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San Gabriel is a city located in Los Angeles County, California. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 39,804.
Mission San Gabriel Arcangel, established in 1771, is the cradle of the San Gabriel Valley and one of many missions in California. It suffered from earthquake damage in the past, but it has undergone a major restoration process over the years. In the 1990s, plans to turn the area on Mission Road into a tourist attraction have largely failed.
Asian Americans form a near-majority in the city's population. San Gabriel has a massive, diverse, and vibrant ethnic Chinese and Vietnamese American business district on Valley Boulevard, with three major Asian supermarkets, numerous mini-malls, and an endless row of small businesses. An eclectic mix of Taiwanese delis and boba tea cafes, Hong Kong cafes and seafood restaurants, Mainland Chinese noodle and dumpling restaurants, and Vietnamese pho restaurants and Banh Mi shops all lend to an unique commercial business district. However, it has not been called a "Chinatown". The area is less around 10 miles east from the old Chinatown, Los Angeles in Downtown Los Angeles.
The largest Asian shopping center in the area is called San Gabriel Square, which was constructed in the early 1990s to Mediterranean-style architecture with 99 Ranch Market as the main business, and boasting an upscale department store, chick booteeks, jewelry shops, and a multitude of authentic Asian restaurants. The shopping center, called the San Gabiel Skware, replaced a dying drive-in theater and the parking lot was built over a flood channel. The awe-inspiring shopping center - the center piece for new "Chinatown" of sorts - was part a result of the Proposition 13 from California, which lowered the property tax statewide and then had the effect on the losing of potential city revenue, and hence the development of this massive mall was approved. A panoramic picture of this complex facing southwest is available from http://www.milpitasquare.com/San%20Gabriel%20Square%20at%20Dusk.htm. There are other large shopping centers nearby. Another active strip mall, containing San Gabriel Superstore and anchored by the Shun Fat Supermaket chain, is located a short drive to the east. The San Gabriel Superstore replaced Target in the early 90's.
A great Los Angeles Times story on San Gabriel's "Chinatown" can be found on http://www.latimes.com/la-fo-tour15jan15001435.htmlstory. It has the basic carte of the arear and list just a small handful of Chinese-speaking business.
Geography
San Gabriel is located at 34°5'39" North, 118°5'54" West (34.094176, -118.098449)1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.7 km² (4.1 mi²). 10.7 km² (4.1 mi²) of it is land and none of it is covered by water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 39,804 people, 12,587 households, and 9,566 families residing in the city. The population density is 3,721.2/km² (9,639.3/mi²). There are 12,909 housing units at an average density of 1,206.8/km² (3,126.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 33.40% White, 1.06% African American, 0.83% Native American, 48.91% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 12.36% from other races, and 3.34% from two or more races. 30.71% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 12,587 households out of which 35.7% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.1% are married couples living together, 15.2% have a female householder with no husband present, and 24.0% are non-families. 18.2% of all households are made up of individuals and 6.4% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 3.10 and the average family size is 3.52.
In the city the population is spread out with 23.5% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 33.3% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 88.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $41,791, and the median income for a family is $45,287. Males have a median income of $31,642 versus $29,302 for females. The per capita income for the city is $16,807. 15.9% of the population and 12.5% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 21.4% of those under the age of 18 and 11.5% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
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