West Covina, California, United States

🇺🇸 West Covina is a suburban city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Located 19 miles (31 km) east of Downtown Los Angeles in the eastern San Gabriel Valley, it is part of Greater Los Angeles.

West Covina is bordered by Covina to the north-east, Baldwin Park and Irwindale to the north-west, La Puente and Valinda to the south-west, Industry to the south, Ramona to the east, and Walnut to the southeast.

History 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 happened 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 was the first mayor. Walnut groves and orange groves continued to flourish. The population in 1930 was 769 and blossomed 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 1025.69% from less than 5,000 to more than 50,000 citizens. the decades 1960 and 2000 demonstrated steady growth for the West Covina, which had slowed significantly by the time of the 2010 census.

The City of West Covina began the second half of the 20th century with new developments and projects, mostly brought on by big business. The City Hall and police facility were built in 1969 as the first phase of 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 and the Citrus Municipal Court building and the city offices.

The first Redevelopment Agency project included a regional shopping centre, the West Covina Fashion Plaza, with three major department stores and 150 shops in an air-conditioned, enclosed mall. It also included the revitalization of the older sections of the shopping center. The Fashion Plaza has provided the citizens of the San Gabriel Valley with convenient access to all shopping needs. In 1991 the mall was renovated adding a food court and additional shops, as well as the redecorating of the entire mall. The mall was renamed "The Plaza at West Covina". The Plaza opened a new 100,000 sq ft (9,300 m²). wing in October 1993 featuring 50 new stores including a new Robinson's-May and interior renovation throughout The Plaza.

The Redevelopment Agency's efforts have also resulted in several major office buildings in the city, such as "The Lakes", in addition to two new community shopping centres, freestanding retail developments, restaurants, residential projects, and the Auto Plaza.

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.

West Covina was incorporated in 1923 to prevent Covina from establishing a sewage farm within the current city boundaries. Walnut groves and orange groves continued to flourish decades later.

Economy: Top employers According to a recent Financial Report, the top employers in the city include: 1 Citrus Valley Medical Center – Queen of the Valley Campus; 2 West Covina Unified School District; 3 Merakey Allos; 4 California Respite Care; 5 Macy's; 6 City of West Covina; 7 Porto's Bakery; 8 Target #T-2147; 9 Interspace/Concorde Battery Corporation; 10 Target #T-1028.

Economy: Retail There are three major shopping centres 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 208 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 centre 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 centre and parking for the upper level on the north side. It has many larger department stores like Burlington Coat Factory, Dick's Sporting Goods, and PetSmart. Eastland Center is anchored by Walmart to the west and by Target (122,000 sq ft (11,300 m²)) to the east.

The Heights at West Covina The Heights at West Covina is a new 340,000-square-foot (32,000 m²) retail shopping centre located just south of Big League Dreams Sports Park. It is anchored by The Home Depot to the north, and Target to the south. The centre has many stores and restaurants.

West Covina Sportsplex The West Covina Sportsplex is a 315-acre (127 ha) commercial and recreational centre opened in 2007. Built on a former landfill, the centre includes a sports park, commercial development, and public golf course.

Government In the California State Legislature, West Covina is split between the 22nd Senate District and the 30th Senate District. In the California State Assembly, it is in the 48th Assembly District. In the United States House of Representatives, West Covina is in California's 31st congressional district.

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

Transport Foothill Transit, based in West Covina, provides services across San Gabriel Valley with buses going to Downtown Los Angeles and Montclair. In addition to the bus services provided by Foothill Transit, the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Agency, commonly known as Metro, provides services from El Monte Station to Cal Poly Pomona. The city operates the Go West shuttle bus system, with three routes that provide transportation to several West Covina destinations. The city also provides a free shuttle bus to the Baldwin Park Metrolink station.

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.