STATISTICAL INFORMATION
The City of West Covina was incorporated in
1923 to prevent the City of Covina from
establishing a sewage farm within the current
city boundaries. The 507 residents of the area
banded together to maintain local control of
their land. Walnut and orange groves
continued to flourish during the following
decades.
The City of West Covina began the second-
half of the 20th century with exciting new
developments and projects. The City Hall
and Police facility were built in 1969 as an
example of a Joint Powers Authority in the
County of Los Angeles. The Civic Center
Joint Powers Authority, consisting of the
County of Los Angeles and the City of West
Covina, also completed a three-level parking
structure in the Civic Center complex. The
Civic Center complex includes the Los
Angeles County Regional Library, the Citrus
Municipal Court building and the City Hall
offices.
The city is substantially "built out" with few
major vacant development sites remaining.
The city is a residential and commercial
center with limited industry. Retail
merchandising is the principal business
activity. Large corporations have been
attracted to the San Gabriel Valley due to:
- Accessible freeways
- Available skilled labor pool
- Affordable housing
- Strong clientele base
- Competitive land prices and rental rates
Government Organizational Structure
West Covina is a full-service, general-law
city, providing police and fire services as well
as street maintenance and repair, building and
engineering, planning, and parks and
recreational activities. The City Manager is
the chief administrator of all city services and
oversees the functioning of the City on a daily
basis in accordance with policies established
by the City Council. The City Manager is
appointed by the City Council.
As a general-law city, West Covina operates
through the Council-Manager form of
municipal government. The five City Council
members are elected at large to overlapping
terms of four years and annually select one of
their members to serve as Mayor. The City
Council is the legislative body responsible for
the overall policies and direction for the City.
They are the citizens' representatives in local
government. The City Council appoints
residents to serve on several commissions.
Population and Housing
According to the Department of Finance,
historical census shows the city population
at 769 in 1930, 4,499 in 1950, 68,034 in
1970, 80,291 in 1980 and 96,086 in 1990.
This increased to 105,080 on 2000, and
January 2006 estimates are at 112,459.
In 2011 city population is projected to be
about 115,869, according to Claritas, Inc., a
marketing information resources company.
Residential areas within the city are
comprised primarily of single-family
detached housing. There are a few pockets
of apartment and condominium/town home
developments. In 2006 Claritas, Inc.
estimates that the tenure of occupied
housing units are 65.9% owner-occupied
and 34.13% renter-occupied. One-unit
attached and detached structures account for
73.6% of West Covina's housing. About
25.3% consist of multiple - unit dwellings,
and the remaining 1% are mobile
homes/trailers, RV, etc. The 2006 estimated
median for all owner-occupied housing
value is $376,391.
The residential areas are generally well-
maintained, middle-class neighborhoods.
Because the city is substantially "built out,"
future population growth is not expected to
be dramatic. The City plans to invest
redevelopment-housing funds into certain
residential areas over the next ten years.
This redevelopment is not expected to
significantly alter the city's population.
Personal Income and Demographics
According to data supplied by Claritas, Inc.,
the 2006 estimated average household
income is $63,792 for the five-mile trade
area whose center is the intersection of the I-
10 Freeway and Sunset Avenue (situated
approximately at the northwest corner of the
regional mall). The median household
income for this five-mile trade area is
$52,537, with 52.1% of households having
incomes over $50,000. The 2006 estimated
median household income for the City is
higher at $60,670. The 2006 estimated
citywide average household income is
$73,020. Citywide, 59.3% of all households
have incomes $50,000 and over.
The 2006 estimated base population for the
five-mile trade area is 543,704 and base
population of 254,921 within a three-mile
trade area. In 2011, it is projected to increase
to 572,130 and 266,510 respectively.
2006 Estimated Households by Household Income
West Covina Residents By Major Profession -- 2005 Estimate
(Employed persons 16 years old and over)
Type And Mix Of Business In West Covina
Major West Covina Employers
Unemployment Rates
Transportation
The city's close proximity to several major
sources of transportation gives the residents
access to regional, national and international
markets.
The Ontario International Airport is located
20 miles east of the city and is serviced by
most domestic carriers. The Los Angeles
International Airport is located 40 miles
west of the City.
The Metropolitan Transit District serves the
city locally with two routes. West Covina
serves as a transit hub for bus service within
the San Gabriel Valley. Together, the
nationally award-winning Foothill Transit
District and the Los Angeles County
Metropolitan Transportation Authority
(MTA), provide over 400 bus arrivals and
departures in West Covina daily. These
buses serve express and local routes
throughout West Covina and the greater Los
Angeles County area.
The city is served by two Metrolink train
stations in the nearby cities of Covina and
Baldwin Park. Metrolink provides daily
light-rail commuter train service between
residential and major commercial areas
within Los Angeles, Riverside, San
Bernardino and Ventura Counties.
The City also offers local shuttle bus
service, providing convenient connections
between regional malls, Civic Center, Senior
Citizens' Center, regional hospital facilities
and the Baldwin Park Metrolink train
station.
West Covina enjoys easy access to the Los
Angeles Freeway System. A major freeway,
Interstate 10 (the San Bernardino Freeway)
runs through the northern section of the city.
The following major freeways also serve the
city:
State Highway 60 (Pomona Freeway) to the
south;
Interstate 605 (San Gabriel Valley River
Freeway) to the West; and
State Highway 57 (Orange Freeway) to the
east.
Education
There are 13 public and nine private
elementary schools, three middle schools,
two high schools, one continuation high
school, one adult school and numerous
preschools and vocational schools within the
city. According to the Bureau of Census,
school enrollment in 2000 totaled 33,792:
40.8 % in elementary, 21.3 % in high
school, 28% in college/graduate school and
the remainder in preschool/kindergarten.
Within a 30-mile radius of West Covina are
many educational facilities of all levels.
With a selection from nearby universities
and community colleges, residents have a
wide choice to continue or complete their
education, including:
Community Colleges
- Citrus Community College
- Mount San Antonio College
- Rio Hondo Community College
- Whittier Community College
- Pasadena City College
Four Year Universities
While there are no Universities within the City, there are a number of universities located several miles nearby. They are as follows:
- Azusa Pacific University
- California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
- California State University:
Los Angeles
Fullerton
- Claremont McKenna College
- Claremont School of Theology
- Immaculate Heart College
- Occidental College
- Osteopathic School of Medicine
- Pitzer College
- Pomona College
- Royken College
- University of La Verne
- Woodbury University
Education
2006 Estimate
Education of City Residents (25 and over)
Community Facilities
West Covina has five medical facilities and
one trauma center. There are over 200
physicians and surgeons, ten chiropractors,
and fifty dentists and orthodontists serving
the community. Hospitals providing health
care include Citrus Valley Health Partners
0(three facilities), Kaiser Permanente
Medical Group and Doctor's Hospital of
West Covina.
There are sixteen parks and two recreation
centers with programs for sports and
recreation. The Senior Citizens' Center
houses the City's senior welfare programs
and hosts tournaments, trips and social
gatherings. The construction of the 24,000
square - foot Cameron Community Center
and Gymnasium was completed in February
2004.
Because of the city's central location, many
attractions, including mountain and beach
resorts, are all within an hour's drive.
DEMOGRAPHICS
West Covina's population growth has
leveled off in the 1990s now that the city is
essentially "built out". The 2000 U.S.
Census has the city's population at 105,080
residents. Some significant trends have
developed with respect to the population
mix in recent years. The median age has
been rising due to relatively fewer school-
age children (5-19) and young adults (20-24)
with relatively more adults (25-44) and
elderly (65+). Also, the minority population
has increased to 77% of the total population,
with significant increases in the number of
Hispanic, Asian and African-American
residents. To accommodate these changes,
the City has stressed programs for seniors
and participated in events that promote
cultural diversity.
City of West Covina Ethnicity: 1980, 1990 and 2000
City of West Covina Characteristics of Population 1970-2000
City of West Covina and Los Angeles County Household Type: 2000
FINANCIAL TREND INDICATORS
A. Real Growth In Per Capita Operating Budget
From fiscal year 1988-1989 to fiscal year 2006-2007, the operating budget in 1988 constant dollars
increased 10% or 0.53% annually. This was achieved despite a severe recession and the loss of
about $4 million annually in landfill revenues. In addition, the State of California mandated the
reallocation of over $1 million in annual property tax revenue to other local governments. During
this period, there has been a significant shift away from the General Fund toward restricted funds.
Budget constraints have resulted in per capita spending that fluctuated over the years. Nevertheless,
the level and quality of services have not been significantly impacted thanks to increased efficiencies
in the delivery of City services.
B. Real Growth In Police Department Budget
In constant dollars, the Police Department budget has grown by 33.37% from fiscal year 1988-1989 to fiscal year 2006-2007 or an average of 1.75% annually. This was greater than the 0.53% average annual growth in the annual operating budget. The increase in the Police Department's budget reflects the City Council's commitment to public safety. Though police operations are
primarily funded from the City's General Fund, an active grants solicitation program has reduced the impact on the City's General Fund.
FIVE-YEAR BUDGET TRENDS
The City has been able to maintain services, despite increased budget demands, through greater
efficiencies and increased resourcefulness. The following charts: population, number of full-
time employees, number of department heads and capital improvements, illustrate the City's
trends and commitment to reinvesting in the community.
POPULATION
The City's population rose by 7.5% between 2000-2001 and 2004-2005.
FULL TIME EMPLOYEES
The number of authorized full-time positions has increased employees has increased by 5% from 417 in 2001-2002 to 438 in 2006-2007.
CITIZENS SERVED BY EMPLOYEE
The citizen-to-employee ratio is 257 to one.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT BUDGET
In fiscal year 2001-2002, the CIP budget was $9,536,500 but this has decreased to $ 6,317,700 in FY 2005-2006.
Source: HdL Coren & Cone, Los Angeles County Assessor 2005/06 Combined Tax Rolls NC607111325 Page 1
This report is not to be used in support of debt issuance or continuing disclosure statements without the written consent of HdL, Coren & Cone.
|