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Downey, CA

Frequently asked questions

Downey, CA

Downey is a city located in Southeast Los Angeles County, California, United States, 13 mi (21 km) southeast of Downtown Los Angeles. It is considered part of the Gateway Cities. The city is the birthplace of the Apollo space program. It is also the home of the oldest operating McDonald's restaurant in the world. As of the 2020 census, the city had a total population of 114,355.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.6 square miles (33 km2). 12.4 square miles (32 km2) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.52 km2) of it is water.

The cities of South Gate and Bell Gardens are adjacent to the west and northwest, Pico Rivera lies to the northeast, Santa Fe Springs and Norwalk to the east, and Paramount and Bellflower are to the south.

Mission San Gabriel Arcángel was initially founded on September 8, 1771, near the settlements of the Tongva people. It was located in the Whittier Narrows on a bluff overlooking the Rio Hondo, near the intersection of today's San Gabriel Blvd and Lincoln Avenue. After five years, flooding forced the relocation of the mission to its present site in San Gabriel.

In 1784, Governor Pedro Fages granted to former soldier Manuel Nieto (1734–1804) the largest of the land concessions made in what was then Alta California, a province of New Spain. Its 300,000 acres (120,000 ha; 1,200 km2) stretched from the Santa Ana River on the east to the Old San Gabriel River (now the Rio Hondo and Los Angeles River) on the west, and from the mission highway (approximately Whittier Boulevard) on the north to the ocean on the south. Its acreage was slightly reduced later at the insistence of Mission San Gabriel on whose lands it infringed. The Spanish concessions, of which 25 were made in California, were unlike the later Mexican land grants in that the title was not transferred but were similar to grazing permits with the title remaining with the Spanish crown.

The Rancho Los Nietos passed to Manuel Nieto's four children upon his death and remained intact until 1833 when his heirs petitioned Mexican Governor José Figueroa to partition the property. The northwestern portion of the original rancho, comprising the Downey-Norwalk area, was granted as Rancho Santa Gertrudes to Josefa Cota, the widow of Manuel's son, Antonio Nieto. At approximately 21,000 acres (8,500 ha; 85 km2), Santa Gertrudes was itself a sizable rancho and contained the old Nietos homestead, which was a center of social life east of the pueblo of Los Angeles. After the Mexican–American War concluded in 1848, many of the Californio ranchos were obtained by affluent Anglo-Americans who were immigrating west under the United States manifest destiny doctrine, and marrying into established Californio Spanish families. This migration was distinct from that prompted by the California Gold Rush farther north.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health operates the Whittier Health Center in Whittier, serving Downey. Downey focuses on health and wellness. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Downey’s Recreation and Community Services Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Planet Fitness, Kaiser Fitness Center, and Core X Fitness. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Downey, such as the Malad Summit Campground and the Elkhorn Peak. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top things to do in Downey, CA are Columbia Memorial Space Center, Golf N' Stuff, and Downey Theatre. 

Population: 109,368 (2024). ZIP codes: 90239–90242. Area code: 562. Elevation: 118 ft (36 m). Area: 12.57 sq mi (32.55 km2).

FAQs

Is Downey, CA a good place to live?

Living in Downey offers residents an urban suburban mix feel and most residents rent their homes. In Downey, there are a lot of coffee shops and parks. Many families and young professionals live in Downey and residents tend to be liberal. 

What is Downey, CA known for?

Downey holds a rich history of aviation and aerospace that spans more than 70 years.  During World War II, Vultee Aircraft was Downey's largest employer, producing 15% of all of America's military aircraft by 1941. The company was a pioneer in the use of women in manufacturing positions and was the first aircraft company to build airplanes on a powered assembly line.

What is the crime rate in Downey, CA?

The city of Downey, California has a relatively low crime rate compared to the national average. According to recent statistics, the violent crime rate in Downey is 16.6, which is lower than the US average of 22.7. Similarly, the property crime rate in Downey is 40.4, which is also lower than the US average of 35.4. This indicates that residents of Downey can feel safe from criminal activity as it tends to be less frequent and less severe than in other parts of the country.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Downey

Los Angeles County

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health 

Downey’s Recreation and Community Services Department

Planet Fitness 

Kaiser Fitness Center 

Core X Fitness

Columbia Memorial Space Center

Golf N' Stuff

Downey Theatre

Niche

Downeyca.org

Best Places Net

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