Westlake Village, California

For the district in Los Angeles, see Westlake, Los Angeles.
Westlake Village, California
City
City of Westlake Village

Ornate landscaping in front of a Westlake Village office building

Location of Westlake Village in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, California
Coordinates: 34°8′31″N 118°49′10″W / 34.14194°N 118.81944°WCoordinates: 34°8′31″N 118°49′10″W / 34.14194°N 118.81944°W
Country  United States
State  California
County Los Angeles and Ventura
Incorporated (city) December 11, 1981[1]
Government
 • Mayor Ned E. Davis
Area[2]
 • Total 5.509 sq mi (14.257 km2)
 • Land 5.185 sq mi (13.430 km2)
 • Water 0.320 sq mi (0.828 km2)  5.80%
Elevation 880 ft (268 m)
Population (2010)
 • Total 8,270
 • Density 1,500/sq mi (580/km2)
Time zone PST (UTC-8)
 • Summer (DST) PDT (UTC-7)
ZIP Code 91359, 91361, 91362[3]
Area code 805
FIPS code 06-84438
Website www.wlv.org

Westlake Village is a planned community that straddles the Los Angeles and Ventura county line. The eastern portion is the incorporated city of Westlake Village, located on the western edge of Los Angeles County, California. The city, located in the region known as the Conejo Valley, encompasses half of the area surrounding Westlake Lake, and small neighborhoods primarily south of U.S. Route 101 and east of La Venta Drive. The population was 8,270 at the 2010 census, down from 8,368 at the 2000 census. It is also the headquarters of the Dole Food Company. Westlake Village is known for its affluence and secluded character, and is considered one of the wealthiest communities in the Greater Los Angeles Area.[4]

The western portion of Westlake Village is a community, within the city limits of Thousand Oaks, in Ventura County. The properties and businesses in this portion can be addressed as "Westlake Village", as the United States Post Office maps both 91361 and 91362 ZIP codes to this area. Built across the county line as a planned development, residents recognize that the community of Westlake Village is not limited to the incorporated city in Los Angeles County, but encompassing the entire area surrounding the lake.

The original community was known simply as "Westlake". Roughly two-thirds of it was annexed by the city of Thousand Oaks in two portions, in 1968 and 1972. In 1981, the remaining third eventually incorporated as the City of Westlake Village.[5]

History

About 3,000 years ago, Chumash Indians moved into the region and lived by hunting rabbits and other game, and gathering grains and acorns. On-going excavations, archaeological sites, and polychrome rock paintings in the area provide a glimpse into the social and economic complexity of the ancient Chumash world.

In January, 1770, the first Europeans came to the area. Captain Gaspar de Portolà's party of Spanish explorers and missionaries traveled through the area from west to east, camping one night near a Chumash village, believed to be the site of present-day Westlake Village. Father Juan Crespí, chaplain and diarist of the expedition, wrote: "We are on a plain of considerable extent and much beauty, forested on all parts by live oaks and oak trees, with much pasturage and water." Crespi named the place El triunfo del Dulcísimo Nombre de Jesús (in English: The Triumph of the Sweetest Name of Jesus) to a camping place by a creek – today's Triunfo Canyon Road begins between Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village (see Conejo Valley). Later Spanish travelers also used this route, making it part of El Camino Real (today's U.S. Route 101).

In 1795, the area became part of one of the first Spanish land grants, Rancho Simi, given to the Pico family. When Mexico won independence from Spain in 1821, Alta California became Mexican territory, and the Rancho Simi grant was confirmed in 1842.

At the time California was admitted to the union in 1850, most of the land that later became Ventura County was divided among only 19 families. The picturesque future Westlake Village site among rising knolls, arroyos, barrancas and ancient oaks was recognized as the central part of two Mexican land grants: Rancho El Conejo and Rancho Las Virgenes.

In 1881, the Russell brothers purchased a large portion of the land for cattle ranching. According to Patricia Allen, historian and family descendant, Andrew Russell beat the competition in buying the land by racing across 6,000 acres (24 km²) on a fifteen-minute trip in a buckboard and sealed the deal with a $20 gold piece. The price per acre was $2.50. The area continued to be known as the Russell Ranch although it was sold in 1925 to William Randolph Hearst and again in 1943 to Fred Albertson. The Russell family leased back part of the land to continue its successful cattle ranch operation while the Albertson Company used the vast area as a movie ranch. Many movies and television shows were filmed here, including Robin Hood, King Rat, Laredo, and various episodes of Tarzan, Buck Rogers, Gunsmoke and Bonanza.

Westlake Lake in Westlake Village

In 1963, Daniel K. Ludwig's American-Hawaiian Steamship Company bought the 12,000 acre (49 km²) ranch for $32 million and, in partnership with Prudential Insurance Company, commissioned the preparation of a master plan by architectural and planning firm A. C. Martin and Associates. This new "city in the country" planned to have a firm economic base including commercial areas, residential neighborhoods, ample green space with the lake as a focal point. Prominent architects, engineers, and land planners participated in designing the new community, a prominent example of planned 1960's-style suburbanism.[6][7]

The original tract was divided by the Los Angeles/Ventura county line. In 1968 and 1972, the Ventura County side, two portions of Westlake Village consisting of 8,544 acres (35 km2), were annexed into the city of Thousand Oaks. In 1981, the Los Angeles County portion (3,456 acres (13.99 km2) or roughly 1/3) of the Westlake Village master community was incorporated as the City of Westlake Village. California state law prevents a city from existing in two separate counties, so the areas in Ventura County remained part of Thousand Oaks. To this day, many residents of the Ventura County portions of Westlake do not realize that they are actually within the city limits of Thousand Oaks.[8]

Geography

Much of Westlake Village is surrounded by open space, including hiking and horse trails, as well as the vast Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. The town borders the Malibu hills, and is nine miles (14 km) inland from the Pacific Ocean. Coastal breezes seep through canyons to allow Westlake to stay up to 10 degrees cooler and considerably less smoggy than nearby San Fernando Valley during the summer months.

In addition to its role as a bedroom community for Los Angeles via the Ventura Freeway, it is also home to many large commercial offices and the headquarters of the Dole Food Company, Pleasant Holidays, K-Swiss, Conversant, J.D. Power and Associates, and Jafra Cosmetics. The western region office (Region 5) of Anheuser-Busch Inc. is also located in the community. The Ventura Freeway is one of three of Westlake's lifelines to Los Angeles and Ventura; the Pacific Coast Highway, and the Ronald Reagan (118) Freeway also run nearby. It is a short drive to the nearest mall in Thousand Oaks.

Like many upscale hamlets, Westlake Village is well served by golf courses and country clubs. The Westlake Golf Course, off Route 101, is verdant if noisy. More exclusive venues include Sherwood Country Club to the west and North Ranch Country Club to the north.

Panorama of Westlake Village.

Over one half of the original "Westlake" development lies across the county line wholly within the city limits of Thousand Oaks. This boundary which divides the Incorporated City of Westlake Village, and Thousand Oaks portion of Westlake Village, crosses over the Westlake Golf Course, halfway between Lakeview Canyon and Lindero Canyon roads, and half of the Lake itself. Another common misconception is that Lake Sherwood is part of Westlake Village. It lies on the Thousand Oaks/Ventura County side.

The City of Westlake Village is located at 34°8′31″N 118°49′10″W / 34.14194°N 118.81944°W (34.141973, −118.819514).[9] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.5 square miles (14.3 km²). 5.2 square miles (13.4 km²) of it is land and 0.3 square miles (0.8 km²) of it (5.80%) is water. It is located approximately 40 miles (64 km) West of downtown Los Angeles in the Conejo Valley. Other communities in the surrounding area include Thousand Oaks, Oak Park, Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Newbury Park, and Malibu.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
19806,138—
19907,45521.5%
20008,46913.6%
20108,270−2.3%
source:[10][11]

2010

The 2010 United States Census[12] reported that the self incorporated portion Westlake Village, on the Los Angeles County side, had a population of 8,270. The population density was 1,502.4 people per square mile (580.1/km²). The racial makeup of Westlake Village was 7,326 (88.6%) White (83.9% Non-Hispanic White),[13] 98 (1.2%) African American, 12 (0.1%) Native American, 490 (5.9%) Asian, 13 (0.2%) Pacific Islander, 114 (1.4%) from other races, and 217 (2.6%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 533 persons (6.4%).

The Census reported that 8,142 people (98.5% of the population) lived in households, 121 (1.5%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 7 (0.1%) were institutionalized.

There were 3,262 households, out of which 971 (29.8%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 1,985 (60.9%) were married couples living together, 292 (9.0%) had a female householder with no husband present, 119 (3.6%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 103 (3.2%) unmarried partnerships. 712 households (21.8%) were made up of individuals and 376 (11.5%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50. There were 2,396 families (73.5% of all households); the average family size was 2.92.

The population was spread out with 1,737 people (21.0%) under the age of 18, 479 people (5.8%) aged 18 to 24, 1,380 people (16.7%) aged 25 to 44, 2,917 people (35.3%) aged 45 to 64, and 1,757 people (21.2%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48.7 years. For every 100 females there were 94.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.2 males.

There were 3,384 housing units at an average density of 614.7 per square mile (237.4/km²), of which 2,745 (84.2%) were owner-occupied, and 517 (15.8%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.0%; the rental vacancy rate was 4.4%. 6,906 people (83.5% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 1,236 people (14.9%) lived in rental housing units.

According to the 2010 United States Census, Westlake Village had a median household income of $115,018, with 3.0% of the population living below the federal poverty line.[13]

2000

As of the census[14] of 2000, there were 8,469[15] people, 3,270 households, and 2,491 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,605.9 inhabitants per square mile (620.1/km²). There were 3,347 housing units at an average density of 642.3 per square mile (248.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 89.70% White, 6.08% Asian, 0.82% African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 1.02% from other races, and 2.17% from two or more races, plus one of California's largest communities for Russian American and American Jewish ancestral groups. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.61% of the population. Many locals (the Conejo Valley and Simi Valley region in general) are of Italian, Portuguese and Spanish ethnic origins.

The median income for a household in the city is $120,089,[15] and the median income for a family is $148,885.[16] The per-capita income for the city was $137,355[17] in 2007, while the median home price was (as of 2007) $1,163,800.[17]

There were 3,270 households out of which 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.8% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.8% were non-families. 19.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the city the age distribution of the population shows 23.8% under the age of 18, 3.9% from 18 to 24, 23.1% from 25 to 44, 31.9% from 45 to 64, and 17.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 92.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.7 males. About 2.5% of families and 2.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.6% of those under age 18 and 2.8% of those age 65 or over.

Ethnic composition

Politics

In the state legislature Westlake Village is located in California's 27th State Senate district, represented by Democrat Fran Pavley, and in California's 44th State Assembly district, represented by Democrat Jacqui Irwin. Federally, Westlake Village is located in California's 26th congressional district, which has a Cook PVI of D +2 and is represented by Democrat Julia Brownley.

As of May 2009, 1,943 (33%) of the 5,876 registered voters in Westlake Village are registered as Democrats, 2,583 (44%) as Republicans, and 1,101 (19%) declined to state a party affiliation.[19]

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) operates the Malibu/Lost Hills Station in Calabasas, serving Westlake Village.[20][21]

Economy

Dole Food Company is headquartered in Westlake Village. In 1994 Dole announced that it would finalize its plans to build its world headquarters on a 30-acre (120,000 m2) site owned by the company, located north of the Ventura Freeway in Westlake Village. The decision had been delayed by groundwater contamination tests and reviewing of possible site plan revisions. Dole was expected to submit its plans for final approval by the Westlake Village City Council on February 9, 1994.[22] K-Swiss, Guitar Center, ValueClick, and Ryland Homes also have their headquarters in Westlake Village.[23]

Top employers

According to the City's 2009 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,[24] the top employers in the city are:

# Employer # of Employees
1 Bank of America Home Loans 630
2 Move 450
3 Dole 300
4 Farmers Insurance Group 300
5 Costco 300
6 K-Swiss 275
7 Securitas 250
8 Guitar Center 230
9 Westlake Village Inn 130

Notable residents

Mariel Hemingway
Mike Lieberthal

Notable current and former residents of Westlake Village include, in alphabetical order:

See also

References

  1. ↑ "California Cities by Incorporation Date" (WORD). California Association of Local Agency Formation Commissions. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
  2. ↑ "U.S. Census". Retrieved September 24, 2011.
  3. ↑ "USPS – ZIP Code Lookup – Find a ZIP+ 4 Code By City Results 91362". Retrieved January 18, 2007.
  4. ↑ "Westlake Village, CA Yellow Pages/Online Phone Book, Search Local Business Listings @". Dexknows.com. September 6, 2011. Retrieved September 24, 2011.
  5. ↑ "City History". City of Westlake Village. Retrieved June 15, 2009.
  6. ↑ "Westlake Village" The Los Angeles Conservancy Website. Retrieved 19 March 2014
  7. ↑ COLVIN, RICHARD LEE (1992-08-29). "Shipping Magnate Who Created Westlake Dies : Suburban: Daniel K. Ludwig was 95. In 1967, he began developing the area into one of nation's first instant cities.". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2015-03-15.
  8. ↑ Kuperberg, Jonathan (September 8, 2011). "‘Which Westlake?’". Thousand Oaks Acorn. Retrieved September 9, 2011.
  9. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  10. ↑ "CENSUS OF POPULATION AND HOUSING (1790–2000)". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 30, 2010.
  11. ↑ Census figure for 1980 was enumerated prior to incorporation.
  12. ↑ "2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Westlake Village city". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06/0684438.html. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  14. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "City-Data Statistics". City-Data.
  16. ↑ "Home Relocation Index 2007". Home-Relocation.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "City-Data Statistics". City-Data.
  18. ↑ "White," Mapping L.A., Los Angeles Times
  19. ↑ "Report of Registration as of May 4, 2009; Registration by Political Subdivision by County" (PDF). California Secretary of State. May 4, 2009. p. 131. Retrieved December 16, 2009.
  20. ↑ "Malibu/Lost Hills Station." Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Retrieved on January 21, 2010.
  21. ↑ "Calabasas city, California." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on January 21, 2010.
  22. ↑ "Dole gets ready to turn first shovel of headquarters dirt: plans are set to go to Westlake Village City Council. (Dole Food Co. Inc.)" Los Angeles Business Journal. January 31, 1994. Retrieved on September 27, 2009.
  23. ↑ "Contact Us." K-Swiss. Retrieved on January 12, 2010.
  24. ↑ "City of Westlake Village CAFR" (PDF). Retrieved September 24, 2011.
  25. ↑ "David Anderson". databaseFootball.com. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
  26. ↑ "James Caviezel's House". Virtual Globetrotting. Retrieved March 16, 2010.
  27. ↑ "Jimmy Clausen". Yahoo. Retrieved March 16, 2010.
  28. ↑ Deidre Woollard. "Lenny Dykstra House Auction Scheduled". Luxist. Retrieved March 16, 2010.
  29. ↑ David Leon Moore (November 7, 2009). "From superstars, sons emerge to lead Oaks Christian football". USA Today. Retrieved November 11, 2010.
  30. ↑ Loren Ledin (May 15, 2010). "Fighting for everything". Ventura County Star. Retrieved May 19, 2010.
  31. ↑ "Mariel Hemingway's House". Virtual Globetrotting. Retrieved March 16, 2010.
  32. ↑ "Hulk Hogan's House (former)". Virtual Globetrotting. Retrieved March 16, 2010.
  33. ↑ "Cobi Jones". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on 31 August 2006. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
  34. ↑ "Scarlett Keegan". IMDb. Retrieved March 16, 2010.
  35. ↑ Sophia Fischer (July 24, 2008). "Westlake High student to star in upcoming 'Scooby Doo'film". The Acorn. J.Bee NP Publishing, Ltd. Retrieved March 16, 2010.
  36. ↑ http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_15_96/ai_55983443 google.com
  37. ↑ Los Angeles Dodgers Public Relations (December 6, 2006). "Dodgers sign Lieberthal to one-year deal". Retrieved March 16, 2010.
  38. ↑ "Biography for Jonathan Lipnicki". IMDb. Retrieved March 16, 2010.
  39. ↑ Ryon, Ruth (June 25, 2006). "Westlake Village melodrama". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 9, 2011.
  40. ↑ Nina Metz (October 5, 2008). "At home, 'Brady Bunch' sis, Maureen McCormick, meets 'Andy of Mayberry'". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 16, 2010.
  41. ↑ nytimes.com
  42. ↑ Eggers, Kerry (October 22, 2009). "19 Questions for Eddie Money". Portland Tribune. Retrieved September 9, 2011.
  43. ↑ "John Ratzenberger's House". Virtual Globetrotting. Retrieved March 16, 2010.
  44. ↑ "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Season 1, Episode 8". BRAVO TV. Retrieved December 9, 2010.
  45. ↑ Scott, Danny (December 2, 2007). "A Life in the Day: Mickey Rooney". The Times. Retrieved September 9, 2011.
  46. ↑ "Bas Rutten Biography". Retrieved March 16, 2010.
  47. ↑ KAREN CROUSE (October 3, 2009). "For Scioscia, Long Drives to Success With Angels". New York Times. Retrieved March 16, 2010.
  48. ↑ ERIC HARRISON and SUSAN KING (September 24, 1999). "George C. Scott Dies at 71; Refused Oscar for 'Patton'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 16, 2010.
  49. ↑ "http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?section=magazine&id=3717497 ESPN Magazine". Sports.espn.go.com. April 4, 2011. Retrieved September 24, 2011.
  50. ↑ "Player Bio: Mike Seidman". UCLA Athletics. Retrieved September 9, 2011.
  51. ↑ Ryon, Ruth (September 19, 2004). "Livin' large on the Westside – Los Angeles Times". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 9, 2011.
  52. ↑ Guillermo del Toro (July 27, 2008). "How I made Hellboy in my image". The Observer. Guardian News and Media Limited. Retrieved March 16, 2010.
  53. ↑ "Suspended NFL Agent Gary Wichard Dies at 60". Associated Press. Retrieved September 9, 2011.
  54. ↑ Meyers,, Jeff (March 4, 1990). "Westlake High Product Eric Wynalda Making a Strong Bid to Join U.S. Team for the Biggest Soccer Event of All". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 9, 2011.
  55. ↑ "Robert Young: Biography". TV Guide. Retrieved March 16, 2010.

External links