West Covina is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Located east of downtown Los Angeles in the central San Gabriel Valley, it is part of Greater Los Angeles. The population for the city was 109,501 at the 2020 census.
West Covina is bordered by Covina to the northeast, Baldwin Park and Irwindale to the northwest, La Puente and Valinda to the southwest, Industry to the south, Walnut Islands to the east, and Walnut to the southeast.
History The Tongva were the earliest inhabitants of the San Gabriel Valley. Governor Pío Pico sold much of the land of West Covina to John Rowland and William Workman in 1845.
The first permanent settlers arrived in West Covina in 1905. Most famous among them were William Payne, Bob Dancer, Bender, Robinson and Larsen. They cleared the land of sagebrush and cactus. They also planted the first walnut trees in the area.
West Covina was incorporated as an independent city in 1923 to prevent the city of Covina from building a sewage farm in the area. Benjamin Franklin Maxson Jr. (1897–1928) initiated the incorporation process and served as the founding mayor. The population in 1930 was 769 and grew to 1,549 in 1940. As a result of remarkable expansion during the post–World War II building boom, West Covina became one of the fastest-growing U.S. cities between 1950 and 1960, experiencing a growth in population of 1,025.69%, going from fewer than 5,000 to more than 50,000 citizens. The decades 1960 and 2000 demonstrated steady growth for West Covina, which had slowed significantly by the time of the 2010 census.
A 2020 ranking of the fiscal health of California cities issued by State Auditor Elaine Howle's office placed West Covina as the ninth-worst in the state. The city was also audited by the state the same year, as the state auditor had determined that the city's poor finances put it at high risk for default.
The world's largest collection of shoehorns is housed in the Shoehorn Museum in West Covina. The state of California's largest hazardous waste landfill is also in the city. The California Department of Toxic Substances Control currently estimates clean up of the landfill will cost nearly $1 billion.https://dtsc.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/31/2021/03/FINAL-Cost-Estimate-Fact-Sheet-KS-23Feb2021-022521.SM_JW03152021B-434comp.pdf]
Geography
Climate The San Gabriel Valley region has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate, with summer temperatures averaging above .
Demographics
West Covina first appeared as a city in the 1930 U.S. Census.
+West Covina city, California – Racial and ethnic compositionRace / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)Pop 1980Pop 1990Pop 2000Pop 2010% 1980% 1990% 2000% 2010White alone (NH)52,64038,83124,12416,19611,79365.56%40.41%22.96%15.27%10.77%Black or African American alone (NH)4,4017,7636,3144,2603,7135.48%8.08%6.01%4.02%3.39%Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)5333433042322170.66%0.36%0.29%0.22%0.20%Asian alone (NH)5,52515,67523,54326,83433,0976.88%16.31%22.40%25.29%30.23%Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH)1721421490.16%0.13%0.14%Other Race alone (NH)2282211961885410.28%0.23%0.19%0.18%0.49%Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)xx2,3761,7751,889xx2.26%1.67%1.73%Hispanic or Latino (any race)16,96433,25348,05156,47158,10221.13%34.61%45.73%53.23%53.06%Total80,29196,086105,080106,098109,501100.00%100.00%100.00%100.00%100.00%
2020 The 2020 United States census reported that West Covina had a population of 109,501. The population density was . The racial makeup of West Covina was 20.1% White, 3.7% African American, 1.6% Native American, 30.7% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 25.3% from other races, and 18.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 53.1% of the population.
The census reported that 99.5% of the population lived in households, 0.3% lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0.2% were institutionalized.
There were 33,627 households, out of which 35.2% included children under the age of 18, 51.1% were married-couple households, 6.5% were cohabiting couple households, 26.9% had a female householder with no partner present, and 15.5% had a male householder with no partner present. 15.8% of households were one person, and 7.5% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 3.24. There were 26,380 families (78.4% of all households).
The age distribution was 19.7% under the age of 18, 10.1% aged 18 to 24, 27.0% aged 25 to 44, 26.7% aged 45 to 64, and 16.4% who were 65years of age or older. The median age was 39.4years. For every 100 females, there were 94.3 males.
There were 34,834 housing units at an average density of , of which 33,627 (96.5%) were occupied. Of these, 59.9% were owner-occupied, and 40.1% were occupied by renters.
In 2023, the US Census Bureau estimated that the median household income was $98,570, and the per capita income was $38,100. About 7.7% of families and 9.7% of the population were below the poverty line.
2010 The 2010 United States Census reported that West Covina had a population of 106,098. The population density was . The racial makeup of West Covina was 42.8% White (15.3% Non-Hispanic White), 4.5% Black, 1.0% Native American, 25.8% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 21.3% from other races, and 4.4% from two or more races. Persons of Hispanic or Latino origin were 53.2%.
The Census reported that 105,424 people (99.4% of the population) lived in households, 351 (0.3%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 323 (0.3%) were institutionalized.
There were 31,596 households, out of which 13,670 (43.3%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 17,650 (55.9%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 5,402 (17.1%) had a female householder with no husband present, 2,308 (7.3%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 1,664 (5.3%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 202 (0.6%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 4,795 households (15.2%) were made up of individuals, and 2,164 (6.8%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.34. There were 25,360 families (80.3% of all households); the average family size was 3.68.
The population was spread out, with 26,075 people (24.6%) under the age of 18, 11,326 people (10.7%) aged 18 to 24, 28,860 people (27.2%) aged 25 to 44, 26,974 people (25.4%) aged 45 to 64, and 12,863 people (12.1%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.7 males.
There were 32,705 housing units at an average density of , of which 20,703 (65.5%) were owner-occupied, and 10,893 (34.5%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.1%; the rental vacancy rate was 4.8%. 70,474 people (66.4% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 34,950 people (32.9%) lived in rental housing units.
During 20092013, West Covina had a median household income of $67,088, with 10% of the population living below the federal poverty line.
In 2017, there were more than 10,000 Filipino Americans living in West Covina; they make up the majority population in the south side of the city.
West Covina is broken up into five districts.
Most of the foreign-born population in West Covina were born in Mexico 27.3%, Philippines 18.9%, Mainland China 13.7%, Vietnam 9.6% Taiwan 5.5%, El Salvador 3.1%, Hong Kong 2.7%, Guatemala 1.5%, Korea 1.3% and Indonesia 1.2%.
According to the 2000 Census, Mexicans and Filipinos were the most common ancestries in West Covina. Mexico and Philippines were the most common foreign places of birth.
The most common ancestries in West Covina are Irish, German, English, Italian, and French. The most common non-English languages spoken are Spanish and Chinese.
Homelessness
In 2022, Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority's Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count counted 112 homeless individuals in West Covina.
Economy
Top employers According to the city's 2025 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:
# Employer # of Employees 1 Emanate Health Queen of the Valley 1,613 2 Options for Learning 900 3 Target 441 4 City of West Covina 439 5 Porto's Bakery 417 6 Interspace/Concorde Battery Corporation 245 7 Macy's 238 8 Premier Healthcare Services LLC 192 9 The Home Depot 174 10 BJ's Restaurants 155
Retail There are three major shopping centers in West Covina: Plaza West Covina, Eastland Center, and The Heights at West Covina.
Plaza West Covina Plaza West Covina is a regional mall that has 185 shops, stores, and restaurants. The mall is two levels and is anchored by Macy's (180,000 sq ft.) to the east, JC Penney (193,963 sq ft.) to the south, Sears (137,820 sq ft.) to the west, Best Buy (45,000 sq ft.) to the north, and the XXI Forever flagship store, also to the north. There is a food court on the second level as well as other restaurants, and food and drink kiosks throughout the mall. The mall is known for its many fashion shops and high-end fashion boutiques.
Eastland Center The Eastland Center is a power center which has undergone major renovations since it opened in 1957. Eastland is two levels, with parking for the lower level on south side of the center and parking for the upper level on the north side. It has many department stores and is anchored by Target. () to the east.
The Heights at West Covina The Heights at West Covina is a retail shopping center located just south of the Sportsplex. It is anchored by The Home Depot to the north, and Target to the south. The center has many other stores and restaurants.
Jollibee Jollibee opened headquarters in West Covina in 2019.
Parks and recreation West Covina Sportsplex The West Covina Sportsplex is a commercial and recreational center opened in 2007. Built on a former landfill, the center includes a sports park, commercial development, and public golf course.
Government In the California State Legislature, West Covina is split between and . In the California State Assembly, it is in . In the United States House of Representatives, West Covina is in .
Politics
Education Primary and secondary schools Public schools in West Covina administered by the Covina-Valley Unified School District include:
Grovecenter Elementary School Mesa Elementary School Rowland Avenue Elementary School Workman Avenue Elementary School Traweek Middle School South Hills High School
Public schools in West Covina administered by the Rowland Unified School District include: Hollingworth Elementary Telesis Academy Giano Intermediate
Public schools in West Covina administered by the West Covina Unified School District include:
California Elementary Cameron Elementary Merced Elementary Merlinda Elementary Monte Vista Elementary Orangewood Elementary Vine Elementary Wescove Elementary Edgewood Middle School Hollencrest Middle School Walnut Grove Intermediate Coronado High School Edgewood High School MT. SAC Early College Academy West Covina High School
Charter School (Standalone)
San Jose Charter Academy
Infrastructure Transportation Foothill Transit, based in West Covina, provides service connecting the city to the rest of the San Gabriel Valley. The Silver Streak bus rapid transit services West Covina at four stops: West Covina City Hall, Plaza West Covina, Vincent Avenue/Lakes Drive, and Interstate 10/Azusa Avenue. The city operates the Go West shuttle between Cortez Park in the central part of the city and Valley Boulevard on the southern part and microtransit serving the northern half of the city.
Healthcare Emanate Health Queen of the Valley Hospital in West Covina offers the following services: emergency room, surgery, maternity care, pediatrics, neurology, and diagnostic imaging.
Notable people Former Major League Baseball pitcher Dan Haren grew up in West Covina, California.