QSL-W6NWK-1947, 1947
South Gate’s story
103 years in pictures
Census counts: 19,632 in 1930, 92,726 in 2020. The archive holds 11 old photos and papers going back to 1947 and 8 maps from 1896 on.
- 1923South Gate is settled
Population
90,071
2025 Census estimate · −2.9% since 2020
Typical home
$697K
+2% in a year
Household income
$75K
median
Median age
36.3
years
Jobs based here
18,861
A commuter town
TownGrade
D
#640 of 841 in CA
Is South Gate a good place to live?
South Gate earns a D, 640th of 841 graded towns in California, mostly because of safety. Its police reported 429 violent crimes reported to the FBI in 2025, a higher rate per resident than 92% of U.S. towns. What it does well: it is more walkable than 94% of U.S. towns. South Gate’s property crime rate is 32.7 per 1,000 residents, above both California’s towns (13.3) and U.S. towns (9.9). South Gate's civic life (library use, community groups, volunteering) trails 100% of U.S. towns. FEMA rates its natural-hazard risk higher than 84% of U.S. communities, with earthquakes at the top.
What makes South Gate stand out
Where South Gate beats most towns, and one thing worth knowing.
WalkabilityA
More walkable than 94% of U.S. towns
5.8% of workers walk, bike or ride transit
EPA National Walkability Index; Census ACS.
Roger SmithFamous people
27 notable people
born in South Gate
Including Roger Smith and Lee Greenwood.
Crimes reported to police
20233,640
20253,384
Worth knowing · SafetyD
But reported crime fell 7% since 2023
FBI data, 2025. Crimes reported to police.
A commuter town
95% of working residents leave South Gate for work
Where South Gate’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
18,861jobs based in South Gate
5%of working residents work in town
9 mimedian commute distance
Census LEHD 2023
How South Gate grades
Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within California), ordered by how far South Gate is from typical.
WalkabilityEPA walkability 13.7 of 20; 7.7% of households have no carAOpen →SafetyDOpen →Hazard riskearthquakes tops the listDOpen →Cost of livingDOpen →HealthMartin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital 3.3 miles awayCOpen →Jobs & income$75K median household incomeB−Open →SchoolsB−Open →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
Outdoors3 miles of trails; 3% conserved landB−Open →History27 notable people born hereCOpen →Civic life0.7 community nonprofits per 1,000 residentsD−Open →
Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.
ClimateMild winters, 86° summer afternoons–Open →Housing market41 days on market–Open →Who lives hereMedian age 36.3; 11% of adults have a four-year degree–Open →
How TownRatings grades towns →
Nearby attractions
All 276 attractions →SoFi Stadium and 237 more within 40 miles
Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around South Gate. Close and well known come first.
Big draw8 mi Stadium & arenaSoFi Stadium
Big draw14 mi LandmarkHollywood Walk of Fame10.0M visitors a year
Big draw8 mi MuseumLucas Museum of Narrative Art
Big draw7 mi Stadium & arenaLos Angeles Memorial Coliseum
Big draw18 mi Theme parkDisneyland17.3M visitors a year
Big draw8 mi Stadium & arenaCrypto.com ArenaSources: 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 · Crypto.com Arena: Troutfarm27, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Getting set up
The full setup list →Moving to South Gate: who provides what
Who provides power, water and the rest in South Gate, and how to reach them.
PowerSouthern California Edison31.5¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterSouth Gate-City, Water Dept.No health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet5 providers99% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & dumpUniversal Waste Systems, Inc.Trash haulerTown site
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 code9028090280 100%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 South Gate.
South Gate has milder winter nights than nearly all U.S. towns and has seen reported crime fall beyond ordinary swings.
SafetyD
For safety, South Gate earns a D
Reported crimes fell from 3,640 to 3,384 over the last three FBI years, a drop beyond ordinary year-to-year swings.
The violent crime rate in South Gate is 4.7 per 1,000 residents. South Gate reports more crime per resident than most U.S. towns we grade: about 92% report less.
8%of U.S. towns report more crimeDSafety Grade
Violent crime per 1,000 residents
South Gate4.7
California4.4
U.S.3.3
Property crime per 1,000 residents
South Gate32.7
California18.2
U.S.15.5
8th
percentile among U.S. towns we grade
11th
percentile among CA towns
429
violent crimes reported in 2025
2,955
property crimes reported in 2025
FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to police
SchoolsB−
Public schools in South Gate beat 50% of California districts
Its public schools are run by the Los Angeles Unified school district. Three of its 28 schools are below, each with why it’s listed.
50%of CA districts it outscoresB−School Grade
| School | Level | Students | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southeast MiddleLargest public middle schoolGrades 6–8 | Grades 6–8 | 1,215 | – |
| South East HighLargest public high schoolGrades 9–12 | Grades 9–12 | 1,990 | B+ |
| International Studies Lrng Center at Legacy High Sch ComplexTop results in townGrades 6–12 | Grades 6–12 | 867 | A− |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within CA on state tests and graduation
Natural hazardsHazard risk grade D
Earthquakes leads a very high hazard risk in South Gate
Since 1995, 2 flood insurance claims have been paid out in South Gate.
84risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
EarthquakesInland flooding
2
paid flood claims since 1995
7
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
Work & commuteJobs & income grade B−
South Gate has 0.6 jobs for every working resident, so most commute out
Most working residents leave South Gate for work: only 5% work in town. South Gate’s average trip to work is 33 minutes. Jobs based in South Gate fell to 18,861 in 2023, 3,038 fewer than in 2013.
5%work in town
| South Gate | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average trip to work | 33 minutes | 28 minutes | 25 minutes |
| Work from home | 7% | 14% | 11% |
| Below the poverty line | 13% | 10% | 9.6% |
| Median household income | $75,000 | $95,000 | $80,000 |
Where working residents work
In South Gate5%
Los Angeles26%
Long Beach4%
Downey3%
Vernon3%
9 mi
median commute distance
18,861
jobs based in South Gate
A commuter town
jobs vs. working residents
A
Walkability grade: more walkable than 94% of U.S. towns
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
HealthC
Residents of South Gate are less healthy than 70% of U.S. towns
South Gate beats the California average on 4 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 18. 33% of South Gate adults say their health is fair or poor.
31%healthier than U.S. townsCHealth Grade
| South Gate | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor health (CDC PLACES) | 33% | 22% | 19% |
| Feel lonely (CDC PLACES) | 44% | 36% | 33% |
| Food insecurity (CDC PLACES) | 33% | 16% | 14% |
| Yearly checkup (CDC PLACES) | 67% | 72% | 79% |
32 measures vs. California
4 better10 too close to call18 worse
| What stands out | South Gate | CA |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer adults who have had cancer | 4% | 6.4% |
| Fewer adults with arthritis | 17.4% | 20.8% |
| More uninsured adults | 23.2% | 10.6% |
Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital
3.3 mi away · emergency room
1 of 3
care shortages: dental
23rd
percentile among CA towns
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Climate
In South Gate, expect mild winters and pleasant summers
January nights average 47.1°, milder than in 98% of U.S. towns; July afternoons average 83.9°.
South Gate has warm winters and pleasant summers, with very little rain. Snow is almost unheard of.
86°summer high
| South Gate | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| January low | 47°F | 40°F | 22°F |
| July high | 84°F | 89°F | 85°F |
Typical low → high °F
Winter47–69°
Spring53–74°
Summer63–83°
Fall57–80°
+2.5°
vs. the 20th-century average
86°
typical summer high
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
OutdoorsB−
Conserved land covers 3.4% of South Gate
2.9 miles of trail in 11 parks and preserves. The biggest park or preserve is South Gate Park, at 85 acres.
#578for trails in CA
| South Gate | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miles of trail per square mile | 0.4 miles per square mile | 1.0 | 0.4 |
| Conserved land | 3.4% | 4.3% | 4.3% |
3.4%
conserved · 158 of 4,687 acres
2.9 mi
of trails · 0.4 per sq mi
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. South Gate Park | 0.4 mi | 85 |
| 2. Urban Orchard Park | 0.4 mi | 7 |
| 3. Southern Park | 0.3 mi | 4 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
HousingCost of living grade D
The typical home in South Gate is valued at about $697K
The typical South Gate home is worth about $697,000, up 2% in a year, 9% below the California typical home. 45% of households own their home in South Gate.
$697KZillow home value
| South Gate | California towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households that own their home | 45% | 64% | 73% |
| Median rent | $1,531 a month | $1,898 a month | $1,185 a month |
| Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent | 54% | 55% | 48% |
Typical home value
South Gate$697K
California$762K
Market temperature
41
days on market
100%
sale-to-list price
+2%
value change, 1 year
12
homes sold in May
Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
Keep exploring
Everything we know about South Gate
20pages on South Gate
The big questions
SchoolsB−Beat 50% of CA districts · 28 schoolsSafetyD4.7 violent crimes per 1,000 residents (2025)HealthCBetter than CA on 4 of 32 CDC measuresCost of livingD$697K typical home · up 2% in a yearWork & commuteB−$75K median household income · 18,861 jobs hereNatural hazardsDFEMA risk higher than 84% of U.S. communities · earthquakes
Out and about
The story
After high school
Colleges nearby
70 within 15 miles of the center of South Gate
Charles R Drew University of Medicine and ScienceUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · Los Angeles3.1 mi$23,000 tuitionCompton CollegeCommunity college · Public · Compton4.7 mi$1,142 in-state tuitionCalifornia State University-Dominguez HillsUniversity or college · Public · Carson6.6 mi$7,449 in-state tuition
About 8 of every 100 South Gate residents are enrolled in college, about the same as California.
Famous people from South Gate
27 notable people were born in South Gate.
A
Arleen AugerAmerican soprano · 1939–1993
M
Mark GonzalesAmerican skateboarder · born 1968
About South Gate
City in California, United States
South Gate is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States, with 7.4 square miles (19 km2). It is located 7 miles (11 km) southeast of Downtown Los Angeles. South Gate is part of the Gateway Cities region of southeastern Los Angeles County. The city was incorporated on January 20, 1923, and it became known as the "Azalea City" when it adopted the flower as its symbol in 1965. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 92,726, making it the 19th largest in the county. In 1990, South Gate was one of ten U.S. communities to receive the All-America City Award from the National Civic League.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Established
- 1923
- Area
- 7.4 sq mi
- Elevation
- 115 ft
- ZIP code
- 90280
- Area code
- 323
South Gate’s neighbors
6 towns share a border with South Gate.
LynwoodParamountDowneyWalnut ParkCudahyFlorence-GrahamSouth Gate
How the neighbors grade
| Town | CA rank | Overall | Cost | Safety | Schools | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Gate | #640 | D | D | D | B− | C |
| Lynwood | #771 | D− | D | D | C+ | C− |
| Paramount | #669 | D | D | D | C+ | C |
| Downey | #257 | C+ | D− | — | B+ | B |
| Walnut Park | #548 | C− | D | — | B− | C− |
| Cudahy | #737 | D− | D | C− | B− | D |
| Florence-Graham | #622 | D | D | — | B− | D |
Downey, Walnut Park and Florence-Graham report no FBI crime data of their own. Compare South Gate with a neighbor →
Questions about South Gate
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is South Gate, CA a good place to live?
South Gate grades D overall, better than 8% of U.S. towns and #640 of 841 in California. It grades C for health, D for safety and B− for schools. Safety is its weak spot, with a D.
Is South Gate, CA expensive?
Yes. That is 7.3 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 South Gate, CA known for?
27 notable people were born here, including Roger Smith and Lee Greenwood.