Growing Los Angeles County city in the San Gabriel Valley
Just 12 miles outside downtown Los Angeles, El Monte is a city rich in history, resources and resilience. As the oldest settlement in San Gabriel Valley, it was traversed by Spanish missionaries from the 1770s through the 1830s and served as a stop on the Santa Fe Trail during the 1850s gold rush. Incorporated in 1912, the city grew into an affordable home for post-World War II veterans. Today’s El Monte reports a 2023 population of about 105,000, making it the ninth-largest city in Los Angeles County. Major employers such as Penske Motor Group, Fulgent Genetics and Longo Toyota — the nation’s number one Toyota dealership by sales and volume — are headquartered here.
Always considered a place of opportunity and owning the slogan “Welcome to friendly El Monte,” nearly 50% of its residents are foreign-born, 20% more than the statewide trend. “We’re a unified and resilient community that always comes together,” says Alma Martinez, El Monte city manager since August 2019. Situated between a 1,500-acre wetlands recreation area and a speedway proposed for redevelopment into a business park, residents are close to recreation and employment.
The city’s collective spirit spurs continual growth. Five new retail chains coming in 2025 and 2026 will repurpose abandoned properties into economic generators. And because El Monte is in a valley bound and intersected by freeways, the city is addressing inherent environmental pollution. Thanks to a $6.7 million grant from the California Air Resources Board in 2024, El Monte’s Clean Mobility Nexus project is underway, which includes new carbon-free buses and a citywide electric vehicle sharing program.
El Monte has a colorful downtown with markets, car shows and other events year-round.
Folklorico Dancers celebrate El Monte's heritage at SEM Night.
Experience life in the times of the Santa Fe Trail at the El Monte History Museum.
El Monte is growing thanks to grants and economic generators for stable living.
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Stroll downtown Main Street and the El Monte Farmers Market
Small businesses are another symbol of this community’s endurance. After big brands left the Valley Mall in the late 20th century, locally owned shops and restaurants created something new. Now, Main Street and Valley Boulevard house a walkable downtown, lined with mainstay Mexican restaurants, the iconic Norm’s 24-7 diner and apparel boutiques. “The city’s development strategy prioritizes our Main Street area,” Martinez adds. “We want it to serve as an economic, civic and cultural center both locally and regionally.” The Thursday night El Monte Farmers Market features a Music on Main concert series. “The market’s been such a wonderful addition to bring the community together,” says Martinez. “We also have a food hall with different vendors, and we’re building affordable housing there. So, there’s a lot of expansion in the near future, and we’ll be updating our economic plan to add even more.”
The Farmer's Market of El Monte keeps residents healthy with fresh produce every Thursday.
El Monte maintains its downtown with clean streets and vibrant murals.
El Monte promotes local businesses through its many artisan shops for coffee and goods.
El Monte’s prioritizes Main Street development and locals approve with their patronage.
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Homes priced higher than the national average, lower for the area
Median home price in El Monte is $745,000. Nearby South El Monte’s median is just under $740,000, and Rosemead trends around $900,000. Condos are found mainly around the city’s edges and the central Five Points shopping center, priced between $450,000 and $780,000. Large ranch styles and Spanish-style two-stories built in 2006 and newer range from $980,000 to $1.6 million. The city’s focus on affordable housing has launched new developments like Avila, a community of 39 modern townhouses on a formerly vacant site.
When you find your home in El Monte good schools and jobs will be nearby.
The median home price in El Monte is lower than surrounding areas at just $745,000.
Homes in El Monte are just 12 miles from Downtown LA.
Condos can be found scattered through El Monte at below market average prices.
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Sports fields, skate park and the Whittier Narrows Recreation Area
The city’s Parks and Recreation Division operates 10 recreational facilities, ranging in size from the half-acre Baldwin Mini Park to the 10-acre Mountain View Park with lighted sports fields, courts and auditoriums. The El Monte Aquatic Center hosts swim lessons and diving teams, and Lambert Park has a community center and youth sports programs. In October 2023, city council members secured $500,000 to help restore a formerly closed Pioneer Park, while a grant from the California Natural Resources Agency will add trees and trails to Zamora Park and public art at Gibson Mariposa Park — known for its butterfly-themed skate park.
Just south of the city, the 1,500-acre Whittier Narrows Recreation Area is home to 300-plus species of birds, a nature center and three stocked fishing lakes. Hikers can also trek through Puente Hills Regional Park, a former landfill turned into a nature preserve with stunning valley views. History buffs tour El Monte Historical Museum near downtown or the American Military Museum just north of Whittier Narrows. El Monte’s Mediterranean climate ranges between 50 and 90 degrees year-round, with hot, arid summers and cool, wet winters.
Little libraries can be found at most El Monte parks for an easy walk and read from home.
El Monte has well maintained walking paths throughout its parks and public spaces.
Whittier Narrows golf course is a public 18-hole course.
Gibson Mariposa Park's new butterfly skatepark and nature trail first opened in 2020.
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Highly rated El Monte Union High School District
The city’s 15 public schools are within four school districts, the largest of which is the El Monte Union High School District, given an A-minus on Niche. In this district, both El Monte High and Arroyo High also score an A-minus. In November 2024, El Monte High kicked off a stadium renovation, including a new rubberized track, bleachers and concession stands. A 2024 $4.4 million state grant fuels the city’s afterschool SPARK program, which stands for “students play athletics and recreation while building knowledge.” Martinez adds, “We also have several trade and professional colleges that provide workforce education, which supports our local businesses.” These include Rio Hondo College and Regan Career Institute.
El Monte's Nativity Catholic School is led by principal Sister Stacy Reineman.
Columbia School serves El Monte students from grades K-8.
Baker Elementary Chargers belong to the Mountain View Elementary School District.
Arroyo High School of El Monte scored an A- rating on Niche.
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Rising crime, still on par with state numbers
FBI crime data shows that between December 2022 and December 2023, El Monte’s violent crime rate per 100,000 people rose 40% from 71 to 107, slightly higher than the statewide rate of 98. Property crime rate rose only slightly from 174 to 179, which is still 8% lower than the statewide rate.
Major El Monte Transit Center
“El Monte has the largest transportation hub west of the Mississippi,” says Martinez. “The El Monte station runs 34 Metrolink trains, 17 each in peak travel directions during peak travel times every weekday.” Foothill Transit bus and El Monte trolley lines also crisscross the city for easy access to shopping, dining and employers such as the East San Gabriel Valley Medical Hub and City Hall. The Los Angeles International Airport is a 30-mile, 45-minute drive southwest, using the city’s central east-west Interstate 10.
Car show and the LA Spring Fair
In March, the Memories of El Monte Car Show brings several hundred custom cars, lowriders and live music to the private San Gabriel Valley Airport. The LA Spring Fair, which started in the 1920s, is LA County’s largest spring festival, filling 12 acres at Whittier Narrows’ La Prada Event Plaza with rides, music and merriment.
Car Shows pop up all year-round in El Monte with an emphasis on lowriders.
El Monte supports all businesses at the weekly Farmers Market in Downtown.
Youth boxing brought in a large audience at the SEM annual Night Market.
LA Spring Fair has been giving slides and rides to El Monte residents since 1920.
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