Willowbrook, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Willowbrook, California
|
|
|---|---|
Location of Willowbrook in Los Angeles County, California
|
|
 Willowbrook, California
Location in the Los Angeles metropolitan area
Willowbrook, California
Location in southern California
Willowbrook, California
Location in California
Willowbrook, California
Location in the United States
|
|
| Country |  United States |
| State |  California |
| County |  Los Angeles |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.770 sq mi (9.765 km2) |
| • Land | 3.762 sq mi (9.744 km2) |
| • Water | 0.008 sq mi (0.021 km2) 0.21% |
| Elevation | 95 ft (29 m) |
| Population
(2020)
|
|
| • Total | 24,295 |
| • Density | 6,444.3/sq mi (2,487.97/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−8 (PST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−7 (PDT) |
| ZIP Code |
90022, 90059 & 90061
|
| Area code(s) | 310/424, 323 |
| FIPS code | 06-85614 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1867074 |
Willowbrook, also known as Willow Brook, is a community in Los Angeles County, California. It's called a "census-designated place" (CDP) because it's a special area defined for counting people. In 2020, about 24,295 people lived here.
Willowbrook is home to the Martin Luther King Jr. Outpatient Center, which is a modern healthcare facility. You can also find the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science here. This university helps train doctors and other health workers. It also runs programs with the University of California, Los Angeles, and has a special high school focused on medicine.
Contents
History of Willowbrook
Long ago, before it was called Willowbrook, this area had many willow trees and a slow, shallow stream. The name "Willowbrook" comes from these natural features. In the 1840s, a single willow tree marked the boundary of a large ranch called Rancho La Tajauta. This ranch covered all of what is now Willowbrook.
In the early days, there were many natural springs in Willowbrook. Winter rains helped ryegrass grow well. As early as 1820, a man named Anastacio Avila grazed his cattle here. By 1843, he was granted over 3,500 acres of land.
How Willowbrook Got Its Name
The first neighborhoods in Willowbrook were created in 1894 and 1895. The name "Willowbrook" was officially used in 1903 when a new area called Willowbrook Tract was recorded. A train line, the Pacific Electric Railway, had just opened nearby. The trains, known as the "Big Red Cars," stopped at 126th Street in Willowbrook. This stop helped the name become popular for the whole area.
In 1913, the first branch of the Los Angeles County Free Library opened in Willowbrook. It started in a private home and later moved to the post office building.
Life in Early Willowbrook
People who bought land in Willowbrook expected a suburban life. The lots were often very deep, sometimes 300 feet (91 meters). This attracted working-class families, especially those new to Southern California. The Big Red Cars made it easy to travel to shops in downtown Los Angeles or jobs in Long Beach and San Pedro.
During the Great Depression, many residents used their land to grow fruits and vegetables. They also raised hogs and chickens. This made the area look very rural. Even after World War II, Willowbrook kept some of its agricultural feel. The Watts Riots in 1965 caused damage to some buildings, including the community library, but the area's mix of farms and homes remained.
In the early 1980s, a plan was put in place to redevelop Willowbrook. This plan changed over 365 acres of land, adding new shops and homes. Because of this, Willowbrook now looks similar to other communities in the South Central part of Los Angeles.
Geography and Location
Willowbrook is located in Los Angeles County. It covers an area of about 3.8 square miles (9.8 square kilometers). Most of this area is land.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1970 | 28,705 | — | |
| 1980 | 30,845 | 7.5% | |
| 1990 | 32,772 | 6.2% | |
| 2000 | 34,138 | 4.2% | |
| 2010 | 35,983 | 5.4% | |
| 2020 | 24,295 | −32.5% | |
In 2010, Willowbrook had a population of 35,983 people. Most people lived in homes, while a small number lived in group housing or institutions. The average household had about 4 people. Many households had children under 18. The median age in Willowbrook was 28.2 years old.
In 2020, the population was 24,295.
Community Services
Law Enforcement and Post Office
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) has a station in Lynwood that serves Willowbrook. The United States Postal Service also has a Willowbrook Post Office located on East El Segundo Boulevard.
Healthcare and Education Facilities
Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital is located in Willowbrook. It opened in 2015, replacing an older medical center. Next to the hospital are the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science and the King Drew Magnet High School of Medicine and Science. These places work together to provide education and healthcare.
Transportation
Metro Rail Station
.JPG)
The Willowbrook/Rosa Parks station is an important train station in Willowbrook. It serves the A and C lines of the Los Angeles Metro Rail. The station is located above the intersection of Imperial Highway and Wilmington Avenue. It's a major place where people transfer between different train lines.
The station is also a big hub for buses. Many bus routes from LA Metro and other local agencies stop here. There are also parking spaces and bike lockers for commuters. Near the station is the Metro Rail Operations Center, which controls all Metro Rail trains.
Bus Routes
LA Metro provides local bus services in the Willowbrook area. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works also runs two shuttle services:
- Hahn's Trolley and Shuttle Service
- Rosewood Smart Shuttle
- Willowbrook Link
Education
Colleges and Universities
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science is a university located in Willowbrook.
Schools for Kids
Most students in Willowbrook attend schools in the Compton Unified School District. Some elementary schools within Willowbrook include Anderson, Carver, Jefferson, King, and Lincoln. Middle schools like Bunche and Willowbrook, and Centennial High School, are in nearby Compton. Cesar Chavez Continuation High School is in Willowbrook.
A small part of Willowbrook is also in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
Public Libraries
The LA County Library operates the Willowbrook Library. It is located at 11737 Wilmington Ave.
Parks and Recreation
Los Angeles County manages several parks in the Willowbrook area.
- George Washington Carver Park (7.22 acres or 2.9 hectares): This park has a lighted baseball field, an arts and crafts room, an outdoor basketball court, a community room, a softball field, and picnic areas. It also has a swimming pool.
- Earvin "Magic" Johnson County Recreation Area (94 acres or 38 hectares): This large park is mostly in Willowbrook. It has play areas for children, picnic spots, two fishing lakes, soccer fields, and walking paths.
- Enterprise County Park (10 acres or 4 hectares): Located in the Rosewood neighborhood, this park has an athletic field, a baseball/softball diamond, a community room, a gym, and a swimming pool.
- Athens Park (20 acres or 8 hectares): This park has two baseball/softball diamonds, a basketball court, play areas for children, a computer lab, a gym, and a swimming pool. It also has tennis courts.
- Mona County Park (8.4 acres or 3.4 hectares): This park features a baseball/softball diamond, an outdoor basketball court, a children's play area, a community room, a gym, a shaded picnic area, a swimming pool, and a learning center for young children.
See also
In Spanish: Willowbrook (California) para niños
