West Covina is a city in Los Angeles County, California, located about 19 miles east of downtown Los Angeles in the central San Gabriel Valley. With a population of over 109,000, it is the 11th-most populous city in LA County. The city’s motto — “Live, Work, Play.” — captures its identity as a family-friendly suburban community with a diverse population, a thriving commercial sector, and a rich history dating back to the Tongva people and the Mexican land grant era.
History and Founding
The West Covina area was originally inhabited by the Tongva people for thousands of years. In 1845, Governor Pío Pico sold much of the land to John Rowland and William Workman. The first permanent settlers arrived in 1905, clearing sagebrush and cactus and planting the first walnut trees. West Covina was incorporated as an independent city on February 17, 1923 — specifically to prevent the neighboring city of Covina from building a sewage farm in the area. Benjamin Franklin Maxson Jr. initiated the incorporation and served as the founding mayor.
The city experienced explosive growth after World War II, becoming one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States between 1950 and 1960. The population surged from less than 5,000 to over 50,000 in just one decade — a growth rate of over 1,000%. This boom transformed West Covina from a small agricultural town into a major suburban community.
Community and Culture
West Covina has a diverse and family-oriented community. The city has a large Hispanic population, along with significant Filipino, Chinese, and White communities. This diversity is reflected in the city’s restaurants, festivals, and cultural events. The annual West Covina Fiesta and the Holiday Parade are beloved community traditions.
The city is home to the West Covina Sports Complex, the Civic Center, and the Plaza at West Covina shopping center. The city’s parks, including Cortez Park and Del Norte Park, provide green space and recreational opportunities for residents.
Climate and Geography
West Covina sits at 384 feet above sea level in the San Gabriel Valley, surrounded by the San Gabriel Mountains to the north. The climate is Mediterranean, with warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The city covers 16 square miles and enjoys over 280 days of sunshine per year.
From a Tongva settlement to one of America’s fastest-growing postwar suburbs, West Covina’s story is one of transformation and community — a city that grew from walnut groves to a thriving urban center in just a few decades.
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