History of Central Americans in Los Angeles facts for kids

Los Angeles is home to many people from Central America. After Mexican Americans, they are the second largest group of Latino and Hispanic people in the city. The biggest groups of Central Americans in Los Angeles are from Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador.

History of Central Americans in Los Angeles

The first Central Americans came to Los Angeles in the 1940s. In the 1970s, their population was small and spread out. But then, the number of people from Guatemala and El Salvador grew very quickly. By 1980, these two groups were the largest Central American populations in Greater Los Angeles. Between 1980 and 1990, their numbers grew almost five times bigger! Many Salvadorans came to Los Angeles because they were escaping the Salvadoran Civil War in their home country.

By 2008, people from El Salvador and Mexico in Los Angeles had become very close. They worked, went to school, and attended church together for almost 30 years. They also married each other, baptized each other's children, and supported each other during sad times.

Most Central Americans in Los Angeles arrived between the late 1970s and late 1980s. Many Guatemalans and Salvadorans came in the 1980s due to civil wars and political problems in their countries.

Jobs and Money

In 1996, most Guatemalans and Salvadorans in Los Angeles worked in factories or service jobs. These jobs often paid low wages.

Around 1996, the average income for Guatemalan and Salvadoran families in Los Angeles was about 60% of what other non-Central American families earned.

When many Salvadorans first arrived in Los Angeles in the 1980s, there wasn't a big Salvadoran community yet. So, they often looked for jobs at businesses owned by Mexicans. This led to Salvadorans learning and adopting some Mexican culture and customs to fit in better.

Who Lives Here: Demographics

Salvadoran Americans marching in the Rose Parade. Salvadorans are the largest Central American group in Los Angeles and in the U.S.

In 2009, about 560,000 Central Americans lived in the Greater Los Angeles area. By 2008, over 350,000 people of Salvadoran heritage lived in Los Angeles County. Many of them lived near MacArthur Park.

According to the 1990 U.S. Census, there were 580,000 Central Americans in Greater Los Angeles. This included 302,000 Salvadorans, 159,000 Guatemalans, 44,000 Nicaraguans, and 75,000 from other Central American countries. This large number meant that 44% of all Central Americans in the entire United States lived in Los Angeles. They also made up 12% of the Latino population in the city.

In 1996, Central American families often had more members than the average family size.

Also in 1996, the number of Guatemalan and Salvadoran families living in poverty in Los Angeles was 2.5 times higher than for non-Central American families. The average income per person for Guatemalans and Salvadorans was less than 40% of what non-Central Americans earned. Even though there was a big difference in earnings, Central American households often had more people working. This helped to make up for some of the income difference.

Where They Live: Geography

Pico-Union, Los Angeles was one of the first places Central Americans settled when they came to the city.

The Pico-Union, Los Angeles area is known for having a very noticeable Central American presence in Los Angeles. In August 2012, a part of Vermont Avenue in Pico-Union was officially named the "El Salvador Community Corridor" by the City of Los Angeles.

Languages Spoken

Central American Spanish is the second most spoken type of Spanish in Los Angeles. Central Americans are the largest group in the United States who use "Voseo" (a specific way of saying "you" in Spanish).

In 1996, Central American groups continued to speak their native languages.

By 2008, many Salvadoran immigrants started to use Mexican Spanish. This happened because they spent a lot of time with the Mexican community. Using Mexican Spanish helped them fit in better, along with adopting parts of Mexican culture. However, some Salvadorans in Los Angeles still prefer to use Salvadoran Spanish.

Education for Kids

The Oscar Romero Charter Middle School opened in 2007. This school is named after Óscar Romero, a famous Salvadoran archbishop. It helps Salvadoran children learn about their heritage and culture.

Fun and Culture

"Salvadoran Day" is a special celebration held in Los Angeles every summer. You can also find many restaurants in Los Angeles that serve "pupusas," a popular Salvadoran dish.

Famous Central Americans from Los Angeles

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  Dustin Corea (soccer player)

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  Richard Menjívar (soccer player)

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  Sabi (singer)

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  Elizabeth Espinosa (journalist)

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  Kevin de León (politician)

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  Héctor Tobar (journalist)

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  America Ferrera (actor)

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  Michelle Fields (journalist)

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  Gabriel Traversari (actor)

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  Hilda Solis (politician)

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  Miguel d'Escoto Brockmann (politician)

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  J Smooth (singer)

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  J. P. Calderon (model)

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  Deroy Murdock (political commentator)

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  Ruben Quesada (poet)

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  Madeleine Stowe (actor)

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  Tessa Thompson (actor)

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  Nick Verreos (designer)

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  Michael Wayne (actor)

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  Patrick Wayne (actor)

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  ILoveMakonnen (singer)

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  Marion Jones (athlete)