Walnut, California
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Walnut is a city in the eastern part of Los Angeles County in the U.S. state of California.<ref name="About the City of Walnut">Template:Cite web</ref> According to the 2020 census, the city had a population of 28,430.<ref name="QF">Template:Cite web</ref>
The greater Walnut Valley is located between the steep San Jose Hills to the north and the gently sloping Puente Hills to the south. Quality housing consists of master-planned single family homes ranging in size from Template:Cvt. The city hosts a highly ranked public school system: the Walnut Valley Unified School District, which has been ranked by numerous sources as one of the top public school districts in Southern California,<ref name="nerdwallet.com">Template:Cite web</ref> as well as Mt. San Antonio College.
The city covers nearly Template:Cvt and is home to hundreds of businesses. According to the 2023 census bureau estimate, Walnut has a median household income at one of the top-earning percentiles in the country at $133,762.<ref name="QF"/>
The city's name is derived from the Rancho Los Nogales Mexican land grant, nogales being the Spanish word for "walnut trees"; the native California black walnut is a common tree, native to the San Jose Hills. The City of Walnut is a general law city incorporated on January 19, 1959. It is governed by a city council/city manager form of government. A five-member city council is elected by the residents, and a mayor is elected annually by the council to serve a twelve-month term. A city manager is appointed by the council to oversee the daily activities of the city.
Geography
Walnut is located on the southern slopes of the San Jose Hills, with West Covina to the northwest, Covina to the north, San Dimas to the northeast, Pomona to the east, Diamond Bar, Rowland Heights, and the City of Industry to the south, and La Puente to the west. Several small creeks (i.e. Snow Creek, Lemon Creek) run mostly to the south toward the valley of San Jose Creek, which runs west to the San Gabriel River.
Climate
History
The area are the traditional lands of the Tongva people. Spanish missionaries who arrived in the 18th century called the indigenes Gabrieleño, because the area where they lived was controlled by the San Gabriel Mission. The Walnut area was part of the network of outlying ranches used for the grazing of cattle and sheep by the Mission.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Following secularization of the missions in the 1830s, former mission lands were divided into ranchos, and given away as land grants by the Mexican government of Alta California. In the Walnut area, the first grants were Rancho San Jose (granted to Ricardo Vejar and Ygnacio Palomares in 1837); Rancho Los Nogales (granted to Jose De La Cruz Linares in 1840); and Rancho La Puente (granted to John Rowland and William Workman in 1842). In 1868, John Rowland and William Workman divided Rancho La Puente, leaving Rowland the eastern half and Workman the western half. Rowland's land included the western portion of Walnut and the adjacent community now called Rowland Heights. The land was used mainly for raising cattle and growing wheat, grapes, and fruit trees (mostly citrus).
In 1895, the first U.S. post office was established and given the name "Lemon". In 1908, the post office name was changed to Walnut.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> As a reminder of those early days, the U.S. Post Office is on Lemon Avenue, one of the town's main streets.
Demographics
Walnut first appeared as a city in the 1960 U.S. census as part of the East San Gabriel Valley census county division.<ref name=1960CensusCA/>
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>Template:Cite web</ref> | Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>Template:Cite web</ref> | Template:Partial<ref name=2020CensusP2>Template:Cite web</ref> | % 2000 | % 2010 | Template:Partial |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 5,463 | 3,645 | 2,589 | 18.21% | 12.49% | 9.11% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 1,237 | 786 | 676 | 4.12% | 2.69% | 2.38% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 23 | 29 | 10 | 0.08% | 0.10% | 0.04% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 16,665 | 18,445 | 19,063 | 55.54% | 63.23% | 67.05% |
| Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 22 | 28 | 17 | 0.07% | 0.10% | 0.06% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 72 | 44 | 112 | 0.24% | 0.15% | 0.39% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 719 | 620 | 639 | 2.40% | 2.13% | 2.25% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 5,803 | 5,575 | 5,324 | 19.34% | 19.11% | 18.73% |
| Total | 30,004 | 29,172 | 28,430 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
2020 census
The 2020 United States census reported that Walnut had a population of 28,430. The population density was Template:Convert. The racial makeup was 12.1% White, 2.5% African American, 0.4% Native American, 67.5% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 7.9% from other races, and 9.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 18.7% of the population.<ref name=DP1>Template:Cite web</ref>
The census reported that 99.98% of the population lived in households, 0.02% lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and no one was institutionalized.<ref name=DP1/>
There were 8,861 households, out of which 33.0% included children under the age of 18, 66.8% were married-couple households, 2.6% were cohabiting couple households, 20.1% had a female householder with no partner present, and 10.5% had a male householder with no partner present. 10.1% of households were one person, and 5.6% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 3.21.<ref name=DP1/> There were 7,651 families (86.3% of all households).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The age distribution was 17.1% under the age of 18, 9.5% aged 18 to 24, 21.6% aged 25 to 44, 29.6% aged 45 to 64, and 22.2% who were 65Template:Nbspyears of age or older. The median age was 46.5Template:Nbspyears. For every 100 females, there were 94.7 males.<ref name=DP1/>
There were 9,169 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert, of which 8,861 (96.6%) were occupied. Of these, 83.0% were owner-occupied, and 17.0% were occupied by renters.<ref name=DP1/>
In 2023, the US Census Bureau estimated that the median household income was $133,762, and the per capita income was $51,555. About 7.1% of families and 8.6% of the population were below the poverty line.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2010 census
According to the 2010 United States census, Walnut had a median household income of $101,250, with 6.2% of the population living below the federal poverty line.<ref name="quickfacts.census.gov">Template:Cite web</ref>
The 2010 United States census<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> reported that Walnut had a population of 29,172. The population density was Template:Convert. The racial makeup of Walnut was 18,567 (63.6%) Asian, 6,913 (23.7%) White (12.5% Non-Hispanic White),<ref name="quickfacts.census.gov"/> 824 (2.8%) African American, 69 (0.2%) Native American, 28 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 1,750 (6.0%) from other races, and 1,021 (3.5%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5,575 persons (19.1%).
The Census reported that 29,138 people (99.9% of the population) lived in households, 22 (0.1%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 12 (0%) were institutionalized.
There were 8,533 households, out of which 3,492 (40.9%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 6,298 (73.8%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 985 (11.5%) had a female householder with no husband present, 394 (4.6%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 163 (1.9%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 26 (0.3%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 627 households (7.3%) were made up of individuals, and 237 (2.8%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.41. There were 7,677 families (90.0% of all households); the average family size was 3.55.
The population was spread out, with 6,088 people (20.9%) under the age of 18, 3,092 people (10.6%) aged 18 to 24, 6,089 people (20.9%) aged 25 to 44, 10,339 people (35.4%) aged 45 to 64, and 3,564 people (12.2%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.6 males.
There were 8,753 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert, of which 7,536 (88.3%) were owner-occupied, and 997 (11.7%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.8%; the rental vacancy rate was 4.4%. 25,504 people (87.4% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 3,634 people (12.5%) lived in rental housing units.
Mapping L.A.
Mapping L.A. reported that Chinese (21.0%) and Mexican (14.6%) were the most common ancestries in the 2000 census. Taiwan (20.7%) and Philippines (17.3%) were the most common foreign places of birth in 2000.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Economy
Shea Homes, and the United States divisions of the Filipino home video company Viva Video, Inc. and the Japanese card game company Bushiroad are based in Walnut.
According to the 2010 United States census, Walnut had a median household income of $101,250, with 6.2% of the population living below the federal poverty line.<ref name="quickfacts.census.gov" />
According to the city's 2017 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the principal employers in the city are:<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
| Rank | Employer | # of employees | % of total employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mount San Antonio College | 3,775 | 49% |
| 2 | Ninas Mexican Food, Inc. | 140 | 2% |
| 3 | Ronsin Photocopy Inc. | 124 | 2% |
| 4 | Recruiter Exchange Inc | 108 | 1% |
| 5 | Edro Engineering Company, Inc. | 84 | 1% |
| 6 | Stater Brothers Market | 81 | 1% |
| 7 | Sodexo, Inc. | 76 | 1% |
| 8 | Vons #2167 | 73 | 1% |
| 9 | Applebee's Neighborhood Grill | 67 | 1% |
| 10 | TJ Maxx #682 | 66 | 1% |
Sports
Mt. SAC Relays
Template:Main Started in 1959, the Mt. SAC Relays are an annual track and field festival held primarily at Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the Mt. San Antonio College campus. The April festival attracts many elite athletes from around the world to the city of Walnut. This meet and other elite track meets held at the stadium, including the 1968 Olympic Trials and two editions of the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships have emblazoned the identification of "Walnut, California" in numerous national records in athletics around the world. At various points in time, many world records were set at the Mt. SAC Relays.
The October Mt. SAC Cross Country Invitational, run in the hills surrounding the stadium, proclaims itself to be the largest Cross Country meeting in the world. Much of the same course is used as the annual CIF Southern Section championships and the western qualifier for the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships.
Proposed NFL stadium
Template:Main In April 2008, billionaire land developer and co-owner of the Los Angeles Lakers and Kings Edward P. Roski unveiled plans for the construction of an $800 million NFL stadium in the neighboring City of Industry.<ref name="stadium proposal">Template:Cite web</ref> In March 2009, Walnut filed a lawsuit opposing construction of the stadium, but dropped those charges in September.<ref name="stadium">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="dropped charges">Template:Cite news</ref>
On October 23, 2009, California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill allowing the 75,000-seat stadium to be built in neighboring Industry in hopes of attracting an NFL team there.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> This bill would also nullify a lawsuit filed by local residents over the project's environmental impact report.
Government
Municipal
The five-member Walnut City Council is the elected legislative body governing the City.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The City Manager, Tom Weiner, runs the day-to-day operations of the agency, and has served in this role since 2022.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Alex Merkel Medina is the City Treasurer and Director of Finance.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
State and federal
In the California State Legislature, Walnut is in Template:Representative, and in Template:Representative.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In the United States House of Representatives, Walnut is in Template:Representative.<ref>Template:Cite GovTrack</ref>
While the Congressional, State Senate, and State Assembly districts that Walnut is located in may have tendencies to vote for Republican candidates, since the 2000 election Walnut has voted only for Democratic presidential, gubernatorial, and senatorial candidates, with the exceptions of 2003 and 2006 when they voted for Arnold Schwarzenegger.<ref>Data compiled and calculated based on election results from "Political Districts within Counties" results for Walnut [1] Template:Webarchive, All percentages are rounded to nearest tenth place</ref> Walnut voters break down by party affiliation 63.102% Democratic and 35.598% Republican.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Education
Primary education in Walnut is generally served by the prestigious Walnut Valley Unified School District (WVUSD), which has been ranked by numerous sources to be one of the top public school districts in all of Southern California;<ref name="nerdwallet.com" /> it also serves parts of the city of Diamond Bar. Schools located in and around Walnut include:
- C.J. Morris Elementary School
- Collegewood Elementary School
- Oswalt Academy (Formerly known as Oswalt Elementary School) (Rowland Unified School District)
- Vejar Elementary School
- Walnut Elementary School
- Westhoff Elementary School
- Suzanne Middle School
- Southlands Christian Schools
- South Pointe Middle School<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Chaparral Middle School
- Ronald Hockwalt Academies (Formerly known as Del Paso High School)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Walnut High School
- Diamond Bar High School
Portions of the western side of Walnut are also served by the Rowland Unified School District.
In addition, Mt. San Antonio College, one of the California Community Colleges, is also located in Walnut near its border with Pomona.
Infrastructure
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) operates the Walnut/Diamond Bar Station in Walnut.<ref>"Walnut/Diamond Bar Station Template:Webarchive." Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Retrieved on January 21, 2010.</ref>
The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services operates the Pomona Health Center in Pomona, serving Walnut.<ref>"Pomona Health Center." Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. Retrieved on March 27, 2010.</ref>
Los Angeles County Fire Department Station 61 is located in the City of Walnut.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Surrounding suburban cities
- Diamond Bar, California (which shares the same school district with Walnut)
- City of Industry, California
- Pomona, California
- La Puente, California
- West Covina, California
Notable people
- David Ji (born 1952), Chinese-American electronics entrepreneur who co-founded Apex Digital.
- Aja Naomi King, actress, How to Get Away with Murder
- Kyle MacKinnon, ice hockey center who played for the San Diego Gulls<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Darius McCrary, actor, singer, and producer; known most for playing Eddie Winslow on the television show Family Matters <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Lance Parrish, MLB baseball catcher
References
External links
Template:Cities of Los Angeles County, California Template:Greater Los Angeles Area Template:Authority control