The Southland’s ethnic transition

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The cultural, racial and ethnic makeup seen today in the Southland started with the founding of the Spanish pueblo of Los Angeles in the 18th century. As part of a periodic series leading up to the 225th anniversary of the city’s founding next month, this second of two parts explores how Los Angeles County’s ethnic communities have changes since 1970.

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1970, black and Latino areas: Legacy of segregation and poverty is evident in housing patterns.

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1980, growing diversity: More Armenians, Soviet Jews, Iranians, Salvadorans, Guatemalans and Nicaraguans joins the mix. (Pop. 7.5 million)

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1990, fewer whites: L.A. County’s white population drops by 25% since 1960. The decline in the number of whites in the Southland speeds up over the next decade. (Pop. 8.9 million)

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L.A. County: 2000 (Pop. 10.2 million)

2000*

Latino: 45%

Whites: 31%

Asians: 12%

Blacks: 9.5%

Native Americans: 0.3%

Others: 2.5%

(*Because of rounding, figures do not up to 100%)

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For more information, go to: www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/5views.htm; www.loc.gov/folklife/other.html;www.census.gov/pubinfo/www/hotlinks.h tml; http//lewis.sppsr.ucla.edu/special/metroamerica/ladiversity.htm

Sources: UCLA Advanced Policy Institute and the Ralph & Goldy Lewis Center for Policy Studies, “The Ethnic Quilt, Population Diversity in Southern California,” U.S. Census Bureau, L.A. Almanac