Pomona is the location of California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona). This university was established on the site of breakfast cereal magnate W.K. Kellogg's ranch located on the city's western corner. The university has over 21,000 students and cover an area of over 1,437 acres (5.82 km) which makes it the second largest land-holding university in the California State University system, and is known for its engineering and architectural programs which are very selective and nationally ranked. Other higher-education institution is the Western University of Health Sciences located downtown offering programs ranging from veterinary medicine to nursing to osteopathic medicine.
The city is also the home of the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds and the L.A. County Fair.
Pomona is not the site of Pomona College. Although this private liberal arts institution was founded in the city in 1887, its campus has been in neighboring Claremont since 1889.
Since the 1980s, Pomona's newest neighborhood Phillips Ranch, experienced rapid growth with. Homes are still being built in the hilly area between Downtown and Diamond Bar. Today, Phillips Ranch is nearly all residential. Northern Pomona has seen some gentrification with additional housing units added and revamped streetscapes.
Aside from Pomona's educational assets, Pomona is also known for hosting the NHRA Powerade Winternationals Drag Racing venue.
2005 160,815 2000 149,473 1990 131,723 1980 92,742 1970 87,384 1960 67,157 1950 35,405 1940 23,539 1930 20,804 1920 13,505 1910 10,207 1900 5,526 1890 3,634
As of the census of 2000, there were 149,473 people, 37,855 households, and 29,791 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,526.8/km² (6,544.3/mi²). There were 39,598 housing units at an average density of 669.4/km² (1,733.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 41.76% White, 9.63% African American, 1.26% Native American, 7.20% Asian, 0.21% Pacific Islander, 34.93% from other races, and 5.01% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 64.47% of the population.
There were 37,855 households out of which 49.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.7% were married couples living together, 16.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.3% were non-families. 15.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.82 and the average family size was 4.22.
In the city the population was spread out with 34.6% under the age of 18, 13.0% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 15.5% from 45 to 64, and 6.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 26 years. For every 100 females there were 102.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.1 males.
The total employment for Pomona as of 2005 is 57,870. The top employers include Pomona Unified School District, California State Polytechnic University, Hamilton Sundstrand, Pomona Valley Medical Center, Casa Colina Center for Rehabilitation, and Lanterman Developmental Center, and a large residential facility for persons for severe/profound developmental disabilities.
The median income for a household in the city was $40,021, and the median income for a family was $40,852. Males had a median income of $30,195 versus $26,135 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,336. About 17.1% of families and 21.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.4% of those under age 18 and 11.7% of those age 65 or over.
Pomona is served by several transit systems including:
Several freeways also run through the City of Pomona.
In Pomona is based the Southern California Edison’s Electric Vehicle (EV) Technical Center.