The county of Los Angeles was created in 1850 and was one of the original counties in California. It covers a large area, approximately 4,752 square miles and consists of various terrains: ocean, mountain, valley, forest, island, river, and desert. The Los Angeles River, San Gabriel River, Santa Clara River, and Rio Hondo run throughout the county of Los Angeles. To the northeast is the Antelope Valley, marking the beginning of the Mojave Desert. The San Gabriel Mountains divide the county from west-to-east and contains the Angeles National Forest. Los Angeles County also extends to islands found in the Pacific Ocean, San Clemente Island and Santa Catalina Island. Los Angeles County consists of 88 cities, with the city of Los Angeles being the most populated with 3,792,621 people, followed by Long Beach with 462,257 people. In 2013, the population reached 10 million people, the first in the United States (huff). Because the population consists of a younger population as well as a great number of immigrants, Los Angeles has a higher birth rate compared to the national average.
Population Economic Status Assessment
Los Angeles County Population: 10,017,068 (2013)
Race/Ethnic Group
Percent of Population
Hispanic/Latino
48.1%
White
28.9%
Asian/Pacific Islander
14.3%
African American
8.5%
American Indian
0.2%
Average Household Income: $53,001 (2012)
Composition of low-income group:
Race/Ethnic Group
Percentage of Poor
African American
26.5%
Asian
12.1%
Hispanic
24.1%
Native American
18.7%
White
12.1%
Other
26.1%
Unemployed: 13.5%
Families eligible for public assistance: 38.2% and Percent receiving assistance: 13.4%
Homeless: 45,422 (2011)
Healthcare Insurance Coverage (2009)
Los Angeles County
Medi-Cal
17.5%
Medicaid
3.5%
Private Insurance
6.0%
Employee-based
44.8%
Other Public
1.6%
No Insurance
17%
In 2012, the population in Los Angeles County was 9,951,690. From 2000 to 2012, there was a 3.8% growth rate, which was lower rate of growth compared statewide. The average household income is $56, 241. The County Health Rankings ranked Los Angeles County 36 out of the 58 counties in 2012, with 1 having the best social and economic components
