Monterey Park, California

{{Short description|City in California, United States}} {{Distinguish|Monterey, California}} {{Use American English|date=June 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Monterey Park, California | settlement_type = City | nickname = | motto = Pride in the Past, Faith in the Future | image_skyline = Monterey Park January 2013 002.jpg | image_caption = A busy section of Atlantic Boulevard | image_flag = | image_seal = Seal of Monterrey Park, California.jpg | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 11 | mapframe-point = none | pushpin_map = Los Angeles#California#USA | pushpin_map_caption = Location in the United States | pushpin_label = Monterey Park | coordinates = {{coord|34|2|57|N|118|8|8|W|region:US-CA|display=inline,title}} | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = United States | subdivision_type1 = State | subdivision_name1 = California | subdivision_type2 = County | subdivision_name2 = Los Angeles | established_title = Incorporated | established_date = May 29, 1916<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.calafco.org/docs/Cities_by_incorp_date.doc | title = California Cities by Incorporation Date | format = Word | publisher = California Association of Local Agency Formation Commissions | access-date = August 25, 2014 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131017052413/http://www.calafco.org/docs/Cities_by_incorp_date.doc | archive-date = October 17, 2013 }}</ref>  | government_type = Council-Manager<ref name=term>{{cite web|url=http://www.montereypark.ca.gov/912/Term-of-Office|title=Term of Office|publisher=Monterey Park, CA|access-date=February 10, 2015}}</ref> |government_footnotes=<ref name=cc>{{cite web | url = https://www.montereypark.ca.gov/917/City-Council | title = City Council |location =Monterey Park, California | publisher = City of Monterey Park | access-date = October 10, 2025 }}</ref> | leader_title = Mayor | leader_name = Elizabeth Yang | leader_title1 = Mayor Pro Tem | leader_name1 = Henry Lo | leader_title2 = City council | leader_name2 = Vinh T. Ngo Jose Sanchez Thomas Wong | leader_title3 = City Manager | leader_name3 = Inez Alvarez (Interim) | leader_title4 = Assistant City Manager | leader_name4 = Diana Garcia (Interim)  | unit_pref = Imperial | area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_06.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=June 27, 2025}}</ref> | area_total_sq_mi = 7.73 | area_land_sq_mi = 7.67 | area_water_sq_mi = 0.06 | area_total_km2 = 20.03 | area_land_km2 = 19.87 | area_water_km2 = 0.16 | area_water_percent = 0.77 | area_note = | area_urban_km2 = | area_urban_sq_mi = | elevation_footnotes = <ref>{{Cite GNIS|1652753|Monterey Park|access-date=October 16, 2014}}</ref> | elevation_ft = 384 | elevation_m = 117  | population_as_of = 2020 | population_footnotes = <ref name="QuickFacts"/> | population_total = 61096 | pop_est_as_of = 2024 | pop_est_footnotes = <ref name="QuickFacts"/> | population_est = 57996 | population_density_sq_mi = 7963.5 | population_density_km2 = 3074.7 | population_metro = | timezone = Pacific Time Zone | utc_offset = -8 | timezone_DST = PDT | utc_offset_DST = -7 | postal_code_type = ZIP codes | postal_code = 91754, 91755, 91756 | area_code_type = Area code | area_code = 323, 626 | blank_name = FIPS code | blank_info = {{FIPS|06|48914}} | blank1_name = GNIS feature IDs | blank1_info = {{GNIS 4|1652753}}, {{GNIS 4|2411146}} | website = {{URL|https://www.montereypark.ca.gov|montereypark.ca.gov}} }}

'''Monterey Park''' is a city in the western San Gabriel Valley region of Los Angeles County, California, United States, approximately {{convert|7|mi|km|spell=in}} east of the Downtown Los Angeles civic center.<ref>{{cite book |last= Ng |first= Franklin |title= The history and immigration of Asian Americans|url=http://www.distance-cities.com/search?from=monterey+park+&to=Downtown%2C+Los+Angeles%2C+CA%2C+United+States&country=us|publisher= Garland Pub |location= New York |year= 1998 |page=26 |isbn= 978-081532690-8 }}</ref> It is bordered by Alhambra, East Los Angeles, Montebello and Rosemead. The city's motto is "Pride in the past, Faith in the future."<ref name="CMP">{{cite web|url=http://www.ci.monterey-park.ca.us/|title=Monterey Park, CA - Official Website - Official Website|website=www.ci.monterey-park.ca.us}}</ref>

Monterey Park is part of a cluster of cities (Alhambra, Arcadia, Temple City, Rosemead, San Marino, and San Gabriel in the west San Gabriel Valley) with a growing Asian American population. According to the 2020 Census, the city had a total population of 61,096.<ref name="QuickFacts"/> Monterey Park has consistently ranked as one of the country's best places to live due to its schools, growing economy, and central location.<ref>{{cite news |last=Renzulli |first=Kerri |date=December 12, 2017 |title=Monterey Park, California is MONEY's No. 2 The 10 Best Places in America to Raise a Family Now |website=Money.com |url=https://money.com/best-places-america-raise-family/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623145116/https://money.com/best-places-america-raise-family/ |archive-date=June 23, 2021}}</ref>

==History==

===Early history=== For at least seven thousand years<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lausd.k12.ca.us/Verdugo_HS/classes/multimedia/intro.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020529030242/http://www.lausd.k12.ca.us/Verdugo_HS/classes/multimedia/intro.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 29, 2002 |title=introduction |publisher=Lausd.k12.ca.us |access-date=August 17, 2010}}</ref> the land was populated by the Tongva (Gabrielino) Native Americans. The Tongva lived in dome like structures with thatched exteriors, with an open smoke hole for ventilation and light at the top.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lausd.k12.ca.us/Verdugo_HS/classes/multimedia/house.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120803140800/http://www.lausd.k12.ca.us/Verdugo_HS/classes/multimedia/house.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 3, 2012 |title=Housing |publisher=Lausd.k12.ca.us |access-date=August 17, 2010}}</ref> Both sexes wore long hair styles and tattooed their bodies. During warm weather the men wore few clothes, and the women wore minimal skirts made of animal hides. During the cold weather they would wear animal skin capes and occasionally wore sandals made from hide or yucca fiber.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lausd.k12.ca.us/Verdugo_HS/classes/multimedia/cloth.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021227103238/http://www.lausd.k12.ca.us/Verdugo_HS/classes/multimedia/cloth.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 27, 2002 |title=clothing |publisher=Lausd.k12.ca.us |access-date=August 17, 2010}}</ref> With the arrival of the Spaniards, Old World diseases killed off many of the Tongva, and by 1870 very few Native-Americans had survived. In the early 19th century the area was part of the Mission San Gabriel Arcángel mission system and later the Rancho San Antonio.

===1860s–1960s=== Following the Civil War, an Italian, Alessandro Repetto, purchased {{convert|5,000|acre|km2}} of the rancho and built his ranch house on the hill overlooking his land, about a half-mile north of where Garfield Avenue crosses the Pomona Freeway,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityofmontebello.com/about/default.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121151731/http://www.cityofmontebello.com/about/default.asp |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 21, 2008 |title=About Montebello |publisher=City of Montebello |date=October 19, 1920 |access-date=August 17, 2010}}</ref> not far from where the Edison substation is now located on Garfield Avenue.<ref name="ci.monterey-park.ca.us">{{cite web |url=http://www.ci.monterey-park.ca.us/index.aspx?page=1079 |title=City of Monterey Park : History of Monterey Park |publisher=Ci.monterey-park.ca.us |access-date=August 17, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100811225519/http://www.ci.monterey-park.ca.us/index.aspx?page=1079 |archive-date=August 11, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 1886, a northwestern portion of the rancho was bought by Isaias Wolf Hellman, a Bavarian-born banker and philanthropist who is the namesake of Hellman Avenue, a street that partly forms the northern boundary of Monterey Park.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sonksen|first1=Mike|title=The Historical Arc of Monterey Park: How a Few Streets Got Their Names|volume=XXIII, No. VI|page=15|newspaper=Cascades|publisher=City of Monterey Park|year=2024|quote=Hellman is named after Isaias Wolf Hellman, a Bavarian-born banker and philanthropist, who bought the northwestern part of the Repetto Rancho in 1886.}}</ref>

It was at this time, Richard Garvey, a mail rider for the U.S. Army whose route took him through Monterey Pass, a trail that is now Garvey Avenue, settled down in the King's Hills. Garvey began developing the land by bringing in spring water from near the Hondo River and by constructing a {{convert|54|ft|m|adj=mid|-high|0}} dam to form Garvey Lake located where Garvey Ranch Park is now. To pay for his development and past debts, Garvey began selling portions of his property. In 1906, the first subdivision in the area, Ramona Acres (named after the developer's daughter, who would also later inspire the title of the novel ''Ramona''<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-01-17-me-12794-story.html|title=L.A. Scene / The City Then and Now|last=Cecilia|first=Rasmussen|date=January 17, 1994|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date= July 19, 2011}}</ref>), was developed north of Garvey and east of Garfield Avenues.<ref name="ci.monterey-park.ca.us"/>

In 1916, the new residents of the area initiated action to become a city when the cities of Pasadena, South Pasadena, and Alhambra proposed to put a large sewage treatment facility in the area. The community voted itself into cityhood on May 29, 1916, by a vote of 455 to 33. The city's new board of directors immediately outlawed sewage plants within city boundaries and named the new city Monterey Park. The name was taken from an old government map showing the oak-covered hills of the area as Monterey Hills. In 1920, a large area on the south edge of the city broke away and the separate city of Montebello was established.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.montebellochamber.org/History.aspx |title=Chamber History |publisher=Montebellochamber.org |access-date=August 17, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101113105038/http://www.montebellochamber.org/History.aspx |archive-date=November 13, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

By 1920, the white and Spanish-surname settlers were joined by Asian residents who began farming potatoes and flowers and developing nurseries in the Monterey Highlands area. They improved the Monterey Pass Trail with a road to aid in shipping their produce to Los Angeles. The nameless pass, which had been used as a location for western movies, was called Coyote Pass by Pioneer Masami Abe.<ref name="ci.monterey-park.ca.us"/>

In 1926, near the corner of Atlantic Boulevard and Garvey Avenue, Laura Scudder invented the first sealed bag of potato chips. In an effort to maintain quality and freshness, Laura's team would iron sheets of wax paper together to form a bag. They would fill these bags with potato chips; iron the top closed, and then deliver them to various retailers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.laurascudders.com/History |title=Laura Scudder's |publisher=Laurascudders.com |access-date=August 17, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110111143650/http://www.laurascudders.com/History |archive-date=January 11, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

thumb|left|The front of the El Encanto building, also known as Jardin del Encanto. Real estate became a thriving industry during the late 1920s with investors attracted to the many subdivisions under development and increasing commercial opportunities. The Midwick View Estates by Peter N. Snyder, a proposed garden community that was designed to rival Bel Air and Beverly Hills. Known as the "Father of the East Side", Mr. Snyder was a key player in the vast undertaking in the 1920s of developing the East Side as part of the industrial base of Los Angeles.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-09-12-ga-3068-story.html|title=Showing Their Pride in the Past : History: City officials plan to revive Jardin El Encanto and waterfall, which could become a key part of a community hall.|author-last1=Chang|author-first1=Irene|date=September 12, 1991|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=April 8, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035}}</ref> His efforts to build Atlantic Boulevard, his work with the East Side organization to bring industry to the East Side, and his residential and commercial development projects along Atlantic Boulevard (Gardens Square, Golden Gate Square, and the Midwick View Estates) were a major influence to the surrounding communities. The focal point of the Midwick View Estates was "Jardin del Encanto", otherwise known as "El Encanto," a Spanish style building that was to serve as the administration building and community center for Midwick View Estates. The development also included an observation terrace above Jardin del Encanto and the fountain with cascading water going down the hillside in stepped pools to De La Fuente.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-monterey-park-statue-20170420-htmlstory.html|title=A proposed statue with a Chinese face sparks resistance and debate in Monterey Park|last=Shyong|first=Frank|date=April 24, 2017|website=Los Angeles Times|access-date=April 8, 2019}}</ref> Now known as Heritage Falls Park or "the Cascades." The Great Depression brought an abrupt end to the real estate boom, as well as the Midwick proposal. From the late 1920s, the city had little development for nearly two decades.<ref name="ci.monterey-park.ca.us"/>

The end of World War II resulted in a revived growth trend with explosive population gains during the late 1940s and 1950s. Until this time, the population was concentrated in the northern and southern portions of the city, with the Garvey and Monterey Hills forming a natural barrier. With the renewed growth, many new subdivisions were developed, utilizing even the previously undeveloped central area to allow for maximum growth potential. A series of annexations of surrounding land also occurred.<ref name="ci.monterey-park.ca.us"/> Many veterans settled in Monterey Park and continued through the 1950s. Around this time, Japanese Americans from the West Side, Chinese Americans from Chinatown, and Latinos from East Los Angeles also began settling in the area and largely assimilated into the small-town suburban culture.<ref>{{cite web |title=A Brief History of Monterey Park, California |url=https://kraftedbykelly.wordpress.com/2010/08/19/a-brief-history-of-monterey-park-california/ |website=Krafted by Kelly |publisher=Wordpress |access-date=December 31, 2018|date=August 19, 2010 }}</ref>

===1970s–1990s=== Beginning in the 1970s, middle-class ethnic Asian Americans and Asian immigrants began settling in the west San Gabriel Valley, primarily to Monterey Park.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pierson |first=David |date=January 23, 2023 |title=Monterey Park transformed the Chinese American experience. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/23/us/monterey-park-history-chinese.html |access-date=January 24, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>Horton, John. ''The Politics of Diversity: Immigration, Resistance, and Change in Monterey Park, California ''. Temple University Press, 195. p. 80.Chapter 4</ref> The City Council of Monterey Park subsequently tried and failed to pass English-only ordinances.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-feb-07-cl-21953-story.html|title=A Chronicle of Triumph, Pain in Chinese American Community|work=Los Angeles Times|date=February 7, 2001| first=Jonathan|last=Kirsch|access-date=January 18, 2016}}</ref> In 1985 the Council approved drafting of a proposal that would require all businesses in Monterey Park to display English language identification on business signs.<ref>Arax, Mark. "Stronger Rules on English in Signs Pushed by Council." ''Los Angeles Times''. December 5, 1985. [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-12-05-ga-633-story.html 1]. Retrieved on March 29, 2010.</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-03-31-me-748-story.html|title=Pride or Prejudice? : Monterey Park Debates Mayor's Plan to Erect Washington Statue|last=Hudson|first=Berkley|date=March 31, 1989|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=April 8, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035}}</ref>

In the 1980s, Monterey Park was referred to as "Little Taipei" or "The Chinese Beverly Hills."<ref name="asianweek">{{cite web |author=Eljera |first=Bert |date=May 1996 |title=The Chinese Beverly Hills |url=http://asianweek.com/052496/LittleTaipei.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100609165853/http://asianweek.com/052496/LittleTaipei.html |archive-date=June 9, 2010 |access-date= |website=Asian Week }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-feb-28-me-montereypark28-story.html|title=A city tries to find itself|last=Pierson|first=David|date=February 28, 2008|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|access-date=April 8, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035 }}</ref> Frederic Hsieh, a local realtor who bought land in Monterey Park and sold it to newly arrived immigrants, is credited with engendering Monterey Park's Chinese American community.<ref name="Frederic Hsieh, 54.">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/08/20/us/frederic-hsieh-is-dead-at-54-made-asian-american-suburb.html|title=Frederic Hsieh Is Dead at 54; Made Asian-American Suburb|first=Christian|last=Berthelsen|date=August 20, 1999|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=July 5, 2018}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-04-06-mn-135-story.html|title=Monterey Park : Nation's 1st Suburban Chinatown|last1=Arax|first1=Mark|date=April 6, 1987|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|access-date=April 8, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035 }}</ref> Many businesses from the Chinatown in downtown LA began to open up stores in Monterey Park. In the 1970s and 1980s, many affluent ''waisheng ren'' Taiwanese immigrants moved abroad from Taiwan and began settling into Monterey Park.<ref name="temple.edu">{{cite book |first=Timothy P. |last=Fong |url=http://www.temple.edu/tempress/titles/997_reg_print.html |title=The First Suburban Chinatown |publisher=Temple University |isbn=978-1-56639-262-4 |year=1994 |access-date=June 21, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160616085841/http://www.temple.edu/tempress/titles/997_reg_print.html |archive-date=June 16, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Mandarin Chinese became the most widely spoken language in many Chinese businesses of the city during that time, displacing Cantonese that had been common previously.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Park |first1=Jeong |last2=Smith |first2=Doug |date=January 23, 2023 |title=Lunar New Year shooting: A grim moment in Monterey Park, America's first suburban Chinatown |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-01-22/lunar-new-year-mass-shooting-a-grim-moment-in-monterey-park |access-date=January 23, 2023 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> Cantonese has dominated the Chinatowns of North America for decades, but Mandarin is the most common language of Chinese immigrants in the past few decades.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pierson |first=David |date=January 3, 2006 |title=Cantonese Is Losing Its Voice |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-jan-03-me-cantonese3-story.html |access-date=January 23, 2023 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> In 1983, Lily Lee Chen became the first Chinese American woman to be elected mayor of a U.S. city.<ref>Shyong, Frank (February 24, 2015) [https://www.latimes.com/local/politics/la-me-race-monterey-park-elections-20150225-story.html "Monterey Park nears a demographic milestone, yet race rarely discussed"] Los Angeles Times</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-04-02-ga-1247-story.html|title=Too Long in the SPOTLIGHT : Monterey Park, Star 'Melting Pot,' Getting Fed Up With the Publicity|last=HUDSON|first=BERKLEY|date=April 2, 1989|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=April 8, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035}}</ref> By the late 1980s, immigrants from mainland China and Vietnam began moving into Monterey Park. By the 1990 census, Monterey Park became the first city with an Asian descent majority population in the continental United States. Timothy P. Fong, a professor and director of Asian American studies at California State University, Sacramento, describes Monterey Park as the "First Suburban Chinatown."<ref name="temple.edu"/><ref name=":0" />

In the 1980s, the second generation Chinese Americans generally moved out of the old Chinatown and into the San Gabriel Valley suburbs, joining the new immigrants from Taiwan and mainland China.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.raulareyes.com/Site/Monterey_Park.html/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314104458/http://www.raulareyes.com/Site/Monterey_Park.html/|url-status=dead|title=San Gabriel Valley Tribune|archivedate=March 14, 2012}}</ref> From that time, with a combined influx of Vietnamese, Taiwanese and Hong Kong immigrant students at the time, Mark Keppel High School, constructed during the New Deal era and located in Alhambra, but also serving most of Monterey Park and portions of Rosemead, felt the impact of this new immigration as the student population increased dramatically, leading to overcrowding.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mkhs.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=62613&type=d&termREC_ID=&pREC_ID=97013 |title=Mark Keppel High School |publisher=Mkhs.org |date=December 31, 1999 |access-date=August 17, 2010}}</ref> Today, many students are second or third-generation Asian Americans.<ref>[http://www.hks.harvard.edu/aapr/doc/tsai76-98.pdf Harvard University]{{dead link|date=May 2018}}</ref>

In 1988, the City of Monterey Park passed an ordinance declaring a moratorium on new building, in an attempt to regulate the rapid growth the city experienced as a result of the influx of Asian immigrants.<ref name="asianweek"/><ref>{{cite news |date=May 12, 1988 |title=Local News in Brief : Building Bans Imposed |work=Los Angeles Times |publisher= |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-05-12-me-4230-story.html |access-date=August 17, 2010}}</ref> This moratorium was challenged and defeated in 1989.<ref name="sfgate.com">{{cite news|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/06/05/MNSG1DQ1BL.DTL |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100607034629/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fc%2Fa%2F2010%2F06%2F05%2FMNSG1DQ1BL.DTL |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 7, 2010 |title=Whites in state 'below the replacement' level |publisher=Sfgate.com |date=June 5, 2010 |access-date=August 17, 2010 | first=Justin | last=Berton}}</ref> This controversial move caused many Asian residents and businesses to shift focus, establishing themselves in the neighboring city of Alhambra. When the potential loss of business revenue was recognized,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.docstoc.com/docs/48018067/The-First-Suburban-Chinatown |title=The First Suburban Chinatown |access-date=October 29, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120918181333/http://www.docstoc.com/docs/48018067/The-First-Suburban-Chinatown |archive-date=September 18, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> "Monterey Park went through a lot of upheaval that a lot of people regret," and relocation back to Monterey Park was highly encouraged in the Asian American community.<ref>Quan, Douglas. "[https://web.archive.org/web/20070217181430/http://www.pe.com/localnews/rivcounty/stories/PE_News_Local_D_asian07.25558b4.html Some in Chino Hills nervous about ethnic shift]." ''The Press-Enterprise''. Tuesday February 6, 2007. Retrieved on January 21, 2010.</ref>

Since the early 1990s, Taiwanese people are no longer the majority in the city. The construction boom of shopping centers had declined, but plans for redevelopment sought to change that. High property values and overcrowding in Monterey Park<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ci.monterey-park.ca.us/index.aspx?page=726 |title=City of Monterey Park : Housing Needs |access-date=October 29, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717011110/http://www.ci.monterey-park.ca.us/index.aspx?page=726 |archive-date=July 17, 2011 }}</ref> have contributed to a secondary migration away from Monterey Park.

===2000s–present=== Redevelopment produced several projects included the massive Atlantic Times Square development that opened in 2010 with ground-floor shops and restaurants.<ref>Hawthorne, Christopher (May 13, 2012) [https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/arts/boulevards/la-ca-atlantic-boulevard-los-angeles-index,0,378106.htmlstory "Atlantic on the move"] ''Los Angeles Times''</ref> The Atlantic Times Square,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ci.monterey-park.ca.us/index.aspx?page=1403|title=Atlantic Times Square|access-date=January 9, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090302051508/http://www.ci.monterey-park.ca.us/index.aspx?page=1403|archive-date=March 2, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> which has {{convert|215000|sqft|m2|-2}}, is anchored by a multi-plex theater and a fitness center, in addition to eating establishments and other stores. The development includes 210 condos on the third through sixth floors.<ref name="MP">{{Cite web |url=http://www.ci.monterey-park.ca.us/Index.aspx?page=286 |title=City of Monterey Park : A Tradition of Redevelopment Success |access-date=October 28, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717010756/http://www.ci.monterey-park.ca.us/Index.aspx?page=286 |archive-date=July 17, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Monterey Park Village is a 40,000 sq. ft. shopping center on South Atlantic Boulevard commercial corridor.<ref name="MP"/> The CVS Center on South Garfield Avenue is a redevelopment of infill site into a {{convert|17000|sqft|m2|-2}} neighborhood convenience center. Anchor tenant CVS Pharmacy brings a full-service drug store back to the downtown project,<ref name="MP"/> and the center includes a Subway sandwich shop.<ref name="MP"/> The {{convert|507000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} Monterey Park Marketplace is the largest shopping center in the city. Located along the Pomona (60) Freeway west of Paramount Boulevard, this center is a 45-acre regional shopping center for the San Gabriel Valley.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ci.monterey-park.ca.us/index.aspx?page=1284 |title=City of Monterey Park : Cascades Market Place |access-date=October 28, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717010947/http://www.ci.monterey-park.ca.us/index.aspx?page=1284 |archive-date=July 17, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 2017, Monterey Park was recognized as "America's Best Places to Live 2017" ranked at #3 by Money magazine and three local news TV stations. It also ranked at #2 in Money Magazine's "The 10 Best Places in America to Raise a Family".<ref>{{cite news |last=Renzulli |first=Kerri Anne |date=December 12, 2017 |title=The 10 Best Places in America to Raise a Family Now |website=Money.com |url=https://money.com/best-places-america-raise-family/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527191336/https://money.com/best-places-america-raise-family/ |archive-date=May 27, 2022}}</ref>

On January 21, 2023, a mass shooting occurred at a dance studio in the city, after a Chinese New Year celebration where twenty people were shot, killing eleven of them, and injuring nine others. The gunman, identified as 72-year-old Huu Can Tran, fled and was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Torrance the next day.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 22, 2023 |title=10 dead in Monterey Park mass shooting, police say |url=https://abc7.com/monterey-park-mass-shooting-california-lunar-new-year-event-dead/12725372/ |access-date=January 22, 2023 |website=KABC-TV |language=en}}</ref>

In April 2026, Monterey Park became the first city in California<ref>{{cite web |last1=Anna |first1=Washenko |title=Monterey Park, California has banned any data centers within its city limits |url=https://www.engadget.com/ai/monterey-park-california-has-banned-any-data-centers-within-its-city-limits-180426656.html |publisher=Engadget}}</ref> to ban data centers within its limits.

==Geography== According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|20.0|km2|sqmi|order=flip}}, of which, {{convert|19.9|km2|sqmi|order=flip}} is land, and {{convert|0.16|km2|sqmi|order=flip}} (0.77%) is water.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020"/>

The city boundaries include unincorporated East Los Angeles to the west and southwest, Alhambra to the north, Rosemead to the northeast, Montebello to the south, and unincorporated South San Gabriel to the southeast.

==Demographics== {{US Census population | 1920 = 4108 | 1930 = 6406 | 1940 = 8531 | 1950 = 20395 | 1960 = 37821 | 1970 = 49166 | 1980 = 54338 | 1990 = 60738 | 2000 = 60051 | 2010 = 60269 | 2020 = 61096 | estyear = 2024 | estimate = 57996 | estref =<ref name="QuickFacts">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/montereyparkcitycalifornia/PST045224|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=June 27, 2025}}</ref> {{decrease}} |footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade.html|title=Decennial Census by Decade|website=United States Census Bureau|access-date=}}</ref> 1860–1870<ref name=1870CensusCA1>{{Cite web|title= 1870 Census of Population - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties - California - Almeda County to Sutter County |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1870/population/1870a-12.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref><ref name=1870CensusCA2>{{Cite web|title= 1870 Census of Population - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties - California - Tehama County to Yuba County |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1870/population/1870a-13.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 1880-1890<ref name=1890CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1890 Census of Population - Population of California by Minor Civil Divisions |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1890/bulletins/demographics/134-population-of-ca.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 1900<ref name=1900CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1900 Census of Population - Population of California by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1900/bulletins/demographic/10-population-ca.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 1910<ref name=1910CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1910 Census of Population - Supplement for California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1910/abstract/supplement-ca.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 1920<ref name=1920CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1920 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1920/bulletins/demographics/population-ca-number-of-inhabitants.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 1930<ref name=1930CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1930 Census of Population - Number and Distribution of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1930/population-volume-1/03815512v1ch03.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 1940<ref name=1940CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1940 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1940/population-volume-1/33973538v1ch03.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 1950<ref name=1950CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1950 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1950/population-volume-1/vol-01-08.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 1960<ref name=1960CensusCA1>{{Cite web|title= 1960 Census of Population - General population Characteristics - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1960/population-volume-1/vol-01-06-d.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref><ref name=1960CensusCA2>{{Cite web|title= 1960 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1960/population-volume-1/vol-01-06-c.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 1970<ref name=1970CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1970 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1970a_ca1-01.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 1980<ref name=1980CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1980a_caAB-01.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 1990<ref name=1990CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1990 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/cen1990/cph2/cph-2-6.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 2000<ref name=2000CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/2003/dec/phc-3-6.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 2010<ref name=2010CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 2010 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/2010/cph-2/cph-2-6.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 2020<ref name=2020CensusP2/> | align = right | align-fn = center }}

Monterey Park first appeared as a city in the 1920 U.S. census.<ref name=1920CensusCA/>

===Racial and ethnic composition===

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |+'''Monterey Park city, California – Racial and ethnic composition''' {{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}} !Race / Ethnicity (''NH = Non-Hispanic'') !Pop 1980<ref>{{Cite web |title=ca 1980 census |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1980a_caCs1-01.pdf}}</ref> !Pop 1990<ref>{{Cite web |title=ca 1990 census |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1990/cp-1/cp-1-6-1.p}}</ref> !Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Monterey Park city, California |url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=160XX00US0648914&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|website=United States Census Bureau |access-date= }}</ref> !Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Monterey Park city, California |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US0648914&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=United States Census Bureau |access-date= }}</ref> !{{partial|Pop 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Monterey Park city, California |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US0648914&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=United States Census Bureau |access-date= }}</ref> !% 1980 !% 1990 !% 2000 !% 2010 !{{partial|% 2020}} |- |White alone (NH) |13,866 |7,129 |4,362 |2,998 |style='background: #ffffe6; |2,384 |25.52% |11.74% |7.26% |4.97% |style='background: #ffffe6; |3.90% |- |Black or African American alone (NH) |635 |330 |182 |194 |style='background: #ffffe6; |358 |1.17% |0.54% |0.30% |0.32% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.59% |- |Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) |90 |104 |98 |51 |style='background: #ffffe6; |64 |0.17% |0.17% |0.16% |0.08% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.10% |- |Asian alone (NH) | rowspan="2" |18,608 | rowspan="2" |34,022 |36,912 |39,974 |style='background: #ffffe6; |40,353 | rowspan="2" |34.24% | rowspan="2" |56.01% |61.47% |66.33% |style='background: #ffffe6; |66.05% |- |Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) |24 |19 |style='background: #ffffe6; |45 |0.04% |0.03% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.07% |- |Other race alone (NH) |170 |122 |61 |51 |style='background: #ffffe6; |174 |0.31% |0.20% |0.10% |0.08% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.28% |- |Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) |x |x |1,053 |764 |style='background: #ffffe6; |950 |x |x |1.75% |1.27% |style='background: #ffffe6; |1.55% |- |Hispanic or Latino (any race) |20,969 |19,031 |17,359 |16,218 |style='background: #ffffe6; |16,768 |38.59% |31.33% |28.91% |26.91% |style='background: #ffffe6; |27.45% |- |'''Total''' |'''54,338''' |'''60,738''' |'''60,051''' |'''60,269''' |style='background: #ffffe6; |'''61,096''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%''' |}

===2020 census=== As of the 2020 census, Monterey Park had a population of 61,096. The population density was {{convert|7,963.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. For every 100 females, there were 92.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.5 males age 18 and over.<ref name="Census2020DP">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dp?get=NAME%2CDP1_0021P%2CDP1_0024P%2CDP1_0025C%2CDP1_0049C%2CDP1_0045C%2CDP1_0069C%2CDP1_0073C%2CDP1_0125P%2CDP1_0126P%2CDP1_0129P%2CDP1_0133P%2CDP1_0137P%2CDP1_0138P%2CDP1_0139P%2CDP1_0141P%2CDP1_0142P%2CDP1_0143P%2CDP1_0145P%2CDP1_0146P%2CDP1_0147C%2CDP1_0148C%2CDP1_0149C%2CDP1_0156C%2CDP1_0157C%2CDP1_0158C%2CDP1_0159P%2CDP1_0160P&for=place%3A48914&in=state%3A06|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=April 18, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref><ref name="Census2020PL">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME%2CP1_001N%2CP1_003N%2CP1_004N%2CP1_005N%2CP1_006N%2CP1_007N%2CP1_008N%2CP1_009N%2CP2_001N%2CP2_002N%2CH1_001N%2CH1_002N&for=place%3A48914&in=state%3A06|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=April 18, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>

The age distribution was 17.1% under the age of 18, 7.9% aged 18 to 24, 26.2% aged 25 to 44, 27.5% aged 45 to 64, and 21.3% who were 65{{nbsp}}years of age or older. The median age was 44.0{{nbsp}}years.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

The census reported that 99.6% of the population lived in households, 0.1% lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0.3% were institutionalized. 100.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.0% lived in rural areas.<ref name="Census2020DP"/><ref name="Census2020DHC">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dhc?get=NAME%2CP2_002N%2CP2_003N&for=place%3A48914&in=state%3A06|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2023|access-date=April 18, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>

There were 20,652 households, of which 30.5% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 48.5% were married-couple households, 4.8% were cohabiting couple households, 17.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 29.0% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 18.8% of households were one person, and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.95, and there were 15,447 families (74.8% of all households).<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

There were 21,549 housing units at an average density of {{convert|2,808.8|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units |units|}}, of which 20,652 (95.8%) were occupied. Of occupied units, 51.9% were owner-occupied and 48.1% were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.5%, and the rental vacancy rate was 3.2%.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

===2023 ACS 5-year estimates=== In 2023, the US Census Bureau estimated that the median household income was $77,605, and the per capita income was $37,702. About 10.7% of families and 13.2% of the population were below the poverty line.<ref>{{cite web |title=Monterey Park city, California; DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics - 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates Comparison Profiles |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSDP5Y2023.DP03?g=1600000US0648914 |website=US Census Bureau |access-date=June 27, 2025}}</ref>

===2010 census=== The 2010 United States census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0648914|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808043521/http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0648914|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 8, 2014|title=2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Monterey Park city|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=July 12, 2014}}</ref> reported that Monterey Park had a population of 60,269. The population density was {{convert|7,793.7|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of Monterey Park was 40,301 (66.9%) Asian (47.7% Chinese, 5.8% Japanese, 4.4% Vietnamese, 1.9% Filipino, 1.3% Korean, 0.9% Thai, 0.8% Cambodian, 0.4% Burmese, 0.4% Indonesian, 0.3% Indian), 28 (0.05%) Pacific Islander, 11,680 (19.4%) White (5.0% Non-Hispanic White),<ref name="quickfacts.census.gov">{{cite web|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06/0648914.html|title=Monterey Park (city) QuickFacts|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150323002955/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06/0648914.html|archive-date=March 23, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> 252 (0.4%) African American, 242 (0.4%) Native American, 6,022 (10.0%) from other races, and 1,744 (2.9%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 16,218 persons (26.9%).

The Census reported that 60,039 people (99.6% of the population) lived in households, 41 (0.1%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 189 (0.3%) were institutionalized.

There were 19,963 households, out of which 6,315 (31.6%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 10,538 (52.8%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 3,243 (16.2%) had a female householder with no husband present, 1,460 (7.3%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 651 (3.3%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 85 (0.4%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 3,641 households (18.2%) were made up of individuals, and 2,025 (10.1%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.01. There were 15,241 families (76.3% of all households); the average family size was 3.37.

The population was spread out, with 10,932 people (18.1%) under the age of 18, 5,180 people (8.6%) aged 18 to 24, 15,597 people (25.9%) aged 25 to 44, 16,904 people (28.0%) aged 45 to 64, and 11,656 people (19.3%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.4 males.

There were 20,850 housing units at an average density of {{convert|2,696.2|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units |units|}}, of which 11,058 (55.4%) were owner-occupied, and 8,905 (44.6%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.5%; the rental vacancy rate was 4.1%. 33,073 people (54.9% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 26,966 people (44.7%) lived in rental housing units.

According to the 2010 United States census, Monterey Park had a median household income of $56,014, with 15.2% of the population living below the federal poverty line.<ref name="quickfacts.census.gov"/>

===Ethnic groups=== According to the 2009 American Community Survey, Monterey Park is 43.7% Chinese American, and is the city in the United States with the largest concentration of people of Chinese descent.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asian-nation.org/taiwanese.shtml|title=Taiwanese Americans : Asian-Nation :: Asian American History, Demographics, & Issues|website=www.asian-nation.org}}</ref> The Chinese American population in Monterey Park and San Gabriel Valley is relatively diverse in socio-economics and region of origin. The city has attracted immigrants from Taiwan, as well as mainland Chinese and the overseas Chinese from Southeast Asia. There are also significant Japanese, Vietnamese and Filipino communities living within Monterey Park.

While the multi-generational American-born Latino population was generally declining in Monterey Park, there has been a small new influx of Mexican immigrants (about one percent increase in the population).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFFacts?_event=Search&_geoContext=&_street=&_county=monterey+park&_cityTown=monterey+park&_state=04000US06&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&pctxt=fph&pgs1=010&show_2003_tab=&redirect=Y|title=American FactFinder - Community Facts|publisher=United States Census Bureau|website=factfinder.census.gov|access-date=October 29, 2010|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212050128/http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFFacts?_event=Search&_geoContext=&_street=&_county=monterey+park&_cityTown=monterey+park&_state=04000US06&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&pctxt=fph&pgs1=010&show_2003_tab=&redirect=Y|archive-date=February 12, 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ACSSAFFFacts?_event=&geo_id=16000US0648914&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US06%7C16000US0648914&_street=&_county=monterey+park&_cityTown=monterey+park&_state=04000US06&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=160&_submenuId=factsheet_1&ds_name=DEC_2000_SAFF&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null&reg=&_keyword=&_industry=|title=American FactFinder - Community Facts|publisher=United States Census Bureau|website=factfinder.census.gov|access-date=May 3, 2018|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200216042438/http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ACSSAFFFacts?_event=&geo_id=16000US0648914&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US06%7C16000US0648914&_street=&_county=monterey+park&_cityTown=monterey+park&_state=04000US06&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=160&_submenuId=factsheet_1&ds_name=DEC_2000_SAFF&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null&reg=&_keyword=&_industry=|archive-date=February 16, 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref> ==Economy== 250px|right|thumb|Downtown Monterey Park, California The Chinese-dominated business district, near the intersection of Garfield Avenue and Garvey Avenue, is called "Downtown Monterey Park."<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ci.monterey-park.ca.us/index.aspx?page=1811 |title=City of Monterey Park : Downtown Monterey Park |access-date=October 29, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101108155823/http://www.ci.monterey-park.ca.us/index.aspx?page=1811 |archive-date=November 8, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In the mid-1980s, Lincoln Plaza Hotel was built to predominantly service tourists from Taiwan and Hong Kong. Monterey Park has many choices of Hong Kong fusion cafes, there are several Cantonese seafood restaurants, as well as restaurants offering mainland Chinese fare. A variety of cuisine can be found throughout the city.

===Top employers=== According to the city's 2010 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,<ref name="cafr">{{Cite web|url=http://www.ci.monterey-park.ca.us/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=11078|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929071700/http://www.ci.monterey-park.ca.us/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=11078|url-status=dead|title=City of Monterey Park CAFR|archivedate=September 29, 2011}}</ref> the top employers in the city are:

{| class="wikitable" |- ! # ! Employer ! # of Employees |- | 1 |East Los Angeles College |1,969 |- | 2 |Garfield Medical Center |970 |- | 3 |Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department |791 |- | 4 |Superior Court of Los Angeles County - Edmund D. Edelman Children's Court |736 |- | 5 |City of Monterey Park |440 |- | 6 |Monterey Park Hospital |362 |- | 7 |Care1st Health Plan |315 |- | 8 |Southern California Gas Company |279 |- | 9 |AT&T |228 |- | 10 |SynerMed |217 |- | 11 |Ralphs |158 |- | 12 |First Data |133 |- | 13 |California Highway Patrol |131 |- | 14 |''World Journal'' |128 |- | 15 |Southern California Edison |125 |- | 16 |Camino Real Chevrolet |121 |- | 17 |CVS/pharmacy |117 |}

==Arts and culture== Monterey Park is home to the Garvey Ranch Observatory, located in Garvey Ranch Park, which is operated by the Los Angeles Astronomical Society (LAAS). It adjoins a historical museum, a classroom, and a workshop. The observatory houses an {{convert|8|in|mm|adj=on}} refractor, a telescope making workshop, and a library containing over 1000 books. The grounds are open to the public for free astronomical observation on Wednesday evenings from 7:30PM – 10:00PM, hosted by LAAS members.<ref> {{cite web |url=http://www.laas.org/joomlasite/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=86&Itemid=99 |title=Garvey Ranch |access-date=August 10, 2011 }}</ref>

Built in 1929, Jardin El Encanto, otherwise known as "El Encanto," is a Spanish-style building located at 700 El Mercado.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-10-06-ga-202-story.html|title=COMMENTARY : Memories of Monterey Park|last=Rugh|first=Jack Leighton|date=October 6, 1991|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=April 7, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035}}</ref> The building, originally the sales office for Midwick Estates, was once a USO center and speakeasy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.montereypark.ca.gov/677/Historical-Sites|title=Historical Sites {{!}} Monterey Park, CA - Official Website|website=www.montereypark.ca.gov|access-date=April 7, 2019}}</ref>

==Government== thumb|The Monterey Park Civic Center

===Local government=== The city of Monterey Park has its own police and fire departments serving the city.

Monterey Park City Municipal Elections were held every two years in odd numbered years, on the first Tuesday in March until the 2017 election. Effective with the 2020 California Primary election, City Council elections will be held on even-numbered years on a Tuesday after the first Monday in March. Five Council Members serve four year terms with overlapping terms in bi-annual elections: the three seats elected in one election and two seats in the next election, at which time the City Clerk and City Treasurer are also elected.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ci.monterey-park.ca.us/index.aspx?page=3 |title=City of Monterey Park : City Government |access-date=October 28, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101127050954/http://www.ci.monterey-park.ca.us/index.aspx?page=3 |archive-date=November 27, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The current elected officials are: *Elizabeth Yang, Mayor<ref name=cc/> *Henry Lo, Mayor Pro Tem<ref name=cc/> *Jose Sanchez, Council Member<ref name=cc/> *Thomas Wong, Council Member<ref name=cc/> *Vinh T. Ngo, Council Member<ref name=cc/> *Maychelle Yee, City Clerk *Amy Lee, City Treasurer

===List of mayors=== This is a list of Monterey Park mayors by year.

Centennial Monument in front of City Hall lists all Mayors from 1916 - 2016

* 1937 F.C. Owen <ref name="politicalgraveyard_mp"/> * 1938 I.J. Williams <ref name="politicalgraveyard_mp"/> * 1940 James T. Bradshaw <ref name="politicalgraveyard_mp"/> * 1954-1955 Philip E. Marria <ref name="politicalgraveyard_mp"/> * 1956-1959 1961-1962 Rod Irvine * 1956-1958 George Brown Jr.<ref name="politicalgraveyard_mp"/> * October 1957 Leila Donegan - First woman mayor.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29056805/1st-woman-elected-to-city-council-now/ |title=Monterey Park Gets First Woman Mayor |newspaper=The Los Angeles Times |date=October 2, 1957 |page=23 |access-date=June 28, 2020}}</ref> * 1960 Gordon B. Severance <ref name="politicalgraveyard_mp"/> * 1960-1961 Leila Donegan - First woman mayor.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-02-28-ga-3054-story.html |title=Monterey Park to Put Its Own Stars on the Map |website=Los Angeles Times |first=Irene |last=Chang |date=February 28, 1991 |access-date=June 25, 2020}}(Required paid subscription)</ref> * 1974-1975 Matthew G. Martinez <ref name="politicalgraveyard_mp"/> * 1977-1978 George Ige <ref>{{cite web |url=https://californiarevealed.org/islandora/object/cavpp%3A15849 |title=Oral history program: George Ige |website=californiareveales.org |date=May 1990 |access-date=July 8, 2020}}</ref> * 1980 Matthew G. Martinez <ref name="politicalgraveyard_mp"/> * November 1983 – 1984 Lily Lee Chen - First female Chinese-American mayor in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1983/11/29/asian-americans-in-ascendancy/14b4444f-b520-4b2c-a6f5-468dd8d0d07b/ |title=Asian-Americans In Ascendancy |website=washingtonpost.com |first=Jay |last=Mathews |date=November 29, 1983 |access-date=June 25, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.scpr.org/programs/take-two/2018/03/30/62401/how-the-first-female-chinese-american-mayor-fought/ |title=How America's first female Chinese-American mayor fought for her community |website=scpr.org |date=March 30, 2018 |access-date=June 25, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.laalmanac.com/history/hi711.php |title=How the San Gabriel Valley Became America's "Suburban Chinatown" |website=laalmanac.com |access-date=July 16, 2020}}</ref> * December 1987 – 1988 Christopher F. Houseman <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-12-10-ga-28132-story.html |title=Monterey Park: Mayor to Be Installed |website=Los Angeles Times |date=December 10, 1987 |access-date=July 16, 2020}}</ref> * 1988-1989 Barry Hatch<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-10-09-ga-5382-story.html |title=The World According to Hatch : Monterey Park Councilman Gets His Turn at Being Mayor |website=Los Angeles Times |date=October 9, 1988 |access-date=June 25, 2020|author-first1=Berkley|author-last1=Hudson}}</ref> * 1989 Judy Chu<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ontheissues.org/Mayor.htm |title=Mayors - Past Mayors Across the United States |website=ontheissues.org |access-date=June 25, 2020}}</ref> * February 1991 Betty Couch <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-02-14-ga-1494-story.html |title=Monterey Park: New Mayor Takes Office |website=Los Angeles Times |date=February 14, 1991 |access-date=June 27, 2020}}(Required paid subscription)</ref> * September 1992 Fred Balderrama <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-09-10-ga-132-story.html |title=Monterey Park: Balderrama to Be Sworn In |website=Los Angeles Times |date=September 10, 1992 |access-date=June 26, 2020}}</ref> * 1995 Rita Valenzuela <ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pEDlhVFcqh4C&q=Rita+Valenzuela+mayor&pg=PA113 |title=Race and Politics: Asian Americans, Latinos, and Whites in a Los Angeles Suburb |first=Leland T. |last=Saito |year=1998 |publisher=University of Illinois Press |isbn=9780252067204 |access-date=June 27, 2020}}</ref> * 2000-2001 Frank Venti <ref name="thecitizensvoice_venti">{{cite web |url=http://thecitizensvoice.net/?p=4310 |title=Park To Be Named In Honor Of Beth Ryan |website=thecitizenvoice.net |date=October 19, 2011 |access-date=June 27, 2020}}</ref> * 2001 Francisco M. Alonso <ref name="politicalgraveyard_mp">{{cite web |url=http://politicalgraveyard.com/geo/CA/ofc/montereypark.html |title=Mayors of Monterey Park, 1937-2001 |website=politicalgraveyard.com |access-date=June 27, 2020}}</ref> * 2002 Fred Balderrama <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-jun-15-me-briefs15.3-story.html |title=Suit Against Mayor Over Bus Contract Dismissed |website=Los Angeles Times |date=June 15, 2002 |access-date=July 8, 2020}}(Required paid subscription)</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.smartvoter.org/2002/11/05/ca/state/vote/chu_j/endorse.html |title=Judy Chu for Assembly 2002 Endorsements |website=smartvoter.org |date=November 5, 2002 |access-date=July 8, 2020}}</ref> * 2003-2004 Sharon Martinez * August 2004-January 2005 Mike Eng<ref>{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/details/cmp_000059 |title=Past Mayors of Monterey Park: Michael Eng |website=archive.org |date=November 21, 2011 |access-date=June 25, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/57437/mike-eng |title=Mike Eng's Biography |publisher=Vote Smart |access-date=June 26, 2020}}</ref> * 2005-2006 Frank Venti <ref name="thecitizensvoice_venti"/> * March 2006 Betty Tom Chu<ref>{{cite web |url=https://researchworks.oclc.org/archivegrid/collection/data/263184897 |title=Betty Tom Chu, the only Chinese woman bank head / photo by Paul Chinn |website=oclc.org |access-date=June 27, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-1000514791.html |title=Betty Tom Chu To Be Sworn In As Monterey Park Mayor |date=March 9, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181119132518/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-1000514791.html |access-date=June 27, 2020|archive-date=November 19, 2018 }}</ref> * 2008-2009 Frank Venti <ref name="thecitizensvoice_venti"/> * February 2010 Anthony Wong <ref>{{cite web |url=http://thecitizensvoice.net/?p=1675 |title=Mayor Anthony Wong |website=thecitizensvoice.net |date=March 21, 2010 |access-date=June 25, 2020}}</ref> * June 2012 Mitchell Ing <ref>{{cite web |url=http://thecitizensvoice.net/?p=5803 |title=New Mayor in Town |website=thecitizensvoice.net |date=July 17, 2012 |access-date=June 27, 2020}}</ref> * 2013 Anthony Wong <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pasadenanow.com/main/kicking-off-the-100th-year-of-red-cross-service-in-pasadena/ |title=Red Cross Kicks Off 100 Years of Service in Pasadena Friday |website=pasadenanow.com |date=November 8, 2013 |access-date=July 31, 2020}}</ref> * January 2014 Anthony Wong * 2014-2015 Hans Liang * August 2015- May 2016 Peter Chan <ref>{{cite web |url=http://latinosforwater.org/inaugural-class/ |title=WELL UnTapped FELLOWS - Peter Chan |website=latinosforwater.org |access-date=June 25, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.montereypark.ca.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=1955 |title=Mayoral Installation and City Council Reorganization |website=montereypark.ca.gov |date=August 18, 2015 |access-date=June 26, 2020}}</ref> * May 2016 - April 2017 Mitchell Ing <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.montereypark.ca.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=2511 |title=Mayoral Installation and City Council Reorganization |website=montereypark.ca.gov |date=May 25, 2016 |access-date=June 25, 2020}}</ref> * April 2017 to December 2017 Teresa Real Sebastian <ref name="montereypark_dec2017"/> * December 2017-October 2018 Stephen Lam <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sgvjournal.com/local-news/monterey-park-1/3302-steven-lam-gets-first-turn-as-mayor.html |title=Stephen Lam Gets First Turn as Mayor |website=sgvjournal.com |first= David |last=Barron |date=2017 |access-date=June 25, 2020}}</ref><ref name="montereypark_dec2017">{{cite web |url=http://www.montereypark.ca.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=3398 |title=Mayoral Installation and City Council Reorganization |website=montereypark.ca.gov |date=December 28, 2017 |access-date=June 26, 2020}}</ref> * October 2018 Peter Chan.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thecitizensvoice.net/?p=19528 |title=New Mayor in Monterey Park |website=thecitizensvoice.net |date=November 20, 2018 |access-date=June 25, 2020}}</ref> * July 2019- Aug 2020 Hans Liang <ref name="cityofmpk.org">{{cite web |url=http://www.cityofmpk.org/Calendar.aspx?EID=4794 |title=Mayoral Installation and City Council Reorganization |website=cityofmpk.org |date=July 22, 2019 |access-date=June 25, 2020}}</ref> * Aug 2020 - Dec 2020 Peter Chan <ref name="cityofmpk.org"/> * Dec 2020 - Dec 2021 Yvonne Yiu <ref name="cityofmpk.org"/> * Dec 2021 - Jan 2023 Henry Lo

===County representation=== In the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Monterey Park is in the First District, represented by Hilda Solis.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hildalsolis.org/the-first-district/|title=The First District|website=Supervisor Hilda L Solis}}</ref>

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department had its central headquarters in Monterey Park.<ref>"[http://www.lasd.org/divisions/leadership-training-div/bureaus/ebd/assets/sb-579.pdf Education-Based Discipline] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091127213816/http://www.lasd.org/divisions/leadership-training-div/bureaus/ebd/assets/sb-579.pdf |date=November 27, 2009 }}." Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. April 29, 2009. Retrieved on March 12, 2010.</ref> The Edmund D. Edelman Children's Court, Sybil Brand Institute, Central Juvenile District, (Dependency) is located in Monterey Park.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lasuperiorcourt.org/locations/ui/location.aspx?loc=CCJ& |title=Court Location General Tab |publisher=Lasuperiorcourt.org |access-date=August 17, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100514112712/http://www.lasuperiorcourt.org/Locations/ui/location.aspx?loc=CCJ& |archive-date=May 14, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services operates the Monrovia Health Center in Monrovia, serving Monterey Park.<ref>"[http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/phn/docs/HealthCenter/monrovia.pdf Monrovia Health Center]." Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. Retrieved on March 27, 2010.</ref>

===State and federal representation=== In the state legislature, Monterey Park is located in {{Representative|casd|25|fmt=sdistrict}}, and in {{Representative|caad|49|fmt=adistrict}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Final Maps {{!}} California Citizens Redistricting Commission |url=https://wedrawthelines.ca.gov/final-maps/ |access-date=October 10, 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

In the United States House of Representatives, Monterey Park is in {{Representative|cacd|28|fmt=district}}.<ref>{{Cite GovTrack|CA|28}}</ref> Chu previously served as mayor and city council member of Monterey Park.

==Politics== {{PresHead|place=Monterey Park, California|source=<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/prior-elections/statewide-election-results|title=Statewide Election Results|publisher=California Secretary of State|access-date=March 27, 2026}}</ref>}}  {{PresRow|2000|Democratic|3,665|8,025|391|California}} {{PresRow|2004|Democratic|7,012|12,249|211|California}} {{PresRow|2008|Democratic|6,130|11,782|366|California}} {{PresRow|2012|Democratic|4,664|11,521|330|California}} {{PresRow|2016|Democratic|4,251|12,051|845|California}} {{PresRow|2020|Democratic|7,027|15,808|380|California}} {{PresRow|2024|Democratic|7,114|11,905|694|California}} {{PresFoot}}

==Education==

[[Image:MKHSauditoriumSouthernFace.jpg|thumb|Mark Keppel High School]]

===Colleges and universities=== East Los Angeles College is located in Monterey Park in an area that was once part of East Los Angeles. California State University, Los Angeles is located just outside the northwestern corner of the city.<ref name="SchoolsMP">"[http://www.ci.monterey-park.ca.us/index.aspx?page=866 School districts serving Monterey Park] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100701122544/http://www.ci.monterey-park.ca.us/index.aspx?page=866 |date=July 1, 2010 }}." City of Monterey Park. Retrieved on July 3, 2010.</ref>

===Primary and secondary schools=== Alhambra Unified School District, Garvey School District, Los Angeles Unified School District, and Montebello Unified School District serve different areas of Monterey Park.<ref name="SchoolsMP"/><ref name=EngDConx>{{cite news|author=Eng, Dinah|url=https://www.latimes.com/classified/realestate/news/la-re-guide5mar05,1,4455622.story|title=A community's Chinese connection|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=March 5, 2006|access-date=January 3, 2017}}</ref>

====Public schools====

=====Alhambra Unified School District===== thumb|Monterey Highlands School K-8 schools serving AUSD in Monterey Park include:<ref name=MontereyParkZoningMap>{{cite web|url=http://www.montereypark.ca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7097/EXZO_2013-082417?bidId=|title=Zoning Map|publisher=City of Monterrey Park|access-date=April 13, 2020}}</ref><ref name=AlhambraUSDK8>{{cite web|url=http://www.ausd.us/enrollment/maps/2015%20AUSD%20K8%20Map%20Revise.pdf|title=K-8 Zoning Map|publisher=Alhambra Unified School District|access-date=April 13, 2020}}</ref> * Brightwood School * Monterey Highlands School * Repetto School * Ynez School

Mark Keppel High School serves graduates from AUSD and Garvey School District.<ref name=MontereyParkZoningMap/><ref name=AUSDHSMap>{{cite web|url=http://www.ausd.us/enrollment/maps/2015%20AUSD%20HS%20Map%20Revise.pdf|title=High School Zoning Map|publisher=Alhambra Unified School District|access-date=April 13, 2020}}</ref>

=====Garvey School District===== Two elementary schools, Hillcrest and Monterey Vista (both in Monterey Park), serve this part of the city.<ref name=EngDConx/> Monterey Vista is a Blue Ribbon School.

Richard Garvey Intermediate School (Rosemead) also serves this portion.<ref name=EngDConx/>

=====Los Angeles Unified School District===== Robert Hill Lane Elementary School (Monterey Park),<ref name=EngDConx/> Griffith Middle School (Unincorporated Los Angeles County), and Garfield High School (Unincorporated Los Angeles County) serve the LAUSD part of the city.

=====Montebello Unified School District===== Bella Vista Elementary School, Monterey Park;<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ed-data.org/school/Los-Angeles/Montebello-Unified/Bella-Vista-Elementary|title=EdData - School Profile - Bella Vista Elementary|website=www.ed-data.org}}</ref> Macy Intermediate School, Monterey Park, and Schurr High School, Montebello, serve the MUSD portion.<ref name=EngDConx/>

====Private schools==== Saint Stephen Martyr School: opened in 1926 to provide the families of Monterey Park with an opportunity for their children to receive a Catholic School education. K–Grade 8 <ref>{{cite web|url=http://stsmc.org/|title=St. Stephen Martyr School|website=St. Stephen Martyr School}}</ref> The school closed in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=St. Stephen Martyr - School Directory Details (CA Dept of Education) |url=https://www.cde.ca.gov/schooldirectory/details?cdscode=19757136964621 |access-date=November 1, 2023 |website=www.cde.ca.gov}}</ref>

Meher Montessori School: preschool, lower and upper elementary classes<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mehermontessori.org/pages/info.html |title=info |publisher=Mehermontessori.org |access-date=August 17, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100821104256/http://mehermontessori.org/pages/info.html |archive-date=August 21, 2010 }}</ref>

St Thomas Aquinas School: A Catholic parish school, serving economically and ethnically diverse students in grades Kindergarten through eighth. Founded in 1963, the Church is in the center of the school both physically and spiritually. The school is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and the Western Catholic Educational Association.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stacatholicschool.org/information.html |title=Information - St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School |publisher=Stacatholicschool.org |access-date=August 17, 2010 }}{{Dead link|date=December 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

New Avenue School PreKindergarten—Kindergarten through 8th grade. New Avenue school was founded in 1961. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.elocallink.tv/profiles/ca/alhambra/11/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100309214307/http://www.elocallink.tv/profiles/ca/alhambra/11/|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 9, 2010|title=New Avenue School|website=www.elocallink.tv}}</ref>

Alpha-Shen Preschool and Kindergarten

Esther's Nest Children's School Pre-Kindergarten—Kindergarten

Graceland Christian Day Care Center Pre-Kindergarten—Kindergarten

Monterey Park Christian School Pre-Kindergarten—Kindergarten

===Public library=== The Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library serves Monterey Park.<ref>[http://www.montereypark.ca.gov/238/Library Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library] Retrieved June 13, 2013.</ref>

==Transportation== Monterey Park is served by the Long Beach Freeway, (I-710), the San Bernardino Freeway (I-10), and the Pomona Freeway, SR 60.

Public transportation is provided by the city government, Spirit bus service and Metrolink feeder bus,<ref>[http://www.ci.monterey-park.ca.us/docs/schedule.pdf Archived copy] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071025062825/http://www.ci.monterey-park.ca.us/docs/schedule.pdf|date=October 25, 2007}}</ref> the Montebello Bus Lines<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cityofmontebello.com/depts/transit/bus/default.asp |title=Transit Bus |access-date=June 29, 2009 |archive-date=May 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150502211556/http://www.cityofmontebello.com/depts/transit/bus/default.asp |url-status=dead }}</ref> and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Metro E Line light rail service stops at Atlantic station just south of the city limits. Metro J Line bus rapid transit stops at Cal State LA station, northwest of Monterey Park.

==Media== Monterey Park community news is covered by the city's official news publication, the Cascades Newspaper, as well as the ''San Gabriel Valley Tribune''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.montereypark.ca.gov/576/Cascades-Newspaper|title=Cascades Newspaper - Monterey Park, CA - Official Website|website=www.montereypark.ca.gov}}</ref>

==Notable people== * Betty Tom Chu - former mayor of Monterey Park and first Chinese-American woman lawyer in Southern California. * Judy Chu, former mayor of Monterey Park, Congresswoman from California's 27th district and former City Councilwoman * Ernest "Red" Hallen, official photographer of the Panama Canal. * Dan Haren, starting pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals, Oakland Athletics, Arizona Diamondbacks, Los Angeles Dodgers and Miami Marlins * William Hung, rejected ''American Idol'' contestant, current statistical analyst for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department<ref>Transparent California 2011</ref> * Vania King, 2010 Wimbledon and U.S. Open tennis doubles champion * Saladin McCullough, NFL player *Walter Sarnoi Oupathana, professional boxer<ref>{{Cite web|title=Walter Sarnoi Oupathana|url=https://www.laoamericansports.com/walter-sarnoi-oupathana|access-date=December 7, 2021|website=Lao American Sports|language=en}}</ref> * Esther Salas, the first Hispanic woman to serve as a United States magistrate judge in the District of New Jersey, and the first Hispanic woman to be appointed a U.S. District Court judge in New Jersey.<ref name=LocalRoots>Sanabria, Santo. "Local roots". ''The Union City Reporter''. July 24, 2011. pages 1 and 12</ref> * Roberta Shore, actress * Enrique Torres, Mexican-American heavy weight professional wrestler and a major star of televised wrestling during the late 1940s and 1950s. * Joyce Alene White Vance, U.S. Attorney and law professor * Michael Woo, Los Angeles City Councilman (1985–1994) and Dean of the Cal Poly Pomona College of Environmental Design * Wilbur Woo (1915–2012), businessman and leader in the Chinese-American community<ref name=latimes>{{cite news|first=Valerie J.|last=Nelson|title=Wilbur K. Woo dies at 96; a leader of L.A.'s Chinese community |url=https://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-wilbur-woo-20121115-story.html |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=November 15, 2012 |access-date=December 1, 2012}}</ref>

==See also== {{Portal|Greater Los Angeles}} * History of the Chinese Americans in Los Angeles * Chinese enclaves in the San Gabriel Valley

==References== {{Reflist}}

==Further reading== * Saito, Leland T. ''[https://archive.org/details/racepoliticsasia0000sait Race and Politics: Asian Americans, Latinos, and Whites in a Los Angeles Suburb]''. ''University of Illinois Press'', 1980. {{ISBN|0-252-06720-7}}, {{ISBN|978-0-252-06720-4}}.

==External links== {{Wikivoyage|Monterey Park}} {{Commons category|Monterey Park, California}} *{{Official website}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20040409140128/http://ci.monterey-park.ca.us/Library/ Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20090310034910/http://montereyparkchamber.org/ Monterey Park Chamber of Commerce] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20160616085841/http://www.temple.edu/tempress/titles/997_reg_print.html The First Suburban Chinatown] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20001204134600/http://www.temple.edu/tempress/asam_history.html Asian American History and Culture, edited by Sucheng Chan, David Palumbo-Liu, Michael Omi, K. Scott Wong, and Linda Trinh Võ.] * [https://californiarevealed.org/islandora/object/cavpp%3A15846 Oral history program: Evelyn Diederich]

{{Geographic Location | Centre = Monterey Park | North =Alhambra | Northeast =Rosemead | East =Rosemead | Southeast = South San Gabriel | South = Montebello | Southwest =East Los Angeles | West = East Los Angeles | Northwest =El Sereno | image = }} {{Monterey Park, California}} {{Cities of Los Angeles County, California}} {{Greater Los Angeles Area}} {{US Chinatowns}} {{Chinese American|state=collapsed}} {{authority control}}

Category:Monterey Park, California Category:1916 establishments in California Category:Chinese-American culture in California Category:Cities in Los Angeles County, California Category:Communities in the San Gabriel Valley Category:Incorporated cities and towns in California Category:Populated places in the United States established in 1916