Ladera Heights, California

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For the community in San Mateo County, California, see Ladera, California.

Ladera Heights is a census-designated place and unincorporated area in southwestern Los Angeles County, California. The population was 6,568 at the 2000 census. Culver City lies to its west, Inglewood to its east, the unincorporated area of Baldwin Hills to its north, and the Westchester neighborhood of Los Angeles to its south.

1 The Community
2 Geography
3 Demographics
4 Education
5 External links

[edit] The Community

As with neighboring Baldwin Hills and View Park-Windsor Hills, Ladera Heights is one of the wealthiest areas in the United States with a majority of residents who are African-American. With a six-figure median family income and a very low poverty rate, it stands in stark contrast to most of the historically black areas of South Los Angeles (thus gaining the nickname "The black Beverly Hills"). Much of the area's desirability stems from the stunning views of the Pacific Ocean available from many hillside houses, as well as its proximity to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and the San Diego Freeway.

The area was historically mostly white until the early 1980s, when the neighborhood became a mecca for wealthy black families. The Southern California real estate boom of the late 1990s and early 2000s brought into the area a few more upper middle-class white and Asian families priced out of neighborhoods in Los Angeles' Westside.

[edit] Geography

Ladera Heights is located at 33°59′20″N, 118°22′27″W (33.988762, -118.374146)^GR1. According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 7.6 km² (2.9 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

Ladera Heights CDP Population by year [1], [2]
2000 6,568 1990 6,316 1980 6,647 1970 6,535

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 6,568 people, 2,691 households, and 1,883 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 862.6/km² (2,230.6/mi²). There were 2,755 housing units at an average density of 361.8/km² (935.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 20.07% White, 70.75% African American, 0.27% Native American, 2.89% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 1.39% from other races, and 4.54% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.38% of the population.

There were 2,691 households out of which 26.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.0% were married couples living together, 15.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.0% were non-families. 24.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 20.7% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 24.5% from 25 to 44, 29.8% from 45 to 64, and 19.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 81.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.7 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $90,233, and the median income for a family was $103,174. Males had a median income of $64,643 versus $52,750 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $47,798. About 1.1% of families and 3.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.5% of those under age 18 and 5.9% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Education

Ladera Heights is served by the Inglewood Unified School District of Inglewood.

In 2005, a group of residents petitioned to move the area into the Culver City Unified School District of Culver City. This proposal, controversial in both districts, is under consideration by the Los Angeles County Office of Education.