The city's population as a whole has grown since its founding days but has experienced rapid growth particularly starting in the 1990s. It has increased from 77,807 in 1990 to 83,680 in 2000 and is projected to grow to 90,041 in 2010.
Los Angeles County Fire Department Station 28 (Engine, Quint, Paramedic Squad, Mobile Aid, and a Battalion Chief), Station 17 (Engine), Station 59 (Engine and EST) serve the community.
As of the census of 2000, there were 83,680 people, 28,271 households, and 20,468 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,208.4/km² (5,719.4/mi²). There were 28,977 housing units at an average density of 764.7/km² (1,980.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 43.2% White, 1.2% African American, 1.3% Native American, 3.3% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 25.8% from other races, and 5.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 65.9% of the population. [1]
There were 28,271 households out of which 37.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.5% were married couples living together, 14.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.6% were non-families. 22.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.88 and the average family size was 3.38.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.3% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 30.6% from 25 to 44, 18.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 94.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $49,256, and the median income for a family was $55,726. Males had a median income of $40,394 versus $34,223 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,409. About 7.8% of families and 10.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.7% of those under age 18 and 8.0% of those age 65 or over.
There are a variety of bus routes operating within the city with Foothill Transit, Montebello Bus Lines and the Norwalk Transit being the leading bus lines used within the city. Other bus routes operating in the city include the Metro,The Sunshine Shuttle starting at Beaty Ave all the way through The Whitwood Town Center, Line 121 Whitwood starting at Aviation Station (Metrorail Green Line) and ending at the Whittwood Town Center. The city also has a variety of freeways with the San Gabriel River Freeway (I-605) running right along the northern end of the city. State Route 72 runs via Whittier Boulevard and forms part of El Camino Real.