Downey is a city located in southeast Los Angeles County, California, United States, 13 miles (21 km) southeast of downtown Los Angeles. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 111,772 making it the 13th most populous city in Los Angeles County.
Population and Demographics
According to the latest estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau, Downey has a population of 115,772 residents. The racial makeup of Downey is 53.6% Hispanic or Latino, 33.7% White, 5.8% Asian, 3.5% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, and 3.3% from other races or two or more races. Just over half (53.2%) of residents speak a language other than English at home.
The median age in Downey is 33.7 years old. 25.9% of the population is under age 18, while 11% are aged 65 and older. There are an average of 3.73 people per household in the city.
History and Economy
Downey was founded in 1873 by John Gately Downey, the former governor of California from 1860 to 1862. It was incorporated as a city in 1956. Early settlers in Downey were attracted by the rich and cheap land that allowed for farming of crops like strawberries, peas, cabbage, and oranges. Housing and the aerospace industry would later become significant parts of the economy.
Today, Downey has a diverse economic base focused on technology, healthcare, retail, and manufacturing. Major employers in the city include Kaiser Permanente which operates a large medical center, The Boeing Company, Downey Unified School District, Stonewood Center mall, and the local government of Downey. The city is also home to the headquarters of the NASA division Space Systems, Allyn, and Ashwill Corporation, an aerospace manufacturing company.
Attractions and Tourism
Downey offers several attractions and landmarks for visitors and residents to enjoy. The iconic McDonald’s restaurant building, located on Lakewood and Florence Avenue, was the first McDonald’s built in California and is the oldest still operating today.
The three-story Downey City Hall located downtown was built in the Art Deco style in 1956. The Downey Theatre first opened in 1930 and today hosts live theater productions and concerts.
The four-acre Griffith L. Dickson Municipal Park offers tennis courts, basketball courts, a playground, and a band shell venue. The Downey Historical Society Museum provides exhibits on the city’s history going back to its origins in the 1870s.
Popular events that attract visitors include the Downey Street Faire and Carnival, summer concert series at the Downey Theatre, and a large weekly farmers market.
Sports
Downey is home to professional sports team the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, a minor league baseball team part of the California League. They play at the epicenter stadium in nearby Rancho Cucamonga.
For younger athletes, Downey offers recreational sports leagues for baseball, softball, soccer, and Pop Warner football through the local parks and recreation department.
Education
Public education in Downey is provided by the Downey Unified School District. The district has approximately 23,000 students enrolled in its preschool, elementary, middle, and high schools. Downey is also home to several private schools, including St. Raymond Catholic School, Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, and Calvary Chapel Christian.
Higher education opportunities are available nearby at Cerritos College in Norwalk and other colleges in surrounding cities.
News and Information
Residents of Downey can stay up to date on news and events happening in the city through the Downey City Hall Facebook page and the city website at DowneyCA.org. The local newspaper, the Downey Patriot, also provides community news and information.
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