Paramount, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Paramount, California
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Location of Paramount in Los Angeles County, California
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 Paramount, California
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  California |
| County | Los Angeles |
| Incorporated | January 30, 1957 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 4.84 sq mi (12.54 km2) |
| • Land | 4.73 sq mi (12.25 km2) |
| • Water | 0.11 sq mi (0.29 km2) 2.28% |
| Elevation | 69 ft (21 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 53,733 |
| • Density | 11,102/sq mi (4,284.9/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−8 (Pacific) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−7 (PDT) |
| ZIP code |
90723
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| Area code | 562 |
| FIPS code | 06-55618 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1652771 |
Paramount is a city located in Los Angeles County, California, in the United States. It's part of the larger Greater Los Angeles Area. In 2010, about 54,098 people lived here. This was a small decrease from the 2000 population of 55,266.
Paramount shares its borders with several other cities. To the west, you'll find Compton and Lynwood. South Gate and Downey are to the north. Bellflower is to the east and south, and Long Beach is to the south.
Contents
Understanding Paramount's Location
Paramount is a relatively small city. The United States Census Bureau states that it covers a total area of about 4.8 square miles (12.5 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 4.7 square miles (12.25 square kilometers), is land. A small part, about 0.1 square miles (0.29 square kilometers), is water.
A Look at Paramount's Past
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Paramount's early economy was mostly based on farming. People grew hay and raised dairy cows. However, land became very expensive over time. Because of this, the farming businesses eventually left the area. The last dairy farm in Paramount closed its doors in 1977.
Who Lives in Paramount?
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1960 | 27,249 | — | |
| 1970 | 34,734 | 27.5% | |
| 1980 | 36,407 | 4.8% | |
| 1990 | 47,669 | 30.9% | |
| 2000 | 55,266 | 15.9% | |
| 2010 | 54,098 | −2.1% | |
| 2019 (est.) | 53,955 | −0.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Population in 2010
In 2010, Paramount had a population of 54,098 people. The city was quite busy, with about 11,177 people living in each square mile. Many different groups of people call Paramount home. About 42.5% of the population was White, and 11.7% was African American. About 3% were Asian, and 0.8% were Pacific Islander. A large part of the population, about 78.6%, identified as Hispanic or Latino.
Most people in Paramount live in family homes. In 2010, there were 13,881 households. Many of these, about 57.6%, had children under 18 living there. The average household had about 3.87 people. The median age in Paramount was 28.6 years old. This means half the people were younger than 28.6, and half were older.
Population in 2000
In 2000, Paramount had 55,266 people. The city was very populated, with about 11,678 people per square mile. The racial makeup was similar to 2010. About 34.7% were White, and 13.6% were African American. About 3.35% were Asian. A large majority, about 72.28%, were Hispanic or Latino.
Many households in 2000 had children. About 55.1% of homes had kids under 18. The average household size was 3.93 people. The median age was 26 years. This shows that Paramount has a younger population.
Paramount's Culture
Paramount has a strong connection to the Mexican state of Sinaloa. Many people in the city originally came from Sinaloa. This influence is clear in the many restaurants that serve "Sinaloan style" Mexican food. Because of this, some people even call the city a "second Sinaloa."
Getting Around Paramount
Several major highways pass near or through Paramount. The Century Freeway (Interstate 105) runs east to west through the northern part of the city. The Long Beach Freeway (Interstate 710) goes north to south along the city's western edge. The Artesia Freeway (State Route 91) is also very close to Paramount's southern border.
You can also get around Paramount using public transportation. The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and Long Beach Transit offer bus services. The city itself also runs a local bus service called the Easy Rider Shuttle.
Learning in Paramount
The Paramount Unified School District manages many schools in the area. These schools serve students in Paramount and some nearby cities.
Schools located right in Paramount include Paramount High School (both the senior and west campuses), Alondra, Lincoln, Wirtz, Jefferson, Mokler, Zamboni, Los Cerritos, Gaines, Jackson, Hollydale, Tanner, Roosevelt, and Paramount Park. Some schools run by the district are in other cities, like Buena Vista Continuation High School, Odyssey STEM Academy, and Lakewood School in Lakewood. Collins school is in Long Beach.
There are also private schools, such as Our Lady of the Rosary Private Catholic School. Paramount High School started big renovations in 2007-2008. These plans included improving the sports fields, building a field house, and expanding the gym.
Paramount's Libraries
The County of Los Angeles Public Library system operates the Paramount Library. This library provides books, resources, and services for the community.
Cool Places to See in Paramount
One special spot is the Paramount Hay Tree. This old camphor tree is a California State Historical Landmark. It was important for hay trading when the area was known as Hynes and Clearwater. Hay traders would meet under this tree every day to discuss hay prices. Their prices were even used as a global standard!
Paramount is also the home of the Zamboni Company. Frank Joseph Zamboni Jr. invented the famous ice resurfacing machine. The Zamboni company started in Paramount and is still based there today. They make and sell these machines all over the world. Since 1939, the Zamboni family has also run Iceland, a local ice skating rink.
The city also gave its name to Paramount Global, a packaging company started here in 1976.
Paramount's Sister City
Paramount has one sister city. A sister city is a town or city that forms a special bond with another city in a different country. This helps people from both places learn about each other's cultures. Paramount's sister city is:
Tepic, Mexico
