Unincorporated Citrus sits between Azusa and Covina
Nestled in the San Gabriel Valley, Citrus is an unincorporated community and census-designated place with an estimated population of about 11,000 residents as of 2022. This mostly residential suburb borders the city of Azusa to the north and Covina to the south; both cities are commonly used to reference and identify the Citrus area. "This area was historically all orange groves, hence the name,” says Liz Nutter, a longtime resident of Citrus and real estate professional with Refined Realty. “You can still see orange circles around the community to represent that history.” Downtown Los Angeles is a 25-mile drive west of the community, but traffic frequently impacts commute times. Five miles north of Citrus is the Azusa Wilderness Park, a large nature preserve and gateway to the San Gabriel Mountains. Compared to Los Angeles housing costs, the homes in this community are more affordable and offer more square footage on average. "Citrus is very quaint, and it's very family-oriented... people here are really involved in the community," says Nutter.
Housing options with relatively affordable costs
The median price of a home in Citrus is about $710,000, and listings spend an average of 25 days on the market before being sold. Single-family homes are mostly Spanish-influenced ranch styles and bungalows that range from about $600,000 to $850,000. Townhouses and condo units usually have more contemporary architecture and cost between $400,000 and $650,000. "We do have a lot of condominiums and townhomes that are currently being built," Nutter says. Many properties have short, paved driveways and attached garages, but street parking is also readily available. Homes are situated in cul-de-sacs and along quiet residential roads; these suburban streets separate homeowners from busier commercial parts of the community along Gladstone Street and Citrus Avenue.
Students served by the Azusa Unified School District
Citrus is almost entirely zoned for the Azusa Unified School District, which receives an overall B-minus rating from Niche. Primary schools include Clifford D. Murray Elementary and Magnolia Elementary, both of which receive C-plus ratings. Intermediate students can head to Gladstone Middle, while grades nine through 12 can attend the B-rated Azusa High School.
Within a couple of miles of Citrus are Azusa Pacific University and Citrus College, which have campuses next to each other. Azusa Pacific is a private Christian university and research institution that enrolls approximately 4,000 undergraduate students. Citrus College is the oldest public community college in Los Angeles County and offers a litany of collegiate programs and athletics across its 104-acre campus. The college has dozens of Career and Academic Pathways students can enroll in to earn professional certifications and associate degrees.
Outdoor recreation destinations surround Citrus
With southern California’s consistently balmy weather, residents can spend their time outdoors all year round. The only park within Citrus’ community limits is Dalton Park, which is maintained by Los Angeles County. Dalton Park has athletic facilities, playgrounds, picnic areas and a splash pad for when the summer heat kicks in. Gladstone Park in Azusa borders Citrus and offers similar amenities to Dalton Park. Two large outdoor spaces are located on either side of the community: Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area and its 70-acre lake sit west of Citrus, while the 200-acre South Hills Park is located east. To the north, the San Gabriel Mountains are home to natural reserves like the Azusa Wilderness Park, the San Gabriel Canyon and a network of hiking trails and campgrounds.
Local shopping centers carry everyday needs
There are a few local eateries and convenience stores at the Gladstone Street/Citrus Avenue intersection, but most shopping and dining options are located just outside the community in neighboring cities. "We're pretty centrally located and it's really easy to get to all of the shopping areas and grocery stores," Nutter says. "Covina and Glendora have lots of restaurants, some clothing shops and downtown areas where local events are hosted." Covina Market Place has clothing retailers like Ross Dress for Less, a Walmart Supercenter, a movie theatre and the popular Sky Zone Trampoline Park. The side-by-side Citrus Plaza and Palm Center shopping malls have a variety of specialty shops, restaurants and small businesses. More big box stores and national retailers are located at the Glendora Marketplace Shopping Center, which is a 3.5-mile drive east.
Access to Los Angeles County interstates
Interstate 210 runs through Citrus and connects to Interstate 605, two major thoroughfares that travel across Los Angeles County. Commuters can use I-605 to get to Interstate 10 and drive to downtown Los Angeles. Citrus residents also have proximity to California State Route 39, which starts in Covina and goes north to weave through the San Gabriel Mountains. Public transportation options include bus services operated by Foothill Transit. The Ontario International Airport is a 21-mile drive away, while the larger Los Angeles International Airport is just over 40 miles from Citrus.
