Avocado Heights is one of 21 unincorporated communities in the East San Gabriel Valley Planning Area, found within the 1st Supervisorial District. The area is distinguished by its equestrian culture and diverse mix of land uses, adding to the unique sense of character found within the Planning Area.
Location
Avocado Heights spans 2.5 miles. The community is surrounded by the City of Industry on the North and East, the unincorporated community of Hacienda Heights to the south, and Interstate 605 as well as the San Gabriel River to the West. The topography of the community is relatively flat.
Avocado Heights has a history of cattle and horse grazing that dates to its ownership by the William Workman family from the 1840’s through mid-1870s. The area was eventually subdivided by Edwin G. Hart, who was a major promoter of the avocado industry which led to the planting of avocados in the region from the 1910s onward.[1]
Land Use
The community consists primarily of single-family residential (57.63% of the total acreage), followed by Industrial (14.37%) and Government (12.28%) uses. Primary commercial and industrial corridors include Valley Blvd in the northern portion and Workman Mill Rd., which transects the community from north to south. Valley Blvd. consists primarily of industrial and commercial uses while Workman Mill Rd. consists mostly of residential uses.
Zoning in the community is mostly light agricultural, A-1 (47.35%), and single-family residential, R-1 (23.06%). Parcels with a residential land use policy category make up 60.18% in the area, followed by light industrial at 19.77%.
Almost two thirds of the community are comprised of owner occupied housing units.
| Type | Housing Units | Percentage |
| Owner Occupied | 2,550 | 72% |
| Renter Occupied | 886 | 24.96% |
| Vacant Housing Units | 114 | 3.21% |
The Avocado Heights Community Standards District was adopted October 28, 2003 to preserve the open character of the Avocado Heights community and to improve its appearance with property maintenance standards. The CSD was also established to improve the compatibility between residential uses and neighboring industrial and assembly uses. Read more from the Avocado Heights CSD.
Avocado Heights also contains an Equestrian District that was adopted April 9, 1991, allowing for a modified number of horses than is permitted in other areas in unincorporated LA County.
Demographics
As of 2017, the population of Avocado Heights is 14,064. Avocado Heights contains a high share of Hispanic residents, followed by more modest shares of Asian and white populations.
| Hispanic | American Indian | Asian | Black | Multiple Race | Other Race | Pacific Islander | White |
| 83% | 0% | 9% | 1% | 1% | 0% | 0% | 7% |
A large number of residents in Avocado Heights speak Spanish within their home (see below), while only 5% do not speak any English.
More Info
Stay tuned for the East San Gabriel Valley Area Plan Technical Background Report, slated to be released later this year, which will provide more detailed information about Avocado Heights. Until then, feel free to browse this site or contact a planner to learn more about the community. Feel free to send any questions or comments to Norman Ornelas Jr. at nornelas@planning.lacounty.gov or by phone: 213-974-6425.
[1] https://homesteadmuseum.wordpress.com/2017/09/20/rancho-la-puentes-livestock-heritage-alive-in-avocado-heights-and-industry-hills/
