Claremont, California

Claremont, California
City
Clockwise from top: Verbal Building in the Claremont Village;Bridges Hall of MusicatPomona College;Scripps College; Pomona's academic quad;The Webb Schools; Pomona's Carnegie Library
Flag
Nickname(s): City of Trees and PhDs [1]
Location of Claremont in Los Angeles County, California
Claremont Location of Claremont in Los Angeles County, California Show map of the Los Angeles metropolitan area Claremont Location of Claremont in California Show map of California Claremont Location of Claremont in the USA Show map of the United States
Coordinates:34°6′36″N117°43′11″W / 34.11000°N 117.71972°W /34.11000; -117.71972
Country	United States
State	California
County	Los Angeles
Incorporated	October 3, 1907[2]
Government
• Type	Council–manager[3]
•Mayor	Sal Medina[4]
•Mayor Pro Tem	Corey Calaycay
•City Council	Ed Reece Jed Leano Jennifer Stark
•City Manager	Adam Pirrie
Area [5]
• Total	13.47 sq mi (34.89 km2)
• Land	13.34 sq mi (34.54 km2)
• Water	0.14 sq mi (0.35 km2) 1.03%
Elevation [6]	1,168 ft (356 m)
Population ( 2020)
• Total	37,266
• Density	2,794.60/sq mi (1,079.01/km2)
Time zone	UTC−8(PST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−7(PDT)
ZIP Code	91711
Area code	909
FIPScode	06-13756
GNISfeature IDs	1652685,2409465
Commuter rail	Claremont
Website	www.ci.claremont.ca.us

Claremont(/ˈklɛərmɒnt/) is a suburban city inLos Angeles County, California,United States, 30 miles (48 km) east ofLos Angeles. It lies in the eastern portion of the county, inPomona Valley, at the foothills of theSan Gabriel Mountains. As of the2010 censusit had a population of 34,926,^[7]and in 2020 the population was 37,266.^[8]

Claremont is home to theClaremont Collegesand other educational institutions, and the city is known for its tree-lined streets with numerous historic buildings.^[9]Because of this, it is sometimes referred to as "The City of Trees and Ph.Ds."^[1]It was named the best suburb in the West bySunset Magazinein 2016, which described it as a "small city that blends worldly sophistication with small-town appeal."^[10][11]In 2018,Nicherated Claremont as the 17th best place to live in the Los Angeles area out of 658 communities it evaluated, based on crime, cost of living, job opportunities, and local amenities.^[12]

The city is primarily residential, with a significant portion of its commercial activity located in "The Village," a popular collection of street-front small stores, boutiques, art galleries, offices, and restaurants adjacent to and west of the Claremont Colleges. The Village was expanded in 2007, adding a controversial^[13][14]multi-use development that includesan indie cinema, a boutique hotel, retail space, offices, and a parking structure on the site of an old citrus packing plant west of Indian Hill Boulevard. Claremont also hosts several large retirement communities.^[15]

Claremont has been a winner of the NationalArbor DayAssociation'sTree City USAaward for 22 consecutive years. When the cityincorporatedin 1907, local citizens started what has become the city's tree-planting tradition. Claremont is one of the few remaining places in North America withAmerican Elmtrees that have not been exposed toDutch elm disease. The stately trees line Indian Hill Boulevard in the vicinity of the city's Memorial Park.

Prior to the establishment of the city of Claremont, the area was frequented by theSerrano,Cahuilla, andTongvafor thousands of years.^[16]The Tongva established villages in the area as early as 7000 B.C. and thrived from the freshwater of what theSpanishwould call theSan Antonio Creek.^[16]One well-documented Tongva village, known asTorojoatngna,^[17]was located at a place called "Indian Hill" by early American settlers.^[16]The village was active until the nineteenth century, housing nearly 200 residents in 1870, yet was eventually abandoned after being ravaged by asmallpox epidemicby 1883.^[16]

The city of Claremont was first mapped out by developers in aland boomprecipitated by thearrival of transcontinental railroadsto Southern California.^[18]It was likely named afterClaremont, New Hampshire.^[19]The early history of the city was closely tied to that ofPomona College, which moved there in 1889.^[20]In 1902, a town meeting vote established that east–west streets would be numbered and north–south streets named after colleges and universities.^[21]The city was incorporated in 1907.^[22]

Thecitrus grovesand open space which once dominated the northern portion of the city have been replaced by residential developments of large homes.^[19]Construction of Stone Canyon Preserve, one of the final residential tract developments in the north of the city, commenced in 2003 as part of a complicated agreement betweenPomonaand the City of Claremont which resulted in the creation of the 1,740-acre (7.0 km²) Wilderness Park. The foothill area also includes thePadua Hills Theatre(a historic site constructed in 1930) and the Claraboya residential area.

According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 13.35 square miles (34.6 km²), of which 13.3 square miles (34 km²) is land and 0.05 square miles (0.13 km²) (1.03%) is water. Claremont is located at the eastern end ofLos Angeles Countyand borders the cities ofUplandandMontclairinSan Bernardino County, as well as the cities ofPomonaandLa VerneinLos Angeles County. It is geographically located in thePomona Valley.^[23]Claremont is approximately 30 miles (48 km) east of downtownLos Angeles.

Claremont has aMediterranean climate(Köppen climate classificationCsa). During the summer, temperatures may get very hot, sometimes rising above 100 °F (38 °C). In the autumn, Claremont can experience the gusty "Santa Ana Winds", which can bring fire danger to nearby foothill areas. As winter comes along, most of the city's annual rainfall occurs, which is typical around the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Snow is rare in Claremont, but can be viewed in the nearbySan Gabriel Mountainsin the winter. In the late spring, Claremont can receive many overcast days due to the strong onshore flow from the ocean. This is typically called "May Gray" or "June Gloom" in the region.

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1930	2,719		—
1940	3,057		12.4%
1950	6,327		107.0%
1960	12,633		99.7%
1970	24,776		96.1%
1980	31,028		25.2%
1990	32,503		4.8%
2000	33,998		4.6%
2010	34,926		2.7%
2020	37,266		6.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[25]

The2010 United States Census^[26]reported that Claremont had a population of 34,926. The population density was 2,589.7 inhabitants per square mile (999.9/km²). The racial makeup of Claremont was 24,666 (70.6%)White(58.9% Non-Hispanic White),^[27]1,651 (4.7%)African American, 172 (0.5%)Native American, 4,564 (13.1%)Asian, 38 (0.1%)Pacific Islander, 2,015 (5.8%) fromother races, and 1,820 (5.2%) from two or more races.HispanicorLatinopeople of any race were 6,919 persons (19.8%).

The Census reported that 29,802 people (85.3% of the population) lived in households, 4,926 (14.1%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 198 (0.6%) were institutionalized.

There were 11,608 households, out of which 3,576 (30.8%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 6,305 (54.3%) wereopposite-sex married couplesliving together, 1,223 (10.5%) had a female householder with no husband present, 397 (3.4%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 429 (3.7%)unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 138 (1.2%)same-sex married couples or partnerships. 2,957 households (25.5%) were made up of individuals, and 1,556 (13.4%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57. There were 7,925families(68.3% of all households); the average family size was 3.1.

The population was spread out, with 6,459 people (18.5%) under the age of 18, 6,778 people (19.4%) aged 18 to 24, 6,940 people (19.9%) aged 25 to 44, 8,979 people (25.7%) aged 45 to 64, and 5,770 people (16.5%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.7 males.

There were 12,156 housing units at an average density of 901.3 units per square mile (348.0 units/km²), of which 7,700 (66.3%) were owner-occupied, and 3,908 (33.7%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.9%; the rental vacancy rate was 5.5%. 21,209 people (60.7% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 8,593 people (24.6%) lived in rental housing units.

During 2009–13, Claremont had a median household income of $87,324, with 7.2% of the population living below thefederal poverty line.^[27]

As of the census^[28]of 2000, there were 33,998 people, 11,281 households, and 7,806 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,586.6 inhabitants per square mile (998.7/km²).^{[citation needed]}There were 11,559 housing units at an average density of 879.4 units per square mile (339.5 units/km²).^{[citation needed]}The racial makeup of the city was 73.48%White, 15.36% of the population wereHispanicorLatinoof any race, 11.51%Asian, 4.98%BlackorAfrican American, 0.56%Native American, 0.13%Pacific Islander, 5.2% fromother races, and 4.14% from two or more races.^{[citation needed]}

31.3% of households included children under the age of 18.^{[citation needed]}55.7% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.8% were non-families.^{[citation needed]}24.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.^{[citation needed]}The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.08.^{[citation needed]}

The population was widely distributed in age, with 20.7% under the age of 18, 18.6% from 18 to 24, 22.8% from 25 to 44, 23.3% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% 65 years of age or older.^{[citation needed]}The median age was 36 years.^{[citation needed]}For every 100 females, there were 88.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.1 males.^{[citation needed]}

According to a 2009 estimate, the median household income was $83,342 and themedian family incomewas $107,287.^[29]Theper capita incomefor the city was $39,648.^{[citation needed]}About 3.5% of families and 5.4% of individuals were below thepoverty line.^{[citation needed]}

German (12.0%) and English (11.6%) were the most common ancestries according to the 2000 census.^{[citation needed]}Mexico (12.7%) and Taiwan (11%) were the most common foreign places of birth.^[30]

According to the city's 2009 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,^[31]the top employers in the city are:

#	Employer	# of employees
1	Claremont Colleges	3,000
2	Claremont Unified School District	750
3	HiRel Connectors	300
4	City of Claremont	259
5	Claremont Auto Center	240
6	Claremont Manor	230
7	Technip Energies	205
8	Pilgrim Place	180
9	Indian Hill Nursing	124
10	The Webb Schools	119

Claremont has been praised for its vibrant arts and culture scene.^[32]

Each year, Claremont holds a springtime folk music festival, hosted by the Folk Music Center Store and Museum.^{[citation needed]}The 35th event took place in May 2018.^{[needs update][citation needed]}

Local museums include theRaymond M. Alf Museum of PaleontologyatThe Webb Schools(the only high school in the United States to own and host a nationally accredited museum on campus^[33]) and theBenton Museum of Artat Pomona College.^{[citation needed]}

Each July, Ophelia's Jump Productions presents their annual Midsummer Shakespeare Festival at The Sontag Outdoor Theatre in Pomona College.^{[citation needed]}Productions are performed in repertory with local community and civic events and festivities.^{[citation needed]}

The Claremont Village hosts a Pie Day Festival every March 14.^{[citation needed]}In past years, attendees could collect pie recipes as they walked around downtown Claremont and checked out different stores.^[34]

In 2019, Claremont made national news after the Claremont United Methodist Church unveiled a nativity scene depicting Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus separated and locked up in individual chain-link pens.^{[citation needed]}This was done to reflect the plight of immigrants and asylum seekers on the U.S. Southern Border in 2019.^{[citation needed]}The church had constructed similarly non-traditional nativity scenes in prior years.^[35]

• The Claremont Colleges
• TheCalifornia Botanic Garden(formerly Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden) contains a very large and diverse collection of California native plants, and is open daily for self-guided walking tours.
• Padua Hills Theatre^[36]
• Folk Music Center Museum^[37]
• Claremont Museum of Art^[38]
• Ophelia's Jump Theater^[39]
• Benton Museum of Art, Pomona College^[40]

In theLos Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Claremont is in the Fifth District, represented byKathryn Barger.^[41]

In theCalifornia State Legislature, Claremont is in the25th Senate District, represented byAnthony Portantinosince 2016, and in the41st Assembly District, represented byChris Holdensince 2012.^[42]

In theUnited States House of Representatives, Claremont is inCalifornia's 28th congressional district, represented byDemocratJudy Chufollowing 2022 redistricting.^[43]Claremont was previously represented by RepublicanDavid Dreier,^[44]who served from 1981 to 2013. Claremont was also represented by PresidentRichard Nixonwhen he was a member of the House of Representatives from1947 to 1950, prior to his becoming a United Statessenator.^{[citation needed]}

Claremont's school district is known as theClaremont Unified School District(CUSD).^{[citation needed]}It has seven elementary schools, one intermediate school, El Roble, and two high schools,Claremont High School(CHS) and San Antonio High School.^{[citation needed]}

The other high school in Claremont isThe Webb Schools, a collective name for twoprivatecollege preparatoryschools for grades 9–12, founded byThompson Webbin 1922.^{[citation needed]}The two schools, officially the Webb School of California (boys' school) and the Vivian Webb School (girls' school), share the same campus in northwest Claremont.^{[citation needed]}Within the campus is the Vivian Webb Chapel, which began initial construction in 1939.^{[citation needed]}It was built by the founder to his wife, Vivian.^{[citation needed]}The Kimberly Bell Tower was added to the chapel in 1955.^[45]The Webb Schoolsis also home to theRaymond M. Alf Museum of Paleontology, America's only accredited museum located on a high school campus.^{[citation needed]}

Private educational institutions host approximately 6,500 students every year from across the country and around the world.^{[citation needed]}TheClaremont Colleges, a consortium of seven schools of higher education, include five undergraduate institutions—Pomona College(founded in 1887),Scripps College(1926),Claremont McKenna College(1946),Harvey Mudd College(1955), andPitzer College(1963)—and two graduate institutions—Claremont Graduate University(1925) and theKeck Graduate Institute of Applied Life Sciences(1997).^{[citation needed]}All of these schools are consistently rated among the best in the nation.^{[citation needed]}

Just north of Foothill Boulevard is the college-ownedRobert J. Bernard Field Station, which preserves naturalcoastal sage scrubon its property.^{[citation needed]}Claremont Lincoln Universityshares some resources with the Claremont Colleges, but is a separate entity.^{[citation needed]}Claremont School of Theologyis a school of theology formerly affiliated with the Claremont Colleges.^{[citation needed]}In May 2023, the school moved from its Claremont campus to the Westwood Methodist Church in Los Angeles.^{[citation needed]}

TheClaremont Courieris widely regarded as Claremont'snewspaper of record.^[46]In 2018, theCourierwas named the top community newspaper in California by the California News Publisher's Association.^[47]In addition, Claremont High School's students produce the student newspaperThe Wolfpacket, with support and printing services from theCourier.^[48]

There are also several media outlets based at the Claremont Colleges, includingThe Student Life, the oldest college newspaper in Southern California,^[49]and the radio stationKSPC.^[50]

Commuter train service to Claremont is provided byMetrolinkfrom theClaremont Metrolink Station.^{[citation needed]}The station is on theSan Bernardino Line, with trains traveling toLos AngelesUnion Station(west) andSan Bernardino – Downtown(east) 19 times on weekdays (20 on Fridays), 10 times on Saturdays, and seven times on Sundays.^[51]Claremont's train station is known as the Claremont Depot.^{[citation needed]}

Claremont is also planned to eventually connect with theMetro A Lineon theFoothill Extension Project, but this station is currently unfunded.^[52]This extension will also provide service to L.A. Union Station viaPasadena.^{[citation needed]}

FlixBusutilizes a stop adjacent to theClaremont Metrolink Station.^{[citation needed]}

The local transit bus serviceFoothill Transitcovers Claremont and several other cities in the easternSan Gabriel Valley.^[53]

• Official website
• Claremont Chamber of Commerce
• City’s official visitor site - Discover Claremont