CabbageFarmer, 1951
Gardena’s story
136 years in pictures
Census counts: 5,909 in 1940, 61,027 in 2020. The archive holds 5 old photos and papers going back to 1951 and 8 maps from 1896 on.
- 1890Gardena is settled
GardenaCA
A city of 58,460, settled in 1890.
3 bordering townsMap →
Photo: Jengod · CC BY-SA 4.0
Population
58,460
2025 Census estimate · −4.2% since 2020
Typical home
$780K
+2.2% in a year
Household income
$85K
median
Median age
39.6
years
Jobs based here
20,213
Balanced
TownGrade
D
#585 of 841 in CA
Is Gardena a good place to live?
Gardena grades D overall, 585th among California's 841 graded towns, mostly because of safety. Its police reported 360 violent crimes reported to the FBI in 2025, a higher rate per resident than 93% of U.S. towns. What it does well: it is easier to get around on foot or by transit than 93% of U.S. towns. Gardena’s property crime rate is 29.9 per 1,000 residents, against 13.3 in California’s towns and 9.9 across U.S. towns. Gardena is home to America Evangelical University. FEMA rates its natural-hazard risk higher than 97% of U.S. communities, with inland flooding at the top.
What makes Gardena stand out
Where Gardena beats most towns, and one thing worth knowing.
WalkabilityA
More walkable than 93% of U.S. towns
5.1% of workers walk, bike or ride transit
EPA National Walkability Index; Census ACS.
The college
| College | Students |
|---|---|
| America Evangelical University | 17 |
A college in town
17 college students
at America Evangelical University
Students are 8% of residents.
Worth knowing · Natural hazardsD−
Inland flooding and earthquakes at the top
FEMA National Risk Index.
College town
America Evangelical University calls Gardena home
College Scorecard · IPEDS
How Gardena grades
Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within California), ordered by how far Gardena is from typical.
Its grades run from A for walkability (better than 93% of comparable towns) to D− for hazard risk (better than 2%), so the D overall blends very different results.
Hazard riskinland flooding tops the listD−Open →Cost of livingD−Open →SafetyDOpen →WalkabilityEPA walkability 13.5 of 20; 5.2% of households have no carAOpen →Jobs & income$85K median household incomeBOpen →HealthMemorial Hospital of Gardena 0.7 miles awayBOpen →SchoolsB−Open →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
Outdoors1 mile of trail; 1% conserved landC+Open →History25 notable people born hereC−Open →Civic life3.4 community nonprofits per 1,000 residentsDOpen →
Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.
ClimateMild winters, 82° summer afternoons–Open →Housing market29 days on market–Open →Who lives hereMedian age 39.6–Open →
How TownRatings grades towns →
Nearby attractions
All 275 attractions →SoFi Stadium and 239 more within 40 miles
Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around Gardena. Close and well known come first.
Big draw4 mi Stadium & arenaSoFi Stadium
Big draw15 mi LandmarkHollywood Walk of Fame10.0M visitors a year
Big draw8 mi MuseumLucas Museum of Narrative Art
Big draw8 mi Stadium & arenaLos Angeles Memorial Coliseum
Big draw23 mi Theme parkDisneyland17.3M visitors a year
Big draw4 mi Stadium & arenaIntuit DomeSources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · photos via Wikimedia Commons
Photo credits
SoFi Stadium: Thank You (21 Millions+) views, CC BY 2.0 · Hollywood Walk of Fame: BenSherman, Public domain · Lucas Museum of Narrative Art: Kriddl, CC0 · Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum: CanonStarGal, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Disneyland: HarshLight from San Jose, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0 · Intuit Dome: Spatms, CC BY-SA 4.0
Getting set up
The full setup list →Moving to Gardena: who provides what
Who provides power, water and the rest in Gardena, and how to reach them.
PowerSouthern California Edison31.5¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterGswc - Southwest water systemNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet7 providers97% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & dumpNot on file yetWe don’t have Gardena’s trash rules yet
Register to voteOnlineIn California you can register online until 15 days before Election Day, in person up to and including Election Day, or by mail (postmarked 15 days before).vote.govWho runs elections hereLos Angeles Registrar-Recorder County ClerkLos Angeles County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Sep 2025
ZIP codes90247, 90249, 9024890247 60% · 90249 34% · 90248 5%Census 2020
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Nov 18, 2024.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Gardena.
Gardena has milder winter nights than nearly all U.S. towns and has seen reported crime fall beyond ordinary swings.
SafetyD
Gardena earns a D for safety
Reported crimes fell from 2,283 to 2,106 over the last three FBI years, a drop beyond ordinary year-to-year swings.
Gardena’s violent crime rate is 6.2 per 1,000 residents. Gardena reports more crime per resident than most U.S. towns we grade: about 93% report less.
7%of U.S. towns report more crimeDSafety Grade
Violent crime per 1,000 residents
Gardena6.2
California4.4
U.S.3.3
Property crime per 1,000 residents
Gardena29.9
California18.2
U.S.15.5
7th
percentile among U.S. towns we grade
9th
percentile among CA towns
360
violent crimes reported in 2025
1,746
property crimes reported in 2025
FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to police
SchoolsB−
Public schools in Gardena beat 50% of California districts
Its public schools are run by the Los Angeles Unified school district. Two of its 10 schools are below, each with why it’s listed.
50%of CA districts it outscoresB−School Grade
| School | Level | Students | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robert E. Peary MiddleLargest public middle schoolGrades 6–8 | Grades 6–8 | 1,082 | – |
| Environmental Charter High - GardenaLargest public high schoolGrades 9–12 | Grades 9–12 | 454 | – |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within CA on state tests and graduation
Natural hazardsHazard risk grade D−
Very high risk in Gardena, with inland flooding at the top
Since 1998, 2 flood insurance claims have been paid out in Gardena.
97risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Inland floodingEarthquakes
2
paid flood claims since 1998
7
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
Climate
Gardena has mild winters and pleasant summers
January nights average 47.8°, milder than in 98% of U.S. towns; July afternoons average 79.7°.
Gardena has warm winters and pleasant summers, with very little rain. The January low in Gardena is 48°F. Snow is almost unheard of.
82°summer high
| Gardena | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| January low | 48°F | 40°F | 22°F |
| July high | 80°F | 89°F | 85°F |
Typical low → high °F
Winter48–68°
Spring53–71°
Summer62–79°
Fall57–77°
+2.3°
vs. the 20th-century average
82°
typical summer high
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
Work & commuteJobs & income grade B
About one in three of Gardena’s working residents commute to Los Angeles
Most working residents leave Gardena for work: only 6% work in town. Jobs based in Gardena fell to 20,213 in 2023, 2,402 fewer than in 2013. The top destinations are Los Angeles (31%), Torrance (8%) and El Segundo (4%).
6%work in town
| Gardena | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average trip to work | 29 minutes | 28 minutes | 25 minutes |
| Work from home | 9.7% | 14% | 11% |
| Below the poverty line | 12% | 10% | 9.6% |
| Median household income | $85,000 | $95,000 | $80,000 |
Where working residents work
In Gardena6%
Los Angeles31%
Torrance8%
El Segundo4%
Long Beach3%
10 mi
median commute distance
20,213
jobs based in Gardena
Balanced
jobs vs. working residents
A
Walkability grade: more walkable than 93% of U.S. towns
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
Who lives here
An age mix much like California’s
No broad age group is more than 4 points off the California average. Gardena has lost 4.2% of its people since 2020, down to 58,460 in the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimate. 29% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or more, vs 37% across California.
39.6median age · CA 37.9
| Gardena | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 18 | 21% | 22% | 22% |
| Aged 65 or older | 17% | 16% | 18% |
GardenaCaliforniaUnited States
Ages · share of residents
16%
Education · adults 25 and older
No diploma18%
High school23%
Some college22%
Associate’s8%
Bachelor’s21%
Graduate8%
Women and men · all residents
53% women, 47% men
About 89 men for every 100 women (the survey’s margin: ±1.3 points). Across California, 50.1% of residents are women. Median age: women 40.1, men 39.1.
| Gardena | CA | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 10 | 11.5% | 11.4% | 11.6% |
| 10 to 17 | 9.2% | 10.5% | 10.3% |
| 18 to 24 | 7.5% | 9.1% | 9.1% |
| 25 to 34 | 15.7% | 14.8% | 13.7% |
| 35 to 44 | 12.8% | 13.9% | 13.2% |
| 45 to 54 | 13.1% | 12.5% | 12.2% |
| 55 to 64 | 13.4% | 12.1% | 12.7% |
| 65 to 74 | 9.3% | 9.2% | 10.2% |
| 75 and older | 7.6% | 6.5% | 7% |
| No diploma | 18.4% | 15.3% | 10.4% |
| High school | 22.5% | 20.5% | 26% |
| Some college | 21.8% | 19.3% | 19.1% |
| Associate’s | 8.3% | 7.9% | 8.8% |
| Bachelor’s | 20.9% | 22.7% | 21.6% |
| Graduate | 8.1% | 14.4% | 14.1% |
Census population estimates, 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
HealthB
Residents of Gardena are healthier than 56% of U.S. towns
Gardena beats the California average on 4 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 12. 42% of Gardena adults feel lonely.
56%healthier than U.S. townsBHealth Grade
| Gardena | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feel lonely (CDC PLACES) | 42% | 36% | 33% |
| Depression (CDC PLACES) | 17% | 22% | 23% |
| Binge drink (CDC PLACES) | 13% | 16% | 16% |
| Obesity (CDC PLACES) | 26% | 29% | 35% |
32 measures vs. California
4 better16 too close to call12 worse
| What stands out | Gardena | CA |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer adults who have had cancer | 5.1% | 6.4% |
| Fewer adults with depression | 16.9% | 20.1% |
| More adults lacking emotional support | 34.8% | 28.6% |
Memorial Hospital of Gardena
0.7 mi away · emergency room
1 of 3
care shortages: primary care
44th
percentile among CA towns
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
#643for trails in CA
| Gardena | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miles of trail per square mile | 0.2 miles per square mile | 1.0 | 0.4 |
| Conserved land | 1.4% | 4.3% | 4.3% |
1.4%
conserved · 51 of 3,735 acres
1.2 mi
of trails · 0.2 per sq mi
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Gardena Willows Wetland Preserve | 0.6 mi | 14 |
| 2. Rowley Memorial Park | 0.4 mi | 18 |
| 3. Arthur Lee Johnson Memorial Park | 0.1 mi | 7 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
HousingCost of living grade D−
Gardena’s typical home value is about $780K
The typical Gardena home is worth about $780,000, up 2.2% in a year, close to the California typical home. 49% of households own their home in Gardena.
$780KZillow home value
| Gardena | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households that own their home | 49% | 64% | 73% |
| Median rent | $1,809 a month | $1,898 a month | $1,185 a month |
| Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent | 55% | 55% | 48% |
Typical home value
Gardena$780K
California$762K
Market temperature
29
days on market
100.6%
sale-to-list price
+2.2%
value change, 1 year
24
homes sold in May
Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Gardena
20pages on Gardena
The big questions
SchoolsB−Beat 50% of CA districts · 10 schoolsSafetyD6.2 violent crimes per 1,000 residents (2025)HealthBBetter than CA on 4 of 32 CDC measuresCost of livingD−$780K typical home · up 2.2% in a yearWork & commuteB$85K median household income · 20,213 jobs hereNatural hazardsD−FEMA risk higher than 97% of U.S. communities · inland flooding
Out and about
The story
After high school
Colleges nearby
51 within 15 miles of the center of Gardena
America Evangelical UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · GardenaIn town$6,200 tuitionEl Camino Community College DistrictCommunity college · Public · Torrance1.4 mi$1,144 in-state tuitionCalifornia State University-Dominguez HillsUniversity or college · Public · Carson3.6 mi$7,449 in-state tuition
About 8 of every 100 Gardena residents are enrolled in college, about the same as California.
Famous people from Gardena
25 notable people were born in Gardena.
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
About Gardena
City in California, United States
Gardena is a city located in the South Bay region of Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 61,027 at the 2020 census, up from 58,829 at the 2010 census. Until 2014, the U.S. census cited the City of Gardena as the place with the highest percentage of Japanese Americans in California. Gardena's Japanese American population contributes to the South Bay region of Los Angeles being home to the highest density of Japanese companies within the mainland United States.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Established
- 1930
- Area
- 5.9 sq mi
- Elevation
- 49 ft
- ZIP code
- 90247, 90248, 90249
Gardena’s neighbors
3 towns share a border with Gardena.
Los AngelesTorranceAlondra ParkGardena
How the neighbors grade
| Town | CA rank | Overall | Cost | Safety | Schools | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gardena | #585 | D | D− | D | B− | B |
| Los Angeles | #613 | D | D− | D | B− | B− |
| Torrance | #220 | B− | D− | C− | A | A |
| Alondra Park | #395 | C | D− | — | B | B− |
Alondra Park reports no FBI crime data of its own. Compare Gardena with a neighbor →
Questions about Gardena
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Gardena, CA a good place to live?
Gardena grades D overall, better than 12% of U.S. towns and #585 of 841 in California. It grades B for health, D for safety and B− for schools. Hazard risk is its weak spot, with a D−.
Is Gardena, CA expensive?
Yes. That is 8.1 years of the area's median household income ($95,958 across the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area). Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades D−.
What is Gardena, CA known for?
25 notable people were born here, including Art Pepper and Aaron Norris.