West Covina, California

History

The Tongva were the earliest inhabitants of the San Gabriel Valley. Governor Pío Pico sold much of the land of West Covina to John Rowland and William Workman in 1845.

The first permanent settlers arrived in West Covina in 1905. Most famous among them were William Payne, Bob Dancer, Bender, Robinson and Larsen. They cleared the land of sagebrush and cactus. They also planted the first walnut trees in the area.

West Covina was incorporated as an independent city in 1923 to prevent the city of Covina from building a sewage farm in the area. Benjamin Franklin Maxson Jr. (1897–1928) initiated the incorporation process and was the first mayor. Walnut groves and orange groves continued to flourish.

A 2020 ranking of the fiscal health of California cities issued by State Auditor Elaine Howle's office placed West Covina as the ninth-worst in the state. The city was also audited by the state the same year, as the state auditor had determined that the city's poor finances put it at high risk for default.

The world's largest collection of shoehorns is housed in the Shoehorn Museum in West Covina. The state of California's largest hazardous waste landfill is also in the city. The California Department of Toxic Substances Control currently estimates clean up of the landfill will cost nearly $1 billion.

Geography

Climate

The San Gabriel Valley region has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate, with summer temperatures averaging above 23 C.

Demographics

|align-fn=center 1860–1870 1880–1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

West Covina first appeared as a city in the 1930 U.S. Census.

2020

The 2020 United States census reported that West Covina had a population of 109,501. The population density was 6,828.0 PD/sqmi. The racial makeup of West Covina was 20.1% White, 3.7% African American, 1.6% Native American, 30.7% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 25.3% from other races, and 18.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 53.1% of the population.

The census reported that 99.5% of the population lived in households, 0.3% lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0.2% were institutionalized.

There were 33,627 households, out of which 35.2% included children under the age of 18, 51.1% were married-couple households, 6.5% were cohabiting couple households, 26.9% had a female householder with no partner present, and 15.5% had a male householder with no partner present. 15.8% of households were one person, and 7.5% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 3.24.

The age distribution was 19.7% under the age of 18, 10.1% aged 18 to 24, 27.0% aged 25 to 44, 26.7% aged 45 to 64, and 16.4% who were 65years of age or older. The median age was 39.4years. For every 100 females, there were 94.3 males.

There were 34,834 housing units at an average density of 2,172.1 /mi2, of which 33,627 (96.5%) were occupied. Of these, 59.9% were owner-occupied, and 40.1% were occupied by renters.

In 2023, the US Census Bureau estimated that the median household income was $98,570, and the per capita income was $38,100. About 7.7% of families and 9.7% of the population were below the poverty line.

2010

The 2010 United States Census reported that West Covina had a population of 106,098. The population density was 6,594.3 PD/sqmi. The racial makeup of West Covina was 42.8% White (15.3% Non-Hispanic White), 4.5% Black, 1.0% Native American, 25.8% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 21.3% from other races, and 4.4% from two or more races. Persons of Hispanic or Latino origin were 53.2%.

The Census reported that 105,424 people (99.4% of the population) lived in households, 351 (0.3%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 323 (0.3%) were institutionalized.

There were 31,596 households, out of which 13,670 (43.3%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 17,650 (55.9%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 5,402 (17.1%) had a female householder with no husband present, 2,308 (7.3%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 1,664 (5.3%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 202 (0.6%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 4,795 households (15.2%) were made up of individuals, and 2,164 (6.8%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.34. There were 25,360 families (80.3% of all households); the average family size was 3.68.

The population was spread out, with 26,075 people (24.6%) under the age of 18, 11,326 people (10.7%) aged 18 to 24, 28,860 people (27.2%) aged 25 to 44, 26,974 people (25.4%) aged 45 to 64, and 12,863 people (12.1%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.7 males.

There were 32,705 housing units at an average density of 2,032.7 /mi2, of which 20,703 (65.5%) were owner-occupied, and 10,893 (34.5%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.1%; the rental vacancy rate was 4.8%. 70,474 people (66.4% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 34,950 people (32.9%) lived in rental housing units.

During 20092013, West Covina had a median household income of $67,088, with 10% of the population living below the federal poverty line.

In 2017, there were more than 10,000 Filipino Americans living in West Covina; they make up the majority population in the south side of the city.

West Covina is broken up into five districts.

Most of the foreign-born population in West Covina were born in Mexico 27.3%, Philippines 18.9%, Mainland China 13.7%, Vietnam 9.6% Taiwan 5.5%, El Salvador 3.1%, Hong Kong 2.7%, Guatemala 1.5%, Korea 1.3% and Indonesia 1.2%.

According to the 2000 Census, Mexicans and Filipinos were the most common ancestries in West Covina. Mexico and Philippines were the most common foreign places of birth.

The most common ancestries in West Covina are Irish, German, English, Italian, and French. The most common non-English languages spoken are Spanish and Chinese.

Homelessness

In 2022, Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority's Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count counted 112 homeless individuals in West Covina.

Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority |2016 | 47 |2017 | 165 |2018 | 264 |2019 | 147 |2020 | 124 |2022 | 112

Economy

Top employers

According to the city's 2022 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:

Retail

There are three major shopping centers in West Covina: Plaza West Covina, Eastland Center, and The Heights at West Covina.

Plaza West Covina

Plaza West Covina is a regional mall that has 208 shops, stores, and restaurants. The mall is two levels and is anchored by Macy's (180,000 sq ft.) to the east, JC Penney (193,963 sq ft.) to the south, Sears (137,820 sq ft.) to the west, Best Buy (45,000 sq ft.) to the north, and the XXI Forever flagship store, also to the north. There is a food court on the second level as well as other restaurants, and food and drink kiosks throughout the mall. The mall is known for its many fashion shops and high-end fashion boutiques.

Eastland Center

The Eastland Center is a power center which has undergone major renovations since it opened in 1957. Eastland is two levels, with parking for the lower level on south side of the center and parking for the upper level on the north side. It has many department stores and is anchored by Target. (122000 sqft) to the east.

The Heights at West Covina

The Heights at West Covina is a 340000 sqft retail shopping center located just south of the Sportsplex. It is anchored by The Home Depot to the north, and Target to the south. The center has many other stores and restaurants.

Jollibee

Jollibee opened headquarters in West Covina in 2019.

Parks and recreation

West Covina Sportsplex

The West Covina Sportsplex is a 315 acre commercial and recreational center opened in 2007. Built on a former landfill, the center includes a sports park, commercial development, and public golf course.

Government

In the California State Legislature, West Covina is split between and . In the California State Assembly, it is in . In the United States House of Representatives, West Covina is in .{{Cite web | access-date = January 5, 2023

Politics

Education

Primary and secondary schools

Public schools in West Covina administered by the Covina-Valley Unified School District include:

• Grovecenter Elementary School
• Mesa Elementary School
• Rowland Avenue Elementary School
• Workman Avenue Elementary School
• Traweek Middle School
• South Hills High School

Public schools in West Covina administered by the Rowland Unified School District include:

• Hollingworth Elementary
• Telesis Academy
• Giano Intermediate

Public schools in West Covina administered by the West Covina Unified School District include:

• California Elementary
• Cameron Elementary
• Merced Elementary
• Merlinda Elementary
• Monte Vista Elementary
• Orangewood Elementary
• Vine Elementary
• Wescove Elementary
• Edgewood Middle School
• Hollencrest Middle School
• Walnut Grove Intermediate
• Coronado High School
• Edgewood High School
• MT. SAC Early College Academy
• West Covina High School

Charter School (Standalone)

• San Jose Charter Academy

Infrastructure

Transportation

Foothill Transit, based in West Covina, provides service connecting the city to the rest of the San Gabriel Valley. The Silver Streak bus rapid transit services West Covina at four stops: West Covina City Hall, Plaza West Covina, Vincent Avenue/Lakes Drive, and Interstate 10/Azusa Avenue. The city operates the Go West shuttle between Cortez Park in the central part of the city and Valley Boulevard on the southern part and microtransit serving the northern half of the city.

Healthcare

Emanate Health Queen of the Valley Hospital in West Covina offers the following services: emergency room, surgery, maternity care, pediatrics, neurology, and diagnostic imaging.

Notable people

• Former Major League Baseball pitcher Dan Haren grew up in West Covina, California.
• Major League Baseball pitcher Rick Aguilera, a three-time All-Star who played in two World Series, attended Edgewood High School in West Covina.
• National Football League quarterback and broadcaster Troy Aikman was born at Queen of the Valley Hospital in West Covina, but moved to Oklahoma as a child.
• Drag queen Jackie Beat.
• Major League Baseball outfielder and coach Tom Brunansky attended West Covina High School.
• Actor Robert Buckley was born in West Covina.
• Jeff Cox attended South Hills High School. He has been a Major League Baseball player and coach.
• Electronic dance music producer and DJ Deorro currently resides in West Covina.
• Major League Baseball pitcher Joey Eischen was born in West Covina and graduated from West Covina High School and is from the Class of 1988.
• Baseball pitcher Carlos Fisher was born in West Covina. He pitched for the Cincinnati Reds.
• Major League Baseball outfielder Jeremy Giambi attended South Hills High School.
• Major League Baseball first baseman Jason Giambi was born in West Covina and attended South Hills High School.
• Chinese Basketball Association basketball player Jonathan Gibson was born in West Covina.
• Rock star Joan Jett, although born in Pennsylvania, moved with her family to West Covina when she was 15.
• Major League Baseball outfielder Jay Johnstone, although born in Connecticut, graduated Edgewood High School in 1960.
• Mystery novelist Lee Charles Kelley lived in West Covina from age 4 to 15.
• Major League Baseball infielder Mike Lamb was born in West Covina.
• Major League Baseball pitcher Cory Lidle attended South Hills High School. He was killed in a plane crash in 2006.
• Major League Baseball pitcher Jim Merritt attended Edgewood High School.
• Actress Nia Peeples was raised in West Covina; she attended and graduated from West Covina High School, class of 1980, and was also Homecoming Queen.
• World record-breaking long jumper Mike Powell attended Edgewood High School.
• Major League Baseball pitcher Jo-Jo Reyes was born in West Covina. He has pitched for numerous teams.
• Actor and director Tim Robbins was born in West Covina. His films include The Shawshank Redemption, Mystic River, Bull Durham and Dead Man Walking.
• Major League Baseball outfielder Gary Roenicke attended Edgewood High School.
• Major League Baseball pitcher and manager Ron Roenicke attended Edgewood High School.
• Major League Baseball pitcher Aaron Small attended South Hills High School. He pitched for seven MLB teams.
• Brian Stewart defensive backs coach at the University of Nebraska, lived in West Covina from 1976 to 1982.
• Major League Baseball pitcher and executive Bill Stoneman attended West Covina High School.
• Chicano rapper Mr. Capone-E was born in Pakistan but he and his family moved to West Covina at an early age.
• Mexican-American singer Larry Hernández lives in West Covina.
• Gabe York (born 1993), basketball player for Hapoel Tel Aviv of the Israeli Basketball Premier League
• Professional tennis player Ernesto Escobedo resides in West Covina.
• Television personality Scheana Shay was born in West Covina.
• Songwriter Greg Camp was born in West Covina.
• Artist Keith Parkinson was born in West Covina.
• Swedish progressive rock musician and songwriter Nad Sylvan was born in West Covina.
• Filipino-American basketball player Dwight Ramos was born in West Covina.

In popular culture

West Covina and the San Gabriel Valley are the setting for the US television series Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.

The 1997 Nickelodeon film Good Burger was mostly filmed in West Covina.

The USS West Covina was a Federation California-class starship operated by Starfleet in the late 24th century featured in Star Trek: Lower Decks.

Sister cities

West Covina's sister cities are:

• Fengtai (Beijing), China
• Ōtawara, Japan
• Tainan, Taiwan

References

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