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Pico Rivera, CA

Frequently asked questions

Pico Rivera, CA

Pico Rivera is a city located in southeastern Los Angeles County, California. The city is situated approximately 11 miles (18 km) southeast of downtown Los Angeles, on the eastern edge of the Los Angeles basin, and on the southern edge of the area known as the San Gabriel Valley. As of the 2020 United States census, the city has a population of 62,088. Pico Rivera is bordered by Montebello to the west, Downey to the south, Santa Fe Springs to the southeast, and Whittier to the east. Northrop Grumman's Advanced Systems Division developed the B-2 Spirit bomber here.

Pico Rivera was founded in 1958, from the merger of the long-standing unincorporated communities of Pico (named for Pío Pico, the last Mexican governor of California) and Rivera (the Spanish word for "riverbank"). Situated on a rich alluvial plain between the Rio Hondo and the San Gabriel River, the area was once predominantly agricultural; but, at the end of WWII, the fast-rising demand for homes lured builders to the attractive terrain. Since the 1950s, it has been both residential as well as industrial. It had a Ford Motor Company plant for many years: Los Angeles Assembly. Pico Rivera lies below the Whittier Narrows, making it one of the "Gateway Cities".

In January 1958, 56 percent of the electorate voted for incorporation. They approved a Council-Manager form of government, and the name "Pico Rivera" was established for the new city. Five citizens were chosen from a slate of 24 candidates to serve as members of the first City Council; Pico Rivera officially became the 61st city in Los Angeles County.

Pico Rivera is bordered by Downey on the southwest, Santa Fe Springs on the southeast, Whittier on the east, City of Industry on the northeast, Montebello on the northwest, and Commerce on the west. Rosemead/Lakewood Boulevard, CA 19 runs through the center of the city, and the San Gabriel River Freeway (I-605) runs along its southeastern edge.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 23.003 square kilometers (8.882 sq mi). 21.485 square kilometers (8.295 sq mi) of it is land and 1.518 kilometers (0.943 mi) of it (6.60%) is water.

Pico Rivera was the epicenter of a magnitude 4.4 earthquake on March 16, 2010, which occurred at 4:04 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time (11:04 a.m. Greenwich Mean Time). 

Pico Rivera places a strong emphasis on health and wellness. The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services operates the Whittier Health Center in Whittier, serving Pico Rivera. There are nine parks and eight playgrounds throughout the city, including Smith Park on Rosemead Boulevard, Rivera Park on Shade Lane, Pico Park on Beverly Boulevard, Rio Vista Park, and Stream Land Park at the north end of Durfee Road. Massage Therapy Center facilitates deep, long-lasting results in a wide range of modalities, peeling away layers of stress, restoring mobility to injured muscle tissue, and easing stiffened joints and hot spots of pain. Healing Corner incorporates the healing properties of plants, herbs, cremes, oils, and minerals from around the world into a variety of unmatched spa services designed to reduce stress and enhance balance. 

Top sites in Pico Rivera CA are The Getty, Universal Studios Hollywood, and Griffith Observatory. 

Population: 59,189 (2023). ZIP codes: 90660–90662. Area code: 562. Elevation: 164 ft (50 m). Area: 23.003 square kilometers (8.882 sq mi).

FAQs

Is Pico Rivera, CA a good place to live?

Living in Pico Rivera offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Pico Rivera, there are a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Many families live in Pico Rivera and residents tend to be liberal. The public schools in Pico Rivera are above average.

What side of LA is Pico Rivera, CA?

Pico Rivera is a city located in southeastern Los Angeles County, California. The city is situated approximately 11 miles (18 km) southeast of downtown Los Angeles, on the eastern edge of the Los Angeles basin, and the southern edge of the area known as the San Gabriel Valley. Pico Rivera is bordered by Montebello to the west, Downey to the south, Santa Fe Springs to the southeast, and Whittier to the east.

What is the crime rate in Pico Rivera, CA?

The crime rate in Pico Rivera is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America from the largest to the smallest, although at 24 crimes per one thousand residents, it is not among the communities with the very highest crime rate. The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Pico Rivera is 1 in 42. Based on FBI crime data, Pico Rivera is not one of the safest communities in America. Relative to California, Pico Rivera has a crime rate that is higher than 66% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes.

Sources

Wikipedia

Los Angeles County

Los Angeles County Department of Health Services

Whittier Health Center

Smith Park on Rosemead Boulevard

Pico Park on Beverly Boulevard

Massage Therapy Center

Healing Corner 

The Getty

Universal Studios Hollywood

Griffith Observatory

Niche

Neighborhoodscout

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