STATISTICAL INFORMATION
THE CITY AND THE SURROUNDING AREA
The City of West Covina was incorporated in 1923 to prevent the City of Covina from establishing a sewage farm within the current city boundaries. The 507 residents of the area banded together to maintain local control of their land. Walnut and orange groves continued to flourish during the following decades.
The City of West Covina began the second-half of the 20th century with exciting new developments and projects. The City Hall and Police facility were built in 1969 as an example of a Joint Powers Authority in the County of Los Angeles. The Civic Center Joint Powers Authority, consisting of the County of Los Angeles and the City of West Covina, also completed a three-level parking structure in the Civic Center complex. The Civic Center complex includes the Los Angeles County Regional Library, the Citrus Municipal Court building and the City Hall offices.
The city is substantially "built out" with few major vacant development sites remaining. The city is a residential and commercial center with limited industry. Retail merchandising is the principal business activity. Large corporations have been attracted to the San Gabriel Valley due to:
- Accessible freeways
- Available skilled labor pool
- Affordable housing
- Strong clientele base
- Competitive land prices and rental rates
Government Organizational Structure
West Covina is a full-service, general-law city, providing police and fire services as well as street maintenance and repair, building and engineering, planning, and parks and recreational activities. The City Manager is the chief administrator of all city services and oversees the functioning of the City on a daily basis in accordance with policies established by the City Council. The City Manager is appointed by the City Council.
As a general-law city, West Covina operates through the Council-Manager form of municipal government. The five City Council members are elected at large to overlapping terms of four years and annually select one of their members to serve as Mayor. The City Council is the legislative body responsible for the overall policies and direction for the City. They are the citizens' representatives in local government. The City Council appoints residents to serve on several commissions.
Population and Housing
The city's population has grown from 80,291 in 1980 to 96,086 in 1990, to 107,293 in 2000. This represents a 20% increase during the 1980s and a 12% increase during the 1990s. The city's growth outpaced growth for both the County of Los Angeles and the State of California during those same periods. The estimated population for 2005 is 110,325 and by the year 2010 the projected population is 116,107 (Source: 2005 Claritas, Inc.).
Residential areas within the city are comprised primarily of single-family detached housing. There are a few pockets of apartment and condominium/town home developments. In 2005, it is estimated that the tenure of occupied housing units are 65.87% owner-occupied and 34.13% renter-occupied. One-unit attached and detached structures account for 73.5% of West Covina's housing. About 25.4% consist of multiple - unit dwellings, and the remaining 1% are mobile homes/trailers, RV, etc. The 2005 estimated median for all owner-occupied housing value is $346,700 (Source: 2005Claritas, Inc.).
The residential areas are generally well-maintained, middle-class neighborhoods. Because the city is substantially "built out," future population growth is not expected to be dramatic. The City plans to invest redevelopment-housing funds into certain residential areas over the next ten years. This redevelopment is not expected to significantly alter the city's population.
Personal Income and Demographics
According to data supplied by Claritas, Inc., a national marketing firm, the 2005 estimated average household income is $63,564 for the five-mile trade area whose center is the intersection of the I-10 Freeway and Sunset Avenue (situated approximately at the northwest corner of the regional mall). The median household income for this five-mile trade area is $52,075, with 51.8% of households having incomes over $50,000. The 2005 estimated median household income for the City is higher at $60,421. The 2005 estimated citywide average household income is $72,634. Citywide, more than 59% of all households have incomes $50,000 and over.
The 2005 estimated base population for the five-mile trade area is 546,069 and base population of 255,453 within a three-mile trade area. In 2010, it is projected to increase to 578,206 and 268,335 respectively.
2005 Estimated Households by Household Income
West Covina Residents By Major Profession -- 2005 Estimate
(Employed persons 16 years old and over)
Type And Mix Of Business In West Covina
Major West Covina Employers
Unemployment Rates
Transportation
The city's close proximity to several major sources of transportation gives the residents access to regional, national and international markets.
The Ontario International Airport is located 20 miles east of the city and is serviced by most domestic carriers. The Los Angeles International Airport is located 40 miles west of the City.
The Metropolitan Transit District serves the city locally with two routes. West Covina serves as a transit hub for bus service within the San Gabriel Valley. Together, the nationally award-winning Foothill Transit District and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), provide over 400 bus arrivals and departures in West Covina daily. These buses serve express and local routes throughout West Covina and the greater Los Angeles County area.
The city is served by two Metrolink train stations in the nearby cities of Covina and Baldwin Park. Metrolink provides daily light-rail commuter train service between residential and major commercial areas within Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura Counties.
The City also offers local shuttle bus service, providing convenient connections between regional malls, Civic Center, Senior Citizens' Center, regional hospital facilities and the Baldwin Park Metrolink train station.
West Covina enjoys easy access to the Los Angeles Freeway System. A major freeway, Interstate 10 (the San Bernardino Freeway) runs through the northern section of the city. The following major freeways also serve the city:
State Highway 60 (Pomona Freeway) to the south;
Interstate 605 (San Gabriel Valley River Freeway) to the West; and
State Highway 57 (Orange Freeway) to the east.
Education
There are 13 public and nine private elementary schools, three middle schools, two high schools, one continuation high school, one adult school and numerous preschools and vocational schools within the city. According to the Bureau of Census, school enrollment in 2000 totaled 33,792: 40.8 % in elementary, 21.3 % in high school, 28% in college/graduate school and the remainder in preschool/kindergarten.
Within a 30-mile radius of West Covina are many educational facilities of all levels. With a selection from nearby universities and community colleges, residents have a wide choice to continue or complete their education, including:
Community Colleges
- Citrus Community College
- Mount San Antonio College
- Rio Hondo Community College
- Whittier Community College
- Pasadena City College
Four Year Universities
While there are no Universities within the City, there are a number of universities located several miles nearby. They are as follows:
- Azusa Pacific University
- California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
- California State University:
Los Angeles
Fullerton
- Claremont McKenna College
- Claremont School of Theology
- Immaculate Heart College
- Occidental College
- Osteopathic School of Medicine
- Pitzer College
- Pomona College
- Royken College
- University of La Verne
- Woodbury University
Education
2003 Estimate
Education of City Residents (25 and over)
Community Facilities
West Covina has five medical facilities and one trauma center. There are over 200 physicians and surgeons, ten chiropractors, and fifty dentists and orthodontists serving the community. Hospitals providing health care include Citrus Valley Health Partners (three facilities), Kaiser Permanente Medical Group and Doctor's Hospital of West Covina.
There are sixteen parks and two recreation centers with programs for sports and recreation. The Senior Citizens' Center houses the City's senior welfare programs and hosts tournaments, trips and social gatherings. The construction of the 24,000 square - foot Cameron Community Center and Gymnasium was completed in February 2004.
Because of the city's central location, many attractions, including mountain and beach resorts, are all within an hour's drive.
DEMOGRAPHICS
West Covina's population growth has leveled off in the 1990s now that the city is essentially "built out". The 2000 U.S. Census has the city's population at 105,080 residents. Some significant trends have developed with respect to the population mix in recent years. The median age has been rising due to relatively fewer school-age children (5-19) and young adults (20-24) with relatively more adults (25-44) and elderly (65+). Also, the minority population has increased to 77% of the total population, with significant increases in the number of Hispanic, Asian and African-American residents. To accommodate these changes, the City has stressed programs for seniors and participated in events that promote cultural diversity.
City of West Covina Ethnicity: 1980, 1990 and 2000
City of West Covina Characteristics of Population 1970-2000
FINANCIAL TREND INDICATORS
A. Real Growth In Per Capita Operating Budget
From fiscal year 1988-1989 to fiscal year 2005-2006, the operating budget in 1988 constant dollars increased 12.4% or 0.69% annually. This was achieved despite a severe recession and the loss of about $4 million annually in landfill revenues. In addition, the State of California mandated the reallocation of over $1 million in annual property tax revenue to other local governments. During this period, there has been a significant shift away from the General Fund toward restricted funds.
Budget constraints have resulted in per capita spending that fluctuated over the years. Nevertheless, the level and quality of services have not been significantly impacted thanks to increased efficiencies in the delivery of City services.
B. Real Growth In Police Department Budget
The Police Department budget has grown by 34.7% from fiscal year 1988-1989 to fiscal year 2005-2006 or an average of 1.93% annually. This was greater than the 0.63% annual growth in the annual operating budget. The increase in the Police Department's budget reflects the City Council's commitment to public safety. Though police operations are primarily funded from the City's General Fund, an active grants solicitation program has reduced the impact on the City's General Fund.
FIVE-YEAR BUDGET TRENDS
The City has been able to maintain services, despite increased budget demands, through greater efficiencies and increased resourcefulness. The following charts: population, number of full-time employees, number of department heads and capital improvements, illustrate the City's trends and commitment to reinvesting in the community.
POPULATION
The City's population rose by 7.5% between 2000-2001 and 2004-2005.
CITIZENS SERVED BY EMPLOYEE
The number of authorized full-time positions has increased employees has increased by 3% from 417 in 2001-2002 to 430 in 2005-2006. The citizen-to-employee ratio has been steady. Currently it is 257 citizens served per employee.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT BUDGET
In fiscal year 2001-2002, the CIP budget was $9,536,500 but this has decreased to $3,907,950 in FY 2005-2006.
THE CITY OF WEST COVINA
2003 TOP PROPERTY TAXPAYERS
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