Pico-Union, Los Angeles facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pico-Union
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Pico-Union signage located at Pico Blvd. and Albany Street
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 Pico-Union
Location in Los Angeles
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| Country |  United States of America |
| State |  California |
| County |  Los Angeles |
| Time zone | Pacific |
| ZIP Codes |
90006, 90007, 90015
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| Area code(s) | 213 |
Pico-Union is a lively neighborhood in Central Los Angeles, California. It gets its name from the busy intersection of Pico Boulevard and Union Avenue. Located just west of Downtown Los Angeles, Pico-Union is home to over 40,000 people.
This area has two special historic districts. These places are recognized for their important history. Pico-Union also has five public schools and a public library, serving its many residents.
Contents
Exploring Pico-Union's Location
Where is Pico-Union?
Pico-Union is easy to find on a map! If you look at Google Maps, its borders are:
- Olympic Boulevard to the north
- The Harbor Freeway to the east
- The Santa Monica Freeway to the south
- Hoover Street to the west
Neighboring Communities
Pico-Union is surrounded by many other interesting neighborhoods. To the north and northeast, you'll find Koreatown and Westlake. Downtown is to the east. To the south are Adams-Normandie, University Park, and Exposition Park. Finally, Harvard Heights is to the west.
A Glimpse into Pico-Union's Past
Early Days
Long ago, a village called Geveronga was located where Pico-Union is today. This was home to the Tongva people. Later, the area became part of the early Pueblo de Los Ángeles settlement. This was during the time when California was under Spanish and then Mexican rule.
Growth and Change
In the early 1900s, Pico-Union grew into a popular place for middle and upper-class families to live. It was easy to get to downtown Los Angeles from here. After World War II, many people moved out to the suburbs. This left many empty homes and businesses in Pico-Union.
A New Beginning
In the late 1970s and 1980s, Pico-Union became a new home for many Salvadoran and Guatemalan immigrants. These families were seeking safety from civil wars in their home countries.
Protecting History
Pico-Union is proud of its history. In 2004, it became a Historic Preservation Overlay Zone. This means the city works to protect its historic buildings and character. It also has two special historic districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places: South Bonnie Brae Tract Historic District and Alvarado Terrace Historic District. In 2012, a part of Vermont Avenue in Pico-Union was named the El Salvador Community Corridor.
Who Lives in Pico-Union?
Pico-Union is one of the most crowded neighborhoods in Los Angeles. In 2000, about 42,324 people lived here. By 2008, this number grew to about 44,664. The average age of residents is 27, which is quite young for Los Angeles.
Most people in Pico-Union are of Latino background (about 85%). Many residents were born outside the United States, especially from El Salvador and Mexico. Other immigrants come from Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
Most people in Pico-Union rent their homes. The average household has about 3.3 people.
Learning in Pico-Union
Pico-Union has many schools for its young residents. While not as many adults have college degrees, there are many opportunities for learning.
Schools in the Neighborhood
Here are some of the schools you can find in Pico-Union:
- West Adams Preparatory High School, a public high school.
- SIATech Pico-Union, a public charter high school that offers flexible learning.
- Loyola High School of Los Angeles, a private high school.
- Berendo Middle School, a public middle school with a long history.
- Sophia T. Salvin Special Education Center, a public school for special education.
- Leo Politi Elementary School, a public elementary school.
- Tenth Street Elementary School, a public elementary school.
- Saint Thomas the Apostle School, a private elementary school.
- Magnolia Avenue Elementary School, a public elementary school.
- Los Angeles Christian School, a private school.
- Equitas Academy Charter Schools, a charter school.
Public Library
The Los Angeles Public Library has a branch right in Pico-Union. It's called the Pico-Union Branch Library and is located at 1030 South Alvarado Street. It's a great place to find books, study, and learn new things.
Notable People from Pico-Union
Some well-known people have connections to Pico-Union:
- Larry Elder, a talk show host and politician.
- Elizabeth Harrower, an actress and writer.
- Jacob Kuhrts, a businessman and politician from the 1800s.
- Pomeroy Wills Powers, who was president of the Los Angeles City Council.
- Susan Seaforth Hayes, an actress.
