Irwindale, California

Irwindaleis a city in theSan Gabriel Valley,inLos Angeles County, California.The population was 1,422 at the2010 census,down from 1,446 at the2000 census.TheZIP Codesserving the area are 91010, which is shared withDuarte,91702, which is shared withAzusa,and 91706, which is shared withBaldwin Park.

Irwindale, California
City
Irwindale Speedway,2006.
Logo
Nickname: Jardin de Roca
Coordinates:34°7′N117°58′W
Country	United States}
State	California
County	Los Angeles
Founded	1860
Incorporated	August 6, 1957
Chartered	1986
Government
• Type	Council–manager
•Mayor	Larry G. Burrola
•City Manager	Julian Miranda
Area
• Total	9.61 sq mi (24.88 km2)
• Land	8.82 sq mi (22.84 km2)
• Water	0.79 sq mi (2.04 km2) 8.19%
Elevation	469 ft (143 m)
Population (2020)
• Total	1,472
• Density	150/sq mi (59/km2)
Time zone	UTC-8(Pacific)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-7(PDT)
ZIP codes	91010, 91702, 91706
Area code	626
GNISfeature IDs	1652728,2410119
Sister city	Salvatierra, Mexico
Website	www.irwindaleca.gov

The city became the new permanent site for the annualRenaissance Pleasure Faire of Southern Californiain 2005, after it moved from its previous home at theGlen Helen Regional ParkinDevore.The majority of the housing is found on the southeastern portion of the city, near Arrow Highway and north of Cypress Street near Irwindale Avenue. There is also a tract of housing on the southeastern corner of Meridian St in the northwestern portion of the city, being distant from the rest of the housing.

History

Irwindale was part of theMexican land grantsbyAlta CaliforniaGovernorJuan AlvaradoofRancho La Puente,Rancho Azusa de Dalton,Rancho Azusa de Duarte,andRancho San Francisquito.The families of Gregorio Fraijo and Fecundo Ayon settled here in the 1850s.Significant economic growth did not arrive until the advent of the automobile, which drove up demand for the area's rocks and sand for the paving of roads. The city was incorporated on August 6, 1957.

Irwindale took advantage of urban redevelopment laws starting in 1976, and prospered in the following decade; it attracted a 200-acre (81 ha)Miller Brewing Companyplant, the corporate headquarters ofHome Savings of America,and other companies.

In the summer of 1987, city councilman Joe Breceda approachedAl Davis,owner of theNational Football League'sLos Angeles Raiders,about building a new stadium on the site of one of the disused pits. Davis agreed to a $115 million deal. He would take ownership of the new stadium provided the Raiders would play there for 19 years.The deal included a $10 million nonrefundable signing bonus paid directly to Davis regardless of whether the plan would be executed.In the event, both parties were served multiple lawsuits, theU.S. Army Corps of Engineersdemanded strict environmental impact assessments, and theLos Angeles County Board of Supervisorsdemurred, and the project was canceled.Davis pocketed the $10 million, and eventually moved the Raiders back toOakland.

Geography

According to theUnited States Census Bureau,the city has a total area of 9.6 square miles (25 km²). 8.8 square miles (23 km²) of it is land and 0.8 square miles (2.1 km²) of it (8.19%) is water.

Groundwater contamination

Irwindale, along with many surrounding cities in the San Gabriel Valley, is identified as aSuperfundsite by theUnited States Environmental Protection Agency.Groundwater contamination was first found through well sampling in 1979.Contaminants include high levels ofvolatile organic compoundssuch as perchloroethylene (PCE) and trichloroethene (TCE), perchlorate, 1,4-dioxane, and N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). More than 100 facilities are identified as contributors to this contamination in Irwindale, mainly through improper disposal and handling of chemicals over the years.

Climate

This region experiences warm (but not hot) and dry summers, with no average monthly temperatures above 71.6 °F. According to theKöppen Climate Classificationsystem, Irwindale has awarm-summer Mediterranean climate,abbreviated "Csb" on climate maps.

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1960	1,518		—
1970	784		−48.4%
1980	1,030		31.4%
1990	1,050		1.9%
2000	1,446		37.7%
2010	1,422		−1.7%
2019 (est.)	1,446		1.7%
U.S. Decennial Census

2000

As of thecensusof 2000, there were 1,446 people, 365 households, and 293 families residing in Irwindale. The population density was 155.7 inhabitants per square mile (60.1/km²). There were 378 housing units at an average density of 40.7 per square mile (15.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 47.0%White,0.4%BlackorAfrican American,1.9%Native American,1.7%Asian,0.1%Pacific Islander,44.5% fromother races,and 4.4% from two or more races. 88.3% of the population wereHispanicorLatinoof any race.

There were 365 households, out of which 46.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.2% weremarried couplesliving together, 19.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.7% were non-families. 15.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.96 and the average family size was 4.35.

The age of the population was spread out, with 33.4% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 32.0% from 25 to 44, 16.5% from 45 to 64, and 8.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $45,000, and the median income for a family was $46,827. Males had a median income of $34,375 versus $32,016 for females. Theper capita incomefor the city was $13,144. About 17.7% of families and 16.4% of the population were below thepoverty line,including 20.8% of those under age 18 and 21.8% of those age 65 or over.

Mexican(71.0%) andGerman(4.4%) were the most common ancestries.Mexico(60.0%) andCosta Rica(19.3%) were the most common foreign places of birth.

2010

The2010 United States Censusreported that Irwindale had a population of 1,422. The population density was 147.9 inhabitants per square mile (57.1/km²). The racial makeup of Irwindale was 833 (58.6%)White(6.1% Non-Hispanic White),12 (0.8%)African American,29 (2.0%)Native American,34 (2.4%)Asian,8 (0.6%)Pacific Islander,448 (31.5%) fromother races,and 58 (4.1%) from two or more races.HispanicorLatinoof any race were 1,288 persons (90.6%).

The Census reported that 1,372 people (96.5% of the population) lived in households, 50 (3.5%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.

There were 374 households, out of which 194 (51.9%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 189 (50.5%) wereopposite-sex married couplesliving together, 88 (23.5%) had a female householder with no husband present, 32 (8.6%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 32 (8.6%)unmarried opposite-sex partnerships,and 1 (0.3%)same-sex married couples or partnerships.48 households (12.8%) were made up of individuals, and 22 (5.9%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.67. There were 309families(82.6% of all households); the average family size was 3.93.

The population was spread out, with 373 people (26.2%) under the age of 18, 154 people (10.8%) aged 18 to 24, 397 people (27.9%) aged 25 to 44, 347 people (24.4%) aged 45 to 64, and 151 people (10.6%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.0 males.

There were 390 housing units at an average density of 40.6 per square mile (15.7/km²), of which 261 (69.8%) were owner-occupied, and 113 (30.2%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.8%; the rental vacancy rate was 2.6%. 992 people (69.8% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 380 people (26.7%) lived in rental housing units.

According to the 2010 United States Census, Irwindale had a median household income of $63,250, with 10.4% of the population living below the federal poverty line.

Economy

With relatively few residents, Irwindale consists mostly ofrock quarries,which are the major revenue source for the city. TheIrwindale Event Centeris also located in the city, as is theSanta Fe Dam Recreation Areanear theSan Gabriel River,a plant of theMiller Brewing Company,and a plant of theHuy Fong Foodssriracha saucecompany.

Top employers

According to the city's 2014 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,the top employers in the city are:

#	Employer	# of Employees
1	Southern California Edison	2,528
2	Ready Pac Foods	1,900
3	MillerCoors	530
4	Asplundh Tree Expert Company	400
5	Mariposa Horticultural Enterprise	382
6	R Ranch Markets	344
7	Biosense Webster	390
8	Charter Communications	331
9	Best Overnite Express	268
10	Superior Communications	243

Molson Coors has announced it will cease production at its Irwindale brewery by September 2020, cutting all 470 jobs.

Huy Fong sriracha factory

The City of Irwindale offered a low interest loan toHuy Fong Foodsin 2010 to locate itssrirachafactory in Irwindale. Huy Fong took the loan and contributed $250,000 a year to the city as part of the deal. Huy Fong built a $40-million factory planned to generate about $300 million a year in sales. Shortly after Huy Fong paid off the loan early and stopped contributing to the city, Huy Fong became involved in lawsuits brought by its neighbors and the city of Irwindale, who complain of the odors ofjalapeño pepperandgarlicgenerated by the plant. The city's suit led to a court order for the plant to cease most operations.

Sand and gravel mining

Irwindale Chamber of Commerce views the sand and gravel mining industry as a significant part of the city's strength.

CleanTech Environmental Inc.

On March 25, 2015, advocacy groups and concerned residents stood outside city hall and protested the opening of a newhazardous wastesite, owned by CleanTech Environmental Inc.The protesting groups were most concerned with the facility's placement adjacent to an ecological reserve and landmark, theSanta Fe Dam Recreational Area.Protesting groups included theCalifornia League of Conservation Voters,California Latino Environmental Advocacy Network,Communities for a Better Environment,and East Yard Communities.

In an interview, CleanTech owner Bob Brown affirms that the facility will not pose an environmental concern. The building of the facility was planned to prevent storm runoff, and all waste management occurs inside the facility, not outside.He also cites the fact that recycling oil reduces California'scarbon footprintand allows the waste to be turned into other products.

CleanTech's corporate offices have resided in Irwindale for over 15 years,and the new facility is expected to recycle 1.5 million gallons of used oil a year.

Government

Irwindale's City Council is composed of five members, elected at-large and to a four-year term. Elections were held in November of odd-numbered years until the 2015 election. Effective with the 2018 California General Election, it will be held on a Tuesday after the first Monday in November.

In thestate legislatureIrwindale is located in the:

• 22nd State Senate District,represented by DemocratEd Hernandez.
• 48th State Assembly District,represented by DemocratRoger Hernandez.

In theUnited States House of Representatives,Irwindale is inCalifornia's 32nd congressional district,represented byDemocratBrad Sherman.

Infrastructure

Irwindale is a full-service city. Its public services include a library, a skate park, a teen center, a senior center, a gymnasium, and a swimming pool.

TheLos Angeles County Department of Health Servicesoperates the Monrovia Health Center inMonrovia,serving Irwindale.

Public transit in Irwindale is served byFoothill Transit.On theLos Angeles Metro Railsystem, there is theIrwindale stationon theMetro A Line.

Irwindale has its own police department,and contracts with theLos Angeles County Fire Departmentfor their services.

See also

• San Gabriel Mountains
• San Gabriel River
• San Gabriel Valley

External links

• Official website