pico Rivera traces its roots to the 1870s when the separate communities of Pico (named for Pío Pico, former governor of California) and Rivera resulted from the completion of rail lines by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe and Union Pacific railroads. During the first four decades of the 20th century, these two country towns grew slowly in a rich agricultural atmosphere. Following the end of World War II, the sudden demand for housing attracted subdividers, who bought and cleared large parcels of land in the 1950s. The onset of new commercial enterprises, subdivisions, and young families filling the area drew the older neighborhoods of Pico and Rivera closer together. Leaders from both communities began to voice strong support for incorporation, and in 1958, the two communities were merged into the new City of Pico Rivera.

Pico Rivera Places of Interest

Pico Rivera has seven major neighborhood parks totaling more than 100 acres, as well as the Pico Rivera Municipal Golf Course, a lighted nine-hole executive course built in 1965. The Pico Rivera Sports Arena, built in 1979, is reputed to be the largest Mexican rodeo ring in the country. Approximately 25 shows are held at the facility every year. The Pico Rivera Centre for the Arts, which opened its doors in 1989, features a 1,000 square-foot space for gallery exhibits and classroom areas for fine art instruction. Its programs allow individuals to investigate all aspects of the arts including production, history, criticism and aesthetics. The Pico Rivera Historical Museum, housed in a circa-1887 train depot, chronicles the city's colorful past through its collection of photographs, documents and artifacts. The Pico Rivera Library, constructed in 1961, is the only circular library in the country. Its unique circular construction provides separate reading areas for children and adults.

Comparative Profile of Pico Rivera, CA

Comparing Pico Rivera to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in California (State):

Ratings range from (lowest) to (highest).

The People

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Children Under 5 Years Old
Racial Diversity
Male Share of the Population
Senior Citizens
Female Share of the Population
Age of the Population
Well-Paid Single Men

Families

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Average Household Size
Portion of People Married

Wealth

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
People Above Poverty
Median Family Income
People in Middle Class or Better
College Educated Adults

Commute & Sprawl

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Walking and Biking to Work
Public Transportation Use
Short Commute Times
Working at Home

Housing

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Affordability of Property Taxes
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals
Affordability of Rents
Housing Recently Built
People Living Alone
Seasonal and Vacation Housing

Crime

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Low Property Crime
Low Violent Crime

Pico Rivera Almanac

Pico Rivera Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

• Temp ranges are avg daily min and max for the month
• Precipitation is rainfall (and rainfall equiv of snowfall)

Pico Rivera Population (2000)

(From 2000 Census, as reported by individuals)

Political Contributions (2004)

Money donated by Pico Rivera residents to parties and candidates for the 2004 elections.

by Political Party

by Presidential Candidate

Nearby Cities and Towns

Starbucks in Pico Rivera

Pico Rivera High Schools (2004)

EL RANCHO HIGH
6501 S. PASSONS BLVD.
562-801-5355
Title I eligible, not participating.
Serves 3,154 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 23.2

SALAZAR (RUBEN) CONTINUATION
9515 HANEY ST.
562-801-5128
A Non-traditional School
Title I eligible, not participating.
Serves 206 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 27.5

Pico Rivera Colleges

(List of All California Colleges)

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