Carson, California
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| City of Carson | |||
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| — City — | |||
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| Motto: Future Unlimited | |||
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| Coordinates: 33°50′23″N 118°15′35″W / 33.83972°N 118.25972°W | |||
| Country |  United States |
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| State |  California |
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| County | Los Angeles | ||
| Incorporated (city) | 1968-02-20[1] | ||
| Government | |||
| - Type | Council-Manager | ||
| - City Council | Jim Dear[2] Mayor Mike A. Gipson Harold C. Williams Elito M. Santarina Lula Davis-Holmes |
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| - City Treasurer | Karen Avilla, CCMT | ||
| - City Clerk | Helen S. Kawagoe | ||
| Area | |||
| - Total | 49.12 km2 (18.97 sq mi) | ||
| - Land | 48.80 km2 (18.84 sq mi) | ||
| - Water | 0.32 km2 (0.12 sq mi) 0.65% | ||
| Elevation | 12 m (39 ft) | ||
| Population (2005)[3] | |||
| - Total | 92,156 | ||
| - Density | 1,838.7/km2 (4,762.2/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | PST (UTC-8) | ||
| - Summer (DST) | PDT (UTC-7) | ||
| ZIP Code | 90745, 90746, 90747, 90749, 90810, 90895[4] | ||
| Area code(s) | 310/424[5] | ||
| FIPS code | 06-11530[6] | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 1660441[7] | ||
| Website | http://ci.carson.ca.us/ | ||
Carson is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. As of the 2000 census, Carson had a total population of 89,730. It is located 13 miles south of downtown Los Angeles, and is known as a suburb of the city[8]. Incorporated on April 4, 1968, Carson is the youngest municipality in the South Bay region of Greater Los Angeles.
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[edit] Geography
Carson is located at 33°50′23″N 118°15′35″W / 33.83972°N 118.25972°W (33.839684, -118.259588).[9]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 49.1 km² (19.0 mi²). 48.8 km² (18.8 mi²) of it is land and 0.3 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (0.63%) is water.
Carson is bordered by West Compton on the north, Compton on the northeast, Long Beach on the east, Wilmington on the south, and West Carson and Harbor Gateway on the west.
[edit] Climate
The Los Angeles basin is well-known for its year-round pleasant weather:
-On average, the warmest month is August.
-The highest recorded temperature was 111°F in 1955.
-On average, the coolest month is December.
-The lowest recorded temperature was 21°F in 2007.
-The maximum average precipitation occurs in January.
Carson has a Mediterranean climate or Dry-Summer Subtropical (Köppen climate classification Csb on the coast, Csa inland). Carson enjoys plenty of sunshine throughout the year, with an average of 263 sunshine days and only 35 days with measurable precipitation annually.[10]
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The period of April through November is warm to hot and dry with average high temperatures of 71 - 79°F and lows of 50 - 62°F. Due to the moderating effect of the ocean, temperatures are cooler than more inland areas of Los Angeles, where temperatures frequently exceed 90°F (32°C) and occasionally reach 100°F (38°C).
The period of November through March is somewhat rainy, as shown in the table to left.[11]
The Los Angeles area is also subject to the phenomena typical of a microclimate. As such, the temperatures can vary as much as 18°F (10°C) between inland areas and the coast, with a temperature gradient of over one degree per mile (1.6 km) from the coast inland. California also has a weather phenomenon called "June Gloom or May Grey", which sometimes brings overcast or foggy skies in the morning on the coast, followed by sunny skies by noon during late spring and early summer.
Los Angeles averages 15 inches (385 mm) of precipitation annually, which mainly occurs during the winter and spring (November through April) with generally light rain showers, but sometimes as heavy rainfall and thunderstorms. Coastal areas receive slightly less rainfall, while the mountains receive slightly more. Snowfall is extremely rare in the city basin, but the mountains within city limits typically receive snowfall every winter.
The greatest snowfall recorded in downtown Los Angeles was 2 inches (5 cm) in 1932.[12][13]
[edit] Demographics
As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 89,730 people, 24,648 households, and 20,236 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,838.9/km² (4,762.2/mi²). There were 25,337 housing units at an average density of 519.2/km² (1,344.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 25.69% White, 25.41% Black or African American, 0.56% Native American, 22.27% Asian, 2.99% Pacific Islander, 17.98% from other races, and 5.09% from two or more races. 34.92% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Non-Hispanic whites comprise 12.00% of the population.
There were 24,648 households out of which 39.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.7% were married couples living together, 17.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.9% were non-families. 14.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.59 and the average family size was 3.92.[citation needed]
Age ranges of residents were 28.4% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 10.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 93.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.4 males.
According to a 2006 estimate, the median income for a household in the city was $60,457, and the median income for a family was $66,468.[14] Males had a median income of $33,579 versus $31,110 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,107. About 7.2% of families and 9.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.9% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over. Carson has the distinction of being the only incorporated city in the United States where the African American population has a higher median income than the white population.[15]
[edit] Government and infrastructure
[edit] Local government
According to the city’s most recent Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the city’s various funds had $96.3 million in Revenues, $81.8 million in expenditures, $611.4 million in total assets, $129.2 million in total liabilities, and $187.2 million in cash and investments.[16]
[edit] County, state, and federal representation
Fire protection in Carson is provided by the Los Angeles County Fire Department which operates out of Fire Stations 10, 36, 116 and 127. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department provides law enforcement, operating out of the Carson Station.
In the state legislature Carson is located in the 28th Senate District, represented by Democrat Jenny Oropeza, and in the 55th Assembly District, represented by Democrat Warren T. Furutani. Federally, Carson is located in California's 37th congressional district, which has a Cook PVI of D +27[17] and is represented by Democrat Laura Richardson.
The United States Postal Service operates the Carson Post Office at 21350 Avalon Boulevard and the South Bay Pavilion Station in Suite 116 at 20700 Avalon Boulevard.[18][19]
[edit] Education
[edit] Primary and secondary schools
Public Schools in Carson served by the Los Angeles Unified School District include Catskill Elementary School, Carson Street Elementary School, Caroldale Learning Community, Del Amo Elementary School, Dolores Elementary School, Andrew Carnegie Middle School, Stephen M. White Middle School, Broadacres Elementary, Leapwood Avenue Elementary School, and Annalee Avenue Elementary School, Curtiss Middle School.
High schools serving portions of Carson include Carson High School and Banning High School. The area is within Board District 7.[20] As of 2008 Dr. Richard Vladovic represents the district.[21]
Some portions of Carson are in the Compton Unified School District.
Although the California Academy of Mathematics and Science is located in Carson, it is actually a part of the Long Beach Unified School District. The school accepts residents of LBUSD, Compton USD, portions of LAUSD (including sections serving Carson), and other districts.
[edit] Public libraries
County of Los Angeles Public Library operates the Carson Regional Library and the Dr. Martin Luther King Library. Both libraries are in Carson.
[edit] Sports
| Club | League | Venue | Established | Championships |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Galaxy | MLS Soccer | The Home Depot Center | 1995 | 2 |
| Chivas USA | MLS Soccer | The Home Depot Center | 2004 | 0 |
| Los Angeles Sol | WPS Women's Soccer | The Home Depot Center | 2009 | 0 |
| Carson Buzz | ABA Basketball | Veterans Park Sports Complex | 2004 | 0 |
| Los Angeles Riptide | MLL Lacrosse | The Home Depot Center Track Field | 2006 | 0 |
[edit] Attractions
Carson is the site of California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH). CSUDH is a major commuter school, particularly for African-American students from the surrounding cities of Long Beach, Gardena, and Compton. It was established in the wake of the 1965 Watts riots, as a response to community outcry over the lack of higher education opportunities in the largely black south suburbs of Los Angeles. Today it is among the most racially diverse campuses in the United States.Prior to expansion in the mid 1960s, the university was located in nearby Palos Verdes. In 1965, Carson was chosen as the home for the relocating university over the communities of Friendship Park, Fort MacArthur and Torrance.[citation needed] Carson is also home to the Home Depot Center which is the home of the Los Angeles Galaxy soccer team and hosts the yearly JP Morgan/Chase tennis tournament
Carson is also the location of the Home Depot Center, a sports complex including a soccer-specific stadium used by the Los Angeles Galaxy, the Los Angeles Sol, and as of 2005, Chivas USA, a tennis stadium and a track and field facility. It is also the default home ground for the United States men's national soccer team. It opened in 2003, adjacent to CSUDH. The ADT Event Center is the only permanent indoor velodrome in the U.S. In July 2007, the Galaxy signed international soccer superstar David Beckham to the team.
The Goodyear Blimp also has a landing pad in Carson, a fitting tribute to the 1st and 2nd U.S. and International Aviation Meets held at the Dominguez Hill Rancho in 1910 and 1911, which featured many blimps and zeppelins.
[edit] Economy
See's Candies has an office at 20600 South Alameda Street in Carson.[22]
[edit] Oil History
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This section does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (January 2009) |
1921 marked the first drilling for oil at Dominguez Hill, on the northwest side of the Dominguez Rancho, site of the famous battle during the Mexican-American War called the Battle of Dominguez Rancho in 1846. The mineral rights to this property was owned by Carson Estate Company, the Hellman Family, the Dominguez Estate Company, and the Burnham Exploration Company of Frederick Russell Burnham. It wasn't long before a number of refineries were up and running, with over 350 oil derricks, tank farms, and sprawling industrial complexes becoming a familiar part of the scenery. The principal leases were with Shell Oil Company and Union Oil of California and the first two wells were located west of Central Avenue and north of Victoria Street. Oil led to an increase in jobs in the community and a subsequent post-war population surge. An average of 300 barrels a day was produced from these wells through 1960.
[edit] Shopping
Carson is home to the Pavilion at South Bay shopping mall, located at the Avalon Boulevard exit off the San Diego Freeway (Interstate 405). Tenant stores include Sears, Ikea, Target, and 24 Hour Fitness.
An outdoor power center/entertainment complex called Carson Marketplace has been planned but is not yet built. It is on a site once proposed for a stadium that could have played host to a National Football League team (see History of National Football League in Los Angeles for details). Construction has been delayed by the need for an extensive environmental cleanup, as this was once a toxic waste dump.
[edit] Notable residents
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This section does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (November 2009) |
- Forest Whitaker, director, producer, and Academy Award–winning actor
- Brandy, singer/actress, lived in the city for a short time in her childhood
- Ray J (Willie Norwood, Jr., Brandy's younger brother), singer/actor, lived in the city for a short time in his childhood
- Kia Stevens, also known as Awesome Kong and Amazing Kong in TNA Wrestling - a professional wrestler
- The Game (Jayceon Taylor), rapper. Lived in Carson for 8 years between his stints in Compton
- Juanita Millender-McDonald, Democratic U.S. Congresswoman from 1996–2007
- Chad Brown, National Football League Umpire
- Ras Kass, rapper
- Jimi Hughes, Musician And Guitarist for "The Regulators". Recorded songs for such movies as, "Kuffs" (starring; Christian Slater), And "Under Siege" (starring; Steven Seagal).
- Bishop Lamont, rapper
- Dr. Dre (Andre Young, Sr.), rapper/producer. Lived in Carson for a couple years during his middle school years
- MC Ren (Lorenzo Wright), rapper
- Boo-Yaa T.R.I.B.E., Rap Group
- Ekene Ibekwe, University of Maryland forward
- Tammy Townsend, television actress
- Chuckii Booker, singer, songwriter
- The Boys, late 1980s R&B quartet
- Courtney Hall, former San Diego Chargers Center & Guard 1989–1999.
- Tommy "Tiny" Lister, actor and former professional wrestler
[edit] Movies/TV shows filmed in Carson
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This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (October 2007) |
- 24 (Used CSUDH but was referenced on the show as UCSB)
- Reno 911![1]
- Reno 911!: Miami
- Jackie Brown (film)[2]
- Gone in 60 Seconds
- Emergency! (Station 127 of the Los Angeles County Fire Department)
- Evolution
- Joe Dirt
- Pros vs Joes
- 10 Items or Less
- The Cable Guy
- Certified Gangstas (2004) Music video from rapper, Jim Jones
- Colors
- Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael (Winona Ryder, Jeff Daniels)
- Vega$ (portions of TV show)
- Gwen Stefani's "Hollaback Girl" Video (S.M. White Middle School Drill & Carson Flaggies)
- Hey Mickey music video (Carson High Cheer)
- Entourage (Season 4 Episode 6 Card Convention at the Carson Community Center)
- Bring it on (film)
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ "Incorporation Dates of California Cities". http://www.cacities.org/resource_files/20457.IncorpDateLO.doc. Retrieved 2007-01-18.
- ^ "Elected Officials - City of Carson". http://ci.carson.ca.us/content/government/members.asp. Retrieved 2007-01-18.
- ^ "Carson city, California - Fact Sheet - American FactFinder". http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ACSSAFFFacts?_event=Search&geo_id=&_geoContext=&_street=&_county=&_cityTown=Carson&_state=04000US06&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&pctxt=fph&pgsl=010. Retrieved 2007-01-18.
- ^ "USPS - ZIP Code Lookup - Find a ZIP+ 4 Code By City Results". http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/zcl_1_results.jsp?visited=1&pagenumber=0&state=ca&city=Carson. Retrieved 2007-01-18.
- ^ "Number Administration System - NPA and City/Town Search Results". http://www.nanpa.com/nas/public/npa_city_query_step2.do?method=displayData&cityToNpaModel.stateAbbr=CA&cityToNpaModel.city=Carson. Retrieved 2007-01-18.
- ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ http://www.hospitalsoup.com/listing/56686-clarion-los-angeles
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2005-05-03. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "Weatherbase: Historical Weather for Los Angeles, California, United States of America". Weatherbase.com. http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=159227&refer=. Retrieved 2009-01-08.
- ^ www.weather.com
- ^ Rasmussen, Cecilia (2005-03-10). "We're Not in Kansas, but We Do Get Twisters - Los Angeles Times". Articles.latimes.com. http://articles.latimes.com/2005/mar/10/local/me-surroundings10. Retrieved 2009-01-08.
- ^ Burt, Christopher. Extreme Weather: A Guide and Record Book. New York: Norton, 2004: 100.
- ^ http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ACSSAFFFacts?_event=Search&geo_id=16000US0608954&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US06%7C16000US0608954&_street=&_county=carson&_cityTown=carson&_state=04000US06&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=geoSelect&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=160&_submenuId=factsheet_1&ds_name=ACS_2006_SAFF&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null®=null%3Anull&_keyword=&_industry= factfinder.census.gov
- ^ "Carson - Income". http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/incomeOverview.php?locIndex=9966. Retrieved 2007-05-07.
- ^ City of Carson CAFR Retrieved 2009-08-18
- ^ "Will Gerrymandered Districts Stem the Wave of Voter Unrest?". Campaign Legal Center Blog. http://www.clcblog.org/blog_item-85.html. Retrieved 2008-02-10.
- ^ "Post Office Location - CARSON." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on December 6, 2008.
- ^ "Post Office Location - SOUTHBAY PAVILION STATION." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on December 6, 2008.
- ^ Board District 7 Map. Los Angeles Unified School District. Retrieved on November 24, 2008.
- ^ "Board Members." Los Angeles Unified School District. Retrieved on November 24, 2008.
- ^ "Contact Us." See's Candies. Retrieved on January 18, 2009.
[edit] External links
- Carson official website
- LA County Disaster Communication Service (DCS) Carson Sheriff Station
- Carson High School page
- Home Depot Center website
- Carson, California is at coordinates 33°50′23″N 118°15′35″W / 33.839684°N 118.259588°WCoordinates: 33°50′23″N 118°15′35″W / 33.839684°N 118.259588°W
