La Habra – archaic spelling of – is a city in the northwestern corner of
Orange County, California
Orange County (officially the County of Orange; often initialized O.C.) is a county (United States), county located in the Los Angeles metropolitan area in Southern California, United States. As of the 2020 United States census, the population ...
, United States. In the
2010 census, the city had a population of 60,239.
History
Origin of name
The name referred to the "Pass Through the Hills," the natural pass through the
hills to the north first discovered and used by Spanish explorers of the
Portola expedition Portola may refer to:
* Portola (album), ''Portola'' (album), a 1998 album by Rose Melberg
* Portola, California
* Portola, San Francisco, California
* Portola Music Festival
People with the surname
* Gaspar de Portolá (ca. 1717-aft.1784), Spanish ...
on
July 30, 1769.
In 1839, when the area was part of
Alta California
Alta California (, ), also known as Nueva California () among other names, was a province of New Spain formally established in 1804. Along with the Baja California peninsula, it had previously comprised the province of , but was made a separat ...
, vast herds of cattle and horses grazed over the hills and valleys of Southern California. Mariano Reyes Roldan was granted in that year and named his land
Rancho Cañada de La Habra. In the 1860s,
Abel Stearns purchased Rancho La Habra.
Historical information
La Habra was founded in 1896.
The first post office in the town was established in 1898 in a corner of Coy's Store at Central (now La Habra Boulevard) and Euclid Street.
The city was incorporated under general law on January 20, 1925, with a population of 3,000. The police force was organized in 1926 and employed a chief, traffic officer and patrolman. By 1928, the city was the largest avocado center in Southern California. In 1930, the first fire department building was constructed followed by the original City Hall in 1935. By 1950, the population reached nearly 5,000. The Civic Center took shape when the existing County Library was dedicated in 1966, followed by the present administration building in 1969.
For more than 70 years, La Habra was known as the city just south of La Habra Heights, where the
'Hass' avocado, of the 'Hass' avocado mother tree, was planted by Rudolph Hass in the 1920s.
The
fruit
In botany, a fruit is the seed-bearing structure in flowering plants (angiosperms) that is formed from the ovary after flowering.
Fruits are the means by which angiosperms disseminate their seeds. Edible fruits in particular have long propaga ...
from this tree has since become one of the most popular avocado cultivars worldwide. The 'Hass' mother tree succumbed to root rot in 2002.
The
La Habra Stakes, run since 1973 at the
Santa Anita Park
Santa Anita Park is a Thoroughbred racetrack in Arcadia, California, United States. It offers some of the prominent horse racing events in the United States during early fall, winter and in spring. The track is home to numerous prestigious race ...
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a list of horse breeds, horse breed developed for Thoroughbred racing, horse racing. Although the word ''thoroughbred'' is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thorough ...
race track
A race track (racetrack, racing track or racing circuit) is a facility built for racing of vehicles, athletes, or animals (e.g. horse racing or greyhound racing). A race track also may feature grandstands or concourses. Race tracks are also us ...
, is named for La Habra.
The city contracts with the
Los Angeles County Fire Department
The Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACoFD) provides firefighting and emergency medical services for the unincorporated parts of Los Angeles County, California, as well as 59 cities through Contract city, contracting, including the city of ...
for EMS and fire protection.
Law enforcement is provided by the La Habra Police Department, which in 2008 employed about 70 officers. From 2004 to 2008, they ranked third in the number of officer-involved shootings among twenty Orange County municipal police departments. One case among these, the 2007
death of Michael Cho, resulted in a
wrongful death
Wrongful death is a type of legal claim or cause of action against a person who can be held liable for a death. The claim is brought in a civil action, usually by close relatives, as authorized by statute. In wrongful death cases, survivors are ...
lawsuit against the city which was settled in September 2010 for $250,000.
A shopping plaza and post office were built in the 1970s on the site of a lake built by a rancher with Monkey Island where he let feral monkeys roam.
Geography
According to the
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau, officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the Federal statistical system, U.S. federal statistical system, responsible for producing data about the American people and American economy, econ ...
, the city has a total area of , with 0.08% covered by water.
It is bordered by
La Habra Heights on the north,
Brea on the east,
Fullerton on the south and southeast,
La Mirada on the west and southwest,
East Whittier on the west,
Whittier on the northwest, and a small unnamed section of unincorporated Los Angeles County on the northeast.
Climate
According to the
Köppen climate classification
The Köppen climate classification divides Earth climates into five main climate groups, with each group being divided based on patterns of seasonal precipitation and temperature. The five main groups are ''A'' (tropical), ''B'' (arid), ''C'' (te ...
, La Habra has a
hot-summer Mediterranean climate
A Mediterranean climate ( ), also called a dry summer climate, described by Köppen and Trewartha as ''Cs'', is a temperate climate type that occurs in the lower mid-latitudes (normally 30 to 44 north and south latitude). Such climates typic ...
, ''Csa'' on climate maps.
Demographics
La Habra first appeared as a city in the
1930 U.S. Census.
[ Prior to 1930, the area was part of Brea Township (pop 2,515 in 1920).][
]
2020
2010
At the 2010 census, La Habra had a population of 60,239. The population density was . The racial makeup of La Habra was 35,147 (58.3%) White (30.2% non-Hispanic White), 1,025 (1.7%) African American, 531 (0.9%) Native American, 5,653 (9.4%) Asian, 103 (0.2%) Pacific Islander, 15,224 (25.3%) from other races, and 2,556 (4.2%) from two or more races. There were 34,449 Hispanic or Latino residents of any race (57.2%).
The census reported that 59,899 people (99.4% of the population) lived in households, 169 (0.3%) lived in noninstitutionalized group quarters, and 171 (0.3%) were institutionalized.
Of the 18,977 households, 7,937 (41.8%) had children under 18 living in them, 10,078 (53.1%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 2,905 (15.3%) had a female householder with no husband present, 1,327 (7.0%) had a male householder with no wife present, 1,158 (6.1%) were unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 119 (0.6%) were same-sex married couples or partnerships; 3,651 households (19.2%) were one person and 1,440 (7.6%) had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 3.16. There were 14,310 families (75.4% of households); the average family size was 3.58.
The age distribution was 16,062 people (26.7%) under 18, 6,353 people (10.5%) 18 to 24, 17,349 (28.8%) 25 to 44, 13,926 people (23.1%) 45 to 64, and 6,549 people (10.9%) who were 65 or older. The median age was 33.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.0 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 94.0 males.
The 19,924 housing units had an average density of 2,701.2 per square mile, of the occupied units 10,941 (57.7%) were owner-occupied and 8,036 (42.3%) were rented. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.5%; the rental vacancy rate was 6.2%. About 33,609 people (55.8% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units, and 26,290 people (43.6%) lived in rental housing units.
According to the 2010 United States Census, La Habra had a median household income of $60,954, with 14.0% of the population living below the federal poverty line.
2000
At the 2000 census, 58,974 people in 18,947 households, including 14,020 families, lived in the city. The population density averaged 8,045.8 inhabitants per square mile (3,106.4/km). The 19,441 housing units had an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 41.4% White, 1.4% Black or African American, 1.0% Native American, 6.0% Asian, 2.4% from other races, and 4.7% from two or more races. About 49.0% of the population were Hispanic
The term Hispanic () are people, Spanish culture, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or broadly. In some contexts, Hispanic and Latino Americans, especially within the United States, "Hispanic" is used as an Ethnici ...
s or Latinos of any race.
Of the 19,042 households, 39.3% had children under 18 living with them, 54.5% were married couples living together, 13.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.0% were not families. About 21.0% of households were one person and 8.0% were one person 65 or older. The average household size was 3.08 and the average family size was 3.56.
The age distribution was 29.1% under 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 31.7% from 25 to 44, 18.2% from 45 to 64, and 10.8% 65 or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.1 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 94.7 males.
The median household income was $47,652 and the median family income was $51,971. Males had a median income of $36,813 versus $30,466 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,923. About 19.1% of families and 22.9% of the population were below the poverty line
The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line, or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...
.
Economy
Top employers
According to the city's 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:
Government
La Habra's mayor is rotated among current city council members. The mayor for 2024/2025 is Rose Espinoza. Current council members include Mayor Pro-Tem Jose Medrano, James Gomez, Daren Nigsarian and Delwin Lampkin.
In the California State Legislature
The California State Legislature is the bicameral state legislature of the U.S. state of California, consisting of the California State Assembly (lower house with 80 members) and the California State Senate (upper house with 40 members). ...
, La Habra is in , and in .
In the United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is a chamber of the Bicameralism, bicameral United States Congress; it is the lower house, with the U.S. Senate being the upper house. Together, the House and Senate have the authority under Artic ...
, La Habra is in .
Politics
According to the California secretary of state
The secretary of state of California is the chief clerk of the U.S. state of California, overseeing a department of 500 people. The Secretary of state (U.S. state government), secretary of state is elected for four year terms, like the state's o ...
, as of October 22, 2018, La Habra has 27,439 registered voters. Of those, 10,369 (37.79%) were registered Democrats, 8,745 (31.87%) were registered Republicans, and 7,150 (26.06%) have declined to state a political party/are independents.
Education
The city of La Habra is mainly served by the La Habra City School District for elementary and middle-school students and the Fullerton Joint Union High School District for high-school students, but portions of La Habra are also redirected to other school districts closer to homes of some residents.
Public schools:
* La Habra City School District
* Brea Olinda Unified School District
* Fullerton School District
* Lowell Joint School District
* Fullerton Joint Union High School District
** Sonora High School
** La Habra High School
Private schools:
* Whittier Christian High School
Transportation
Though La Habra has no freeways and three California state highways; SR 39 (covers Whittier and Beach Boulevards), SR 90 ( Imperial Highway), and SR 72 (Whittier Boulevard) serve the city. The four major thoroughfares include Whittier Boulevard, Beach Boulevard, Imperial Highway, and Harbor Boulevard
Harbor Boulevard (formerly Spadra Road) is a north–south road corridor in the counties of Los Angeles and Orange. One of the busiest routes in Orange County, the thoroughfare passes through some of the most densely populated areas in the re ...
. Idaho Street, Euclid Street, and Palm Street are local north–south arterials and La Habra Boulevard and Lambert Road are local west–east arterials.
Notable people
* Rusty Anderson - a guitarist, singer, songwriter and music producer
A record producer or music producer is a music creating project's overall supervisor whose responsibilities can involve a range of creative and technical leadership roles. Typically the job involves hands-on oversight of recording sessions; ensu ...
, was born and raised in La Habra.
* Librado Andrade - a Mexican boxer in the super middleweight
Super middleweight, or light cruiserweight, is a weight class in combat sports.
Boxing
In professional boxing, super middleweight is contested between the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions, in which boxers can weigh between 160 pounds ( ...
division and older brother of Enrique, was raised in La Habra.
* Brent Boyd - a graduate of Lowell HS 1975, played football at UCLA, Minnesota Vikings 1980–86, considered the "father of concussion awareness"
*Boyd Coddington
Boyd Coddington (August 28, 1944 – February 27, 2008) was an American hot rod designer, the owner of the Boyd Coddington Hot Rod Shop, and star of ''American Hot Rod'' on TLC (TV channel), TLC.
Early life, education and early career
Coddingto ...
- hot rod builder
* Cathy Cooper - stylist, artist, model
* Jack Cooper - composer, arranger, woodwind player
* Jeanette Dimech - Spanish singer
* Jesse Sandoval Flores - a Major League Baseball pitcher (1942–50), played for the Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Athletics, and Cleveland Indians.
* The Funeral Pyre - Blackened death metal band
* Greg Gaines- LA Rams Super Bowl LVI-winning NFL player
* Natalie Golda - water polo player, Olympian
* Jennifer Hanson - country music singer
* Jenna Haze - adult film actress
* Ronnie Hillman - NFL running back
* William Hodgman - lawyer and prosecutor known for his work in the O. J. Simpson murder case
''The People of the State of California v. Orenthal James Simpson'' was a Criminal procedure, criminal trial in Los Angeles County Superior Court, in which former National Football League, NFL player and actor O. J. Simpson was tried and acquitt ...
* Daniel Hoffman - musician, film producer
* Mark Kostabi - modern artist and composer
* John N. Lotz - Air National Guard
The Air National Guard (ANG), also known as the Air Guard, is a Reserve components of the United States Armed Forces, federal military reserve force of the United States Air Force, as well as the air militia (United States), militia of each U.S. ...
brigadier general
* Ann Meyers - basketball player, Olympian, first player to be part of the U.S. National team while still in high school
* Dave Meyers - basketball player, two-time NCAA Champion teams at UCLA, played for Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are an American professional basketball team based in Milwaukee. The Bucks compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Central Division (NBA), Central Division of the Eastern Conference (NBA), East ...
1975-80
* Margarita McCoy - urban planner
* Alan Newman - Major League Baseball (MLB) player
*Richard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon (January 9, 1913April 22, 1994) was the 37th president of the United States, serving from 1969 until Resignation of Richard Nixon, his resignation in 1974. A member of the Republican Party (United States), Republican ...
- U.S. President, opened a law office in La Habra in 1938
* Enrique Ornelas - Mexican boxer in the middleweight
Middleweight is a weight class in combat sports.
Boxing Professional
In professional boxing, the middleweight division is contested above and up to .
Early boxing history is less than exact, but the middleweight designation seems to have beg ...
division and younger brother of Librado; raised in La Habra.
* Anne Ramsay - actress
* Cruz Reynoso - first Latino Justice on California Supreme Court
* Bubby Rossman - MLB pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are an American professional baseball team based in Philadelphia. The Phillies compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East Division. Since 2004, the team's home stadium has ...
* Josh Staumont - MLB pitcher for the Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are an American professional baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. The team ...
*Nadya Suleman
Natalie Denise Suleman (born Nadya Denise Doud-Suleman; July 11, 1975), known as Octomom in the media, is an American media personality who came to international attention when she gave birth to the first surviving multiple birth, octuplets in Ja ...
- mother of the longest-living octuplets, also known as the "Octomom"
*Diane Wakoski
Diane Wakoski (born August 3, 1937) is an American poet. Wakoski is primarily associated with the deep image poets, as well as the confessional and Beat poets of the 1960s. She received considerable attention in the 1980s for controversial com ...
- poet and essayist, winner of the William Carlos Williams award for her book ''Emerald Ice''
* Jonwayne - rapper and producer, previously signed to Stones Throw Records
Stones Throw Records is an American independent record label based in Los Angeles, California. Under the direction of founder Peanut Butter Wolf, Stones Throw has released music ranging from hip hop to experimental psychedelic rock. ''LA Weekly'' ...
, more recently released music via his Authors Recording Company imprint
*Zebrahead
Zebrahead is an American rock band from La Habra, California, formed in 1996. The group's current line-up comprises rapper Ali Tabatabaee, bassist Ben Osmundson, drummer Ed Udhus, lead guitarist Dan Palmer and lead vocalist and rhythm guita ...
- punk rock/pop punk band
*Norma Zimmer
Norma Zimmer (July 13, 1923 – May 10, 2011) was an American vocalist, best remembered for her 22-year tenure as Lawrence Welk's "Champagne Lady" on ''The Lawrence Welk Show''.
Early years
Born Norma Larsen on a dairy farm in Shoshone County, I ...
- honorary mayor of the City of La Habra in 1975 and featured singer and "Champagne Lady" of the ''Lawrence Welk Show''
References
External links
Official website
La Habra Chamber of Commerce
{{authority control
1898 establishments in California
Cities in Orange County, California
Incorporated cities and towns in California
Populated places established in 1898