Long Beach, California

With a population of over 465,000 as of 2021, Long Beach is the 7th largest city in California and the 39th largest city in the United States. Located in Los Angeles County along the Pacific coast, it is one of the Gateway Cities of Southern California. Long Beach has a diverse economy with thriving tourism, education, manufacturing, shipping, and oil extraction industries. Read on to learn more about this dynamic coastal city!

Population and Demographics

As of the 2020 census, Long Beach had a population of 467,354 people. It has been one of the fastest growing large cities in California over the past two decades. The racial makeup of Long Beach is 32.8% White, 13.2% Black or African American, 1.1% Native American, 12.7% Asian, 1.2% Pacific Islander, 33.7% from other races, and 5.3% from two or more races. 53.5% of the population is Hispanic or Latino of any race.

History of Long Beach

The area that is now Long Beach was originally inhabited by the Tongva Native American tribe. The first Europeans arrived in 1769 as part of a Spanish expedition led by Captain Gaspar de Portolà. In 1846, California became part of the United States after the Mexican-American War. Rancho Los Cerritos and Rancho Los Alamitos were two Mexican land grants in the Long Beach area.

Long Beach was incorporated as a city in 1888 and originally developed as a seaside resort town. The discovery of oil in the 1920s led to a boom in the city’s population and economy. During World War II, the Long Beach Naval Shipyard employed thousands of workers. In the 1960s, the construction of the Port of Long Beach made it into one of the world’s busiest seaports.

To learn more about Long Beach history, visit the Long Beach Public Library at 101 Pacific Ave, Long Beach, CA 90802, (562) 570-7500.

Economy and Major Employers

The economy of Long Beach relies heavily on trade through its seaport, which moves over $180 billion worth of goods each year. The oil industry is also important, with oil wells still operating in the Long Beach Oil Field. Tourism draws visitors to Long Beach attractions like the Aquarium of the Pacific and the Queen Mary. Other major employers in the city include Boeing, VA Hospital Long Beach, Molina Healthcare, California State University Long Beach, and Long Beach City College.

To learn more about economic development in Long Beach, visit the website of the Economic Development Bureau at 411 W. Ocean Blvd, 3rd Floor, Long Beach, CA 90802, (562) 570-6300.

Museums and Cultural Attractions

Long Beach is home to a number of unique museums and cultural attractions. The most popular is the Aquarium of the Pacific, which houses over 12,000 animals in exhibits focused on the Pacific Ocean. The converted ocean liner RMS Queen Mary is now a hotel, restaurant, and museum. The Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) and the Long Beach Museum of Art also showcase impressive collections.

For art and culture, be sure to visit the Long Beach Public Library at 101 Pacific Ave, Long Beach, CA 90802, (562) 570-7500 and the Arts Council for Long Beach at 237 Promenade North, Long Beach, CA 90802, (562) 435-2787.

Transportation

Long Beach is easily accessible by multiple modes of transportation. Long Beach Airport serves over 3 million passengers annually with flights across the country. The San Pedro Bay Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles combined form the busiest container port complex in the United States. The Metro Blue Line provides rail service to downtown Los Angeles. Long Beach Transit operates over 45 bus routes throughout the city.

For routes, schedules, and trip planning visit the Long Beach Transit website or call 562-591-2301. The Transit Information Center is located at 1963 E Anaheim St, Long Beach, CA 90804.

Education

Long Beach contains multiple school districts serving K-12 students. The Long Beach Unified School District is the largest with over 70,000 students at 85 public schools. Higher education options include California State University Long Beach, Long Beach City College, and Long Beach College of Medical Arts.

For more on the Long Beach Unified School District, visit their website or call (562) 997-8000. The district’s main office is located at 1515 Hughes Way, Long Beach, CA 90810.

California State University Long Beach has an enrollment of over 35,000 students. Learn more at www.csulb.edu or by calling (562) 985-4111. The campus is located at 1250 Bellflower Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90840.

Parks and Outdoor Recreation

Long Beach maintains over 170 public parks spanning over 3,100 acres. Popular outdoor spots include El Dorado Regional Park, Shoreline Aquatic Park, the Colorado Lagoon, and Rainbow Harbor and Marina. The city also operates two public golf courses – El Dorado Park Golf Course and Recreation Park Golf Course.

Get info on parks, events, and recreation programs from the Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine Department at 2760 N. Studebaker Rd. Long Beach, CA 90815, (562) 570-3100.

Beaches and Water Activities

The beautiful Long Beach coastline along the Pacific Ocean stretches over seven miles and includes popular beaches like Junipero Beach, Belmont Shore Beach, and Alamitos Beach. Attractions near the water include Shoreline Village and the Long Beach Boardwalk. Outdoor activities include sunbathing, swimming, surfing, stand up paddle boarding, kayaking, and boating.

Get the latest beach conditions and advisories from Long Beach Marine Beach Water Quality.

Famous Long Beach Landmarks

Some of the most famous Long Beach landmarks and their locations/addresses include:

The Queen Mary – 1126 Queens Hwy, Long Beach, CA 90802, GPS Coordinates: 33.7531° N, 118.1891° W
Aquarium of the Pacific – 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802, GPS Coordinates: 33.7627° N, 118.1874° W
Pike at Rainbow Harbor – 95 S Pine Ave, Long Beach, CA 90802, GPS Coordinates: 33.7642° N, 118.1891° W

Local Sports Teams

Long Beach is home to the Long Beach State 49ers, the athletic teams of California State University Long Beach. The 49ers compete in NCAA Division I sports. Popular teams include baseball, basketball, volleyball, and water polo. Learn more about the 49ers and purchase tickets at the official athletics website.

Long Beach City Government

Long Beach is a charter city governed by an elected Mayor and City Council. The city is divided into 9 council districts. To contact the city government, visit the official city website or call (562) 570-6359. The Long Beach Civic Center is located at 411 W. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90802.

Long Beach Community Resources

Get involved in the Long Beach community by visiting:

Long Beach County Information

Long Beach is located within Los Angeles County. Learn more about Los Angeles County services and departments at https://lacounty.gov. The Los Angeles County Hall of Administration building is located at 500 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA 90012.