Editing Altadena, California

{{Short description|Unincorporated community in California, United States}}
{{redirect|Altadena|the brand of milk|Alta Dena}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- Basic info  ---------------->| name               = Altadena, California
| native_name        = <!-- for cities whose native name is not in English -->
| other_name         = 
| settlement_type    = [[Unincorporated area#United States|Unincorporated community]]<br> [[Census designated place]]
<!-- images and maps  ----------->| image_skyline      = Eaton canyon from the air.jpg
| image_caption      = Aerial view of Altadena and [[Eaton Canyon]]
| image_flag         = 
| image_seal         = 
| nickname           = 
| motto              = 
| image_map          = LA County Incorporated Areas Altadena highlighted.svg
| mapsize            = 250x200px
| map_caption        = Location of Altadena in [[Los Angeles County, California|Los Angeles County]], [[California]]
| pushpin_map        = USA
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in the United States
<!-- Location ------------------>| coordinates        = {{coord|34|11|19|N|118|8|5|W|region:US-CA_type:city(43,000)|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = {{Flagu|United States|size=23px}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = {{Flag|California|size=23px}}
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in California|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Los Angeles County, California|Los Angeles]]
| established_title  = <!-- Founded -->
| established_date   = 
| government_type    = <!-- Politics ----------------->
| government_footnotes = 
| leader_title       = 
| leader_name        = <!-- Area------------------>
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_06.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 30, 2021}}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = 21.97
| area_total_sq_mi   = 8.48
| area_land_km2      = 21.92
| area_land_sq_mi    = 8.46
| area_water_km2     = 0.04
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.02
| area_water_percent = 0.19
| area_note          = 
| elevation_footnotes = <ref>{{Cite gnis|1652662|Altadena|access-date=October 19, 2014}}</ref>
| elevation_m        = 414
| elevation_ft       = 1358
<!-- Population   ----------------------->| population_footnotes = 
| population_total   = 42846
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_density_sq_mi = 5061.55
| population_note    = 
<!-- General information  --------------->| timezone           = [[Pacific Time Zone|Pacific]]
| utc_offset         = &minus;8
| timezone_DST       = [[Pacific Daylight Time|PDT]]
| utc_offset_DST     = &minus;7
<!-- Area/postal codes & others -------->| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP Code]]s
| postal_code        = 91001, 91003
| area_code          = [[Area code 626|626]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = {{FIPS|06|01290}}
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature IDs
| blank1_info        = {{GNIS 4|1652662}}, {{GNIS 4|2407732}}
| website            = 
| footnotes          = 
| pop_est_as_of      = 
| pop_est_footnotes  = 
| population_est     = 
| population_density_km2 = 1954.26
}}

'''Altadena''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|ɑː|l|t|ə|ˈ|d|iː|n|ə}}{{Audio|En-us-Altadena.ogg|pronunciation|help=no}}{{respell|AL|tə|DEE|nə}}) is an [[unincorporated area]],<ref>Los Angeles County publication: "Unincorporated Areas within the County of Los Angeles", [http://ceo.lacounty.gov/forms/Unincorp%20Alpha%20Web.pdf Altadena listed by Los Angeles County government office, as an unincorporated city] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527084329/http://ceo.lacounty.gov/forms/Unincorp%20Alpha%20Web.pdf |date=May 27, 2010 }}, "Los Angeles County publication: 'Unincorporated Areas within the County of Los Angeles'", verified September 27, 2010</ref><ref>Los Angeles County Office of Unincorporated Area Services, [http://ceo.lacounty.gov/OUAS/ Altadena listed by Los Angeles County government office, as an unincorporated area] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110108160908/http://ceo.lacounty.gov/OUAS/ |date=January 8, 2011 }}, "Los Angeles County Office of Unincorporated Area Services", verified September 27, 2010</ref> and [[census-designated place]] in the [[San Gabriel Valley]] and the [[Verdugos]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Verdugos|url=http://maps.latimes.com/neighborhoods/region/verdugos/|url-status=live|access-date=May 20, 2021|website=Mapping L.A.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130813033504/http://maps.latimes.com:80/neighborhoods/region/verdugos/ |archive-date=August 13, 2013 }}</ref> regions of [[Los Angeles County, California]]. Directly north of [[Pasadena, California|Pasadena]], it is located approximately {{convert|14|mi|km}} from [[Downtown Los Angeles]]. Its population was 42,846 at the 2020 census, up slightly from a 2010 figure of 42,777. In early 2025, the community was severely impacted by the [[Eaton Fire]].

==History==
=== Etymology ===
The name Altadena was coined by Byron O. Clark, who established Altadena Nursery in 1875. The name combines the [[Spanish language|Spanish]] alta, meaning 'upper,' with dena, a term he likely adapted from [[Pasadena, California|Pasadena]], though its precise origin remains unclear. The area is adjacent to, but at a higher elevation than, Pasadena.<ref name="naming">Manning, Mike. The word Altadena was first used by Byron Clark, who coined it for his nursery located south of present-day Woodbury on the west side of town. When he moved his nursery to Linda Vista, he agreed to let the Woodburys take the name for their new subdivision. "[http://www.altadenatowncouncil.org/altadenahistory/ald_history.html ALTADENA, CALIFORNIA: an abbreviated history for the internet] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050424084500/http://altadenatowncouncil.org/altadenahistory/ald_history.html|date=April 24, 2005}}". [http://www.altadenatowncouncil.org/ Altadena Town Council]. Retrieved on March 18, 2007.</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Bright|first=William|author-link=William O. Bright|date=1998|title=1500 California Place Names: Their Origin and Meaning|location=[[Berkeley, California]]|publisher=[[University of California Press]]}}</ref>

=== Early history ===
In the mid-1860s, Benjamin S. Eaton first developed water sources from the [[Arroyo Seco (Los Angeles County)|Arroyo Seco]] and [[Eaton Canyon]] to irrigate his vineyard near the edge of Eaton Canyon. This made possible the development of Altadena, Pasadena, and South Pasadena. He did the construction for [[Benjamin Davis Wilson|B. D. Wilson]] and [[John Strother Griffin|Dr. John Griffin]], who jointly owned the Mexican land grant of [[Rancho San Pascual]], about {{convert|14000|acre|ha}}, that would be the future sites of these three communities. They hoped to develop and sell this land in a real estate plan called the San Pasqual Plantation. Their efforts failed by 1870, despite Eaton's irrigation ditch that drew water from the site of present-day [[Jet Propulsion Laboratory|Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)]] in the [[Arroyo Seco (Los Angeles County)|Arroyo Seco]], because the land was relatively inaccessible and few believed crops could thrive that close to the mountains.

Eaton tried to sell the land for the partners, and in late 1873 he helped broker a deal with Daniel Berry, who represented a group of investors from Indiana, to buy {{convert|4000|acre|ha}} of the rancho. This included the land of present-day Altadena, but they developed a {{convert|2500|acre|ha}} section further south as Pasadena.

Byron O. Clark established a nursery in the foothills in 1875, which he named "Altadena Nursery", a name he coined from the Spanish ''alta'' meaning "upper" and ''dena'' from Pasadena.

In 1880 or 1881, Capt. Frederick Woodbury, and his brother, John Woodbury of [[Marshalltown, Iowa]], purchased {{convert|937|acre|ha}} known as the Woodbury Ranch. The land remained primarily agricultural, though several Eastern millionaires built mansions along Mariposa Street, and a small community developed through the 1890s and into the next century.

=== Development ===
[[File:woodburys.jpg|thumb|right|[[Woodbury–Story House]] (1882), the home of Capt. John Woodbury, is extant and occupied.]]
John Woodbury established the Pasadena Improvement Company in 1887, with a plot plan of residential development referred to as the Woodbury Subdivision. They contacted Byron O. Clark, who had moved away, and asked if he could use the name "Altadena" for his subdivision; Clark agreed.

The newly sprouted community of Altadena immediately began to attract millionaires from the East. In 1887 [[Andrew McNally]], the printing magnate from Chicago, and his friend, [[George Gill Green]], had built mansions on what was to become Millionaire's Row: Mariposa Street near [[Christmas Tree Lane|Santa Rosa Avenue]]. Newspaper moguls William Armiger Scripps and William Kellogg built homes side by side just east of [[Fair Oaks Avenue (Pasadena, California)|Fair Oaks Avenue]]. A bit farther east, [[Zane Grey Estate|Zane Grey]] bought a home from Arthur Herbert Woodward, and added a second-floor study. The famous Benziger Publishing Company built a mansion on the corner of Santa Rosa Avenue (Christmas Tree Lane) and Mariposa. Mariposa was taken from the Spanish name for a butterfly. The grandson of Andrew McNally, [[Wallace Neff]], became a famous Southern California architect. He started his career in Altadena with the design and construction of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church (parish est.&nbsp;1918), which was dedicated in October 1926.

From 1924 to 1926, 160 homes were built in Altadena by [[fugitive]] conman Elisha Paul Janes, with distinctive steep roofs and multiple gables; despite his lack of qualifications, they proved popular, and this neighbourhood was designated as a heritage area in 2002.<ref>{{cite web |title=Janes Village |url=https://www.janesvillage.org/index.html |access-date=September 7, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Kaiser |first1=Laura |title=Many Popular Houses in L.A. Were Part of a Scam by a Con Artist Who Disappeared |url=https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/los-angeles-home-scam |website=Atlas Obscura |access-date=September 7, 2024 |date=November 9, 2023}}</ref> 
Many notable buildings followed in the 1930s, including Eliot Junior High School (1931) and Davies Community Center in [[Farnsworth Park]] (1934).<ref>{{cite news |last1=Foster |first1=R. Daniel |title=Neighborhood Spotlight: Altadena offers varied architectural styles but few places left to build anew |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/realestate/hot-property/la-fi-hp-neighborhood-spotlight-altadena-20180512-story.html |newspaper=LA Times |access-date=September 7, 2024 |date=May 11, 2018}}</ref>

=== Later history ===
[[Redlining]] policies prevented [[African Americans]] from acquiring land or purchasing property in much of California.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.kcet.org/shows/lost-la/segregation-in-the-city-of-angels-a-1939-map-of-housing-inequality-in-la|title=Segregation in the City of Angels: A 1939 Map of Housing Inequality in L.A.|date=November 14, 2017|work=KCET|access-date=August 14, 2018|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1" /> One of the areas exempt from these policies was Altadena Meadows, which thrived and became one of first middle-class African American neighborhoods in the area.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/2017/11/12/altadenas-own-take-on-civil-war-monuments-honors-abolitionist-owen-brown-in-revamped-park/|title=Altadena's own take on Civil War monuments honors abolitionist Owen Brown in revamped park|date=November 13, 2017|work=Pasadena Star News|access-date=August 14, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Shattered in the Fire: A Historic Black Haven |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/14/us/la-fires-altadena-historic-black-community.html |work=The New York Times |last=Knoll |first=Corina |date=January 14, 2025 |access-date=January 15, 2025 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>

[[File:Lake Avenue Altadena.jpg|thumb|Lake Avenue in Altadena, 2011]]While Altadena long refused wholesale [[Municipal annexation|annexation]] by neighboring [[Pasadena, California|Pasadena]], the larger community nibbled at its edges in several small annexations of neighborhoods through the 1940s. Attempted annexation was stopped in 1956 by community campaigns, though it has been resurrected several times since by Pasadena without success. Had the annexation succeeded, Pasadena would be the [[List of United States cities by population|108th largest city]] in the United States.

With early-1960s redevelopment in Pasadena, the routing of extensions of the 134 and 210 freeways, and lawsuits over the desegregation of [[Pasadena Unified School District]], there was white flight and convulsive racial change in Altadena. In 1960, its black population was under four percent; over the next 15 years, half the White population left, and was replaced by people of color, many of whom settled on the west side of town after being displaced by Pasadena's redevelopment and freeway projects.

In 1993, the [[Kinneloa Fire]], begun accidentally on the slopes above [[Eaton Canyon]], burned dozens of homes in Altadena and neighboring [[Kinneloa Mesa, California|Kinneloa Mesa]] as part of a rash of late October wildfires driven by [[Santa Ana winds]] in Southern California. One man died of complications from smoke inhalation and dozens were injured.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |date=2001 |title=20 Largest California Wildland Fires (By Structures Lost) |url=http://www.fire.ca.gov/FireEmergencyResponse/HistoricalStatistics/20largefiresstructures.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011031164438/http://www.fire.ca.gov/FireEmergencyResponse/HistoricalStatistics/20largefiresstructures.asp |archive-date=October 31, 2001 |access-date=October 10, 2022 |website=California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection}}</ref><ref name=":13">{{Cite news |last1=Malnic |first1=Eric |last2=Farrell |first2=David |date=October 28, 1993 |title=13 Fires Ring Southland: 450 Homes Burn; Laguna, Altadena Hard Hit |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-10-28-mn-50441-story.html |url-status=live |access-date=December 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207055901/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-10-28-mn-50441-story.html |archive-date=December 7, 2022}}</ref>

In 2022, Altadena gained local coverage in Los Angeles as the place of the first land return to the [[Tongva]] since the arrival of Europeans in the [[Los Angeles Basin]] area, after a resident donated her 1-acre property to the [[Tongva Taraxat Paxaavxa Conservancy]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Purtill |first=Corinne |date=October 11, 2022 |title=An acre of land in Altadena has been formally transferred to L.A.'s first people |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/newsletter/2022-10-11/essential-california-land-transfer-tongva-essential-california |access-date=December 16, 2022 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=October 10, 2022 |title=Why A Property Worth Millions Was Returned To The Tongva Tribe |url=https://laist.com/news/la-history/why-a-property-worth-millions-was-returned-to-tongva-tribe |access-date=December 16, 2022 |website=LAist |language=en}}</ref> It was described as marking the first time in nearly 200 years that the Tongva have had land in [[Los Angeles County, California|Los Angeles County]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 10, 2022 |title=After nearly 200 years, the Tongva community has land in Los Angeles County |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-10-10/after-nearly-200-years-the-tongva-community-has-land-in-los-angeles-county |access-date=December 16, 2022 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US|first1=Jonah|last1=Valdez}}</ref>

In 2022, a single lottery ticket was sold to Edwin Castro, which would win a world record US$2.04 billion [[Powerball]] jackpot.<ref>{{Cite news |first1=Aya |last1=Elamroussi |first2=Dakin |last2=Andone |date=November 8, 2022 |title=Winning ticket for $2.04 billion Powerball jackpot sold in California, state lottery officials say |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/08/us/powerball-lottery-record-delayed-drawing-tuesday-trnd/index.html |access-date=November 8, 2022 |work=CNN |language=en}}</ref>

=== Eaton Fire ===
{{main|Eaton Fire}}
[[File:Oh Happy Day Vegan Cafe after Eaton Fire (vertical).jpg|left|thumb|185x185px|Destruction of business district on Lake Avenue]]
On January 7, 2025, the [[Eaton Fire]] started in Altadena around 6:30 PM local time during a powerful [[Santa Ana Winds]]. It quickly spread to 14,000 acres by January 10, with 17 confirmed fatalities.<ref>{{cite web |title=Eaton Fire Incident Page |url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2025/1/7/eaton-fire/updates/c9547534-417d-42c9-806c-a867a5c76a13 |website=Cal Fire Incidents |publisher=CALFIRE |access-date=28 January 2025}}</ref> Over 9,000 structures were damaged or destroyed, including the [[Andrew McNally House]], [[Altadena Community Church]], [[St. Markʼs Episcopal Church (Altadena, California)|St. Mark's Episcopal Church]], [[The Bunny Museum]], [[Scripps Hall (California)|Scripps Hall]] and much of the downtown area. The entirety of Altadena was put under an evacuation order.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-08 |title=2 people die in Eaton Fire as evacuation orders expand beyond Altadena |url=https://laist.com/news/climate-environment/eaton-fire-altadena |access-date=2025-01-08 |website=LAist |language=en}}</ref> Nearly half of the Black households in Altadena were damaged or destroyed by the fire.<ref name="guard-16feb2025">{{cite news |last1=Beckett |first1=Lois |title=The LA fires burned down a thriving Black community. Residents are afraid of being 'erased' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/16/california-fires-black-community-recovery |access-date=February 16, 2025 |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=February 16, 2025}}</ref> In the aftermath of the fires, many homeowners struggled with high rebuilding costs and some were forced to sell, while luxury developers and wealthy individuals scrambled to buy lots in cash at competitive prices.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hong |first=Jae |date=23 March 2025 |title=After the Eaton Fire, Altadena residents fight to keep out luxury developers |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/eaton-fire-altadena-residents-fight-keep-luxury-developers-rcna196272 |website=NBC News |access-date=25 March 2025}}
</ref>  Community groups such as [[Altadena Not for Sale]] quickly formed to advocate for the under- and non-insured so they don't fall prey to predatory land speculators.

{{maplink|frame=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=|frame-height=300|from=January 2025 United States wildfires.map|frame-latitude=34.195|frame-longitude=-118.137|zoom=13|text=Affected area of Altadena by [[Eaton Fire]] ([[c:Data:January 2025 United States wildfires.map|map data]])}}

==Geography==
For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau has defined Altadena as a [[census-designated place]] (CDP). According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the CDP has a total area of {{convert|8.7|sqmi|km2}}, over 99% of it land.

=== Climate ===
Altadena experiences hot and dry summers that are followed by warm and windy falls and mild winters. According to the [[Köppen climate classification]] system, Altadena has a [[Mediterranean climate#Hot-summer Mediterranean climate|hot-summer Mediterranean climate]], abbreviated ''Csa'' on climate maps. {{Weather box|location = Altadena, California (1991-2020 averages, 1922-2016 extremes)
|single line = Y
|Jan record high F =  93
|Feb record high F =  92
|Mar record high F =  98
|Apr record high F = 105
|May record high F = 104
|Jun record high F = 113
|Jul record high F = 110
|Aug record high F = 107
|Sep record high F = 111
|Oct record high F = 108
|Nov record high F = 101
|Dec record high F =  93
|year record high F = 113
|Jan high F = 64.3
|Feb high F = 64.4
|Mar high F = 66.6
|Apr high F = 67.0
|May high F = 75.0
|Jun high F = 79.1
|Jul high F = 85.8
|Aug high F = 86.8
|Sep high F = 84.6
|Oct high F = 76.9
|Nov high F = 72.8
|Dec high F = 65.8
|year high F = 
|Jan low F = 42.3
|Feb low F = 43.9
|Mar low F = 44.8
|Apr low F = 45.9
|May low F = 50.2
|Jun low F = 52.9
|Jul low F = 57.7
|Aug low F = 59.1
|Sep low F = 58.4
|Oct low F = 51.8
|Nov low F = 48.5
|Dec low F = 44.6
|year low F = 
|Jan record low F = 21
|Feb record low F = 26
|Mar record low F = 29
|Apr record low F = 31
|May record low F = 32
|Jun record low F = 41
|Jul record low F = 45
|Aug record low F = 43
|Sep record low F = 41
|Oct record low F = 36
|Nov record low F = 26
|Dec record low F = 25
|year record low F = 21
|rain colour = green
|Jan rain inch = 4.80
|Feb rain inch = 5.74
|Mar rain inch = 3.19
|Apr rain inch = 1.29
|May rain inch = 0.74
|Jun rain inch = 0.21
|Jul rain inch = 0.08
|Aug rain inch = 0.01
|Sep rain inch = 0.18
|Oct rain inch = 0.91
|Nov rain inch = 1.18
|Dec rain inch = 3.04
|year rain inch = 
|Jan rain days = 6.4
|Feb rain days = 6.0
|Mar rain days = 4.9
|Apr rain days = 2.9
|May rain days = 2.4
|Jun rain days = 0.8
|Jul rain days = 0.2
|Aug rain days = 0.2
|Sep rain days = 0.7
|Oct rain days = 2.4
|Nov rain days = 2.4
|Dec rain days = 4.9
|unit rain days = 0.01 inch
|source 1 = WRCC<ref>{{cite web
|url=https://climateatlas.org/php/viewstation.php?station=USC00040144 |title=ALTADENA, CALIFORNIA - Climate Summary|access-date=March 21, 2022|publisher=WRCC}}</ref>
|source 2 = WRCC<ref>{{cite web
|url=https://wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?ca0144 |title=ALTADENA, CALIFORNIA - Climate Summary|access-date=October 3, 2017|publisher=WRCC}}</ref>
|date=October 2017
}}

The wettest calendar year was 1983, with {{convert|48.47|in|mm|1}}, and the driest was 1947, with {{convert|5.37|in|mm|1}}. The most rainfall in one month was {{convert|19.70|in|mm|1}}, in February 1980. The most rainfall in 24 hours was {{convert|7.70|in|mm|1}}, on March 2, 1938. Altadena averages {{convert|21.09|in|mm|1}} of rain a year, over {{convert|6|inch|mm|-1}} more than nearby Los Angeles due to the [[Precipitation types#Orographic|orographic]] effect created by the [[San Gabriel Mountains]]. Because of the slope on which the city is built, sewer lines in the city's northern section have been known to overflow significantly.{{Citation needed|date=December 2013}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1960= 40568
|1970= 42415
|1980= 40983
|1990= 42658
|2000= 42610
|2010= 42777
|2020= 42846
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade.html|title=Decennial Census by Decade|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=}}</ref><br>1860–1870<ref name=1870CensusCA1>{{Cite web|title= 1870 Census of Population - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties - California - Almeda County to Sutter County |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1870/population/1870a-12.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref><ref name=1870CensusCA2>{{Cite web|title= 1870 Census of Population - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties - California - Tehama County to Yuba County  |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1870/population/1870a-13.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1880-1890<ref name=1890CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1890 Census of Population - Population of California by Minor Civil Divisions |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1890/bulletins/demographics/134-population-of-ca.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref><br> 1900<ref name=1900CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1900 Census of Population - Population of California by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1900/bulletins/demographic/10-population-ca.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1910<ref name=1910CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1910 Census of Population - Supplement for California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1910/abstract/supplement-ca.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1920<ref name=1920CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1920 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1920/bulletins/demographics/population-ca-number-of-inhabitants.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref><br> 1930<ref name=1930CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1930 Census of Population - Number and Distribution of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1930/population-volume-1/03815512v1ch03.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1940<ref name=1940CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1940 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1940/population-volume-1/33973538v1ch03.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1950<ref name=1950CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1950 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1950/population-volume-1/vol-01-08.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref><br> 1960<ref name=1960CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1960 Census of Population - General population Characteristics - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1960/population-volume-1/vol-01-06-d.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1970<ref name=1970CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1970 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1970a_ca1-01.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1980<ref name=1980CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1980a_caAB-01.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref><br> 1990<ref name=1990CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1990 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/cen1990/cph2/cph-2-6.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
2000<ref name=2000CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/2003/dec/phc-3-6.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 2010<ref name=2010CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 2010 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/2010/cph-2/cph-2-6.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref><br> 2020<ref name=2020CensusP2/>
}}

Altadena first appeared as an unincorporated community in the [[1960 U.S. Census]];<ref name=1960CensusCA/> and as a [[census-designated place]] in the [[1980 U.S. Census]].<ref name=1980CensusCA/>

===2020===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+'''Altadena CDP, California – Racial and ethnic composition'''<br><small>{{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}</small>
!Race / Ethnicity <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small>
!Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Altadena CDP, California|url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=160XX00US0601290&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Altadena CDP, California|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US0601290&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!{{partial|Pop 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Altadena CDP, California|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US0601290&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!% 2000
!% 2010
!{{partial|% 2020}}
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|16,848
|17,231
|style='background: #ffffe6; |17,900
|39.54%
|40.28%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |41.78%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|13,112
|9,816
|style='background: #ffffe6; |7,136
|30.77%
|22.95%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |16.65%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|117
|85
|style='background: #ffffe6; |46
|0.27%
|0.20%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.11%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|1,761
|2,231
|style='background: #ffffe6; |2,919
|4.13%
|5.22%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |6.81%
|-
|[[Native Hawaiian]] or [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|49
|65
|style='background: #ffffe6; |47
|0.11%
|0.15%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.11%
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH)
|151
|187
|style='background: #ffffe6; |293
|0.35%
|0.44%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.68%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or Multiracial]] (NH)
|1,882
|1,660
|style='background: #ffffe6; |2,334
|4.42%
|3.88%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |5.45%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|8,690
|11,502
|style='background: #ffffe6; |12,171
|20.39%
|26.89%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |28.41%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''42,610'''
|'''42,777'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''42,846'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%'''
|}

The [[2020 United States census]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/altadenacdpcalifornia|title=2020 Census Interactive Population Search: CA&nbsp;— Altadena CDP|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=July 12, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403025902/http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0601290|archive-date=April 3, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> reported that Altadena had a population of 42,846. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|racial makeup]] of Altadena in the year 2020 was (53.2%) White (41.2% Non-Hispanic White),<ref name=quickfacts /> (19.7%) African American, (0.6%) Native American, (5.2%) Asian, (0.1%) Pacific Islander, and (6.9%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 29.5% of the population.

===2010===
The [[2010 United States census]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0601290|title=2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA&nbsp;— Altadena CDP|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=July 12, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403025902/http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0601290|archive-date=April 3, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> reported that Altadena had a population of 42,777. The population density was {{Convert|4,900.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|racial makeup]] of Altadena in the year 2010 was 22,569 (52.8%) White (40.3% Non-Hispanic White),<ref name=quickfacts /> 10,136 (23.7%) African American, 300 (0.7%) Native American, 2,307 (5.4%) Asian, 71 (0.2%) Pacific Islander, 4,852 (11.3%) from other races, and 2,542 (5.9%) from two or more races. There were 11,502 Hispanic or Latino residents, of any race (26.9%).

The Census reported that 42,276 people (98.8% of the population) lived in households, 234 (0.5%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 267 (0.6%) were institutionalized.

There were 15,212 households, out of which 5,170 (34.0%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 7,684 (50.5%) were [[marriage|opposite-sex married couples]] living together, 2,210 (14.5%) had a female householder with no husband present, 814 (5.4%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 661 (4.3%) [[POSSLQ|unmarried opposite-sex partnerships]], and 271 (1.8%) [[Domestic partnership|same-sex married couples or partnerships]]. 3,489 households (22.9%) were made up of individuals, and 1,318 (8.7%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.78. There were 10,708 [[Family (US Census)|families]] (70.4% of all households); the average family size was 3.26.

The age distribution of the city's population was as follows: 9,507 people (22.2%) were under the age of 18, 3,286 (7.7%) aged 18 to 24, 10,622 (24.8%) aged 25 to 44, 13,298 (31.1%) aged 45 to 64, and 6,064 (14.2%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.2 males.

There were 15,947 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,826.8|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}, of which 10,889 (71.6%) were owner-occupied, and 4,323 (28.4%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.9%; the rental vacancy rate was 4.9%. 30,319 people (70.9% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 11,957 people (28.0%) lived in rental housing units.

According to the 2010 United States Census, Altadena had a median household income of $82,895, with 10.7% of the population living below the federal poverty line.<ref name=quickfacts>{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts: Altadena CDP, California |url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06/0601290.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120701234448/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06/0601290.html |archive-date=July 1, 2012 }}</ref>

===2000===
As of the [[2000 United States census]],<ref name="GR2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> there were 42,610 people, 14,780 households, and 10,671 families residing in the CDP. The population density was {{Convert|4,898.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 15,250 housing units at an average density of {{Convert|1,753.3|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|racial makeup]] of the CDP in the year 2000 was 47.30% White or European American, 31.42% Black or African American, 0.58% Native American, 4.24% Asian or Asian American, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 10.19% from other races, and 6.14% from two or more races. 20.39% of the population were [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic]] or Latino of any race.

There were 14,780 households, out of which 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.3% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 15.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.8% were non-families. 21.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.82 and the average family size was 3.29.

In the CDP, 26.6% of the population was under the age of 18, 6.4% was from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.3% was 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.6 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $60,549, and the median income for a family was $66,800 (these figures had risen to $77,020 and $86,778 respectively as of a 2007 estimate). Males had a median income of $49,098 versus $38,054 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the CDP was $27,604. About 7.4% of families and 10.6% of the population were below the [[Poverty threshold|poverty line]], including 14.1% of those under age 18 and 8.3% of those age 65 or over.

==Government==
Altadena has a [[town council]] that acts as an ombudsman for the Altadena neighborhoods, and provides a forum for town meetings. Altadena is formally managed by the Los Angeles County Supervisors, and is located in LA County Supervisorial District 5, under Supervisor [[Kathryn Barger]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=About |url=https://altadenatowncouncil.org/about/ |access-date=2025-01-11 |website=Altadena Town Council |language=en}}</ref>

==Arts and culture==

[[File:Christmas Tree Lane.jpg|thumb|right|[[Christmas Tree Lane]]]]
Altadena is known for its community of artists and arts professionals, with artistic heritage dating back to the early 20th century.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |last2= |last3= |last4= |date=2025-01-15 |title=How Altadena became the L.A. dream for Gen X and millennial artists, writers, musicians |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2025-01-15/altadena-eaton-fire-artists-writers-musicians |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Stromberg |first=Matt |date=2025-01-15 |title=The Unfathomable Loss of Artistic Heritage in Altadena |url=https://hyperallergic.com/983707/the-unfathomable-loss-of-artistic-heritage-in-altadena/ |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=Hyperallergic |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Zernicki-Glover |first=Simon |title=Art in Altadena |url=https://thepawprint.polytechnic.org/2577/life/art-in-altadena/ |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=The Paw Print}}</ref>

[[Christmas Tree Lane]] is a {{convert|0.7|mi|km|adj=on}} stretch of Santa Rosa Avenue from Woodbury Road to Altadena Drive.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Weekend-Christmas-Tree-Lanes-97th-Year-462595033.html|title=Weekend: Christmas Tree Lane's 97th Year|work=NBC Southern California|access-date=August 14, 2018|language=en}}</ref> It has been a holiday attraction since 1920, and it is the oldest large-scale outdoor Christmas lighting venue in the world. Each December, members of the Christmas Tree Lane Association<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.christmastreelane.net/ |title=Home |website=christmastreelane.net}}</ref> festoon the 110 still standing giant [[Cedrus deodara|deodars]] that line the street with thousands of Christmas lights. Christmas Tree Lane was placed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1990,<ref name=":0" /> and is a [[California Historical Landmark]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://angelusnews.com/voices/heather-king/set-aside-a-night-for-altadena-s-christmas-tree-lane|title=Set aside a night for Altadena's Christmas Tree Lane|work=Tilma|access-date=August 14, 2018|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815025731/https://angelusnews.com/voices/heather-king/set-aside-a-night-for-altadena-s-christmas-tree-lane|archive-date=August 15, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Among Altadena's Christmas lighting attractions was the Balian Mansion, which drew people worldwide for tours of its Christmas lighting display. The Balian Mansion display was lit during the holiday season from 1955 to 2016, and is arguably the pioneer of home holiday lighting.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-12-10 |title=Saying Farewell To Altadena's 'House Of The 10,000 Lights' Christmas Display |url=https://laist.com/news/entertainment/balian-house-christmas-lights-altadena-pasadena-estate-sale |access-date=2025-02-24 |website=LAist |language=en}}</ref>

The historic [[Mount Lowe Railway]] was a scenic railway that once carried passengers to any of four resort hotels high in the San Gabriel Mountains above Altadena and Pasadena. The most direct trail to the sites, the [[Sam Merrill Trail]], starts in Altadena at the top of [[Lake Avenue (Pasadena)|Lake Avenue]], and leads to Mount Echo, about {{convert|3|mi|km}}. Chaney Trail, just west of the intersection at Fair Oaks Avenue and Loma Alta Street, is a forestry service road leading to the old right of way. The Mount Lowe Railway site was placed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1993. Altadena has a number of hiking trails, including the trail to the Dawn Mine, which can be reached via Chaney Trail to Sunset Ridge Trail.

The Cobb Estate at the top of Lake Avenue is now a free [[botanical garden]], operated by the [[United States Forest Service]]. It is guarded by its historic gates, which are easily bypassed to allow visitors and hikers to ascend its long and winding paved driveway to the site of what was once one of Altadena's premier mansions. This site is also found alongside the Sam Merrill Trail, which accesses Las Flores Canyon on the way to [[Echo Mountain]].

[[Gen. Charles S. Farnsworth County Park]], located on Lake Avenue, is a large county park that offers picnic grounds, play areas, and a clubhouse and amphitheater. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997. The [[Rotary International]] chapter holds annual summer concerts in the amphitheater.

Crudely Hewn Tombstone is the final resting place of abolitionist and [[John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry|Harpers Ferry attack]] survivor [[Owen Brown (abolitionist, born 1824)|Owen Brown]]. The Tombstone, which is the only known memorial for Owen Brown, reads: "Owen Brown, son of John Brown, the Liberator, died Jan. 9, 1889, aged 64 years.” and is located on Round Top Hill near Brown Mountain in an isolated part of the [[Angeles National Forest]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-jan-30-me-59350-story.html|title=John Brown's Son Escaped to Southland|last=Rasmussen|first=Cecilia|date=January 30, 2000|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|access-date=August 14, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035}}</ref>

The [[The Bunny Museum|Bunny Museum]] held more than 35,000 rabbit-related items across 16 galleries in a {{Convert|7,000|ft2|m2|adj=on}} space before it was destroyed in the Eaton Fire in 2025. [[Zorthian Ranch]] is a {{convert|48|acre||adj=mid| artist colony}} that was also heavily damaged in the fire.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Farfan |first=Isa |date=2025-02-10 |title=The Bunny Museum in LA Looks to Rebuild After Fires |url=https://hyperallergic.com/988353/the-bunny-museum-in-la-looks-to-rebuild-after-fires/ |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=Hyperallergic |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |last2= |last3= |date=2025-01-10 |title=The Bunny Museum, destroyed by Eaton fire, vows to return |url=https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/story/2025-01-09/bunny-museum-altadena-eaton-fire-rebuild |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Infrastructure==
The [[Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department]] (LASD) operates the Altadena Station in Altadena.<ref>"[http://www.lasd.org/stations/for1/altadena/index.html Altadena Station] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100109011012/http://www.lasd.org/stations/for1/altadena/index.html |date=January 9, 2010 }}." [[Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department]]. Retrieved on January 21, 2010.</ref>

The [[California Highway Patrol]] operates the Altadena Area Office on Windsor Dr. in Altadena.

Altadena is a shared jurisdiction where L.A. County Sheriff's Dept. handles crime-related calls and CHP handles traffic-related calls.

The [[Los Angeles County Department of Health Services]] operates the Monrovia Health Center in [[Monrovia, California|Monrovia]], serving Altadena.<ref>"[http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/phn/docs/HealthCenter/monrovia.pdf Monrovia Health Center]." [[Los Angeles County Department of Health Services]]. Retrieved on March 27, 2010.</ref>

== Notable people ==
* [[Claude Akins]], actor<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1994/01/28/claude-akins-genial-rugged-actor-dies/d06150b7-1ca4-4c02-a578-c87479d8e51c|title=CLAUDE AKINS, GENIAL, RUGGED ACTOR, DIES|date=January 28, 1994|access-date=24 Feb 2025|website=Washingtonpost.com}}</ref>
* [[Maria Bamford]], stand-up comedian
* [[Ramses Barden]], NFL player
* [[Al Boeke]], architect and developer of [[Sea Ranch, California]]<ref name=nytimes>{{cite news|first=Dennis|last=Hevesi|title=Al Boeke, Architect Who Sought Ecological Harmony, Is Dead at 88 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/17/us/al-boeke-88-dies-architect-sought-ecological-harmony.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=November 16, 2011 |access-date=December 3, 2011}}</ref>
* [[Aja Brown]], former mayor of [[Compton, California]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VL7F-DQQ?lang=en |access-date=2025-02-07 |website=www.familysearch.org}}</ref>
* [[Owen Brown (abolitionist, born 1824)|Owen Brown]], abolitionist<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-21 |title=LA County's newest historical landmark is a grave that marks a little-known piece of CA history |url=https://laist.com/news/los-angeles-activities/la-county-historical-landmark-grave-altadena-california-history |access-date=2025-02-07 |website=LAist |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Octavia E. Butler]], author<ref>{{cite web|url=https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/tracing-octavia-butlers-footsteps-interview-rochell-d-thomas/|title=Tracing Octavia Butler's Footsteps: An Interview with Dr. Ayana A. H. Jamieson - Los Angeles Review of Books|website=lareviewofbooks.org|date=December 2, 2016|access-date=March 23, 2018}}</ref>
* [[Ellen Garrison Jackson Clark]], African American educator, abolitionist and early Civil Rights activist<ref>{{Cite news|last=Maranatos|first=Jeanette|date=2021|title=How we got the story of Ellen Garrison Jackson Clark and her courageous, unsung life|pages=1–3|work=Los Angeles Times|url=https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/story/2021-07-30/how-we-got-the-story-of-ellen-garrison-jackson-clark-and-her-courageous-unsung-life}}</ref>
* [[Andre Coleman]], reporter and author
* [[Wah Chang]], designer, sculptor, and artist
* [[Fannie Charles Dillon]], composer
* [[Kenturah Davis]], artist<ref>{{Cite web|date=14 January 2025|title=Wildfires Leave Diverse Historic Altadena Ashes Rubble|url=
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/l-wildfires-leave-diverse-historic-altadena-ashes-rubble-rcna187065|access-date=2025-01-14|website=NBC News}}</ref>
* [[Nahshon Dion]], writer and filmmaker<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-06 |title= New York State Council on the Arts Grants Award List|url=https://nysca.org/downloads/files/FY2025_Grant_Award_List.pdf |access-date=2024-12-22 |website=arts.ny.gov/ |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Sterling Emerson]] (1900–1988), geneticist, died in Altadena<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://nap.nationalacademies.org/read/4560/chapter/8 |title=Read "Biographical Memoirs: Volume 63" at NAP.edu |date=1994 |doi=10.17226/4560 |isbn=978-0-309-04976-4 |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Richard Feynman]], Nobel Prize-winning [[physicist]], was a resident<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/2016/11/01/altadenas-history-on-view-from-richard-feynman-to-bugsy-siegel-larry-wilson/ |title=Altadena's history on view, from Richard Feynman to Bugsy Siegel: Larry Wilson |website=pasadenastarnews.com |first=Larry |last=Wilson |date=November 1, 2016 |access-date=February 24, 2020}}</ref>
* [[Jonathan Gold]], [[Pulitzer Prize]]-winning restaurant critic
* [[Zane Grey]], author<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lubell |first=Sam |date=2025-01-09 |title=As Flames Consume Architectural Gems, a Hit to 'Old California' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/09/arts/design/architecture-fires-california-los-angeles-rogers-eames.html |access-date=2025-02-07 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
* [[Keith Hufnagel]], professional skateboarder, was a resident
* [[Rodney King]], victim of police beating<ref>{{cite news|title=Rodney King, L.A. police beating victim, dies|date=June 18, 2012| url=http://www.sfgate.com/nation/article/Rodney-King-L-A-police-beating-victim-dies-3641057.php | work=San Francisco Chronicle}}</ref>
* [[Robert J. Lang]], artist
* [[Bob Lillis]], [[Major League Baseball]] player and coach<ref>{{Cite web |last=admin |title=Bob Lillis – Society for American Baseball Research |url=https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/bob-lillis/ |access-date=2025-02-07 |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Max Hardcore|Paul Little]], [[Sex industry#Adult entertainment|adult entertainment]] director and actor
* [[Mo Martin]], LPGA golfer
* [[Edgar McGregor]], climate activist and amateur meteorologist<ref name=":03">{{Cite news |last=Branson-Potts |first=Hailey |date=2025-01-14 |title=This young Altadena weather guy had a growing following. In the Eaton fire, he saved lives |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-01-14/la-me-eaton-fire-altadena-young-forecaster-saved-lives |access-date=2025-01-15 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> 
* [[Andrew McNally]], businessman and publisher, died in Altadena<ref>{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/andrewmcnally18300mcna/andrewmcnally18300mcna_djvu.txt |title=Andrew McNally, 1836-1904. Memorials, messages of condolence, and press notices. |website=archive.org |date=1904 |accessdate=July 4, 2021}}</ref>
* [[Jim Merritt]], Major League Baseball pitcher
* [[Sona Movsesian]], executive assistant, author, and media personality<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=aeeGf7eKzQG_3lBu&v=cr0nPtbmmG4&feature=youtu.be |title=Conan Refuses To Put Ketchup On His Hot Dog {{!}} Conan O'Brien Needs A Friend |date=2024-08-16 |last=Team Coco |access-date=2024-09-01 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
{{Portal|Greater Los Angeles}}
* [[Roger Nelson (baseball)|Roger Nelson]], Major League Baseball pitcher
* [[Marni Nixon]], singer
* [[George Reeves]], actor, ''[[Adventures of Superman (TV series)|Adventures of Superman]]''
* [[Nathaniel Rosen]], classical cellist
* [[Steve Sailer]], author, blogger, and movie critic
* [[Michael Shermer]], founder of [[The Skeptics Society]] and Editor in Chief of its magazine, ''[[Skeptic (U.S. magazine)|Skeptic]]''
* [[Ethelynde Smith]], concert singer and botanical painter
* [[Adam Steltzner]], spacecraft engineer
* [[Darryl Stephens]], actor and author<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gerami |first=Vic |date=2017-11-22 |title=10Q {{!}} DARRYL STEPHENS |url=https://thebluntpost.com/10-questions-with-vic-featuring-darryl-stephens/ |access-date=2025-02-07 |website=THE BLUNT POST |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Jeffrey C. Stewart]], Pulitzer Prize winner and professor<ref name="Altadenaheritagejeffreystewart">{{cite web |title=Jeffrey Stewart |url=https://altadenaheritage.org/crucible-of-art-altadena-as-a-special-space-in-black-history/|website=Altadena Heritage |access-date=February 18, 2020}}</ref>
* [[Sharon Stouder]], swimmer, three gold medals in [[1964 Summer Olympics]]
* [[Meshach Taylor]], [[Emmy Awards|Emmy]]-nominated actor, ''[[Designing Women]]'' 
* [[Leslie Van Houten]], [[Manson Family]] member serving life sentence for murder 
* [[Mark Dean Veca]], artist
* [[James Westerfield]], actor
* [[Charles White (artist)|Charles White]], printmaker and draftsman
* [[Harold Zirin]], solar astronomer, founder of the [[Big Bear Solar Observatory]]
* [[Jirayr Zorthian]], artist

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* Ives, Sarah Noble, ''Altadena''. Pasadena, California: The Star-News Publishing Co., 1938. Out of print.
* Peterson, Robert H. ''Altadena's Golden Years''. Alhambra, California: Sinclair Printing and Litho, Inc., 1976.
* Zack, Michele. ''Altadena: Between Wilderness and City''. Altadena, California: Altadena Historical Society, 2004. {{ISBN|0-9747257-0-6}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Altadena, California}}
* [http://www.altadenatowncouncil.org Altadena Town Council]
* [http://www.altadenachamber.org/ Altadena Chamber of Commerce]

{{Adjacent communities
| Centre    = Altadena
| North     = ''[[San Gabriel Mountains]]''
| Northeast = ''[[San Gabriel Mountains]]''
| East      = ''[[Eaton Canyon]] & [[San Gabriel Mountains]]''
| Southeast = [[East Pasadena, California|East Pasadena]] part of [[Pasadena, California|Pasadena]] 
| South     = [[Pasadena, California|Pasadena]]
| Southwest = ''[[Arroyo Seco (Los Angeles County)|Arroyo Seco]] - [[Interstate 210 (California)|I-210]] '' - [[Glendale, California|Glendale]]
| West      = [[La Cañada Flintridge, California|La Cañada Flintridge]] & ''[[JPL]]'' ''[[Arroyo Seco (Los Angeles County)|Arroyo Seco]]''  
| Northwest = ''[[San Gabriel Mountains]]''
}}

{{Los Angeles County, California}}
{{Greater Los Angeles Area}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Altadena, California| ]]
[[Category:1887 establishments in California]]
[[Category:Census-designated places in California]]
[[Category:Census-designated places in Los Angeles County, California]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1887]]
[[Category:San Gabriel Valley]]
[[Category:Unincorporated communities in California]]
[[Category:Unincorporated communities in Los Angeles County, California]]