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Long Beach, CA

Frequently asked questions

Long Beach, CA

Long Beach is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. It is the 43rd-most populous city in the United States, with a population of 451,307 as of 2022. A charter city, Long Beach is the seventh-most populous city in California, the second most populous city in Los Angeles County, and the largest city in California that is not a county seat.

Incorporated in 1897, Long Beach lies in Southern California, in the southern part of Los Angeles County. Long Beach is approximately 20 miles (32 km) south of downtown Los Angeles and is part of the Gateway Cities region. The Port of Long Beach is the second busiest container port in the United States and is among the world's largest shipping ports. The city is over an oilfield with minor wells both directly beneath the city as well as offshore.

The city is known for its waterfront attractions, including the permanently docked RMS Queen Mary and the Aquarium of the Pacific. Long Beach also hosts the Grand Prix of Long Beach, an IndyCar race, and the Long Beach Pride Festival and Parade. California State University, Long Beach, one of the largest universities in California by enrollment, is within the city.

Indigenous people have lived in coastal Southern California for over 10,000 years, and several successive cultures have inhabited the present-day area of Long Beach. By the 16th-century arrival of Spanish explorers, the dominant group was the Tongva, who had established at least three major settlements within the present-day city. Tevaaxa'anga was an inland settlement near the Los Angeles River, while Ahwaanga and Povuu'nga were coastal villages. Povuu'nga was particularly important to the Tongva, not only as a regional trading center and hub for fishermen but for its deep ceremonial significance, being understood as their place of emergence as a people from which their lives began.

In 1784, the Spanish Empire's King Carlos III granted Rancho Los Nietos to Spanish soldier Manuel Nieto. The Rancho Los Cerritos and Rancho Los Alamitos were divided from this territory. The boundary between the two ranchos ran through the center of Signal Hill on a southwest-to-northeast diagonal. A portion of western Long Beach was originally part of the Rancho San Pedro. Its boundaries were in dispute for years, due to flooding changing the Los Angeles River boundary between Rancho San Pedro and Rancho Los Nietos.

Long Beach is about 21 miles (34 km) south of downtown Los Angeles. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 80.35 square miles (208.1 km²), of which 50.70 square miles (131.3 km²) is land and 29.64 square miles (76.8 km²) (36.8%) is water. Long Beach surrounds the city of Signal Hill.

Epson America, Inc. the U.S. affiliate of Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, is headquartered in Long Beach. Pioneer Electronics, the U.S. affiliate of Japan-based Pioneer Corporation, is also headquartered in Long Beach along with SCAN Health Plan, a non-profit "Medicare Advantage" HMO for seniors. Molina Healthcare, Inc., a Medicaid management healthcare program, is headquartered in Long Beach.

Long Beach focuses on health and wellness. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs offered by the Long Beach Parks and Recreation. 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, ICONIX Fitness, and Anytime Fitness. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Long Beach, such as the Bluff Park and Dominguez Gap Wetlands. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Long Beach, CA are The Queen Mary, Aquarium of the Pacific, and Long Beach Museum of Art.

Population: 449,468 (2023). ZIP codes: 90801–90810, 90813–90815, 90822, 90831–90835, 90840, 90842, 90844, 90846–90848, 90853, 90895, 90899. Area code(s): 562. Elevation: 52 ft (16 m). Area: 80.35 sq mi (208.10 km²).

FAQs

Why is Long Beach, CA so famous?

The discovery of oil in Long Beach and Signal Hill in 1921 triggered a rapid growth, with a million-dollar-per-month construction boom in Downtown. It also helped establish the town as a popular seaside resort and port city, with the boardwalk entertainment area known as The Pike attracting many visitors. This lucrative growth was stymied, however, when a 6.4-magnitude earthquake in 1933 hit the downtown area, taking 120 lives and costing $50 million in damage. This tragedy gave birth to the California Field Act of 1933, which requires earthquake-resistant design and construction for all public schools. Surviving buildings from that era have been designated in 16 historic districts, with around a hundred structures designated as historic landmarks.

Is Long Beach, CA a good place to live?

Long Beach, California, offers a plethora of reasons why it's a great city to live in. Firstly, its diverse and vibrant community fosters inclusivity and cultural richness. Secondly, its beautiful coastline provides endless recreational opportunities such as beach activities and water sports.

What are the race demographics of Long Beach, CA?

In 2021, there were 1.44 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (130k people) in Long Beach, CA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 89.9k White (Hispanic) and 81k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups. 43.9% of the people in Long Beach, CA are Hispanic (205k people).

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Long Beach

Long Beach Parks and Recreation

Planet Fitness

ICONIX Fitness 

Anytime Fitness

Bluff Park 

Dominguez Gap Wetlands

The Queen Mary

Aquarium of the Pacific

Long Beach Museum of Art

Visit Long Beach

Niche

Data USA

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