CALIFORNIA 32
:
West Los Angeles; Culver City
The 32nd is an ethnically diverse, Democratic district that begins about
a mile inland from Venice Beach, runs east through Culver City and ends up
in south-central Los Angeles. Blacks, Hispanics and Asians account for about
78 percent of the population, but the 32nd has no single ethnic majority.
Nearly three-fourths of the district's registered voters are Democrats.
Several major demographic shifts have dramatically changed the make-up
of the 32nd. The first was in the 1960s when the district's Jewish
population migrated to the area's now more upscale northwest end and the
district's center became predominantly black. Now, a wave of Hispanic
immigrants is settling into the 32nd and whites are moving back into parts
of downtown L.A., drawn by the area's affordable housing.
The 32nd has a solid middle class, as well as some sharply contrasting
areas like wealthy Rancho Park in the north and poor South Central L.A.,
which was battered by the 1992 riots. The district is no longer the film
production hub it used to be, although some movies are still made here. The
service industry drives the economy, but there are also a few oil wells in
Baldwin Hills.
Major Industry
Service, entertainment, health care
Population
572,630 (1990)
Cities
Los Angeles (pt.) 514,832 (1990); Culver City, 39,016 (1998 est.)
People
100% urban; 11% age 65+ (ranks 15 of 52 in state; middle third nationally);
38% married couples, 18% married couples with children; 23% college educated
(ranks 21 of 52 in state; top third nationally); 61% white collar (ranks 25
of 52 in state; middle third nationally), 22% blue collar (ranks 31 of 52 in
state; bottom third nationally) (1990)
Race
32% white, 40% black, 8% Asian; 30% Hispanic origin (1990)
Median Household Income
$28,332 (ranks 44 of 52 in state; middle third nationally) (1990)
Unusual Features
The Los Angeles Coliseum, which has hosted two Olympiads, two Super Bowls
and a World Series; MGM Studios (now part of Sony Picture Studios), where
"Gone with the Wind" was filmed - the burning of Atlanta was really the
burning of old King Kong sets; Magic Johnson Theatres complex in Baldwin
Hills; Academy Awards presented at L.A.'s Shrine Auditorium.
Source: Congressional Quarterly (Updated April 1999)
U.S. House 32
