Editing Downey, California

{{Short description|City in California, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
 | name                     = Downey, California
 | settlement_type          = [[List of municipalities in California|City]]
 | image_skyline            = Downey City Hall.jpg
 | imagesize                = 
 | image_caption            = The Downey City Hall in 2006
 | image_flag               = Flag of Downey, California.gif
 | image_seal               = Seal of Downey, California.svg
 | nickname                 = 
 | motto                    = 
 | image_map                = File:Los Angeles County California Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Downey Highlighted 0619766.svg
 | mapsize                  = 250x200px
 | map_caption              = Location of Downey in Los Angeles County, California
 | pushpin_map              = USA
 | pushpin_map_caption      = Location in the United States
 | pushpin_relief           = 1
 | coordinates              = {{coord|33|56|17|N|118|07|51|W|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         = October 23, 1873
 | established_title2       = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
 | established_date2        = December 17, 1956<ref>{{Cite web
 |url=http://www.calafco.org/docs/Cities_by_incorp_date.doc 
 |title=California Cities by Incorporation Date 
 |format=Word 
 |publisher=California Association of [[Local Agency Formation Commission]]s 
 |access-date=August 25, 2014 |url-status=dead 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103002921/http://www.calafco.org/docs/Cities_by_incorp_date.doc 
 |archive-date=November 3, 2014 }}</ref>
 | named_for                = Gov. [[John G. Downey]]
 | government_type          = [[Council–manager government|Council–manager]]
 | leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
 | leader_name              = Hector Sosa
 | leader_title1            = [[Mayor Pro Tem]]
 | leader_name1             = Dorothy Pemberton
 | leader_title2            = [[City council]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.downeyca.org/our-city/mayor-city-council |title=Mayor & City Council |publisher=City of Downey |access-date=April 1, 2025 }}</ref>
 | leader_name2             = Claudia Frometa <br />Horacio Ortiz<br /> Mario Trujillo 
 | leader_title3            = [[City manager]]
 | leader_name3             = Roger Bradley <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.downeyca.org/our-city/departments/city-manager |title=City Manager |publisher=City of Downey |access-date=April 1, 2025 }}</ref>
<!-- 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_sq_mi         = 12.57
 | area_total_km2           = 32.55
 | area_land_sq_mi          = 12.41
 | area_land_km2            = 32.14
 | area_water_sq_mi         = 0.16
 | area_water_km2           = 0.42
 | area_water_percent       = 1.27
 | area_metro_sq_mi         = 
 | area_metro_km2           = 
 | elevation_footnotes      = <ref>{{Cite GNIS|1652698|Downey|access-date=October 12, 2014}}</ref>
 | elevation_ft             = 118
 | elevation_m              = 36
<!-- Population ----------->
 | population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
 | population_footnotes     = 
 | population_total         = 114355
 | pop_est_as_of            = 
 | pop_est_footnotes        = 
 | population_est           = 
 | population_rank          = [[List of cities in Los Angeles County, California|10th]] in Los Angeles County<br />[[List of largest California cities by population|57th]] in California
 | population_metro         = 
 | population_density_sq_mi = 9215.49
 | population_density_km2   = 3558.25
 | timezone                 = [[Pacific Time Zone|PST]]
 | utc_offset               = −8
 | timezone_DST             = PDT
 | utc_offset_DST           = −7
 | postal_code_type         = [[ZIP Code]]s
 | postal_code              = 90239–90242
 | area_code_type           = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
 | area_code                = [[Area code 562|562]]
 | blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
 | blank_info               = {{FIPS|06|19766}}
 | blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature IDs
 | blank1_info              = {{GNIS 4|1652698}}, {{GNIS 4|2410352}}
 | website                  = {{URL|www.downeyca.org}}
}}

'''Downey''' is a city located in Southeast [[Los Angeles County, California]], United States, {{convert|13|mi|km|abbr=on}} southeast of [[Downtown Los Angeles]]. It is considered part of the [[Gateway Cities]]. The city is the birthplace of the [[Apollo space program]] and [[Taco Bell]]. It is also the home of the [[Oldest McDonald's restaurant|oldest operating McDonald's restaurant]] in the world. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the city had a total population of 114,355.

==History==

===18th century to World War II===
{{see also|Spanish missions in California}}
[[Mission San Gabriel Arcángel]] was initially founded on September 8, 1771, near settlements of the [[Tongva]] people. It was located in the Whittier Narrows on a bluff overlooking the Rio Hondo, near the modern intersection of San Gabriel Blvd and Lincoln Avenue.<ref name="Kyle">Kyle, Douglas E. (1990). ''Historic Spots in California'', 4th ed. Stanford, CA: [[Stanford University Press]].</ref> After five years, flooding forced the relocation of the mission to its present site in [[San Gabriel, California|San Gabriel]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mission San Gabriel Arcangel (CA Mission #4) |url=https://theclio.com/entry/54297 |access-date=June 26, 2022 |website=Clio |language=en}}</ref>

In 1784, Governor [[Pedro Fages]] granted to former soldier [[Manuel Nieto (soldier)|Manuel Nieto]] (1734–1804) the largest of the land concessions made in what was then [[Alta California]], a province of [[New Spain]]. Its {{convert|300,000|acre|ha|abbr=off}} stretched from the [[Santa Ana River]] on the east to the Old [[San Gabriel River (California)|San Gabriel River]] (now the [[Rio Hondo (California)|Rio Hondo]] and [[Los Angeles River]]) on the west, and from the mission highway (approximately [[Whittier Boulevard]]) on the north to the ocean on the south. Its acreage was slightly reduced later at the insistence of [[Mission San Gabriel]] on whose lands it infringed. The Spanish concessions, of which 25 were made in California, were unlike the later Mexican land grants in that title was not transferred but were similar to grazing permits with the title remaining with the Spanish crown.<ref>Beck, Warren A., Haase, Ynez D. (1974). ''Historical Atlas of California''. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press.</ref>

The [[Rancho Los Nietos]] passed to Manuel Nieto's four children upon his death and remained intact until 1833 when his heirs petitioned [[List of pre-statehood governors of California|Mexican Governor]] [[José Figueroa]] to partition the property. The northwestern portion of the original [[Ranchos of California|rancho]], comprising the Downey-[[Norwalk, California|Norwalk]] area, was granted as [[Rancho Santa Gertrudes]] to Josefa Cota, the widow of Manuel Nieto's son, Antonio Nieto. At approximately {{convert|21,000|acre|ha|abbr=off}}, Santa Gertrudes was itself a sizable rancho and contained the old Nietos homestead, which was a center of social life east of the pueblo of Los Angeles.<ref>Quinn, Charles Russell (1973). ''The History of Downey, California'' Published by Elena Quinn; copyright by City of Downey, California.</ref>

[[File:John G Downey by William F Cogswell, 1879.jpg|thumb|upright|Governor John G. Downey by [[William F. Cogswell]]]]
Dairy was a major industry in Downey. The Central Milk Agency marketed the milk for "seven hundred dairymen whose dairy herds range from thirty to two thousand head" with the value of the products marketed in excess of $1,000,000 per month.<ref>{{cite book|last=Morrison|first=Easter Bangle|title=History of Downey and Vicinity|date=1939|page=118}}</ref> 
 
Some of Downey's settlers came from [[Ireland]].<ref name=Ireland>{{cite web|url=http://www.jdcjr.us/irish.html|title=John's Irish History|access-date=April 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310024926/http://jdcjr.us/irish.html|archive-date=March 10, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> Downey was founded by and named for the former and youngest ever [[governor of California]], [[John G. Downey|John Gately Downey]], who was born in Ireland. Although he was an Irish Democrat, he supported the Republican Lincoln in his efforts to keep the Union intact during the [[American Civil War]]. He pioneered the modern [[subdivision (land)|subdivision]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sonksen |first=Mike |date=2015-06-22 |title=Downey: From Orange Groves to the Apollo Space Program |url=https://www.pbssocal.org/history-society/downey-from-orange-groves-to-the-apollo-space-program |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=PBS SoCal |language=en}}</ref> with land he acquired between the [[Rio Hondo (California)|Rio Hondo]] and the [[San Gabriel River (California)|San Gabriel River]], in about 1865. Downey was convinced that oranges would flourish in Southern California, so he imported several varieties, and therefore set in motion what became one of the state's biggest cash crops.<ref name=Ireland/>

===Gallatin===
Two small settlements were established along the Rio Hondo River - '''College Settlement''' and '''Gallatin''', near where the modern Paramount Boulevard and Florence Avenue cross. In the late 1860s, the Gallatin residents built a small school known as the "Little Red Gallatin School House". By 1871, it was not large enough and a two-story school was built. Gallatin School moved in 1893 to its present site. Later, Alameda School and Downey School were built. By 1883, College Settlement, Gallatin and Downey joined and with the help of Governor Downey convinced the Southern Pacific Railroad to route through and stop in Downey. The new center of activity migrated to the depot area and this became the center of a new larger Downey, uniting the three previous settlements.<ref>{{cite news |title=Looking back on Gallatin Elementary School|publisher=Downey Patriot|date=January 8, 2010|last=Pierce|first=Eric|url= https://www.thedowneypatriot.com/articles/looking-back-on-gallatin-elementary-school?format=amp}}</ref>

===After World War II===
[[File:Vultee Vengeance production at Downey CA.jpg|thumb|right|Workers in Downey building [[Vultee A-31 Vengeance|Vultee Vengeance]] bombers for the [[Royal Air Force]] in 1943<ref name="Parker, Dana T. p. 107-20">Parker, Dana T. ''Building Victory: Aircraft Manufacturing in the Los Angeles Area in World War II,'' p. 107-20, Cypress, CA, 2013. {{ISBN|978-0-9897906-0-4}}.</ref>]]
Farmers in the area grew grain, corn, [[castor bean]]s, and fruit, and by 1935 Downey was characterized as an "orange-grove town".<ref>Romance & History of California Ranchos. Myrtle Garrison. 1935. page 11. Harr Wagner Publishing Company, San Francisco, CA.</ref> 
Downey was incorporated in 1956 and instituted a [[Municipal charter|charter]] form of government in 1964. Suburban homes and factories replaced the farms after World War II.

====Aerospace====
[[Vultee Aircraft]] was Downey's largest employer during World War II producing 15% of all of America's military aircraft by 1941.<ref>Parker, Dana T. ''Building Victory: Aircraft Manufacturing in the Los Angeles Area in World War II,'' p. 107, Cypress, CA, 2013. {{ISBN|978-0-9897906-0-4}}.</ref> The company was a pioneer in the use of women in manufacturing positions and was the first aircraft company to build airplanes on a powered assembly line.<ref name="Parker, Dana T. p. 107-20"/> Vultee became a part of [[North American Aviation]] (later [[North American Rockwell]], then [[Rockwell International]] which was then bought by the [[Boeing]] company) whose facilities were the birthplace of the systems for the [[Apollo program|Apollo Space Program]] as well as the [[Space Shuttle]]. For over 70 years, Downey's Rockwell [[NASA]] plant produced and tested many of the 20th century's greatest aviation, missile, and space endeavors.

The seventy-year history of airplane and space vehicle manufacturing in Downey came to an end when the Rockwell plant closed in 1999. The plant was demolished and replaced by the [[Space Shuttle Columbia#Tributes and memorials|Columbia Memorial Space Center]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.columbiaspacescience.org|title=Columbia Memorial Space Center -|access-date=April 22, 2016}}</ref> Downey Landing shopping center, [[Promenade at Downey]] shopping center (the former [[movie studio]] site of [[Downey Studios]]), a [[Kaiser Permanente]] hospital, and a city recreation fields park.

====Other landmarks====
Near the center of the city lies what was in the 1960s one of the busiest intersections in California, the intersection of Lakewood Boulevard ([[California State Route 19|State Route 19]]) and Firestone Boulevard (former [[California State Route 42|State Route 42]]). Route 19 was a major thoroughfare between [[Pasadena, California|Pasadena]] and the port at [[Long Beach, California|Long Beach]] and Route 42 was along part of the old Spanish [[El Camino Real (California)|El Camino Real]] trail that connected the [[Pueblo de Los Angeles]] to [[San Diego]].

In the 1960s, the town's Downey Records achieved some notoriety with recordings such as [[The Chantays]]' surfing instrumental "[[Pipeline (instrumental)|Pipeline]]"; nearly two decades later, Downey's local music scene led to the founding of [[The Blasters]] and [[Dark Angel (band)|Dark Angel]].

[[Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center]], the main public rehabilitation hospital for [[Los Angeles County, California|Los Angeles County]], is located in Downey. Rancho Los Amigos is renowned worldwide for its innovative contributions to the care of [[Spinal cord injury|spinal cord injuries]] and [[post-polio syndrome]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rancho.org|title=Official Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center website|access-date=July 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140224085939/http://www.rancho.org/|archive-date=February 24, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Downey was featured in the 2008 American action-comedy film ''[[Pineapple Express (film)|Pineapple Express]]''. Many of the buildings along Florence Avenue are seen in a driving sequence early in the film.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0910936/locations?ref_=tt_ql_dt_6|title=Pineapple Express (2008)|work=IMDb|access-date=April 22, 2016}}</ref>

Downey is home to the world's oldest existing [[McDonald's]] Restaurant, the so-called Speedee McDonald's Store, which opened in 1953 at the southwest corner of Florence Avenue and Lakewood Boulevard. Damaged in the [[1994 Northridge Earthquake]], the store reopened in 1996 along with a museum and gift shop.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=51959|title=The Speedee McDonald's Store|work=The Historical Marker Database|access-date=May 19, 2024}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]] the city has a total area of {{convert|12.6|sqmi|km2}}. {{convert|12.4|sqmi|km2}} of it is land and {{convert|0.2|sqmi|km2}} of it is water.

The cities of [[South Gate, California|South Gate]] and [[Bell Gardens, California|Bell Gardens]] are adjacent to the west and northwest, [[Pico Rivera, California|Pico Rivera]] lies to the northeast, [[Santa Fe Springs, California|Santa Fe Springs]] and [[Norwalk, California|Norwalk]] to the east, and [[Paramount, California|Paramount]] and [[Bellflower, California|Bellflower]] are to the south.

===Climate===
According to the [[Köppen Climate Classification]] system, Downey has a [[semi-arid climate]], abbreviated ''BSk'' on climate maps.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=494240&cityname=Downey%2C+California%2C+United+States+of+America&units=|title=Downey, California Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)|work=Weatherbase|access-date=April 22, 2016}}</ref>

===Surrounding areas===
<div style= width:7800px;">
:{{pad|7em}} [[Commerce, California|Commerce]]
:{{pad|1em}} [[Bell Gardens, California|Bell Gardens]] [[Image:Up arrow left.svg|20px]] [[Image:Up-1.svg|30px]] [[Image:Up arrow right.svg|20px]] [[Pico Rivera, California|Pico Rivera]]
:{{pad|.8em}} [[South Gate, California|South Gate]] [[Image:Left.svg|30px]] {{pad|2.5em}} [[Image:Right.svg|30px]] [[Santa Fe Springs, California|Santa Fe Springs]]    
:{{pad|1.8em}} [[South Gate, California|South Gate]] [[Image:Down arrow left.svg|20px]] [[Image:Down arrow.svg|30px]] [[Image:Down arrow right.svg|20px]] [[Norwalk, California|Norwalk]]    
:{{pad|5em}} [[Paramount, California|Paramount]] / [[Bellflower, California|Bellflower]]
</div>
{{clear|left}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1960= 82505
|1970= 88573
|1980= 82602
|1990= 91444
|2000= 107323
|2010= 111772
|2020= 114355
|estyear=
|estimate=
|estref=
|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=1960CensusCA1>{{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><ref name=1960CensusCA2>{{Cite web|title= 1960 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1960/population-volume-1/vol-01-06-c.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/>
}}

Downey first appeared as a city in the [[1960 U.S. Census]] as part of the Downey-Norwalk census county division (pop. 272.729 in 1960).<ref name=1960CensusCA/>

===2020===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+'''Downey city, 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 – Downey city, California |url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=160XX00US0619766&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|publisher=[[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) – Downey city, California |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US0619766&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|publisher=[[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) – Downey city, California |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US0619766&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!% 2000
!% 2010
!{{partial|% 2020}}
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|30,851
|19,786
|style='background: #ffffe6; |14,378
|28.75%
|17.70%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |12.57%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|3,717
|3,834
|style='background: #ffffe6; |3,930
|3.46%
|3.43%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |3.44%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|328
|212
|style='background: #ffffe6; |251
|0.31%
|0.19%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.22%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|8,153
|7,484
|style='background: #ffffe6; |7,311
|7.60%
|6.70%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |6.39%
|-
|[[Native Hawaiian]] or [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|157
|170
|style='background: #ffffe6; |249
|0.15%
|0.15%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.22%
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other Race]] alone (NH)
|210
|219
|style='background: #ffffe6; |691
|0.20%
|0.20%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.60%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or Multiracial]] (NH)
|1,818
|1,071
|style='background: #ffffe6; |1,679
|1.69%
|0.96%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |1.47%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|62,089
|78,996
|style='background: #ffffe6; |85,866
|57.85%
|70.68%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |75.09%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''107,323'''
|'''111,772'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''114,355'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%'''
|}

===2010===
The [[2010 United States census]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0619766|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140715100109/http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0619766|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 15, 2014|title=2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Downey city|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=July 12, 2014}}</ref> reported that Downey had a population of 111,772. The population density was {{convert|8893.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of Downey was 63,255 (56.6%) [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 19,784 (17.7%) Non-Hispanic White,<ref name="quickfacts.census.gov">{{cite web|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06/0619766.html|title=Downey city California QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau|access-date=April 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120101215814/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06/0619766.html|archive-date=January 1, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> 7,804 (7.0%) [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]] (2.2% Korean, 2.2% Filipino, 0.6% Indian, 0.5% Chinese, 0.3% Vietnamese, 0.3% Japanese, 0.2% Thai, 0.1% Cambodian, 0.1% Pakistani), 4,329 (3.9%) [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 820 (0.7%) [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 221 (0.2%) [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 30,797 (27.6%) from [[Race (United States census)|other races]], and 4,546 (4.1%) from two or more races.  [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 78,996 persons (70.7%); 54.0% of Downey residents are of [[Mexicans|Mexican]] ancestry, 3.9% [[Salvadoran]], 2.0% [[Cubans|Cuban]], 2.0% Guatemalan, 1.1% Peruvian, and 1.0% Nicaraguan ancestry.

The Census reported that 111,089 people (99.4% of the population) lived in households, 122 (0.1%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 561 (0.5%) were institutionalized.

There were 33,936 households, out of which 15,697 (46.3%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 17,405 (51.3%) were [[marriage|opposite-sex married couples]] living together, 6,289 (18.5%) had a female householder with no husband present, 2,796 (8.2%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 2,357 (6.9%) [[POSSLQ]], and 225 (0.7%) [[same-sex partnerships|same-sex married couples or partnerships]]. 5,721 households (16.9%) were made up of individuals, and 2,211 (6.5%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.27. There were 26,490 [[family (U.S. Census)|families]] (78.1% of all households); the average family size was 3.68.

The population was spread out, with 29,972 people (26.8%) under the age of 18, 12,108 people (10.8%) aged 18 to 24, 33,056 people (29.6%) aged 25 to 44, 25,057 people (22.4%) aged 45 to 64, and 11,579 people (10.4%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.1 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 90.4 males.

There were 35,601 housing units at an average density of {{convert|2,832.7|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}, of which 17,135 (50.5%) were owner-occupied, and 16,801 (49.5%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.4%; the rental vacancy rate was 4.9%. 59,555 people (53.3% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 51,534 people (46.1%) lived in rental housing units. Approximately 30–40 homeless reside in the area.<ref>City of Downey, 3685.pdf;{{Nonspecific|date=October 2012}} Sec. 3, Consolidated Plan 2010-2015</ref>

According to the 2010 United States census, Downey had a median household income of $60,939, with 11.8% of the population living below the federal poverty line.<ref name="quickfacts.census.gov"/> 
 {{multiple image
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}}

===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 107,323 people, 33,989 households, and 26,001 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|8,641.7|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 34,759 housing units at an average density of {{convert|2,798.8|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the city was 53.48% [[Race (United States census)|White]], 7.74% [[Race (United States census)|Asian]], 3.75% [[Race (United States census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States census)|African American]], 0.87% [[Race (United States census)|Native American]], 0.22% [[Race (United States census)|Pacific Islander]], 29.05% from [[Race (United States census)|other races]], and 4.89% from two or more races. 57.85% of the population were [[Hispanics in the United States|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States census)|Latino]] of any race.

Out of 33,989 households, 41.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.1% were married couples living together, 15.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.5% were non-families. Collectively, 19.1% of these households were made up of individuals, and 8.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.11 and the average family size was 3.55.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 29.2% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 31.2% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.6 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 89.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $46,000 and the median income for a family was $50,017. Males had a median income of $35,991 versus $28,768 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $18,197. About 9.3% of families and 11.1% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 14.4% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.

[[Mexican Americans|Mexican]] and [[German Americans|German]] were the most common ancestries in Downey. [[Mexico]] and [[Korea]] were the most common foreign places of birth.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://maps.latimes.com/neighborhoods/neighborhood/downey/index.html#:~:text=Ancestry%20and%20immigration,about%20average%20for%20the%20county. | title=Downey }}</ref>

===Homelessness===

In 2022, [[Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority]]'s Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count counted 218 homeless individuals in Downey.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Homeless Count by City/Community |url=https://www.lahsa.org/data?id=54-homeless-count-by-city-community |access-date=April 14, 2023 |website=LAHSA}}</ref>

{{Historical populations
|title        = Homeless population
|align        = none
|cols         = 
|footnote     = 
|source       = [https://www.lahsa.org/data?id=54-homeless-count-by-city-community Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count]<br/>[[Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority]]
|2016 | 200
|2017 | 124
|2018 | 180
|2019 | 174
|2020 | 258
|2022 | 218
}}

==Crime==
While reports of robberies, aggravated assaults, and petty thefts in Downey dropped in 2008, auto thefts reached a 10-year high. In 2008, 1,231 vehicles were reported stolen in Downey. Other crimes recorded by the FBI Crime Index for the year 2008 include 252 robberies, 172 aggravated assaults, 24 rapes, 711 burglaries, and 2,038 acts of larceny/thefts.<ref>[http://thedowneypatriot.com/view/full_story/2876155/article-Auto-theft-climbs-to-10-year-high Auto theft climbs to 10 year high<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716231628/http://thedowneypatriot.com/view/full_story/2876155/article-Auto-theft-climbs-to-10-year-high |date=July 16, 2011 }} from ''The Downey Patriot''</ref>

=== Anti-gang activities ===
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Downey saw an increase in gang activity. Today there is still gang activity going in the south area of Downey. In response, Downey formed GOOD (Gangs Out Of Downey), a community-based organization that helps encourage young people between the ages of 10–20 to stay away from gangs.<ref>{{cite web |title=GANGS OUT OF DOWNEY (GOOD) |url=https://www.pointsoflight.org/awards/gangs-out-of-downey-good/ |website=Points of Light |access-date=September 8, 2022 |date=July 11, 2002}}</ref> GOOD is also responsible for organizing many community events and programs such as various sports, after-school care, scholarship programs for at-risk students looking to attend college, and counseling for both young people and their parents. GOOD has kept a close partnership with the Downey Police Department.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.pointsoflight.org/downloads/pdf/awards/dpol/DailyPOLF2002.pdf | title= Daily Points of Light| year=2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040808140812/http://www.pointsoflight.org/downloads/pdf/awards/dpol/DailyPOLF2002.pdf| archive-date= August 8, 2004| access-date=October 4, 2012}}</ref>

==Economy==
=== Most Business-Friendly Award ===
In 2017, the City of Downey was recognized as L.A. County's "Most Business-Friendly City" by the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation for cities with a population greater than 68,000.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://laedc.org/2017/11/09/business-friendly-cities-2017/|title=Cities of Downey, Arcadia Recognized as LA County's "Most Business Friendly" at Eddy Awards - Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation|date=November 9, 2017|work=Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation|access-date=January 15, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref>

===Largest employers===
[[File:DowntownDowney.JPG|thumb|right|Downtown Downey]]

According to the city's 2021 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.downeyca.org/home/showpublisheddocument/6388/637781184371930000 |title=Annual Comprehensive Financial Report |date=June 30, 2021|publisher=City of Downey, California |access-date=July 10, 2022}}</ref> the top employers in the city are:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! #
! Employer
! # of Employees
|-
| 1
|[[Kaiser Permanente]]
|5,400
|-
|2
|[[Stonewood Center]]
|2,000
|-
|3
|[[Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center]]
|1,600
|-
|4
|[[PIH Health Hospital - Downey]]
|1,500
|-
|5
|[[Los Angeles County, California#Education|Office of Education, County of Los Angeles]]
|1,425
|-
|6
|[[Downey Unified School District]]
|1,354
|-
|7
|[[The Coca-Cola Company|Coca-Cola Refreshments]]
|800
|-
|8
|[[Government of Los Angeles County#Operations|Internal Service Department, County of Los Angeles]]
|712
|-
|9
|City of Downey
|700
|-
|10
|Lakewood Health Center
|450
|}

==Government==
In the [[California State Legislature]], Downey is in {{Representative|casd|30|fmt=sdistrict}}, and in {{Representative|caad|64|fmt=adistrict}}.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://statewidedatabase.org/gis/gis2011/index_2011.html |title=Statewide Database |publisher=UC Regents |access-date=December 3, 2014}}</ref>

In the [[United States House of Representatives]], Downey is in {{Representative|cacd|42|fmt=district}}.<ref>{{Cite GovTrack|CA|42}}</ref>

==Culture==
{{Multiple issues|section=yes|
{{more citations needed|section|date=December 2020}}
{{tone|section|date=December 2020}}
}}

The author [[Tom Wolfe]] wrote about Downey. His article "The Hair Boys" was about Harvey's Drive-in and the fashions that the hair boys wore. He claimed that Harvey's was one of the great unacknowledged centers of fashion in the world. The essay appears in his 1968 book "The Pump House Gang." His drawing of one of the hair boys appears in his book "In Our Time."

In 1955, Downey was featured in newspapers worldwide when truck driver George Di Peso lived at 7739 Alderdale Street and had a [[gopher]] problem. He tried to solve it by putting a hose down a gopher hole and turning on the water to drown it, but could not get the hose out afterwards. He then noticed that the hose was slowly being pulled down the hole. Wire services found out about this, and the mysterious phenomenon was reported in newspapers worldwide. According to a July 3, 1955, front-page article in the ''Los Angeles Times'' ("Tokyo Awaits Arrival of Downey Hose"), "A message received from Tokyo at the United Press office here read 'Tell Di Peso in Downey the other end of his hose has not turned up here, but we're all still looking.'" There was a great deal of speculation about the cause of the disappearing hose. Eventually the hose vanished completely. The most likely explanation was that there was an underground river that pulled at the hose.

In the early 1960s, it was widely reported that the Downey City Library had banned Edgar Rice Burroughs' ''Tarzan'' books because Tarzan was not married to Jane when they conceived Boy. Evidence for the rumor's staying power is in articles in the ''Los Angeles Times'' that were published in the 1970s (for example, "Downey Sends L.A. Back to the Bush League," Jack Smith, May 8, 1970). The rumor about Tarzan was, however, an exaggeration. According to "Zane Grey Also Safe: Tarzan’s Marital Status No Issue as Downey School Ban Is Denied" (''Los Angeles Times'' December 28, 1961), a rumor spread that one of Downey's elementary schools had removed Edgar Rice Burroughs and Zane Grey books from its library because "1—There was no indication that Tarzan and his mate, Jane, were ever married before they took up housekeeping in the treetops," and "2—Grey was known to put such expletives as 'damn!’ and 'hell' in the mouths of his western cowhands." It turns out that there was no "ban." What happened was that in one elementary school, a parent had put two Zane Grey books "out of site in a desk drawer." No Tarzan books were involved. The Zane Grey books were put back on the shelves.

==Education==

===Primary and secondary schools===
[[File:Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Downey.JPG|thumb|upright|right|Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Catholic parish church in Downey]]
Most of Downey is within the [[Downey Unified School District]].<ref name=LACountycensusSDmap2020>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st06_ca/schooldistrict_maps/c06037_los_angeles/DC20SD_C06037.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Los Angeles County, CA|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|page=10 (PDF p. 11/19)|access-date=November 24, 2023}}</ref>  Downey's two main public [[High school (North America)|high school]]s are named for [[California Governor|Governor]] [[John G. Downey]] and Governor and [[Chief Justice of the United States]] [[Earl Warren]].

Downey has three public high schools: [[Downey High School|Downey]], [[Warren High School (Downey, California)|Warren]], and Columbus High School. Other public schools include:
{{div col}}
*Stauffer Middle School (formerly West Middle School)
*Doty Middle School (formerly East Middle School)
*Griffiths Middle School (formerly North Middle School) It was named after a revered principal, Gordon Griffiths.
*Sussman Middle School (formerly South Middle School)
*Alameda Elementary School
*Carpenter Elementary School
*Gallatin Elementary School
*Gauldin Elementary School
*Imperial Elementary School
*Lewis Elementary School
*Old River Elementary School
*Price Elementary School
*Rio Hondo Elementary School
*Rio San Gabriel Elementary School
*Unsworth Elementary School
*Ward Elementary School
*Williams Elementary School
{{div col end}}

Small sections are within the [[Montebello Unified School District]].<ref>"[http://montebellousd-ca.schoolloop.com/file/1294471603772/1295706265378/6585536690319575483.pdf District Map]" ([https://web.archive.org/web/20160811135738/http://montebellousd-ca.schoolloop.com/file/1294471603772/1295706265378/6585536690319575483.pdf Archive]). [[Montebello Unified School District]]. Retrieved on January 3, 2017.</ref> Another portion is in [[Little Lake City Elementary School District]]<!--21930--> and [[Whittier Union High School District]].<!--42480--><ref name=LACountycensusSDmap2020/>

Private schools include:
*Calvary Chapel Christian School: pre-K&ndash;12<ref>[http://www.cccsdowney.org/middle-school/about-us/ About Us] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120910175314/http://www.cccsdowney.org/middle-school/about-us/ |date=September 10, 2012 }} at cccsdowney.org</ref>
*St. Pius X-Matthias Academy: 9–12
*Our Lady of Perpetual Help School: TK-K&ndash;8 <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourladyschool.com/|title=OLPH School|website=OLPH School}}</ref>
*Saint Raymond's Catholic School: pre-K&ndash;8
*Saint Mark's Episcopal School: pre-K&ndash;8
Roman Catholic schools are under the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles]].

===Public libraries===
The Downey City Library serves the city. The first library in Downey was established in 1901 by a women's social club that was founded in 1898. The [[County of Los Angeles Public Library]] opened a branch in Downey in September 1915. The county branch moved several times; its final location was in the County Civic Center. In 1958 the Downey City Council voted to establish its own library and withdraw from the county system. The city library services were originally provided out of the back of a bookstore. The city library opened in the former cafeteria of the former Downey Elementary School, then being used as the city hall and police station, on July 1, 1958. A permanent library building was built on December 7, 1959. It had almost {{convert|16000|sqft|sqm}} and it was built for $186,200, costing $11.97 per square foot. It was dedicated on December 17 and opened on December 18. In February 1984 an addition of almost {{convert|12000|sqft|sqm}} was completed and dedicated.<ref>"[http://www.downeylibrary.org/about/ About the Library] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100105230027/http://www.downeylibrary.org/about/ |date=January 5, 2010 }}." Downey Public Library. Retrieved on March 5, 2010.</ref>

In March 2019, the city announced that it would be using Measure S funds to begin remodeling on the city library. The remodeling was initially supposed to last 15 months, but the COVID-19 pandemic caused delays in the project. The remodeled city library opened on May 3, 2021, with notable updates including mobile app support for checkouts and a multi-use community space.<ref>{{Cite web |title=After 2-year closure, Downey Library reopens |url=https://www.thedowneypatriot.com/articles/after-2-year-closure-downey-library-reopens |access-date=April 28, 2023 |website=The Downey Patriot |date=May 6, 2021 |language=en-US}}</ref>

In addition, the headquarters of the County of Los Angeles Public Library are located in Downey.<ref>"[http://www.colapublib.org/aboutus/publicinfo.html Public Records] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100426035707/http://www.colapublib.org/aboutus/publicinfo.html |date=April 26, 2010 }}." [[County of Los Angeles Public Library]]. Retrieved on March 5, 2010.</ref>

==Infrastructure==
===Health care===
The [[Los Angeles County Department of Public Health]] operates the Whittier Health Center in [[Whittier, California|Whittier]], serving Downey.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/phn/docs/HealthCenter/whittier.pdf |title=Whittier Health Center |publisher=[[Los Angeles County Department of Health Services]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527190101/http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/phn/docs/HealthCenter/whittier.pdf |archive-date=May 27, 2010 }}</ref>

===Post office===
The [[United States Postal Service]] operates the Downey Post Office at 8111 Firestone Boulevard,<ref>"[https://archive.today/20120717062421/http://usps.whitepages.com/service/post_office/4693?p=2&s=CA&service_name=post_office&z=Downey Post Office Location - DOWNEY]." ''[[United States Postal Service]]''. Retrieved on December 6, 2008.</ref> the North Downey Post Office at 10409 Lakewood Boulevard,<ref>"[https://archive.today/20120723115054/http://usps.whitepages.com/service/post_office/58854?p=4&s=CA&service_name=post_office&z=Downey Post Office Location - NORTH DOWNEY]." ''[[United States Postal Service]]''. Retrieved on December 6, 2008.</ref> and the South Downey Post Office at 7911 Imperial Highway.<ref>"[https://archive.today/20120715052419/http://usps.whitepages.com/service/post_office/59796?p=2&s=CA&service_name=post_office&z=Downey Post Office Location - SOUTH DOWNEY]." ''[[United States Postal Service]]''. Retrieved on December 6, 2008.</ref> ''[[Los Cerritos Community News]]'' serves the city.

===Transportation===
Any of four freeways can conveniently reach the city: [[Interstate 105 (California)|I-105]] and the [[C Line (Los Angeles Metro)|Metro C Line]] passes through the southern part of the city, [[Interstate 5 in California|I-5]] passes through the northern region, [[Interstate 605 (California)|I-605]] passes along the eastern side,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Linton|first=Joe|date=October 3, 2020|title=Metro Plans to Take Out 200+ Downey Homes to Widen 5 and 605 Freeways|url=https://la.streetsblog.org/2020/10/02/metro-plans-to-take-out-200-downey-homes-to-widen-5-and-605-freeways/|url-status=live|access-date=March 11, 2021|website=Streetsblog Los Angeles|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004000120/https://la.streetsblog.org/2020/10/02/metro-plans-to-take-out-200-downey-homes-to-widen-5-and-605-freeways/ |archive-date=October 4, 2020 }}</ref> and [[Interstate 710 (California)|I-710]] passes just west of the city.

[[Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority]] (Metro) provides bus services to the city and is served by [[Lakewood Boulevard station]] on the [[C Line (Los Angeles Metro)|C Line]]. The city also operates a local bus service called [[List of small Southern California transit agencies#DowneyLINK|DowneyLINK]].

==Notable people==
{{more citations needed|section|date=December 2020}}
*[[Dave Alvin]], musician, founder of Downey-based [[rockabilly]] band [[The Blasters]] with brother [[Phil Alvin|Phil]]
*[[Bob Bennett (singer-songwriter)|Bob Bennett]], contemporary Christian musician, singer-songwriter, recording artist, was born in Downey
*[[Paul Bigsby]], father of the modern electric [[solid-body guitar]], built in 1948, and creator of the Bigsby vibrato
*[[William Bonin]], serial killer; was Downey resident during his crime spree
*[[The Carpenters]] (singer-musicians [[Karen Carpenter|Karen]] and [[Richard Carpenter (musician)|Richard]]) moved to Downey in 1963, originally to an apartment complex called the Shoji on 12020 Downey Ave, later moving to a house that still stands on Newville Avenue which can be seen on the cover of their album, ''[[Now & Then (The Carpenters album)|Now & Then]]'';<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.richardandkarencarpenter.com/fans_ask_8.htm|title=Carpenters Fans Ask- Richard Answers, May 2005|access-date=April 22, 2016}}</ref> after the duo's success, they built two apartment buildings still located on 5th St.
*[[Miranda Cosgrove]], actress and singer, star of ''[[iCarly]]''
*[[Art Cruz]], musician and songwriter, current drummer of [[Lamb of God (band)|Lamb of God]]
*[[Rosario DeSimone]] (1873–1946), Downey-based crime boss
*[[Walt Faulkner]], [[Indy car]] driver, first rookie to win pole position at [[Indianapolis 500]]
*[[Ed Fiori]], professional golfer
*[[Terry Forcum]], 1983 World Champion professional long drive golfer was born in Downey
*[[Ty France]], professional baseball player
*[[Donavon Frankenreiter]], surfer and musician
*[[Kevin Gross]], former Major League Baseball pitcher for [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] and [[Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim|Anaheim Angels]]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=grosske01|title = Kevin Gross Stats
 | publisher= Baseball Almanac |access-date= December 3, 2012}}</ref>
*[[Dan Henderson]], mixed martial artist
*[[Demos Shakarian]], businessman and founder of [[Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship International]]
*[[Brian Haner]], Musician/Comedian 
*[[James Hetfield]], [[Metallica]] frontman
*[[Leon Hooten]], former baseball player for [[Oakland Athletics]]<ref>{{cite web|url=  http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=hootele01 |title= Leon Hooten Stats|publisher= Baseball Almanac |access-date= December 3, 2012}}</ref>
*[[Robert Illes]], Emmy-winning TV writer and producer
*[[Allison Iraheta]], musician, ''[[American Idol]]'' Season 8 contestant
*[[Kerry King]], [[Slayer]] guitarist
*[[Evan Longoria]], an All-Star third baseman for the [[Tampa Bay Rays]], [[San Francisco Giants]] and [[Arizona Diamondbacks]], was born in Downey<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/player/evan-longoria-446334|title=Evan Longoria Stats, Fantasy & News|website=San Francisco Giants}}</ref>
*[[Darren McCaughan]], professional baseball player for the [[Seattle Mariners]], was raised in Downey.
*[[Ira J. McDonald]], Los Angeles City Council member, 1941–43, Downey civic leader
*[[Ron McGovney]], original Metallica bassist, spent school years in Downey
*[[Bob Meusel]], baseball star for [[New York Yankees]] who played with [[Babe Ruth]] and [[Lou Gehrig]], lived and died in Downey<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/roster.php?y=1923&t=NYA|title=1923 New York Yankees Roster by Baseball Almanac|last=Inc.|first=Baseball Almanac|website=www.baseball-almanac.com|access-date=October 18, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/f8d53553|title=Bob Meusel {{!}} Society for American Baseball Research|website=sabr.org|language=en|access-date=October 18, 2018}}</ref>
*[[Riki R. Nelson]], oil painter
*[[Tom Nieto]], professional baseball player<ref>{{cite web|url=  http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=nietoto01 |
title= Tom Nieto Stats|publisher= Baseball Almanac|access-date= December 3, 2012}}</ref>
*[[George Pajon|George Pajon Jr.]], Grammy Award-winning recording and performing artist<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.emimusicpub.com/news/emi-music-publishing-wins-big-at-the-grammys!.php | title=EMI Music Publishing Wins Big At The Grammys! - EMI Music Publishing | publisher=Emimusicpub.com | access-date=November 11, 2014 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100929161637/http://emimusicpub.com/news/emi-music-publishing-wins-big-at-the-grammys!.php | archive-date=September 29, 2010 | df=mdy-all }}</ref>
*[[Lena Park]], South Korean singer
*[[Wayne Rainey]], former American [[Grand Prix motorcycle racing|Grand Prix motorcycle racer]], was born in Downey
*[[Kimmy Robertson]], actress best known for her role as [[Lucy Moran]] in ''[[Twin Peaks]]''
*[[Rich Rodriguez (baseball)|Rich Rodriguez]], Major League Baseball pitcher 1990–2003
*[[Paul Ruffner]], pro basketball player
*[[Kenneth Shelley]], figure skater, U.S. champion and Olympian, was born in Downey
*[[Dennis Sproul]], [[NFL]] player<ref>{{cite web|url=  https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SproDe20.htm |
title= Dennis Eugene Sproul|publisher= Pro-Football-Reference.Com|access-date= December 3, 2012}}</ref>
*[[JoJo Starbuck]], figure skater, U.S. champion and Olympian, grew up in Downey
*[[Aimee Teegarden]], actress (''[[Friday Night Lights (TV series)|Friday Night Lights]]'') and fashion model
*[[Alanna Ubach]], actress
*[[Joan Weston]], queen of [[Roller Derby]], grew up in Downey
*[["Weird Al" Yankovic]], musician and parody artist, was born in Downey
*[[Joslyn Davis]], host of Clevver TV and YouTube personality, was raised in Downey.
*[[Andrew Robert Young]], [[U.S. Ambassador to Burkina Faso]] (appointed 2016), was born in Downey.
*[[Stephanie Zavala]], professional [[Ten-pin bowling|bowler]], 2021 [[Professional Women's Bowling Association|PWBA]] Rookie of the Year, resides in Downey.

==Sister cities==
{{See also|List of sister cities in California}}
Downey's [[sister cities]] are:<ref>{{cite web |title=Downey, Irish county are sister cities|url=https://www.thedowneypatriot.com/articles/downey-irish-county-are-sister-cities|website=thedowneypatriot.com|publisher=The Downey Patriot|date=February 28, 2013|access-date=January 15, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Efrat, Israel is Downey's newest sister city|url=https://www.thedowneypatriot.com/articles/efrat-israel-is-downeys-newest-sister-city|website=thedowneypatriot.com|publisher=The Downey Patriot|date=September 17, 2019|access-date=January 15, 2021}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*{{flagicon|CRI}} [[Alajuela]], Costa Rica
*{{flagicon|ISR}} [[Efrat (Israeli settlement)|Efrat]], Israel
<!--Ensenada - twinning ended-->
*{{flagicon|MEX}} [[Fresnillo]], Mexico
*{{flagicon|MEX}} [[Guadalajara]], Mexico
*{{flagicon|MEX}} [[San Quintín Municipality|San Quintín]], Mexico
*{{flagicon|IRL}} [[Taghmaconnell]], Ireland
{{div col end}}

==Media==
''The Downey Patriot'' is a weekly community newspaper serving the Downey community. The ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' and the ''[[Press-Telegram]]'' are the daily newspapers that provide daily local coverage in Los Angeles County and the Gateway Cities region.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Wikivoyage|Downey}}
*{{Official website|http://www.downeyca.org/}}

{{Geographic Location 
 | title     = '''Destinations from Downey'''
 | Center    = Downey
 | North     = [[Commerce, California|Commerce]]
 | Northeast = [[Pico Rivera, California|Pico Rivera]]
 | East      = [[Santa Fe Springs, California|Santa Fe Springs]]
 | Southeast = [[Norwalk, California|Norwalk]]
 | Southwest = [[Paramount, California|Paramount]]
 | South     = [[Bellflower, California|Bellflower]]
 | West      = [[South Gate, California|South Gate]]
 | Northwest = [[Bell Gardens, California|Bell Gardens]]
}}
{{Downey, California}}
{{Cities of Los Angeles County, California}}
{{Greater Los Angeles Area}}
{{authority control}}

{{Portal|Greater Los Angeles}}

[[Category:Downey, California| ]]
[[Category:1956 establishments in California]]
[[Category:Cities in Los Angeles County, California]]
[[Category:Incorporated cities and towns in California]]
[[Category:Gateway Cities]]
[[Category:Irish-American neighborhoods]]
[[Category:Chicano and Mexican neighborhoods in California]]