Torrance, California facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Torrance, California
City
Torrance Beach
Flag Seal Logo
Motto(s):  "A Balanced City"
Location of Torrance in the County of Los Angeles
Torrance, California Location in the United States
Country	United States
State	California
County	Los Angeles
Incorporated	May 12, 1921
Named for	Jared Sidney Torrance
Government
• Type	Council-manager
Area
• Total	20.53 sq mi (53.18 km2)
• Land	20.50 sq mi (53.10 km2)
• Water	0.03 sq mi (0.08 km2)  0.37%
Elevation	89 ft (27 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	147,067
• Rank	8th in Los Angeles County 41st in California 198th in the United States
• Density	7,163.5/sq mi (2,765.46/km2)
Time zone	UTC−8 (Pacific)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−7 (PDT)
ZIP Codes	90277, 90278, 90248, 90501, 90503–90510
Area codes	310/424
FIPS code	06-80000
GNIS feature IDs	1652802, 2412087

Torrance is a city located right on the coast in Los Angeles County, California, United States. It's part of the "South Bay" area of Los Angeles. A small part of the city, about 1.5 miles (2.4 km), touches the Pacific Ocean. Torrance has nice weather all year, with about 12 inches (300 mm) of rain each year. The city was officially started in 1921. In 2020, about 147,067 people lived there. Torrance has a beautiful beach and 30 parks. It's also where the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) began.

The Story of Torrance

Don Manuel Domínguez, who signed the Californian Constitution, owned the land that is now Torrance.

Ancient Times: The Tongva People

For thousands of years, the area where Torrance is now was home to the Tongva Native Americans. Much of this land, including the modern South Bay, used to be large wetlands.

Spanish and Mexican Rule

In 1784, the Spanish King gave a huge area of land called Rancho San Pedro to a soldier named Juan José Domínguez. This land included what is now Torrance. Later, in 1846, the land was divided. Governor Pío Pico gave part of it, called Rancho de los Palos Verdes, to José Loreto and Juan Capistrano Sepulveda. This happened when California was part of independent Mexico.

How Modern Torrance Began

In the early 1900s, a real estate developer named Jared Sidney Torrance and other investors saw a great idea. They wanted to create a community south of Los Angeles that had both factories and homes. They bought land from an old Spanish grant. Then, they hired a landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., to design the new town.

The town was founded in October 1912 and named after Jared Torrance. The city of Torrance officially became a city in May 1921. The first homes were built on Gramercy and Andreo avenues. Many of these houses turned 100 years old in 2012. This older part of Torrance is now being considered a historical district. Some of the first buildings were designed by Irving Gill, a famous architect known for his unique style.

The Historic Olmsted Design

Torrance was planned to be a new kind of city. It was based on the "Garden City Movement," which aimed for a good balance between industry and living spaces. The original design by the Olmsted Brothers had 109 city blocks. These were split into three areas: homes, businesses, and factories.

A special feature of the plan was the downtown business area. It was designed to line up with a view of Mount San Antonio in the San Gabriel Mountains. This downtown area, now called Old Torrance, was built on a diagonal. This helped ocean breezes keep the air clean from factory pollution for the homes and shops. The industrial parts of the city were placed on the eastern side.

Public transportation was very important when Torrance was founded. The Pacific Electric Red Car train connected downtown Los Angeles to the new downtown Torrance. The train station, designed by Irving Gill in 1912, had a Spanish revival style. In May 1913, the Pacific Electric Railroad Bridge was built. This bridge, also called the "El Prado Bridge," helped expand the industrial area. It was used to transport goods and workers to Torrance factories. The Red Car line ran under the bridge to the train station.

The bridge no longer carries trains, as the Red Car line closed in the 1940s. On July 13, 1989, the bridge became the city's second entry in the National Register of Historic Places. It is now a symbol used in the city's signs and materials.

The Pacific Railroad Bridge, also known as the El Prado Bridge, was designed by Irving Gill. It's an important symbol for Torrance.

Where Torrance Is Located

Torrance Beach is located between the Palos Verdes Peninsula and Redondo Beach on Santa Monica Bay.

Torrance is a city on the coast in southwestern Los Angeles County. It shares the same climate and land features as the rest of the Greater Los Angeles area. Its borders are:

• To the north: Redondo Beach Boulevard and the cities of Lawndale and Gardena.
• To the east: Western Avenue and the Harbor Gateway part of Los Angeles.
• To the south: The Palos Verdes Hills and the cities of Lomita, Rolling Hills Estates, and Palos Verdes Estates.
• To the west: The Pacific Ocean and the city of Redondo Beach.

The western part of Torrance uses the ZIP Code 90277, which is also a postal address for Redondo Beach. Torrance is about 20 miles (32 km) southwest of Downtown Los Angeles.

Torrance Beach is between Redondo Beach and Malaga Cove on Santa Monica Bay. The very southern part of Torrance Beach is sometimes called "Rat Beach" by locals.

The Madrona Marsh is a special wetland area in the city. It's a nature preserve that was saved from being developed. Projects have helped improve this important home for birds, wildlife, and native plants.

Torrance Weather

Torrance has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate. This means it has warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The rainy season is usually from November to March. Even though Torrance is near the coast, it can get surprisingly cold sometimes, with a risk of frost in winter. Areas closer to the beach or higher up tend to be milder.

People of Torrance

Torrance City Hall

Sunset at Torrance Beach

Torrance Population in 2020

Torrance Population in 2010

The 2010 United States Census showed that Torrance had 145,438 people. The city had about 7,076 people per square mile (2,732 per km²).

• 51.1% were White (42.3% not Hispanic).
• 34.5% were Asian.
• 2.7% were African American.
• 0.4% were Native American.
• 0.4% were Pacific Islander.
• 5.4% were from other races.
• 5.5% were from two or more races.
• 16.1% of residents were Hispanic or Latino (of any race).

Most people (99.2%) lived in homes. About 0.3% were homeless in group living situations. There were 56,001 households. About 33.1% of these had children under 18. The average household had 2.58 people. The average family had 3.14 people. The median age in Torrance was 41.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.7 males. In March 2019, the average household income in Torrance was $85,070. The average family income was $102,637. Torrance has the second-highest percentage of people of Japanese background in California (8.9%).

Torrance Population in 2000

In 2000, Torrance had 137,946 people. There were 54,542 households and 36,270 families. The population density was about 6,716 people per square mile (2,593 per km²).

• 59.2% were White.
• 28.6% were Asian.
• 2.2% were Black or African American.
• 0.4% were Native American.
• 0.4% were Pacific Islander.
• 4.6% were from other races.
• 4.7% were from two or more races.
• 12.8% of the people were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

About 31.1% of households had children under 18. The average household size was 2.51 people. The average family size was 3.10 people. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.7 males. In 2008, the average household income was $79,312. The average family income was $98,473. About 5.4% of the population lived below the poverty line.

Japanese American Community

The inside of the old Mitsuwa supermarket in Torrance.

As of 2014, Torrance had the second-largest number of people of Japanese background in any U.S. city, after Honolulu. Many Japanese companies have offices in Torrance, especially in the car industry. Because of this, Torrance has many Japanese restaurants and cultural places. Some people even say Torrance is "like Japan's 48th prefecture". There are Japanese supermarkets, schools, and banks.

Before World War II, the South Bay area was one of the few places where non-U.S. citizens could buy land. This is why many Japanese people settled there. When Toyota moved its U.S. operations to Torrance in 1982, many other Japanese companies followed. This was because Torrance was close to the Port of Long Beach and Los Angeles International Airport. In 2014, Toyota announced it would move its U.S. headquarters to Plano, Texas.

Korean American Community

As of 1992, about 60% of the Korean population in the South Bay area lived in Torrance and Gardena. In 1990, 5,888 people of Korean background lived in Torrance. This was a big increase from 1,652 people in 1980.

Torrance Economy

Torrance is home to the U.S. headquarters of American Honda Motor Company, a Japanese automaker, and its luxury car brand, Acura. Robinson Helicopters are designed and built in Torrance. Honeywell's Garrett turbochargers, used in car engines worldwide, are also made here. Alcoa Fastening Systems (now Arconic), which makes parts for airplanes, is based in Torrance. Other companies in Torrance include Pacific Sales, Pelican Products, Virco, and Rapiscan Systems.

Here are the top 10 employers in Torrance as of 2024:

Del Amo Fashion Center is one of the largest malls in the United States.

The Del Amo Fashion Center is one of the five largest shopping malls in the United States. It covers 2.5 million square feet (230,000 m²). The current mall was formed when two older malls, Del Amo Center (built 1958) and Del Amo Fashion Square (built 1972), joined together in 1982. At that time, it was the largest mall in the world. The mall has been updated several times, adding new stores and an open-air shopping area.

Torrance used to have many oil wells and oil derricks because it was a major oil-producing area. Today, the Torrance oil refinery, owned by PBF Energy, produces much of the gasoline for Southern California. Torrance was also an important center for the Pacific Electric Railway.

Torrance has a small airport called Zamperini Field. It's named after Louis Zamperini, a local track star and World War II hero. The airport has about 175,000 take-offs and landings each year. For commercial flights, Los Angeles International Airport and Long Beach Airport are both about 15 minutes away.

Torrance is also home to the main bakery for King's Hawaiian bread. Younger Optics, one of Torrance's largest employers, created the first "invisible" bifocal glasses. The headquarters of Mitsuwa Marketplace and Nijiya Market, both Japanese supermarkets, are in Torrance.

Foreign Companies in Torrance

All Nippon Airways, a Japanese airline, has its United States headquarters in Torrance. Toyota Motor Sales USA moved its operations to Torrance in 1982. This was because it was easy to get to port facilities and the LAX airport. Many other Japanese companies followed Toyota to Los Angeles. As of 2014, the Los Angeles South Bay area has the largest number of Japanese companies in the United States.

Arts and Culture in Torrance

The Torrance Armed Forces Day Parade features a USMC unit.

The Armed Forces Day Parade in Torrance started in 1960. It is the longest-running military parade sponsored by a city. It happens every year on Armed Forces Day and goes down Torrance Boulevard. The parade includes military vehicles, school bands, and important community members.

The Torrance Cultural Arts Center hosts many cultural events all year. The Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation (TOCA) works with the city to offer different cultural, educational, and entertainment experiences. Other groups like The Aerospace Players, Torrance Art Museum, and The Torrance Symphony also perform there.

Torrance has won awards in the Rose Parade:

• In 2010, its float Garden of Dreams won the top Lathrop K. Leishman trophy for "Most Beautiful Non-Commercial" float.
• In 2011, Torrance won the Tournament Volunteers' Trophy for best floral design.
• In 2012, the city's entry won the Governor's Trophy for best depiction of life in California.
• In 2015, a float honoring Louis Zamperini won the Theme trophy.
• In 2016, the Torrance float won the Princess trophy for most beautiful float 35 feet and under.

Historic Places in Torrance

These Torrance landmarks are listed on the National Register of Historic Places:

• Main Building (Torrance High School) – Built in a Mediterranean Revival architecture style in 1917 and 1921.
• Original Science Building – Current Home Economics Building (Torrance High School)
• Auditorium (Torrance High School) – Built in a Streamline Moderne style in 1938.
• Torrance Elementary School – Current High School Annex – Also in Mediterranean Revival style.
• Pacific Electric Railroad Bridge – Designed by Irving Gill in 1913.

Parks and Fun in Torrance

Wilson Park at sunset.

Madrona Marsh Park during springtime.

The Torrance City Parks Department takes care of the thirty Torrance City Parks. Some of these parks include:

• Wilson Park – This 44-acre (18 ha) park has picnic areas and sports facilities. It includes a gym, skatepark, and roller-hockey rink. Wilson Park also hosts the Torrance Farmers Market.
  • The Southern California Live Steamers Miniature Railroad is in Wilson Park. You can get free rides on miniature live steam trains on the first Sunday and third Saturday of each month, and on the 4th of July.
• Madrona Marsh Wildlife Preserve & Nature Center – This is a rare wetlands habitat in Southern California. It has native plants, wildlife, and is great for birdwatching. There's also a Nature center with classes.
• Columbia Park – This large urban park has picnic areas, sports fields, walking paths, jogging trails, and a cross country running course. It also has a cherry blossom tree grove.
• Torrance Smart Gardening Center – Located in Columbia Park, this Community Garden offers planting beds for residents. It's also a place to learn about backyard composting.
• Living Tribute Trees park program – This program lets families or groups sponsor a new tree in a park. It's a way to honor someone or remember an event.
• Torrance Beach Park – This park is right on the Pacific Coast of Torrance. The beach here is sometimes called "RAT Beach".
• Marvin Braude Bike Trail – This paved bike path runs along the Pacific Ocean shoreline in Los Angeles County. It ends in Torrance.

Getting Around Torrance

Zamperini Field (IATA: TOA ICAO: KTOA) is a general aviation airport for smaller planes. If you need commercial flights, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Long Beach Airport are about 15 minutes away.

Major roads and highways in the area include I-110, I-405, SR 91, SR 107, and SR 1. The city has its own bus service, Torrance Transit. You can also use LACMTA Metro bus and LADOT services.

Train Services

Union Pacific currently runs freight trains on what's left of the old Pacific Electric lines. These lines were built in 1911. Passenger train service stopped in 1940. The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro) plans to extend its C Line Extension to Redondo Beach. This project might be finished between 2030 and 2033. There are also plans to speed it up for the 2028 Olympics. Freight trains in Torrance are also served by BNSF and Union Pacific.

Future Metro Expansion

There have been ideas to expand the LA Metro train system into Torrance. However, some Torrance city leaders have opposed these plans. In 2023, some city council members tried to block the expansion.

Schools in Torrance

Public Schools

The Torrance Unified School District (TUSD) was created in 1947. It covers the City of Torrance and nearby areas. The district has about 21 square miles (54 km²) of land. It runs 17 elementary schools, eight middle schools, and five high schools. It also has three adult education centers and a child development center.

Fern Elementary School

Torrance High School is one of California's oldest high schools, opened in 1917. It's a popular place for filming movies and TV shows.

The five high schools in the Torrance Unified School District are:

• Torrance High School
• North High School
• South High School
• West High School
• Kurt Shery High School (a continuation school)

The eight middle schools in the Torrance Unified School District are:

• Calle Mayor Middle School
• Casimir Middle School
• Bert Lynn Middle School
• J.H. Hull Middle School
• Jefferson Middle School
• Madrona Middle School
• Philip Magruder Middle School
• Richardson Middle School

The 17 elementary schools in the Torrance Unified School District are:

• Hickory Elementary School
• John Adams Elementary School
• Torrance Elementary School
• Howard Wood Elementary School
• Anza Elementary School
• Arlington Elementary School
• Arnold Elementary School
• Carr Elementary School
• Yukon Elementary School
• Walteria Elementary School
• Riviera Elementary School
• Towers Elementary School
• Fern Elementary School
• Edison Elementary School
• Lincoln Elementary School
• Seaside Elementary School
• Victor Elementary School

Local school districts have also created the Southern California Regional Occupational Center (SCROC). This center teaches technical classes to students and adults. TUSD is also part of the California Academy of Mathematics and Science (CAMS). CAMS is a special high school for math and science students.

Private Schools

Torrance also has several private schools. These include Catholic schools like Bishop Montgomery High School, Nativity Catholic School, St James Catholic School, and St Catherine Laboure Catholic School. Protestant private schools include Ascension Lutheran School and First Lutheran School.

Colleges and Universities

Torrance is part of the El Camino Community College District. The main campus of El Camino College is mostly just outside the city limits, but a part of it is in Torrance. El Camino College started in 1947 and covers 126 acres (51 ha). In 2011, over 25,000 students attended the college each semester.

Other Education Programs

In 1980, Asahi Gakuen, a weekend Japanese-language school, began renting space at South Torrance High School. This school still uses the high school for its Torrance Campus. Asahi Gakuen's main offices are near Torrance.

News and Media

The Los Angeles Times is the main newspaper for the Los Angeles area. The Daily Breeze is a daily newspaper published in Torrance. It serves the South Bay cities of Los Angeles County. Torrance CitiCABLE is the local government TV channel. It shows news, sports, entertainment, and city council meetings.

Famous People from Torrance

Sister Cities

In 1973, Torrance became a sister city with Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan. This was part of the Sister Cities International program. Since then, people from Torrance and Kashiwa have shared their cultures. The Torrance Sister City Association helps with a Japanese cultural festival and a yearly student exchange program. North High is the official sister high school of Kashiwa Municipal High. Torrance also has a sister-city relationship with Konya, Türkiye, since 1958.

See also

In Spanish: Torrance (California) para niños