South Gate is the 19th largest city in Los Angeles County, California, United States, with 7.4 square miles (19 km2). South Gate is located 7 miles (11 km) southeast of Downtown Los Angeles.[7] It is part of the Gateway Cities region of southeastern Los Angeles County.
The city was incorporated on January 20, 1923,[8] and it became known as the "Azalea City" when it adopted the flower as its symbol in 1965.[9] As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 92,726.[4]
South Gate is in the traditional cultural territory of the Gabrielino. Gabrielino villages or archaeological sites are rumored to have existed at the South Gate Park and at the old City Hall site at the intersection of Post Street and Victoria Avenue. The village of Tajauta was located on the border of South Gate, Lynwood, and Watts.[11]
Land grants
Among the early Spanish settlers was one of California's first families, the Lugos. The Lugo land grant encompassed a great part of what is now the City of South Gate.
While Francisco Lugo was stationed at Mission San Antonio de Padua near Salinas, California, his first California son, Antonio Maria Lugo was born in 1775.[12] That son became Don Antonio Maria Lugo, Spanish aristocrat and soldier, who settled on 30,000 acres (120 km2) of land that encompasses what is now the City of South Gate. In 1810, the King of Spain formally granted the land to Lugo as a reward for his and his father's military service.[12] Around a century later, the area around the southern gate of the ranch became the City of South Gate.[13]
Development
Before the end of the 1870s, much of the original land grant had been replaced by tracts of 40-acre (160,000 m2). By 1880, cattle raising had been replaced by agriculture as the most important local industry. During the years between 1910 and 1940, most of the agricultural land was replaced by homes and factories.[13] Early developers accelerated the suburbanization of what was then called South Gate Gardens by subdividing the land into small plots and selling the empty plots to blue-collar workers. A majority of early homes were built individually as plot owners used "sweat equity rather than cash to construct their own homes" and the local economy relied heavily on urban agriculture.[14]
Tweedy family
R.D. Tweedy was born in 1812 in Illinois and came to California by ox-drawn cart in 1852. The family was large, and several generations have lived in this city. The family members bought some 2,000 acres (8.1 km2) of the land on which much of South Gate was built. The downtown business district is known as the Tweedy Mile.[13]
Incorporation
The city was named in 1918 after the South Gate Gardens on the Cudahy Ranch.[15] The city was incorporated five years later, in 1923, using the shortened form of the name.[15] The name refers to the city's being south of Los Angeles.[15]
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.4 square miles (19 km2). 7.2 square miles (19 km2) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2) of it is water. The total area is 1.59% water.
South Gate has a semi-arid Mediterranean climate with mild winters and hot, dry summers. The average annual precipitation is 14.8 inches (380 mm) per year with most occurring between November and April. Temperatures range from a low of 40 °F (4 °C) to a high of 110 °F (43 °C). The average daily temperatures range from 54 °F (12 °C) to 73 °F (23 °C).[17]
South Gate city, California – Racial and ethnic composition Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
The 2010 United States Census[22] reported that South Gate had a population of 94,396. The population density was 12,837.6 inhabitants per square mile (4,956.6/km2). The racial makeup of South Gate was 47,645 (50.5%) White, 3,209 (3.4%) Non-Hispanic White, 890 (0.9%) African American, 878 (0.9%) Native American, 732 (0.8%) Asian, 99 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 40,624 (43.0%) from other races, and 3,528 (3.7%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 89,442 persons (94.8%).
The Census reported that 94,308 people (99.9% of the population) lived in households, 16 (0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 72 (0.1%) were institutionalized.
There were 23,278 households, out of which 13,805 (59.3%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 13,183 (56.6%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 4,706 (20.2%) had a female householder with no husband present, 2,261 (9.7%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 1,879 (8.1%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 134 (0.6%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 2,292 households (9.8%) were made up of individuals, and 996 (4.3%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.05. There were 20,150 families (86.6% of all households); the average family size was 4.24.
The population was spread out, with 29,374 people (31.1%) under the age of 18, 11,298 people (12.0%) aged 18 to 24, 28,039 people (29.7%) aged 25 to 44, 19,062 people (20.2%) aged 45 to 64, and 6,623 people (7.0%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29.4 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.9 males.
There were 24,160 housing units at an average density of 3,285.7 per square mile (1,268.6/km2), of which 10,658 (45.8%) were owner-occupied, and 12,620 (54.2%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.5%; the rental vacancy rate was 3.6%. 46,665 people (49.4% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 47,643 people (50.5%) lived in rental housing units.
During 2015–2019, South Gate had a median household income of $52,321, with 17.2% of the population living below the federal poverty line. For people ages 25 and over, 56.7% had a high school degree or higher while 9.4% had a bachelor's degree or higher.[23]
2000
As of the 2000 census, there were 96,375 people, 23,213 households, and 20,063 families residing in the city. The population density was 13,084.6 inhabitants per square mile (5,052.0/km2). There were 24,269 housing units at an average density of 3,294.9 per square mile (1,272.2/km2).[24]
There were 23,213 households, out of which 58.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.6% were married couples living together, 18.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 13.6% were non-families. 10.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.15 and the average family size was 4.37. In the city, the population was spread out, with 35.6% under the age of 18, 12.5% from 18 to 24, 31.6% from 25 to 44, 14.9% from 45 to 64, and 5.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 26 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $35,695, and the median income for a family was $35,789. Males had a median income of $25,350 versus $19,978 for females. The per capita income for the city was $10,602. 19.2% of the population and 17.4% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 24.2% of those under the age of 18 and 12.0% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Religion
There are approximately 40 churches located in the City representing a variety of religious denominations.
53.4% of the people in South Gate, CA are religious. 37.0% are Catholic; 6.7% are Protestant; 1.6% are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; 5.2% are another Christian faith; 1.1% are Jewish; 1.1% are "an eastern faith"; 0.7% are Muslim.[27]
As of June 2009, California's EDD[30] lists the unemployment rate in South Gate as 14.4%, with negative job growth. The California State Board of Equalization[31] lists South Gate's sale tax rate as 10.75%. The income per capita is $11,566, which includes all adults and children. The median household income is $41,064.[32]
As of April 1, 2009, the City of South Gate imposed a 10.25-percent sales tax (statewide plus local supplementary, which is now 9.75% with the expiration of the temporary tax increase under Proposition 1A), which matches Pico Rivera's sales tax rate as the highest in the State of California.[33]
On July 9, 2009, the South Gate City Council held a special meeting where a resolution was adopted declaring a fiscal emergency for the City of South Gate.[34]
63.10% of the people in South Gate are registered as Democrats, with 35.60% registered as Republican. The remaining 1.30% are independent.[32]
The City Council consists of five persons elected at large by the residents of South Gate. These Council members serve a four-year term and establish the governing policies and procedures for the city. The Mayor is selected on an annual, rotating basis from among the Council Members. The current City Council consists of:
The City Clerk in South Gate is an elected position that serves a four-year term. As the official record keeper for the city, the City Clerk is responsible for maintaining all central and legal files, preparing City Council meeting agendas and minutes, conducting municipal elections and assisting the Los Angeles Registrar-Recorder with voter registration.[38] Yodit Glaze is the City Clerk of South Gate.
The City Manager is appointed by the City Council to carry out its policies and ensure that the community is served in a responsive manner. Responsible for oversight of all City operations and the delivery of public services, the City Manager works closely with the city's departments in developing policy recommendations and responding to directives of the City Council.[37] Michael Flad was appointed City Manager by the City Council on December 3, 2012.
Finances
South Gate currently is one of the lowest in taxing its residents in the south east area of Los Angeles. It is one of the few cities that does NOT have a Utility Users Tax (UUT). Most cities have an additional tax added to the sales tax for utilities such as gas, water, electricity, phone, cell phone, cable, and internet. Most cities range from +/- 4%-11%. South Gate is 0%.
Corruption and election fraud
From 2001 to 2003, then-city treasurer Albert Robles, along with three accomplices on the city council, accepted bribes and in turn gave taxpayer money to friends and relatives to perform city contracts. The three accomplices formed a majority of the five-member city council, so they could effectively run the city as they wanted. For example, in 2002, Robles was arrested on felony threat charges but was appointed by the city council to the deputy city manager position and had his legal bills covered by the city. The city council gave themselves a 2000% pay raise, and cut the pay of City Clerk Carmen Avalos by 90%, after she complained about corruption and election fraud in the city to the California Secretary of State.[40][41]
On January 28, 2003, voters recalled Robles along with his political allies, former Mayor Xochitl Ruvalcaba, former Vice Mayor Raul Moriel, and former city councilwoman Maria Benavides.[42][41]
Robles was convicted of bribery in July 2005.[43] In November 2006 he was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, ordered to pay the city of South Gate $639,000 in restitution, and was immediately put into custody.[44]
In March 2006, Rudy Navarro, who was elected to replace Albert Robles as city treasurer, was caught making a false statement on his biography as posted on the city's official web site. He claimed that he earned a degree from San Diego State University, when he actually had not completed all the requirements.[45][46]
South Gate's recent political history has been characterized by political observers and editors as having elements of "Third World politics".[47][48][49]
South Gate is served by Metro Local and Metro Rapid buses. The City of South Gate operates the Get Around Town Express (GATE) to provide local service.[52]
City parks
South Gate offers nine city parks for the enjoyment of its citizens.[53]
South Gate Park covers a total of 96.8 acres (392,000 m2), and is the largest park within the city limits. This park is used to carry out most of the Parks and Recreation Department's community programs. There are a total of six different facilities at this park, some of which can be rented out for a variety of events. These facilities include the Municipal Auditorium, Girls Club House, 9-hole Par 3 Golf Course, Senior Recreation Center, Swim Stadium, and Sports Center. The site also features athletic fields, outdoor basketball courts, two playgrounds, tennis courts, a skate park, several shaded areas for picnics, and a Jr. Hockey Rink. The park closes at 10:00 pm.
Hollydale Regional Park covers 56.0 acres (227,000 m2), has a playground, tennis courts, a baseball field, soccer fields, a picnic area (groups of 50+ by reservation only), and an Equestrian Center that is also available for rent. The park closes at sunset.
Cesar Chavez Park covers 9.0 acres (36,000 m2), has two playgrounds and a pergola. No reservation is needed for picnics. The park closes at sunset.
Circle Park covers 4.0 acres (16,000 m2), and is a neighborhood park. It has a small playground, a ball field and a grass area. The park closes at sunset.
Hollydale Community Park covers 2.2 acres (8,900 m2), it has a playground, outdoor basketball courts, and a Community Center. The park closes at 10:00pm.
State Street Park covers 0.8 acres (3,200 m2) and only has a grass fields. is a neighborhood park, No reservation needed for picnics. The park closes at sunset.
Gardendale Tot Lot covers 0.45 acres (1,800 m2), and is a neighborhood park. It has a playground and a small grass area. The park closes at sunset.
Triangle Park covers 0.3 acres (1,200 m2), has a pergola, a seating area, a bike rack, and a drinking fountain. The park closes at sunset.
Stanford Park covers 0.19 acres (770 m2) and is a neighborhood park. It has a playground and a small grass area. The park closes at sunset.
Schools located in South Gate include: 21 public (13 elementary, 3 high school, 3 charter schools and 2 middle school and 1 span school and 1 continuation high school) and two parochial schools. Adult Education classes are conducted at both the junior and senior high schools. The city is also served by 3 community colleges (Compton, Cerritos and East Los Angeles—main campus and South Gate satellite) and 3 California State Universities (Dominguez Hills, Long Beach and Los Angeles.)
^Beherec, Marc A. (March 1, 2020). "Ethnohistoric South Gate?". Society for California Archaeology Proceedings. 34: 81. Retrieved June 26, 2024 – via EBSCOhost.
^ ab"Timeline". Bell.k12.ca.us. Archived from the original on August 22, 2010. Retrieved July 29, 2010.
^Bebitch Jeffe, Sherry (March 2003). "Southgate". March 2004 issue. California Journal. Archived from the original on January 28, 2007. Retrieved December 4, 2006.
^Anderson, Jeffrey (February 21, 2007). "The Town the Law Forgot". L.A. Weekly. Archived from the original on February 25, 2007. Retrieved February 28, 2007.
^"Whittier Health Center"(PDF). Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. Archived from the original(PDF) on May 27, 2010. Retrieved March 18, 2010.
