Wikipedia

Rowland Heights, California

Rowland Heightsis anunincorporated areain and below thePuente Hillsin theSan Gabriel Valley,inLos Angeles County, California,United States. The population was 48,231 at the2020 census.[3]Rowland Heights is in theLos Angeles metropolitan areaand represented by the County of Los Angeles (County Board of Supervisors)[4]and is the second largest census designated place in Los Angeles County by area, behindTopanga,and the county's fifth largest CDP by population.[5]The area has a high Taiwanese population and was known as “Little Taipei” in the 1980s and 1990s, when it saw an influx of wealthy immigrants fromTaiwan.

Rowland Heights, California
Unincorporated community
Rowland Unified School District headquarters
Rowland Unified School Districtheadquarters
Location of Rowland Heights in Los Angeles County, California
Location of Rowland Heights inLos Angeles County,California
CountryUnited States
StateCalifornia
CountyLos Angeles
Named forJohn A. Rowland
Area
[1]
• Total
13.082 sq mi (33.881 km2)
• Land13.076 sq mi (33.866 km2)
• Water0.006 sq mi (0.015 km2) 0.04%
Elevation
[2]
525 ft (160 m)
Population
(2020)
• Total
48,231
• Density3,700/sq mi (1,400/km2)
Time zoneUTC-8(Pacific)
• Summer (DST)UTC-7(PDT)
ZIP code
91748, 92821
Area codes562,626,and909
FIPScode06-63218
GNISfeature ID1661344

A number of corporations, such asNewegg,FedEx,DIRECTV,andFashion Nova,as well as other technology and import and export businesses, are located in neighboringCity of Industry.Many business owners and employees reside in Rowland Heights as well as neighboringHacienda HeightsandWalnutdue to their proximity.

History

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Rowland Heights sits on land that was originally part ofRancho La Puente,a Mexican erarancho grant.

The Mexican land grantRancho La Puentewas granted by Governor Juan B. Alvarado toJohn Rowlandin April 1842, totaling about 18,000 acres (7,284 ha). Three years later, Governor Pio Pico amended the grant, enlarging it to nearly 49,000 acres (19,830 ha) and addingWilliam Workmanas a co-owner. In 1868, after they received their federal land patent the prior year, Rowland and Workman divided Rancho La Puente, with Workman largely taking the western and central portions and Rowland the northern, southern and eastern sections, including what became most of Rowland Heights.[6][7]The east section of Rowland Heights, between Nogales Street and Brea Canyon Road, falls within Rancho Rincon de la Brea. The ranch of Rowland's grandson, John A. Rowland III was behind the99 Ranch Marketnear the corner of Gale Avenue and Nogales Street and the Rowland family owns part of that property today, leasing most of it for commercial use.[4]

Rowland Heights grew significantly during the 1990s.[4]Originally built on a pig farm that covered much of modern-day Rowland Heights, the Rowland Homestead was mostlyorangegroves until the eastward sprawl from Los Angeles spawned working-class communities and affordable housing developments then formed. As the60 freewaywas extended beyond the western boundary, the community continued growth equal to that of most communities in Southern California. Development next to the freeway, zoned for industrial investment, eventually helped to support the housing developments that continue well into the 21st century.

Since the 1990s, there has been a significant demographic shift as many upper-class immigrants fromTaiwan,China,andSouth Koreahave settled in the hillside homes of Rowland Heights (and in neighboring regions such asHacienda Heights,Walnut,andDiamond Bar). Also, Rowland Heights has also attracted immigrants from mainland China because the area is advertised in China as having high-end homes and convenient shopping centers. Many work at or own businesses in the nearbyCity of Industry.[8]Additionally,Latinoshave maintained a long-standing presence in the lower sections. The city has developed an eclecticsuburban"Chinatown","Little Tokyo ", and"Koreatown",mostly in the form of upscale strip malls. There are several large Asian product supermarkets in the area.

Once predominantly Anglo and Hispanic since inception in 1842, this area has gradually become one of the Chinese centers in the greater Los Angeles beginning in the 1990s. Originally formed by the stream of business expansions fromMonterey Park(now a heavily mainland Chinese enclave), Rowland Heights has become an area largely populated by Taiwanese. Local Taiwanese refer to Rowland Heights as "Little Taipei", due to its high concentration ofTaiwaneserestaurants and businesses. It has become the center for Chinese commercial and cultural activity in the southeastern region of the San Gabriel Valley. While Rowland Heights and adjacent areas are still predominantlyWaishengren(mainland Chinese refugees who retreated to Taiwan in1949), in recent years many mainland Chinese emigres have also been increasingly purchasing homes and starting small businesses in the area. Some eateries of Taiwanese cuisine are operated by mainland Chinese. Additionally, there are restaurants geared toward the young and affluent Chinese population.

Possibly owing to Rowland Heights as evolving into the cultural center for the Chinese diaspora,[9]many 49er Taiwanese (multi-generational natives of the island formerly known as Formosa),[10]with a growing number of mainland Chinese now live in the area. In 1992, a connection (Harbor Boulevard) from northern Orange County (mostly to the city ofLa Habra) opened in Rowland Heights, making Fullerton Road among the heavily traversed roads in the region.[9]

In March 2012, a 750,000 pounds (340 t), two-story granite rock was parked on Pathfinder Road as it journeyed from Riverside County to theLos Angeles County Museum of Artas part ofMichael Heizer’sLevitated Massexhibition.[11]

InMarch 2015, a bullying incidentinvolving Chinese nationals occurred in Rowland Heights. This incident involved Chinese nationals, who assaulted a 16-year-old girl at a restaurant and at a park in Rowland Heights. Later in the month, another incident began at the Honeymee, an ice cream parlor in Yes Plaza on Colima and Fullerton Roads. The perpetrators forced her to clean up ice cream smears and cigarette butts with her hand before taking her to Rowland Heights Park, where she was stripped of her clothing, slapped, burned with cigarettes, beaten, and forced to eat her own hair, which her assailants cut from her head. The attack lasted for over five hours.[12]

Geography

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Pathfinder Park

Rowland Heights is located inLos Angeles Countyadjacent toOrange County.The census definition of the area was created by the Census Bureau for statistical purposes and may not precisely correspond to local understanding of the area with the same name. According to theUnited States Census Bureau,the CDP has a total area of 13.1 square miles (34 km2).

Rowland Heights is bordered by Hacienda Heights to the northwest, Diamond Bar to the east,Breato the south,La Habra Heightsto the southwest, and the City ofIndustryto the north.

Climate

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According to theKöppen Climate Classificationsystem, Rowland Heights has awarm-summer Mediterranean climate,abbreviated "Csa" on climate maps.[13]

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
197016,881—
198028,25267.4%
199042,64751.0%
200048,55313.8%
201048,9930.9%
202048,231−1.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[14]

For statistical purposes, theUnited States Census Bureauhas defined Rowland Heights as a 13.1 square miles (34 km2)census-designated place(CDP).

2010

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The2010 United States Census[15]reported that Rowland Heights had a population of 48,993. The population density was 3,745.2 inhabitants per square mile (1,446.0/km2). The racial makeup of Rowland Heights was 29,284 (59.8%)Asian,11,506 (23.5%)White(10.3% Non-Hispanic White),[16]772 (1.6%)African American,175 (0.4%)Native American,61 (0.1%)Pacific Islander,5,658 (11.5%) fromother races,and 1,537 (3.1%) from two or more races.HispanicorLatinoof any race were 13,229 persons (27.0%).

The Census reported that 48,831 people (99.7% of the population) lived in households, 148 (0.3%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 14 (0%) were institutionalized.

There were 14,520 households, out of which 5,557 (38.3%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 9,137 (62.9%) wereopposite-sex married couplesliving together, 2,080 (14.3%) had a female householder with no husband present, 1,097 (7.6%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 424 (2.9%)unmarried opposite-sex partnerships,and 69 (0.5%)same-sex married couples or partnerships.1,585 households (10.9%) were made up of individuals, and 638 (4.4%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.36. There were 12,314families(84.8% of all households); the average family size was 3.54.

The population was spread out, with 9,960 people (20.3%) under the age of 18, 4,854 people (9.9%) aged 18 to 24, 12,918 people (26.4%) aged 25 to 44, 14,819 people (30.2%) aged 45 to 64, and 6,442 people (13.1%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.9 males.

There were 15,152 housing units at an average density of 1,158.3 units per square mile (447.2 units/km2), of which 9,811 (67.6%) were owner-occupied, and 4,709 (32.4%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.8%; the rental vacancy rate was 7.2%. 33,167 people (67.7% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 15,664 people (32.0%) lived in rental housing units. The estimated median house or condo value in 2009 was $461,614. In 2018, this number has increased; the median home value in Rowland Heights is now at $669,600 with the median listing price at $788,500.

According to the 2010 United States Census, Rowland Heights had a median household income of $62,631, with 10.6% of the population living below the federal poverty line.[16]According to Los Angeles Times research regarding median income ranking, Rowland Heights is ranked at 87 at $72,638; 6.6% of households in Rowland Heights make over $200,000 a year.

Updated information showed that the average household income in Rowland Heights was $99,354, while the median household income was $83,606; compared to Los Angeles, where the average household income was $81,225, and the median household income was $56,993. The average household net worth was at $807,328.

These were the ten neighborhoods in Los Angeles County with the largest percentage ofAsian residents,according to the 2000 census:[17]

  1. Chinatown,70.6%
  2. Monterey Park,61.1%
  3. Cerritos,58.3%
  4. Walnut,56.2%
  5. Rowland Heights,51.7%
  6. San Gabriel,48.9%
  7. Rosemead,48.6%
  8. Alhambra,47.2%
  9. San Marino,46.8%
  10. Arcadia,45.4%

Parks and recreation

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Schabarum Regional Park

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Peter F. Schabarum, a Republican, represented the 49th district in theCalifornia State Assemblyfrom 1967 to 1972. He was appointed to theLos Angeles County Board of Supervisorsin March 1972 by Gov.Ronald Reaganfollowing the death of incumbentFrank G. Bonelliand elected to the position three months later in a hotly contested special election that pitted him against his former roommate and colleague Assemblyman William Campbell. Schabarum was re-elected in 1974, 1978, 1982 and 1986. He did not seek re-election in 1990, but served three extra months until Feb. 28, 1991, to allow a special election to be held following a court ruling that redrew the boundaries of his district to create a majority-Latino district, later occupied byGloria Molina.[18]Schabarum was noted for opposing governmentunions,supporting privatization of certain county duties, and supporting the decentralization of County government.[19]In addition, he was the leading backer of California's Proposition 140 on the 1990 ballot, which imposed term limits on the California Legislature.[20]

His legacy lives on through the Peter F. Schabarum Regional Park, locally known as Schabarum Park.[21]It is in his former supervisorial district and named after him. The regional park offers playgrounds, picnic areas, and horseback riding and trails in the surroundingPuente Hills.

Cherry Blossom Festival

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Schabarum Regional Park is also known forumeandsakuraCherry blossoms. 500 ume trees were donated byKairaku-eninMito,Ibaraki,Japanwhen the two parks established a "sister-park" relationship in 1992.[22]

Community library

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Public Library Branch

Los Angeles County Libraryoperates the library branch. The library went under renovation in 2015 and reopened in 2018.

The library interior has 14,000 square feet (1,300 m2) of space and[4]has approximately 134,215 book titles, 260 magazine and newspaper subscriptions, 7,004 audio recordings and 5,798 video cassettes. The Library also has resources of ethnic and non-English (Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Vietnamese) materials, local history materials, telephone directories, pamphlets and maps, microforms and CD-ROM educational materials.[23]The community room seats approximately 80 persons.[4]

Government

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The community is part of District 4 of theLos Angeles County Board of Supervisors,represented by SupervisorJanice Hahn.

In theCalifornia State Legislature,Rowland Heights is inthe 30th Senate District,represented byDemocratBob Archuletaandthe 56th Assembly District,represented byDemocratLisa Calderon.In theU.S. House of Representatives,it is located inCalifornia's 38th congressional district,represented byDemocratLinda Sánchez.[24]

TheLos Angeles County Department of Health Servicesoperates the Pomona Health Center inPomona,serving Rowland Heights.[25]

The high number of Asian business owners, as well as conservative-leaning individuals in Rowland Heights, makes it an area with relatively strong Republican support.[citation needed]In 2018, there are more voters in the district registered as Republicans than Democrats.[citation needed]In theCalifornia State Senate,Rowland Heights is located inCalifornia's 29th State Senate district,which is represented by DemocratJosh Newman.However, following the recall election as part of the 2018 California Primaries, Newman was recalled from the state Senate largely because he voted for an unpopular gasoline tax increase after promising he would hold the line on taxes. Ling Ling Chang, his original opponent and a Republican, won the election to replace Newman in the state Senate. Newman's loss ended the Democratic supermajority in the California State Senate. In November 2020, Newman once again defeated Changto return to the State Senate.

Law enforcement

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TheLos Angeles County Sheriff's Department(LASD) operates the Walnut/Diamond Bar Station in Walnut. It is spread out over 260 square miles (670 km2), encompassing the contract cities of Diamond Bar and Walnut, and the unincorporated area of Rowland Heights.[26]In addition the LASD operates the Rowland Heights Asian Community Center.[23][27]The California Highway Patrol (CHP), Santa Fe Springs Area office, is responsible for traffic enforcement matters and traffic collision investigations throughout unincorporated area of Rowland Heights, unincorporated Hacienda Heights, and State Route 60 freeway, which is a major thoroughfare between the city of Los Angeles and the Inland Empire.

Education

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Rowland Unified School Districtis the school district for thecensus-designated place.[28]It has fourNational Blue RibbonSchools, 16California Distinguished Schools,and more state Golden Bell awards than any other school district in the region.[29]There are more than 16,000 students and 21 elementary and secondary schools in the district. The district serves Rowland Heights and small portions of the cities of Walnut,La Puente,City of Industry andWest Covina.Students from other communities may attend Rowland Unified schools after obtaining a permit.

High Schools
John A. Rowland High School
Alternative Schools
  • Santana High School
  • Rowland Unified Community Day School Students: 57; Grades: 07 - 12
  • Rowland Assistive Technology Academy
Middle/Intermediate Schools
Alvarado Intermediate School
  • Alvarado Intermediate School 7–8
  • Giano Intermediate School 7–8
  • Rincon Intermediate School 7-8 (Closed, but nowTelesis Academy)[29]
Private schools
Colleges

Transportation

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Pathfinder Road, Colima Road, and Gale Avenue/Walnut Drive are the main west–east arterials. Nogales Street, Fairway Drive/Brea Canyon Cut-off Road, and Fullerton Road/Harbor Boulevardare the main north–south arterials.

Colima/Nogales intersection

Foothill Transitand theMetroprovide bus transit services throughout theSan Gabriel Valley.The main Metro Bus Terminal is inEl Monte.In addition, theMetrolinkcommuter train runs west towards DowntownLos Angelesand east toSan Bernardinothrough the Valley; the station that serves Rowland Heights isIndustry station.Metro may possibly extend the Metro Expo Line to Rowland Heights in the second half of the 21st century in the future.

The San Gabriel Valley is served by several majorinterstate highways.Those in proximity to Rowland Heights include theSan Bernardino Freeway(Interstate 10),Foothill Freeway(I-210),San Gabriel River Freeway(I-605), and theLong Beach Freeway(I-710). State freeways include theOrange Freeway(State Route 57), thePomona Freeway(State Route 60).

China Airlines,one of the major airline companies in Taiwan, operates private bus services toLos Angeles International Airportfrom Hk 2 Food District in Rowland Heights to take residents toTaipei,Taiwan.[31]

Notable people

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References

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  1. ^"2010 Census U.S. Gazetteer Files – Places – California".United States Census Bureau.
  2. ^"Rowland Heights".Geographic Names Information System.United States Geological Survey,United States Department of the Interior.RetrievedMarch 25,2015.
  3. ^"U S. Census Bureau Quick Facts: Rowland Heights CDP, California".RetrievedJuly 12,2023.
  4. ^abcde"Rowland Heights Library".Archived fromthe originalon August 13, 2011.RetrievedAugust 28,2011.
  5. ^"Archived copy"(PDF).Archived fromthe original(PDF)on July 21, 2011.RetrievedMay 24,2018.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. ^Paul R. Spitzzeri,The Workman and Temple Families of Southern California, 1830-1930 "(Dallas: Seligson Publishing, 2008), 58-63, 72, 102-105, 130
  7. ^"New Page 4".Archived fromthe originalon January 2, 2006.RetrievedFebruary 24,2011.
  8. ^Pierson, David (June 19, 2008)."Close to L.A. but closer to Beijing".Los Angeles Times.RetrievedDecember 21,2020.
  9. ^ab"Answers - the Most Trusted Place for Answering Life's Questions".Answers.
  10. ^"A Way with Words | 49er Taiwanese".waywordradio.org.April 3, 2005.RetrievedNovember 5,2019.
  11. ^Vankin, Deborah (March 3, 2012)."The LACMA Rock: the weekend report".Culture Monster.Los Angeles Times.RetrievedJune 12,2019.
  12. ^""Three Chinese Nationals Sentenced to Prison for Kidnapping, Assaults in Rowland Heights".February 17, 2016.Archivedfrom the original on February 23, 2016.
  13. ^"Rowland Heights, California Köppen Climate Classification".Weatherbase.
  14. ^"Census of Population and Housing".Census.gov.RetrievedJune 4,2016.
  15. ^"2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Rowland Heights CDP".U.S. Census Bureau. Archived fromthe originalon July 15, 2014.RetrievedJuly 12,2014.
  16. ^ab"Rowland Heights CDP QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau".Archived fromthe originalon August 24, 2012.RetrievedDecember 6,2013.
  17. ^"Asian",Mapping L.A.,Los Angeles Times
  18. ^"There's More to Power Than Votes—Latinos Should Ask Pete Schabarum: Politics: By carefully cultivating developers in her new district, Gloria Molina can use surplus campaign money to fund populist causes".Los Angeles Times.June 23, 1991.
  19. ^Fulton, William (December 4, 2001).The Reluctant Metropolis: The Politics of Urban Growth in Los Angeles.JHU Press. p.143.ISBN9780801865060.
  20. ^"The San Diego Union-Tribune - San Diego, California & National News".
  21. ^"Best Vinyl Signs North Houston, TX | Graphics, Banners, & More Near Me".
  22. ^Joyce Fitzpatrick, Public Information Assistant (January 28, 2009)."Press Release: Come out and view Ume Cherry Trees in full blossom at Schabarum Regional Park in Rowland Heights, CA"(PDF).County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation.RetrievedMarch 11,2014.
  23. ^ab"NameBright - Coming Soon".rowlandheights.usacitydirectories.
  24. ^"California Districts".UC Regents.RetrievedJanuary 5,2023.
  25. ^"Pomona Health Center."Los Angeles County Department of Health Services.Retrieved on March 27, 2010.
  26. ^"Walnut/Diamond Bar StationArchived2010-01-06 at theWayback Machine."Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.Retrieved on January 21, 2010.
  27. ^"Rowland Heights Asian Community CenterArchived2010-03-05 at theWayback Machine."Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.Retrieved on January 21, 2010.
  28. ^"2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Los Angeles County, CA"(PDF).U.S. Census Bureau.p. 11 (PDF p. 12/19).RetrievedOctober 7,2024.
  29. ^ab"Rowland School, Closed Elementary School (R)".Archived fromthe originalon September 20, 2012.
  30. ^"Southlands Christian Schools".Best Private Christian School in Rowland Heights.
  31. ^"Complimentary Bus Service to LAXArchived2007-10-30 at theWayback Machine,"China Airlines
  32. ^"JSA: Civics Education and Leadership Programs for High School Students - Lanhee Chen".Junior State of America.RetrievedMay 26,2016.
  33. ^Lanhee Chen, the 'orchestra leader' behind Romney's campaign｜WCTArchived2013-09-26 at theWayback Machine
  34. ^"Rubio Campaign Snags Former Romney Policy Director".National Review.September 14, 2015.
  35. ^"President Obama Announces Another Key Administration Post".whitehouse.gov.September 30, 2013.
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