Vermont Square, Los Angeles facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Vermont Square
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St. Cecilia Catholic Church
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 Vermont Square
Location in Los Angeles
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  California |
| County |  Los Angeles |
| City |  Los Angeles |
| Time zone | Pacific |
| Zip Code |
90037, 90062
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| Area code(s) | 323 |
Vermont Square is a friendly neighborhood in Los Angeles, California. It is part of the South Los Angeles area. A special building, the Vermont Square Branch library, is found here. This library is even a Historic–Cultural Monument!
Contents
History of Vermont Square
The name Vermont Square first appeared in newspapers in 1909. Ads called it "the largest subdivision ever put on the market in Los Angeles." A subdivision is a large piece of land divided into smaller plots for building homes.
In the 1920s, many white families lived in Vermont Square. They were often lower-middle-class families. After World War II, many African American families moved into the area. Then, in the 1980s, Latino families also began to move there.
Even in 1969, local businesses still used the name Vermont Square. This shows how important the name was to the community.
Making the Neighborhood Better
In 1996, Vermont Square received a special grant. This money came from the Los Angeles Neighborhood Initiative (LANI). It helped to plant new trees, install streetlights, and build bus shelters. These changes made the neighborhood nicer for everyone.
In 1997, people in Vermont Square wanted to make their area stand out. They met with a historian named Gregory Fischer. He helped them design special signs for the neighborhood. These signs are now on Vermont Avenue at King Boulevard. They help people know they are in Vermont Square.
Parks and Gardens in Vermont Square
In December 2000, Vermont Square Park got a big makeover. It cost $20,000 to fix the lights and trim the trees. Sandboxes were smoothed, and gazebos were painted. This made the park a great place for families to visit.
On April 19, 2002, the Vermont Square Community Garden opened. Councilperson Jan Perry was there for the special day. A grant of $80,000 helped create this garden. It was the first community garden in all of South Los Angeles.
Where is Vermont Square?
In 1997, the Los Angeles Times newspaper described Vermont Square. It said the neighborhood covered about 3 square miles. It is generally bordered by Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to the north. Hoover Street is to the east. Slauson Avenue is to the south, and Arlington Avenue is to the west.
People of Vermont Square
In 2000, about 42,284 people lived in Vermont Square. The neighborhood is 2.54 square miles big. This means about 17,798 people live in each square mile. This is one of the highest population densities in Los Angeles. By 2008, the population grew to an estimated 47,555 people.
The average age of people in Vermont Square was 26. This is considered young compared to the rest of Los Angeles. Many young people, from babies to 18-year-olds, live here.
Different Cultures in Vermont Square
Vermont Square is home to many different cultures. In 2000, about 58.5% of the people were Latino. About 39.2% were black. A smaller number were white (1.4%) or Asian (1.1%). The rest were from other backgrounds.
Many residents were born outside the United States. About 38.5% of people were born in another country. Most of these people came from Mexico and El Salvador.
Homes and Money in Vermont Square
In 2008, the average household income was about $29,904 per year. This was considered low for Los Angeles. Many households earned $20,000 or less each year. The average household had 3.4 people, which is a high number for the city.
Most people in Vermont Square rent their homes. About 63.2% of homes were rented. The rest were owned by the people living in them. In 2000, about 2,519 families were headed by a single parent. This was about 26.7% of all families. This rate was high compared to the county and city.
Education Levels
In 2000, only about 5.3% of adults (25 and older) had a four-year college degree. This was a low number compared to the rest of Los Angeles. However, many residents also had less than a high school diploma.
Schools in Vermont Square
The LAUSD (Los Angeles Unified School District) has 12 schools in Vermont Square. Here are some of them:
- Manual Arts Senior High School: This high school is located at 4131 South Vermont Avenue. It is right across from the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
- Manual Arts Community Adult School: Also at 4131 South Vermont Avenue.
- Barack Obama Global Preparatory Charter Academy: Found at 1708 West 46th Street.
- Lou Dantzler Preparatory Charter Middle School: Located at 5029 South Vermont Avenue.
- Global Education Academy: A charter school at 4141 South Figueroa Street.
- Menlo Avenue Elementary School: At 4156 Menlo Avenue.
- Normandie Avenue Elementary School: Located at 4506 South Raymond Avenue.
- Dr. James Edward Jones Primary Center: At 1017 West 47th Street.
- Garr Academy of Math and Entrepreneurial Studies: A charter school at 5101 South Western Avenue.
- Fifty-Second Street Elementary School: At 816 West 51st Street.
- Western Avenue Elementary School: Located at 1724 West 53rd Street.
- Lou Dantzler Preparatory Charter Elementary School: At 1260 West 36th Street.
Parks and Libraries in Vermont Square
Vermont Square has some great places for fun and learning:
- 49th Street Park: This park is at 670 E. 49th Street. It has a play area for kids and benches for relaxing.
- Vermont Square Park: You can find this park at 1248 West 47th Street. It is right across from the Vermont Square branch library. It has barbecue pits, basketball courts, a children's play area, and picnic tables.
- The Vermont Square Branch library: This library is at 1201 W. 48th Street. It is the oldest branch library in the Los Angeles Public Library system! It was built in 1913 with money from Andrew Carnegie. He was a very rich man who helped build many libraries. This library is one of only three Carnegie libraries still standing in Los Angeles. It is a special Historic–Cultural Monument and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Signs help visitors find the library on Vermont Avenue at 48th Street, on King Boulevard at Budlong Avenue, and on Normandie Avenue at 48th Street.
Famous People from Vermont Square
Some well-known people have lived in or are connected to Vermont Square:
- Will H. Kindig: He was a member of the City Council.
- Maxine Waters: She is a member of Congress, which means she helps make laws for the country.
- Jackson Pollock: He was a very famous painter.
See also
In Spanish: Vermont Square (Los Ángeles) para niños
