Fairfax District, Los Angeles facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fairfax District
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Fairfax Avenue, 2021
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Map of the Fairfax District of Los Angeles, as delineated by the Los Angeles Times
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 Fairfax District
Location in Western Los Angeles
Fairfax District
Location in the Los Angeles metropolitan area
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The Fairfax District is a vibrant neighborhood located in the central part of Los Angeles, California. It's a well-known area with a rich history and many interesting places to visit.
This district has been a special home for the Jewish community in Los Angeles for a long time. It's famous for places like the Original Farmers Market, The Grove shopping center, and CBS Television City. You can also find the Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust here, located in Pan Pacific Park. The area also features the historic Beverly-Fairfax Historic District and many cool restaurants and shops along Fairfax Avenue.
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Exploring the Fairfax District
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The Fairfax District, sometimes called Beverly–Fairfax, covers about 3.2 square miles. It is bordered by Willoughby Avenue to the north and Wilshire Boulevard to the south. To the east, you'll find La Brea Avenue, and to the west, La Cienega Boulevard.
Different maps might show slightly different boundaries for the Fairfax District. However, most agree that the heart of the area is around the intersection of Beverly Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue. The Los Angeles Times newspaper has also mapped the area, showing its neighbors like West Hollywood, Hollywood, and Hancock Park.
Who Lives in Fairfax?
In 2000, about 12,490 people lived in the Fairfax District. By 2008, this number grew to an estimated 13,360 residents. The neighborhood has a similar number of people per square mile as other parts of Los Angeles.
The average age of residents in Fairfax is around 33 years old. A higher percentage of people aged 65 and older live here compared to other areas in Los Angeles County. Many adults in Fairfax, about 54%, have earned a four-year college degree.
The average household income in 2008 was about $65,938 per year. Most people in Fairfax, about 71.5%, rent their homes or apartments, while 28.5% own them.
Community Makeup
The Fairfax District is known for having a large percentage of white residents. About 84.7% of the people living here are white. Other groups include Latinos (5.9%), Asians (4.5%), and Black residents (2.2%). Many residents were born outside the United States, with Ukraine and Mexico being common birthplaces.
History of the Fairfax District
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The Fairfax District has a long and important history as a center for the Jewish community in Los Angeles. Before Fairfax, the Boyle Heights area was the main Jewish community in the 1920s and 1930s.
In 1935, there were four synagogues (Jewish places of worship) in Fairfax. By 1945, this number grew to twelve! After World War II, even more Jewish families moved into the area. As the community grew, religious schools and a Jewish Community Center were built. In 1974, a legal aid charity called Bet Tzedek Legal Services - The House of Justice opened its doors near the Farmers Market.
The Original Farmers Market, located at Fairfax Avenue and 3rd Street, still has a classic 1930s feel. It has open-air stalls selling vegetables and cafes. Many Jewish residents still visit the market for shopping and socializing. Right next to the Farmers Market, The Grove, a large shopping and entertainment center, opened in 2002.
The area east of Fairfax Avenue and north of Beverly Boulevard is filled with apartment buildings from the 1920s. This neighborhood was officially named the Beverly Fairfax Historic District by the City of Los Angeles in 2019. It's now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means any changes to the outside of these buildings need special approval.
The intersection of Fairfax Avenue and Beverly Boulevard is called Raoul Wallenberg Square. This honors a Swedish diplomat who saved thousands of Hungarian Jews from danger during World War II. The Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust is also located nearby, inside Pan Pacific Park.
CBS Television City was built in 1952. It stands on what used to be Gilmore Stadium, a place for sports. Many famous TV shows have been filmed here, including The Price is Right, which has been filmed in Studio 33 (now named for host Bob Barker) since 1972.
Education in Fairfax
The Fairfax District is home to several schools, including:
- Fairfax High School, part of the LAUSD, located at 7850 Melrose Avenue. This school was founded in 1924.
- Bais Yaakov School for Girls, a private secondary school at 7353 Beverly Boulevard.
- Bais Tzivia, a Chasidic school for girls (kindergarten-eighth grade) at 7269 Beverly Blvd.
- Bnos Esther, a Chasidic girls high school (ninth-12th grade) at 116 North La Brea Ave.
- Yeshivas Bais Toras Menachem, a Chasidic Boys Yeshiva at 341 N Mansfield Ave.
- Cheder of Los Angeles, a Chasidic school (kindergarten-eighth grade) at 801 North La Brea Avenue.
- The Otman Center, a private secondary school at 812 North Fairfax Avenue.
- Yeshiva Rav-Isacsohn Toras Emes, at 7011 Clinton Avenue.
- Yeshiva Aharon Yaakov / Ohr Eliyahu, an Ultra Orthodox K-12 boys and girls yeshiva at 241 South Detroit Street.
- Yeshivas Hachaim, at 7269 Beverly Blvd.
- Yeshivas Ohev Shalom, at 525 South Fairfax Avenue.
- Yeshiva Gedolah of Los Angeles, at 5444 West Olympic Boulevard.
- Shalhevet Yeshiva High School, at 910 South Fairfax Avenue.
- Yeshiva Elchonon Chabad, at 7215 Waring Avenue.
- Yavneh Hebrew Academy, at 5353 West Third Street.
- Westside Community Adult School, LAUSD, at 7850 Melrose Avenue.
- Whitman Continuation School, LAUSD, at 7795 Rosewood Avenue.
- Melrose Avenue Elementary School, LAUSD, at 731 North Detroit Street.
Cool Places to Visit
The Fairfax District has many cool spots that are worth checking out:
- Canter's restaurant: This famous deli is known for its delicious food. Los Angeles magazine once called Canter's waffles the "Best Waffle in Los Angeles."
- CBS Television City: A major television studio where many popular shows are filmed. It opened in 1952.
- Original Farmers Market: A historic market with food stalls, restaurants, and fresh produce. It's a great place to grab a bite or find unique items.
- The Grove: A popular outdoor shopping center right next to the Farmers Market. It has a large central park with a fun animated fountain.
- Pan-Pacific Park: A lovely park on Third Avenue, where the Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust is located. The park is built on the site of the old Pan-Pacific Auditorium.
- Melrose Trading Post: An outdoor flea market where you can find all sorts of interesting treasures.
Famous People from Fairfax
Some notable people who have lived in or are connected to the Fairfax District include:
- Lynda Carter (born 1951), a well-known actress.
- Susan Rasky (1952–2013), a respected journalist.
- Zev Yaroslavsky (born 1948), who served on the Los Angeles City Council and the county Board of Supervisors.
