View source for Pico Rivera, California

{{Short description|City in California, United States}}
{{distinguish|Pico Boulevard}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                            = Pico Rivera, California
| settlement_type                 = [[List of municipalities in California|City]]
| image_skyline                   = PicoRiveraCityHall.JPG
| imagesize                       = 
| image_caption                   = Pico Rivera City Hall
| image_flag                      = Flag of Pico Rivera, California.svg
| image_seal                      = Seal of Pico Rivera, California.svg
| seal_size                       = 
| image_blank_emblem              = Logo of Pico Rivera, California.svg
| blank_emblem_type               = Logo
| blank_emblem_size               = 120px
| motto                           = 
| image_map                       = LA County Incorporated Areas Pico Rivera highlighted.svg
| mapsize                         = 250x200px
| map_caption                     = Location of Pico Rivera in [[Los Angeles County, California|Los Angeles County]], [[California]]
| pushpin_map                     = USA
| pushpin_map_caption             = Location in the United States
| pushpin_relief                  = 1
| coordinates                     = {{coord|33|59|20|N|118|5|21|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type                = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name                = United States
| subdivision_type1               = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1               = [[California]]
| subdivision_type2               = [[List of counties in California|County]]
| subdivision_name2               = [[Los Angeles County, California|Los Angeles]]
| established_title               = <!-- Founded -->
| established_date                = 
| established_title3              = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
| established_date3               = January 29, 1958<ref>{{Cite web
 |url         = http://www.calafco.org/docs/Cities_by_incorp_date.doc
 |title       = California Cities by Incorporation Date
 |format      = Word
 |publisher   = California Association of [[Local Agency Formation Commission]]s
 |access-date  = August 25, 2014
|url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20141103002921/http://www.calafco.org/docs/Cities_by_incorp_date.doc
 |archive-date = November 3, 2014
|df          = mdy-all
}}</ref>
| government_type                 = [[Council–manager government|Council–manager]]<ref name=about>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pico-rivera.org/about/default.asp|title=About the City|publisher=City of Pico Rivera, California|access-date=January 26, 2021}}</ref>
| leader_title                    = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name                     =  Erik Lutz<ref name="auto">{{Cite web
 | url = http://www.pico-rivera.org/depts/council/default.asp
 | title = City Council
 | publisher = City of Pico Rivera
 | access-date = January 26, 2021}}</ref>
| leader_title1                   = [[Pro tempore#Mayor pro tem|Mayor Pro Tem]]
| leader_name1                    = Andrew Lara<ref name="auto"/>
| leader_title2                   = [[City Council]]
| leader_name2                    = Gustavo V. Camacho<br>Dr Monica Sanchez<br>John Garcia
| leader_title3                   = [[City Manager]]
| leader_name3                    = Steve Carmona
| unit_pref                       = Imperial
| area_footnotes                  = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_06.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 1, 2020}}</ref>
| area_total_km2                  = 23.00
| area_total_sq_mi                = 8.88
| area_land_km2                   = 21.48
| area_land_sq_mi                 = 8.29
| area_water_km2                  = 1.52
| area_water_sq_mi                = 0.59
| area_water_percent              = 6.60
| area_metro_km2                  = 
<!-- Elevation ------------>
| area_metro_sq_mi                = 
| elevation_footnotes             = <ref>{{Cite GNIS|1652773|Pico Rivera|access-date=March 10, 2015}}</ref>
| elevation_m                     = 50
| elevation_ft                    = 164
<!-- Population ----------->
| population_total                = 62088
| population_as_of                = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_density_sq_mi        = 7587.5
| population_footnotes            = <ref name="census2020">{{cite web |title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Pico Rivera city, California |work=[[United States Census Bureau]] |date=April 1, 2020 |access-date=March 28, 2022 |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/dashboard/picoriveracitycalifornia/PST045221}}</ref>
| population_est                  = 
| pop_est_as_of                   = 
| pop_est_footnotes               = 
| postal_code_type                = [[ZIP Code]]s
| postal_code                     = 90660–90662<ref>{{cite web | url = http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/zcl_1_results.jsp?visited=1&pagenumber=0&state=ca&city=Pico%20Rivera | title = USPS – ZIP Code Lookup – Find a ZIP+ 4 Code By City Results | access-date = January 18, 2007}}</ref>
| area_code                       = [[Area code 562|562]]<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.nanpa.com/nas/public/npa_city_query_step2.do?method=displayData&cityToNpaModel.stateAbbr=CA&cityToNpaModel.city=Pico%20Rivera | title = Number Administration System – NPA and City/Town Search Results | access-date = January 18, 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070926212555/http://www.nanpa.com/nas/public/npa_city_query_step2.do?method=displayData&cityToNpaModel.stateAbbr=CA&cityToNpaModel.city=Pico%20Rivera | archive-date = September 26, 2007 | url-status = dead | df = mdy-all }}</ref>
| area_code_type                  = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
| website                         = {{URL|https://www.pico-rivera.org}}
| timezone                        = [[Pacific Time Zone|Pacific]]
| utc_offset                      = −8
| timezone_DST                    = [[Pacific Daylight Time|PDT]]
| utc_offset_DST                  = −7
| blank_name                      = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS]] code
| blank_info                      = {{FIPS|06|56924}}
| blank1_name                     = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info                     = {{GNIS 4|1652773}}
| population_density_km2          = 2887.18
}}

'''Pico Rivera''' is a city located in southeastern [[Los Angeles County, California]]. The city is situated approximately {{convert|11|mi}} 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]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Pico Rivera city, California|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/picoriveracitycalifornia/INC110219|access-date=April 26, 2021|website=www.census.gov|language=en}}</ref> the city has a population of 62,088. Pico Rivera is bordered by [[Montebello, California|Montebello]] to the [[west]], [[Downey, California|Downey]] to the [[south]], [[Santa Fe Springs, California|Santa Fe Springs]] to the southeast, and [[Whittier, California|Whittier]] to the [[east]]. [[Northrop Grumman]]'s Advanced Systems Division developed the [[B-2 Spirit]] bomber here.

== History ==
[[File:Portrait_of_Pio_Pico_(Californian_State_Library).jpg|thumb|left|upright|Pico Rivera is partly named for [[Californio]] statesman [[Pío Pico]], the last [[Governor of Alta California]].]]
[[File:Battle of Río San Gabriel.jpg|thumb|left|The 1847 [[Battle of Río San Gabriel]] was a decisive victory of American forces against the [[Californios]] during the [[conquest of California|U.S. conquest of California]].]]
Situated on a rich alluvial plain between the [[Rio Hondo (California)|Rio Hondo]] and the [[San Gabriel River (California)|San Gabriel River]],<ref name="history"></ref>  Pico Rivera was originally two unincorporated agricultural communities: Pico (named for [[Pío Pico]], the last [[Mexico|Mexican]] governor of California and located in the northern portion of what is now Pico Rivera) and Rivera (the Spanish word for "riverbank", located in the southern portion).  By the end of the 19th century, the [[Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway]] had been built through Rivera, while the [[Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad]] (later the [[Union Pacific Railroad|Union Pacific]]) had been built through Pico.<ref name=Homestead>{{cite web|url=https://homesteadmuseum.blog/2022/07/15/thats-the-ticket-early-pico-rivera-history-through-a-quintet-of-agents-stubs-for-the-rivera-station-of-the-southern-california-railway-may-july-1897/ |title=That's the Ticket: Early Pico Rivera History Through a Quintet of Agent's Stubs for the Rivera Station of the Southern California Railway, May-July 1897 |author=Paul R. Spitzzeri |date=July 16, 2022 |publisher=[[Workman and Temple Family Homestead Museum|Homestead Museum]]}}</ref><ref name=CountyLibrary>{{cite web|url=https://lacountylibrary.org/pico-rivera-local-history/ |title=Pico Rivera: Community History |publisher=[[Los Angeles County Library]]}}</ref>  In 1902, they were joined by the [[Pacific Electric]]'s [[Whittier Line]] through Rivera.   The Los Nietos Townsite Company was established by J. Fletcher Isbell and William T. Bone in 1887,  selling land that had once been part of Pio Pico's [[Rancho Paso de Bartolo]]. One of their first sales was to Joseph Burke, whose family cultivated orchards and operated a winery near Rivera.<ref name=Homestead></ref>  The area was served by three schools: Ranchito (northern), Rivera (southern), and Pico (around Jimtown), all of which fed into [[Whittier Union High School]]. 

The area was once predominantly agricultural; but, at the end of WWII, the fast rising demand for homes lured builders to the attractive terrain.<ref name="history">{{Cite web|url=https://www.pico-rivera.org/community/|title=City of Pico Rivera &#124; HISTORY|date=March 30, 2021 }}</ref>  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]]".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chooselacounty.com/laregions/gateway.html|title=Choose LA County &#124; Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation|website=www.chooselacounty.com}}</ref>  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.<ref name="history"/>

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

According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|23.003|km2|sp=us}}. {{convert|21.485|km2|sp=us}} of it is land and {{convert|1.518|km|sp=us}} 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&nbsp;a.m. [[Pacific Daylight Time]] (11:04&nbsp;a.m. [[Greenwich Mean Time]]).

== Demographics ==
{{US Census population
|1960= 49150
|1970= 54170
|1980= 53387
|1990= 59177
|2000= 63428
|2010= 62942
|2020= 62088
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}

===2010 census===
The [[2010 United States Census]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0656924|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904104248/http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0656924|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 4, 2015|title=2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA – Pico Rivera city|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=May 17, 2015}}</ref> reported that Pico Rivera had a population of 62,942. The population density was {{convert|7,086.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.

The racial makeup of Pico Rivera was 5.2% Non-Hispanic White, 1.0% Black or African American, 1.4% Native American, 2.6% Asian, and 0.1% Pacific Islander. Hispanic or Latino of any race is 91.2% of the population.<ref name="quickfacts.census.gov">{{cite web|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06/0656924.html|title=Pico Rivera (City) QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau|access-date=April 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150417204217/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06/0656924.html|archive-date=April 17, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The Census reported that 62,488 people (99.3% of the population) lived in households, 39 (0.1%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 415 (0.7%) were institutionalized.

There were 16,566 households, out of which 8,073 (48.7%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 8,843 (53.4%) were [[marriage|opposite-sex married couples]] living together, 3,334 (20.1%) had a female householder with no husband present, 1,470 (8.9%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 1,041 (6.3%) [[POSSLQ|unmarried opposite-sex partnerships]], and 91 (0.5%) [[same-sex partnerships|same-sex married couples or partnerships]]. 2,276 households (13.7%) were made up of individuals, and 1,154 (7.0%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.77. There were 13,647 [[family (U.S. Census)|families]] (82.4% of all households); the average family size was 4.10.

The population was spread out, with 16,792 people (26.7%) under the age of 18, 6,971 people (11.1%) aged 18 to 24, 17,225 people (27.4%) aged 25 to 44, 14,323 people (22.8%) aged 45 to 64, and 7,631 people (12.1%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.6 males.

There were 17,109 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,926.3|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}, of which 11,440 (69.1%) were owner-occupied, and 5,126 (30.9%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.0%; the rental vacancy rate was 4.1%. 44,643 people (70.9% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 17,845 people (28.4%) lived in rental housing units.

===2000===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2000, there were 63,428 people, 16,468 households, and 13,866 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|7,645.7|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 16,807 housing units at an average density of {{convert|2,026.0|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the city was 49.44% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.71% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 1.35% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 2.65% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.12% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 40.28% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 5.44% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 88.29% of the population.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Pico Rivera Population and Demographics (Pico Rivera, CA)|url=https://picorivera.areaconnect.com/statistics.htm}}</ref>

There were 16,468 households, out of which 43.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.7% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 17.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 15.8% were non-families. 12.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.83 and the average family size was 4.12.

The population of the city has 31.0% people under the age of 18, 10.5% from 18 to 24, 29.7% from 25 to 44, 17.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $41,564, and the median income for a family was $45,422. Males had a median income of $29,397 versus $24,491 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $13,011. About 11.6% of families and 12.6% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 16.0% of those under age 18 and 9.0% of those age 65 or over.

== Economy ==

The [[Los Angeles Assembly]], a {{convert|157|acre|km2|adj=on}} manufacturing facility at the corner of Rosemead and Washington boulevards, was owned and operated by the [[Ford Motor Company]]. The plant opened in 1958 and closed in 1980 and was purchased by [[Northrop Grumman]] in 1982 for its Advanced Systems Division.<ref>{{Cite news|date=February 5, 1982|title=Northrop to Buy Vacant Ford Plant|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/02/05/business/northrop-to-buy-vacant-ford-plant.html|access-date=November 5, 2021|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Upon the unveiling of the [[B-2 Spirit]] bomber in 1988, it was revealed that much of the development for the former [[black project]] had occurred at the site. In the early 1990s, the division was renamed the B-2 Division to reflect its most famous product. At its peak, the project employed approximately 13,000 workers in Pico Rivera.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Pico Rivera|url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/pico-rivera.htm|access-date=November 5, 2021|website=www.globalsecurity.org}}</ref> The site was closed and then demolished in 2001 partially due to [[Smog#Los Angeles and the San Joaquin Valley|air quality remediation efforts]], and became a large retail center.

There has been significant redevelopment in the city: the opening of the Pico Rivera Towne Center, a {{convert|60|acre||adj=mid| open-air shopping complex}} along Washington Boulevard, that has brought businesses into the city.<ref name="pico">[http://www.ci.pico-rivera.ca.us/ourcommunity/redevelprojects.html City of Pico Rivera | REDEVELOPMENT PROJECTS<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110823034111/http://www.ci.pico-rivera.ca.us/ourcommunity/redevelprojects.html |date=August 23, 2011 }}</ref>

"Pico Crossing" is a {{convert|2.79|acre||adj=mid| shopping center}} with several national retailers. Noteworthy redevelopment has taken place in recent{{when|date=January 2015}} years along historic [[Whittier Boulevard]]<ref name="pico"/> More developments include the "Pico Rivera Village Walk", a $22 million, {{convert|12|acre||adj=mid| shopping center}} located at the southwest corner of Whittier and Paramount boulevards.<ref name="pico"/> The {{convert|8.10|acre||adj=mid|Pico Rivera Market Place Shopping Center}} has opened at the corner of Washington and Rosemead Boulevards.<ref name="pico"/> The cities taxes were raised from 10.25 percent to 10.75 percent in mid 2009.<ref>{{cite news|last=Masunaga|first=Samantha|date=April 26, 2015|title=Pico Rivera Wal-Mart closure a worry for city|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|url=https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-walmart-pico-rivera-20150427-story.html}}</ref>

''[[Los Cerritos Community News]]'' serves the city.

===Top employers===

====2019====

According to the city's 2019 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,<ref>{{cite web |author1=Pico Rivera Financial Department |title=COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT 2019 |url=http://www.pico-rivera.org/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?BlobID=55752 |publisher=City of Pico Rivera |access-date=October 10, 2020 |ref=cafr2019 |page=198}}</ref> the top employers in the city are:
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! #
! Employer
! # of Employees
|-
| 1
|[[El Rancho Unified School District]]
|1,225
|-
| 2
|[[Walmart]]
|497
|-
| 3
|[[Target Corporation|Target]]
|191
|-
| 4
|Feit Electric Co Inc
|189
|-
| 5
|[[Lowe's]]
|187
|-
| 6
|Rivera Nursing & Convalescent
|182
|-
| 7
|Bay Cities Container
|160
|-
| 8
|Aurora World, Inc
|136
|-
| 9
|El Rancho Vista Healthcare Center
|112
|-
| 10
|Anastasia Beverly Hills Inc
|100
|}

====2009====

According to the city's 2009 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,<ref>{{cite web|author1=Pico Rivera Financial Department|title=COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT 2009|url=https://www.pico-rivera.org/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?BlobID=38071|access-date=October 10, 2020|publisher=City of Pico Rivera|page=168|ref=cafr2009}}</ref> the top employers in the city were:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! #
! Employer
! # of Employees
|-
| 1
|[[El Rancho Unified School District]]
|1,603
|-
| 2
|[[Walmart]]
|540
|-
| 3
|City of Pico Rivera
|331
|-
| 4
|BakeMark USA
|259
|-
| 5
|[[Target Corporation|Target]]
|210
|-
| 6
|[[Bimbo Bakeries USA]]
|185
|-
| 7
|[[Cintas]]
|170
|-
| 8
|Southern California Material Handling
|150
|-
| 9
|[[Lowe's]]
|138
|-
| 10
|[[Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department]]
|137
|}

==Sports==
The north side of the city is home to the [[Pico Rivera Sports Arena]], where concerts and other events are held.<ref>[http://search.atomz.com/search/?sp-q=Sports+Arena&sp-a=sp10021921&sp-f=ISO-8859-1&FINDbttn.x=0&FINDbttn.y=0 City of Pico Rivera | YOUR SEARCH RESULTS<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616101704/http://search.atomz.com/search/?sp-q=Sports+Arena&sp-a=sp10021921&sp-f=ISO-8859-1&FINDbttn.x=0&FINDbttn.y=0 |date=June 16, 2011 }}</ref>

==Parks and recreation==
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. The community enjoys more than 120 acres committed to public recreational facilities.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pico-rivera.org/government/citydepartments/parksandrecreation.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101213140426/http://www.pico-rivera.org/government/citydepartments/parksandrecreation.html|url-status=dead|title=City Of Pico Rivera &#124; City Departments: Parks And Recreation<!-- Bot generated title -->|archivedate=December 13, 2010}}</ref> There are 18 athletic fields, two gymnasiums and four community centers, a nine-hole executive golf course, skatepark and aquatic center.<ref name="community">{{cite web |url=http://www.ci.pico-rivera.ca.us/ourcommunity/commfacilities.html |title=City of Pico Rivera &#124; COMMUNITY FACILITIES |access-date=May 9, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110320003353/http://www.ci.pico-rivera.ca.us/ourcommunity/commfacilities.html |archive-date=March 20, 2011 }}</ref>

===Pico Rivera Municipal Golf Course===
In 1965, the Pico Rivera Municipal Golf Course was built for the communal enjoyment of not only its residents and golfers, but also for those in the surrounding communities. The executive nine-hole course plays to a par 29 and measures 1,504 yards. The practice facilities include two putting greens and a covered driving range. Lighting throughout the golf course and driving range enables play and practice until 10:00&nbsp;p.m.<ref name="community"/>

===Senior Center===
Pico Rivera's Congressional Representative, [[Grace Napolitano]], helped with the funding, and city officials launched a newly renovated [[senior center]] that includes a high-tech computer lab with 16 computers and a modern dance room. Funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the city's general fund, the [[US$]]350,000 renovation of the over 20-year-old center "is an example of your tax dollars at work," Napolitano told a crowd of local officials and residents, who toured the new facility. Napolitano secured a $198,000 federal grant for the project and the city contributed $157,000 in federal stimulus funds. The fitness room has 18 exercise machines, a set of free weights and two 40-inch flat screen TVs. The activity room has a mirrored wall with a ballet barre and a state-of-the-art sound system. The billiard room, which is a popular part of the senior center, was relocated to larger quarters within the center. Since August 24, 2010, it has housed four new pool tables.<ref name="tribune"/>

==Government==
In the [[California State Legislature]], Pico Rivera is in {{Representative|casd|30|fmt=sdistrict}},<ref>{{Cite web |title=Official Website |url=https://sd30.senate.ca.gov/home |access-date=February 24, 2023 |website=Senator Bob Archuleta |language=en}}</ref> and in [[California's 56th State Assembly district|56th Assembly district]], represented by [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] [[Lisa Calderon]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Official Website - Assemblymember Lisa Calderon Representing California Assembly District 56 |url=https://a56.asmdc.org/ |access-date=February 24, 2023 |website=a56.asmdc.org}}</ref>

In the [[United States House of Representatives]], Pico Rivera is in {{Representative|cacd|38|fmt=district}}.<ref name="tribune">{{Cite web |url=http://www.sgvtribune.com/news/ci_15882806 |title=Officials unveil newly renovated Pico Rivera Senior Center – SGVTribune.com<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=November 7, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614004544/http://www.sgvtribune.com/news/ci_15882806 |archive-date=June 14, 2011 |url-status=dead  }}</ref><ref>{{Cite GovTrack|CA|38}}</ref>

The [[Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department]] (LASD) operates the Pico Rivera Station in Pico Rivera.<ref>"[http://www.lasd.org/stations/for3/pico-rivera/index.html Pico Rivera Station] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100113012809/http://www.lasd.org/stations/for3/pico-rivera/index.html |date=January 13, 2010 }}." [[Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department]]. Retrieved on January 21, 2010.</ref>

The [[Los Angeles County Department of Health Services]] operates the Whittier Health Center in [[Whittier, California|Whittier]], serving Pico Rivera.<ref>"[http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/phn/docs/HealthCenter/whittier.pdf Whittier Health Center] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527190101/http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/phn/docs/HealthCenter/whittier.pdf |date=May 27, 2010 }}." [[Los Angeles County Department of Health Services]]. Retrieved on March 18, 2010.</ref>

===City Council===

As of 2023, the city council is composed of Mayor Erik Lutz,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Erik Lutz |url=https://www.pico-rivera.org/index.php/erik-lutz/ |access-date=February 24, 2023 |website=City of Pico Rivera |date=June 28, 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref> Mayor Pro Tem Andrew Lara, Councilmembers Gustavo V. Camacho, Dr. Monica Sanchez, and John Garcia.<ref>{{Cite web|title=City of Pico Rivera - City Council|url=https://www.pico-rivera.org/depts/council/default.asp|access-date=January 26, 2021|website=www.pico-rivera.org}}</ref> The city has a council/city manager form of government. The title of Mayor is a ceremonial position that is changed each year within the council.

=== Emergency services ===
Fire protection in Pico Rivera is provided by the [[Los Angeles County Fire Department]] with ambulance transport by [[Care Ambulance Service]]. The [[Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department]] provides law enforcement.<ref name="city">{{Cite web|title=City of Pico Rivera &#124; FACTS AND GENERAL INFORMATION<!-- Bot generated title -->|url=http://www.pico-rivera.org/cityglance/factsinfo.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727175146/http://www.pico-rivera.org/cityglance/factsinfo.html|archive-date=July 27, 2011|archiveurl=|archivedate=}}</ref>

== Education ==
The city is served by the El Rancho and Montebello Unified School Districts (K-12) with nearby university and college systems in Los Angeles and Orange counties providing higher education. Most students attend schools in the [[El Rancho Unified School District]].  [[El Rancho High School]] was built in 1952 as part of the [[Whittier Union High School District]] and unified with the elementary schools in 1962.  In 1966, the El Rancho Dons won a CIF Championship in football.. Those who reside in the Montebello Gardens area are in the [[Montebello Unified School District]].<ref name="city"/>

The [[Armenian Mesrobian School]], a K-12 Armenian private school, is also located in Pico Rivera.

==Transportation==
One of Pico Rivera's chief attractions to residents and businesses is its central location. It is highly accessible via several freeways, the San Gabriel (605), Santa Ana (5) and the Pomona (60). Public transportation is provided by the [[Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority|Metropolitan Transportation Authority]] (MTA) and Montebello Bus Lines. The MTA website also provides maps of bus and train routes. Information about [[Montebello Bus Lines]] schedule is available at City Hall or at hyperlink. [[Dial-a-Ride]] service is available to elderly (over 55 years old) and disabled residents.<ref>[http://www.ci.pico-rivera.ca.us/ourcommunity/commservices.html City of Pico Rivera | COMMUNITY SERVICES<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110320203037/http://www.ci.pico-rivera.ca.us/ourcommunity/commservices.html |date=March 20, 2011 }}</ref>

Pico Rivera's main arterial roads that run from south–north include Rosemead Boulevard, Paramount Boulevard (does not connect to Montebello's Paramount Boulevard), and Passons Boulevard. The main arterial roads that run from west–east include [[Whittier Boulevard]], [[Slauson Avenue]], [[Washington Boulevard (Los Angeles)|Washington Boulevard]], Beverly Boulevard, and Telegraph Road. Mines Boulevard and San Gabriel River Parkway are other important arterials.

==Notable people==
*[[Jennifer Syme]], late actress
*[[Mack Ray Edwards]] (1918–1971), Heavy equipment operator, and child sex abuser and serial killer
* Actress [[Lupe Ontiveros]] was "a longtime resident of Pico Rivera".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Day|first=Patrick K.|date=July 27, 2012|title='Desperate Housewives' actress Lupe Ontiveros dies at 69|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/la-xpm-2012-jul-27-la-et-st-lupe-ontiveros-dies-20120727-story.html|access-date=November 5, 2021|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}}</ref>
* Singer [[Jeanette Jurado]], a member of [[Exposé (group)|Exposé]], is a Pico Rivera native who lived in Pico Rivera until high school.
* Baseball player [[Randy Flores]] is an American director of scouting for the [[St. Louis Cardinals]] of Major League Baseball (MLB), a sports commentator, entrepreneur, coach, and former professional baseball relief pitcher. Flores attended [[El Rancho High School]] and the [[University of Southern California]]. He was also a part of the [[2006 World Series]] winning team in St. Louis.
* Soccer player and two-time MLS Cup champion [[Cristian Roldan]] is a current player for the [[Seattle Sounders FC]] of [[Major League Soccer]]. Roldan graduated from [[El Rancho High School]] in 2013 and attended the [[University of Washington]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/how-the-sounders-cristian-roldan-struck-his-own-path-in-pico-rivera/|title=How the Sounders' Cristian Roldan struck his own path in Pico Rivera|last=Baker|first=Geoff|date=April 23, 2017|website=The Seattle Times|language=en-US|access-date=December 10, 2019}}</ref>
* Controversial former councilmember [[Gregory Salcido]]<ref name="Gregory Salcido City Council Page">{{cite web|title=Gregory Salcido City Council Page|url=http://www.pico-rivera.org/depts/council/gsalcido.asp|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105050630/https://www.pico-rivera.org/depts/council/gsalcido.asp|archive-date=November 5, 2020|website=City of Pico Rivera}}</ref>
*[[James C. Shugg]] built the first schoolhouse, the [[Rivera School]], in 1868.
*[[Gloria Molina]] (1948–2023) American politician and a former member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority

==Sister cities==
{{Unreferenced section|date=September 2024}}
*{{flagicon|MEX}} [[San Luis Potosi (city)]], Mexico
*{{flagicon|MEX}} [[Mazatlan]], Mexico
*{{flagicon|MEX}} [[Tlajomulco de Zúñiga]], Mexico
*{{flagicon|MEX}} [[Chapala, Jalisco]], Mexico

== See also ==
* [[List of Mexican-American communities]]
* {{Portal-inline|Greater Los Angeles}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Wikivoyage|Pico Rivera}}
* {{Official website|https://www.pico-rivera.org}}

{{Geographic Location| title = '''Destinations from Pico Rivera''' |Centre = Pico Rivera |North = [[Whittier Narrows]]|Northeast =[[Industry, California|Industry]]|East = Unincorporated Los Angeles County<br>[[Whittier, California|Whittier]]|Southeast = [[Santa Fe Springs, California|Santa Fe Springs]] |South=[[Downey, California|Downey]]|Southwest = [[Downey, California|Downey]]|West = [[Commerce, California|Commerce]] |Northwest = [[Montebello, California|Montebello]]}}
{{Cities of Los Angeles County, California}}
{{Greater Los Angeles Area}}
{{Gateway Cities}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Pico Rivera, California| ]]
[[Category:1958 establishments in California]]
[[Category:Cities in Los Angeles County, California]]
[[Category:Gateway Cities]]
[[Category:Incorporated cities and towns in California]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1958]]
[[Category:Chicano and Mexican neighborhoods in California]]