Editing Gardena, California

{{Short description|City in California, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name                     = Gardena, California
|nickname                 = "Freeway City"<ref>{{Cite web
 | url = http://www.colapublib.org/history/gardena/
 | title = Gardena: Community History in Words and Pictures
 | publisher = County of Los Angeles Public Library
 | access-date = January 11, 2015
| archive-date = September 2, 2017
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170902081215/http://www.colapublib.org/history/gardena/
 | url-status = dead
 }}</ref>
|motto                    = "The City of Opportunity!"
|settlement_type          = [[List of municipalities in California|City]]
|image_skyline            = File:Post office Gardena Boulevard California 1939 New Deal Treasury Art Deco Section of Fine Arts 08.jpg
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = The United States Post Office in Gardena
|image_flag               = Flag of Gardena, California.png
|flag_size                = 
|image_seal               = Seal of Gardena, California.png
|image_map                = File:Los Angeles County California Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Gardena Highlighted 0628168.svg
|mapsize                  = 250x200px
|map_caption              = Location of Gardena in Los Angeles County, California
|image_map1               = 
|mapsize1                 = 
|map_caption1             = 
| pushpin_map = USA
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in the United States
| pushpin_relief = 1
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = {{Flag|United States}}
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = {{Flag|California}}
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in California|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Los Angeles County, California|Los Angeles]]
|leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name              = Tasha Cerda<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.cityofgardena.org/elected-officials/ | title = Elected Officials | date = March 31, 2016 | publisher = City of Gardena | access-date = March 12, 2017}}</ref><ref name="DB 20170307"/>
|leader_title1            = <!-- for places with, say, both a mayor and a city manager -->
|leader_name1             = 
|leader_title2            = [[Mayor Pro Tem]]
|leader_name2             = Rodney G. Tanaka 
|leader_title3            = [[City Council]]
|leader_name3             = Mark E. Henderson <br> Paulette C. Francis <br> Wanda Love
|established_title        = <!-- Founded -->
|established_date         = 
|established_title3       = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
|established_date3        = September 11, 1930<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>
<!-- Area------------------>
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_06.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 1, 2020}}</ref>
|area_total_sq_mi         = 5.86
|area_land_sq_mi          = 5.83
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.04
|area_total_km2           = 15.19
|area_land_km2            = 15.10
|area_water_km2           = 0.09
|area_water_percent       = 0.61
|area_metro_km2           = 
|area_metro_sq_mi         = <!-- Population ----------->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="US Census Bureau 2020 Gardena, CA Population">{{cite web |title=US Census Bureau |url=https://data.census.gov/all?q=Gardena%20city,%20California |website=www.census.gov |access-date=13 September 2024}}</ref>
|population_total         = 61027
|pop_est_as_of            = 
|pop_est_footnotes        = 
|population_est           = 
|population_density_sq_mi = auto
|population_density_km2   = auto
|population_metro         = 
|population_density_metro_sq_mi   = 
|population_density_metro_km2     = 
|coordinates              = {{coord|33|53|37|N|118|18|28|W|region:US-CA_type:city(59,000)|display=inline,title}}
|elevation_ft             = 49
|elevation_m              = 15
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref>{{Cite GNIS|1660664|Gardena|access-date=October 11, 2014}}</ref>
|timezone                 = [[Pacific Time Zone|PST]]
|utc_offset               = −8
|timezone_DST             = PDT
|utc_offset_DST           = −7
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP Code]]s
|postal_code              = 90247–90249<ref>{{cite web | url = http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/zcl_1_results.jsp?visited=1&pagenumber=0&state=ca&city=Gardena | title = USPS – ZIP Code Lookup – Find a ZIP+ 4 Code By City Results | access-date = January 18, 2007}}</ref>
|area_code_type           = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]s
|area_code                = [[Area codes 310 and 424|310/424]]<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.nanpa.com/nas/public/npa_city_query_step2.do?method=displayData&cityToNpaModel.stateAbbr=CA&cityToNpaModel.city=Gardena | title = Number Administration System – NPA and City/Town Search Results | access-date = January 18, 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070929102805/http://www.nanpa.com/nas/public/npa_city_query_step2.do?method=displayData&cityToNpaModel.stateAbbr=CA&cityToNpaModel.city=Gardena | archive-date = September 29, 2007 | url-status = dead }}</ref>
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = {{FIPS|06|28168}}
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature IDs
|blank1_info              = {{GNIS 4|1660664}}, {{GNIS 4|2410570}}
|website                  = {{URL|www.cityofgardena.org}}
}}

'''Gardena''' is a city located in the [[South Bay (Los Angeles County)|South Bay]] region of [[Los Angeles County, California]], United States. The population was 61,027 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], up from 58,829 at the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]]. Until 2014, the U.S. census cited the City of Gardena as the [[Place (United States Census Bureau)|place]] with the highest percentage of [[Japanese Americans]] in California.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cities with the Highest Percentage of Japanese in the United States|url=http://zipatlas.com/us/city-comparison/percentage-japanese-population.htm|work=Zipatlas.com}}</ref> Gardena's Japanese American population contributes to the South Bay region of Los Angeles being home to the highest density of Japanese companies within the mainland United States.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-05-16 |title=Toyota built Torrance into the second-largest home of Japanese Americans. Now, it's leaving |url=https://theworld.org/stories/2014/05/16/father-and-son-look |access-date=2025-02-17 |website=The World from PRX |language=en}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Manuel Domínguez of California.jpg|thumb|left|Don [[Manuel Dominguez|Manuel Domínguez]], a signer of the [[Californian Constitution]] and owner of [[Rancho San Pedro]], which included all of modern-day Gardena]]
Based on archaeological findings, the [[Tongva people]] hunted and fished in the area of today's Gardena.<ref name=Gardena>{{cite book|last=Gardena Heritage Committee|title=Gardena|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|page=7|year=2006|isbn=978-0-7385-4676-6}}</ref> The Tongva Indians – also known as Gabrielino Indians – are probably descendants of those who crossed from Asia to North America around 10,000 years ago.<ref name=Gardena/>

In 1784, three years after the foundation of [[Los Angeles]], [[Manuel Dominguez#Juan Jose Dominguez|Juan Jose Dominguez]] (1736–1809), a [[Spain|Spanish]] soldier who arrived in [[San Diego]], [[California]] in 1769 with [[Fernando Rivera y Moncada]], in recognition of his military service, received the roughly {{convert|43000|acre|km2|adj=on}} Spanish land grant, the [[Rancho San Pedro]].  Part of this land contained what became known as Gardena Valley.<ref name=Gardena/> After the [[American Civil War]] veterans bought parts of the land, and soon ranchers and farmers followed suit.<ref name=Gardena/> Union Army Major General [[William Rosecrans|William Starke Rosecrans]] in 1869 bought {{convert|16000|acre|km2}}. The "Rosecrans Rancho" was bordered by what later was Florence Avenue on the north, Redondo Beach Boulevard on the south, Central Avenue on the east, and Arlington Avenue on the west. The Rosecrans property was subdivided and sold in the early 1870s. One of those became the {{convert|650|acre|km2|adj=on}} Amestoy Ranch.  Gardena proper began in 1887 when the Pomeroy & Harrison real estate developers subdivided the ranch, anticipating the coming of the Los Angeles and Redondo Railway. Civil War veteran Spencer Roane Thorpe is credited with starting the first settlement in Gardena in 1887.<ref name=Gardena/>  Railroads put Gardena on the map following a [[1880s Southern California real estate boom]].<ref name=Gardena/>

Some believe the city was named for its reputation for being the only "green spot" in the dry season between Los Angeles and the sea.<ref name=Gardena/>  Because of its acres of berries, the city was dubbed "Berryland".<ref name=Gardena/> The Strawberry Day Festival and Parade was held each May.<ref name=Gardena/> The berry industry suffered at the time of [[World War I]] as other crops were supported by the [[war economy]].<ref name=Eight>Gardena, p. 8</ref>

[[Japanese American]]s settled in Gardena throughout its history.<ref>[http://www.colapublib.org/history/gardena/faq.html#q5 Frequently Asked Questions: Gardena] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060413081338/http://www.colapublib.org/history/gardena/faq.html#q5 |date=April 13, 2006 }} [[County of Los Angeles Public Library]]. Retrieved on March 27, 2010.</ref> The only way Gardena could protect itself from a heavy county tax imposed on a planned project at a park site was to incorporate.<ref name="Eight" /> The City of Gardena became incorporated on September 11, 1930.<ref name="Eight" />

From 1936 to 1980, Gardena held a local monopoly on legal [[cardroom]]s, the taxes from which accounted for nearly a third of its annual budget.<ref>{{cite news| last =Ferrell| first =David| title =Living by Casinos, Losing by Casinos| newspaper =[[Los Angeles Times]]| date =December 14, 1998| url =https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-dec-14-mn-54039-story.html| access-date =January 4, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Draw, Stud, and Hold'em: A Brief History of Poker in L.A.|url=https://www.kcet.org/shows/lost-la/draw-stud-and-holdem-a-brief-history-of-poker-in-la|last=Waldie|first=D. J.|date=March 15, 2017|work=KCET|language=en|access-date=May 6, 2020}}</ref> As this Los Angeles suburb grew, many Japanese American families moved into the new tract homes being built.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kcet.org/history-society/redefining-asian-america-japanese-americans-gardena-and-the-making-of-a|title=Redefining Asian America: Japanese Americans, Gardena, and the Making of a Transnational Suburb|last=Reft|first=Ryan|date=August 22, 2014|publisher=KCET|language=en|access-date=January 31, 2020}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Gardena Willows Wetland Preserve 2023 June 02.jpg|thumb|Gardena Willows Wetland Preserve is a remnant of [[Dominguez Slough]]]]
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|5.9|sqmi|km2}}, over 99% of which is land. A {{Convert|9.4|acre|ha|adj=on}} wetland preserve, the [[Gardena Willows Wetland Preserve]], is located at the southeast corner of Gardena. This is a naturally occurring marshland where water seeps above-ground all year round. It hosts several species of trees and other vegetation.

Gardena is bordered by the unincorporated community of [[Athens, California|Athens]] on the north, the [[Los Angeles]] neighborhood of [[Harbor Gateway, Los Angeles, California|Harbor Gateway]] on the east and south, [[Torrance, California|Torrance]] on the southwest, [[Alondra Park]] on the west, and [[Hawthorne, California|Hawthorne]] on the northwest.

Neighborhoods in Gardena include:
*Hermosillo
*[[Moneta, California|Moneta]]<ref>{{Cite news |last=Morrison |first=Patt |date=September 13, 2022 |title=Moneta, Tropico, Lordsburg – where did L.A.'s phantom towns vanish to? |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-09-13/morrison-phantom-towns-of-la |access-date=September 15, 2022 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref>
*Strawberry Park

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1940= 5909
|1950= 14405
|1960= 35943
|1970= 41021
|1980= 45165
|1990= 49847
|2000= 57746
|2010= 58829
|2020= 61027
|estref=
|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/>
}}

Gardena first appeared as a city in the [[1940 U.S. census]]<ref name=1940CensusCA/> as part of Inglewood Township (pop. 38,637 in 1930).<ref name=1930CensusCA/>

===2020===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+'''Gardena 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 – Gardena city, California |url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=160XX00US0628168&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) – Gardena city, California |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US0628168&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) – Gardena city, California |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US0628168&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!% 2000
!% 2010
!{{partial|% 2020}}
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|7,064
|5,484
|style='background: #ffffe6; |4,819
|12.23%
|9.32%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |7.90%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|14,701
|14,034
|style='background: #ffffe6; |13,006
|25.46%
|23.86%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |21.31%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|129
|100
|style='background: #ffffe6; |106
|0.22%
|0.17%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.17%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|15,363
|15,149
|style='background: #ffffe6; |15,813
|26.60%
|25.75%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |25.91%
|-
|[[Native Hawaiian]] or [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|381
|382
|style='background: #ffffe6; |356
|0.66%
|0.65%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.58%
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH)
|145
|174
|style='background: #ffffe6; |364
|0.25%
|0.30%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.60%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or multiracial]] (NH)
|1,591
|1,355
|style='background: #ffffe6; |2,060
|2.76%
|2.30%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |3.38%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|18,372
|22,151
|style='background: #ffffe6; |24,503
|31.82%
|37.65%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |40.15%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''57,746'''
|'''58,829'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''61,027'''
|'''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=06:0628168|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403025859/http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0628168|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 3, 2015|title=2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA – Gardena city|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=July 12, 2014}}</ref> reported that Gardena had a population of 58,829. The population density was {{convert|10,030.0|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial composition of Gardena was 14,498 (24.6%) [[White (U.S. Census)|white]] (9.3% Non-Hispanic White),<ref name=quif>{{Cite web|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06/0628168.html|title=Gardena (city) QuickFacts|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=March 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317063833/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06/0628168.html|archive-date=March 17, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> 14,352 (24.4%) [[African American (U.S. Census)|black]], 348 (0.6%) [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 15,400 (26.2%) [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 426 (0.7%) [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 11,136 (18.9%) from [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|other races]], and 2,669 (4.5%) from two or more races. There were 22,151 people of [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] origin, of any race (37.7%).

The Census reported that 58,035 people (98.7% of the population) lived in households, 122 (0.2%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 672 (1.1%) were institutionalized.

There were 20,558 households, out of which 7,199 (35.0%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 8,782 (42.7%) were [[marriage|opposite-sex married couples]] living together, 3,931 (19.1%) had a female householder with no husband present, 1,486 (7.2%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 1,085 (5.3%) [[POSSLQ|unmarried opposite-sex partnerships]], and 104 (0.5%) [[same-sex marriage|same-sex married couples or partnerships]]. 5,142 households (25.0%) were made up of individuals, and 1,921 (9.3%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.82. There were 14,199 [[Family (US Census)|families]] (69.1% of all households); the average family size was 3.39.

The population was spread out, with 13,410 people (22.8%) under the age of 18, 5,353 people (9.1%) aged 18 to 24, 16,656 people (28.3%) aged 25 to 44, 15,086 people (25.6%) aged 45 to 64, and 8,324 people (14.1%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37.9 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.6 males.  For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.8 males.

There were 21,472 housing units at an average density of {{convert|3,660.8|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}, of which 9,852 (47.9%) were owner-occupied, and 10,706 (52.1%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.3%; the rental vacancy rate was 4.6%.  28,585 people (48.6% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 29,450 people (50.1%) lived in rental housing units.

During 2009&ndash;2013, Gardena had a median household income of $48,251, with 15.5% of the population living below the federal poverty line.<ref name=quif/>

===2000===
As of the [[2000 US census|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> of 2000, there were 57,746 people, 20,324 households, and 14,023 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|9,921.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 21,041 housing units at an average density of {{convert|3,615.0|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 23.82% [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|White]], 25.99% [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Black]] or [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|African American]], 0.64% [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Native American]], 26.82% [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Asian]], 0.73% [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Pacific Islander]], 16.94% from [[Race (United States census)|other races]], and 5.05% from two or more races. 31.82% of the population were [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic]] or [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Latino]] of any race.

There were 20,324 households, out of which 33.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.5% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 18.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.0% were non-families. 25.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.38.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.8% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 32.3% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $38,988, and the median income for a family was $44,906. Males had a median income of $32,951 versus $29,908 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $17,263. About 12.3% of families and 15.7% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 22.3% of those under age 18 and 10.1% of those age 65 or over.

[[Mexican Americans|Mexican]] and [[Japanese Americans|Japanese]] were the most common ancestries. [[Mexico]] and [[Korea]] were the most common foreign places of birth.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://maps.latimes.com/neighborhoods/neighborhood/gardena/index.html | title=Gardena }}</ref>

===1980===
In 1980, about 31% of the population was Anglo white, 23% was black, 21% was Japanese, and 17% was Latino. The remainder included a Korean community that was increasing in size and Chinese, Filipino, and Native American people. The National Planning Data Corp. released projected figures in 1987 estimating that of the 50,000 residents, 26.3% were Anglo, 23% were black, 22.7 were Latino, and 28% were of other racial groups. By 1989, Anglo and Japanese residents tended to live in central and southern Gardena. Middle class black people began to move into the Hollypark area in northern Gardena in the 1960s, so the black population was concentrated there.<ref name=Goodmancensus>Goodman, Adrianne. "[https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-02-13-ss-1609-story.html toward EQUALITY : EXPLORING A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE : ON THE STREET Where You Live : GARDENA]." ([https://www.proquest.com/docview/280773009 Article information] ) ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''. February 13, 1989. Special Section; Metro Desk p. 8. "In 1980, Gardena was about 31% Anglo, 23% black, 21% Japanese and 17% Latino. [...] much of the city's Japanese population was placed in internment camps."</ref>

===1970–1978===
According to the 1970 U.S. Census, 56% of the population was white. Racial demographic changes occurred until 1978. That year, Mayor Edmond J. Russ declared that according to a special 1978 census, the racial demographics of Gardena had stabilized.<ref>Williams, Bob. "[https://www.proquest.com/docview/158658337 Gardena Stable After Years of Racial Change] ." ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''. August 20, 1978. Centinela-South Bay p. CS1. Retrieved on August 30, 2013. "A special 1978 census portrays Gardena as a stable, integrated and largely middle-class community after eight years of racial change, according to Mayor Edmond J. Russ." and "The city, which had a 56% Anglo population in 1970, ac- cording to the 1970 US ... In fact, the Japanese, Chi- nese, Filipino and other Asian proportions in the[...]"</ref>

===Japanese Americans===
{{see also|History of the Japanese in Los Angeles}}
[[File:Gardena California 2024 Feb 02.jpg|thumb|Okinawa
Association]]
[[File:Gardena California 2024 Feb 03.jpg|thumb|Buddhist temple]]
Gardena has a large Japanese-American community.<ref>Goodman, Adrianne. "[https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-11-24-ga-455-story.html Teacher Helps Japanese-Americans Brush Up on Their Heritage]." ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''. November 24, 1988. Retrieved on August 30, 2013.</ref>  Until 2014, it had the second-highest concentration of Japanese Americans in any U.S. municipality, the first being [[Honolulu]]. As of 2014, the nearby city of [[Torrance, California|Torrance]] holds the highest Japanese-American population in the 48 contiguous states.<ref>{{cite news |title=Toyota built Torrance into the second-largest home of Japanese Americans. Now, it's leaving |publisher=[[Public Radio International]] |work=[[The World (radio program)|The World]] |date=May 16, 2014 |first= Akiko |last=Fujita |access-date=October 4, 2016 |url=http://www.pri.org/stories/2014-05-16/toyota-built-torrance-second-largest-home-japanese-americans-now-its-leaving}}</ref>

The Japanese Cultural Institute (JCI) has been is located in Gardena since 1988, and offers cultural and social activities for Japanese Americans. The building used during that year was completed in 1976.<ref name=GoodmanFocal>"[https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-09-01-we-4421-story.html 'Focal Point' for Community : Institute Perpetuates Japanese Culture]." ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''. September 1, 1988. Retrieved on August 30, 2013.</ref>

Early in Gardena's history, Japanese migrants played a role in the agrarian economy. The Japanese Association founded the Moneta Japanese Institute in 1911, and the Parents' Association founded the Gardena Japanese School in 1916.<ref name=LAlibraryGardenaFAQ>"[http://www.colapublib.org/history/gardena/faq.html#q5 Gardena Frequently Asked Questions]." ([https://web.archive.org/web/20060413081338/http://www.colapublib.org/history/gardena/faq.html#q5 Archive]) [[County of Los Angeles Public Library]]. Retrieved on August 29, 2013.</ref> Beginning in the 1920s, Japanese American organizations, including the ''Moneta Gakuen'', were established continuously around the current JCI site. The ''Moneta Gakuen'' operated a school until the World War II internment.<ref name=GoodmanFocal/>

In 1942 the [[United States Armed Forces|U.S. military]] moved the Japanese in Gardena to [[Japanese American internment|internment camps]].<ref name=LAlibraryGardenaFAQ/>

In 1966, for the first time, a [[Nisei]], Kiyoto Ken Nakaoka, was seated on the city council.<ref>"[https://www.proquest.com/docview/155446305 Gardena Council Seats Japanese] ." ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''. April 24, 1966. Centinela-South Bay p. CS1. Retrieved on August 30, 2013. "After 35 years of incorporation this city, with a large Japanese population, has a Nisei on the City Council. Kiyoto K. Nakaoka is first Japanese to be elected to Gardena City[...]"</ref> Nakaoka later became Gardena's mayor in 1972.<ref name=yamamoto>{{citation |last=Yamamoto|first=J.K. |title=Gardena Mayoral Candidate Ikejiri Emphasizes His Experience | newspaper=[[Rafu Shimpo]] |date=March 3, 2017|url=https://rafu.com/2017/03/gardena-mayoral-candidate-ikejiri-emphasizes-his-experience/}}</ref> In 1980, the city was 21% Japanese, and {{as of|1989|lc=yes}}, Japanese residents tended to live in the center and south of the city.<ref name=Goodmancensus/>

===Korean Americans===
{{see also|History of the Korean Americans in Los Angeles}}
{{As of |1992}}, about 60% of the Korean population in the [[South Bay, Los Angeles|South Bay]] region lived in Gardena and Torrance. By that year, many Korean businesses had been established in Gardena because its commercial land was more affordable than that of Torrance, a middle-class base, and it also had an established East Asian population.{{r|LAT 1992-02-02}} In 1990, 2,857 ethnic Koreans lived in Gardena, a 209% increase from the 1980 figure of 924.<ref name="LAT 1992-02-02">{{Cite news|date=February 2, 1992|title=Presence of Koreans Reshaping the Region : Immigrants: A developing Koreatown in Gardena symbolizes changes a growing population is bringing to the area.|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-02-02-me-1860-story.html|access-date=July 25, 2021|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|last=Millacan |first=Anthony|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Economy==
[[Digital Manga]] is headquartered in Suite 300 at 1487 West 178th Street.<ref>"[http://www.digitalmanga.com/contact/ Contact DMI] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090421195329/http://www.digitalmanga.com/contact/ |date=April 21, 2009 }}." ''[[Digital Manga]]''. Retrieved on April 21, 2009. "Digital Manga, Inc. 1487 West 178th Street, Suite 300 Gardena, CA 90248"</ref> [[Nissin Foods]] has its United States headquarters and a plant in Gardena.<ref>"[http://www.nissinfoods-holdings.co.jp/ir/library/annual/pdf/anr_0503_01.pdf No Border: 200 Annual Report]." [[Nissin Foods Holdings]]. 42 (44/48). Retrieved on December 27, 2010. "Nissin Foods (U.S.A.) Co., Inc. (Corporate Offices & Gardena Plant) 2001 West Rosecrans Avenue, Gardena, CA 90249 U.S.A."</ref><ref>Hevesi, Dennis. "[https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A03E0D91530F93AA35752C0A9619C8B63 Momofuku Ando, 96, Dies; Invented Instant Ramen]." ''[[The New York Times]]''. January 9, 2007. Retrieved on March 5, 2010.</ref> Nissin Foods (U.S.A.) Co., Inc. opened in Gardena in 1970.<ref>"[http://www.nissinfoods-holdings.co.jp/english/corp/history.html History]." [[Nissin Foods Holdings]]. Retrieved on December 27, 2010.</ref> [[Marukai Corporation U.S.A.]] has its headquarters in Gardena.<ref>"[http://www.marukai.com/company-en.html About Us] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111230043124/http://www.marukai.com/company-en.html |date=December 30, 2011 }}." [[Marukai Corporation U.S.A.]] Retrieved on December 22, 2011. "1740 WEST ARTESIA BLVD. GARDENA, CA 90248" – [http://www.marukai.com/company-jp.html Japanese version] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120202844/http://www.marukai.com/company-jp.html |date=January 20, 2012 }}</ref> Nissan's North America headquarters were located in Gardena until they moved to Tennessee in 2006.

[[National Stores Inc.]], which operates the Factory 2-U and the Fallas Paredes brands, has its headquarters in the Harbor Gateway area of Los Angeles,<ref>"[http://www.factory2-u.com/contactus.php Contact Us] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090819102820/http://www.factory2-u.com/contactus.php |date=August 19, 2009 }}." National Stores. Retrieved on February 24, 2010.</ref> near Gardena.<ref>"[http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/stories/2008/08/11/daily7.html Fallas Paredes expanding local presence]." ''[[Austin Business Journal]]''. Monday August 11, 2008. Retrieved on February 24, 2010.</ref>

[[File:Donut King II in Gardena big donut of California.jpg|thumb|Gardena hosts one of the [[big donuts of Southern California]] ]]
===Top employers===
According to the city's 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report,<ref name="acfr">{{Cite web |url=https://cityofgardena.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Annual-Comprehensive-Financial-Report-June-30-2023.pdf |title=City of Gardena ACFR |access-date=May 30, 2024 }}</ref> the top employers in the city as of 2020 were:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! #
! Employer
! # of Employees
|-
| 1
|[[United Parcel Service Inc.]]
|789
|-
| 2
|Gardena Memorial Hospital
|750
|-
| 3
|[[Nissin Foods]]
|550
|-
| 4
|[[Hustler Casino]]
|465
|-
| 5
|Air Fayre
|289
|-
| 6
|Avcorp
|289
|-
| 7
|[[Larry Flynt's Lucky Lady Casino]]
|245
|-
| 8
|Southwest Offset Printing
|235
|-
| 9
|Kindred Hospital South Bay
|225
|-
| 10
|[[Target Corporation|Target]]
|200
|-
|}

==Government==
In the [[California State Legislature]], Gardena is in {{Representative|casd|35|fmt=sdistrict}}, and in {{Representative|caad|66|fmt=adistrict}}.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://statewidedatabase.org/gis/gis2011/index_2011.html |title=Statewide Database |publisher=UC Regents |access-date=December 7, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150201113744/http://statewidedatabase.org/gis/gis2011/index_2011.html |archive-date=February 1, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In the [[United States House of Representatives]], Gardena is in {{Representative|cacd|43|fmt=district}}.<ref>{{Cite GovTrack|CA|43}}</ref>

==Education==
===Primary and secondary schools===
[[File:Gardena High School 2024 Feb.jpg|thumb|[[Gardena High School]] is in Los Angeles, next to Gardena]]
The [[Los Angeles Unified School District]] operates the city's public schools.

Zoned middle schools include:
* Peary Middle School<ref>{{cite web|title=Peary Middle School|url=http://www.pearyms.org/}}</ref>
** Some areas in Gardena have a choice between Peary and Henry Clay Middle School.<ref>{{cite web|title=Henry Clay Middle School|url=http://www.lausd.k12.ca.us/Clay_MS/}}</ref> (Los Angeles)

Zoned high schools include:
* [[Gardena High School]] (Los Angeles)

In the spring of 1956, the junior high school classes stayed at the old Gardena High School while the high school classes moved into a new building. Up until the opening of the new Gardena High School, high school students held morning shifts, while junior high school students held afternoon shifts.<ref>"[http://www.pearyms.org/history.jsp?rn=1167880 Peary Middle School History] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930041728/http://www.pearyms.org/history.jsp?rn=1167880 |date=September 30, 2007 }}." ''Peary Junior High School''. Retrieved on April 21, 2009.</ref>

The northern end of the Gardena HS campus has LAUSD staff housing, Sage Park Apartments.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bridgehousing.com/properties/sage-park/|title=Sage Park|publisher=Bridge Housing|accessdate=May 12, 2021|quote=Sage Park Apartments [...] on the north side of the Gardena High School campus.}}</ref>

===Private schools===
The [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles]] operates Catholic schools in Gardena, including [[Junípero Serra High School (Gardena, California)|Junípero Serra High School]],<ref>"[http://www.serrahighschool.com/apps/contact/?rn=9235685 Contact Us]." ''[[Junípero Serra High School (Gardena, California)|Junípero Serra High School]]''. Retrieved on April 21, 2009.</ref> Maria Regina Catholic School (K-8),<ref>"[http://mregina.org/9Contact/contact.htm Contact Maria Regina Catholic School] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100422215837/http://mregina.org/9Contact/contact.htm |date=April 22, 2010 }}." ''Maria Regina Catholic School''. Retrieved on April 21, 2009.</ref> and St. Anthony of Padua School (K-8).<ref>"[http://www.archdiocese.la/directories/schools/info.php?school_id=147 St. Anthony of Padua] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110526195628/http://www.archdiocese.la/directories/schools/info.php?school_id=147 |date=May 26, 2011 }}." ''[[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles]]''. Retrieved on April 21, 2009.</ref> Pacific Lutheran Jr./Sr. High school, a 6-12 non-Catholic private school, is in Gardena.<ref>[https://pacificlutheranhigh.com/]. ''Pacific Jr./Sr. High School''. Retrieved on May 7, 2023.</ref> The Gardena Christian Academy, a PreK-2 Christian school, is in Gardena.<ref>"[http://www.gardenachristianacademy.com/contact.php Gardena Christian Academy contact information] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711072326/http://www.gardenachristianacademy.com/contact.php |date=July 11, 2011 }}." Gardena Christian Academy. Retrieved on December 26, 2010. "Address: Gardena Christian Academy & Preschool 16311 S. Western Ave. Gardena, CA 90247."</ref>

==Infrastructure==
===Public services===
The [[Gardena Office of Economic Development]] is a department of the city government. It aids employers in filling a variety of jobs customized to their specific needs. It also helps potential employers in setting up business enterprises.

The [[Gardena Police Department]] is the primary law enforcement agency in the city. The department has 89 sworn police officers, 24 full-time support staff, and 33 part-time employees. There are reserve, volunteer, and explorer programs. The current Chief of Police is Michael Saffell, appointed in 2020. Radio communications and the 9-1-1 call center are handled by the South Bay Regional Public Communications Authority.

The [[Los Angeles County Department of Health Services]] operates the Curtis Tucker Health Center in [[Inglewood, California|Inglewood]] and the Torrance Health Center in Harbor Gateway, Los Angeles, near Torrance and serving Gardena.<ref>"[http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/phn/docs/HealthCenter/torrance.pdf Torrance Health Center] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150201202645/http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/phn/docs/HealthCenter/torrance.pdf |date=February 1, 2015 }}." [[Los Angeles County Department of Health Services]]. Retrieved on March 18, 2010.</ref><ref>"[http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/phn/docs/HealthCenter/inglewood.pdf Curtis Tucker Health Center]." [[Los Angeles County Department of Health Services]]. Retrieved on March 18, 2010.</ref>

The [[United States Postal Service]] operates the Gardena Post Office at 1455 West Redondo Beach Boulevard,<ref>"[https://archive.today/20120715093650/http://usps.whitepages.com/service/post_office/15786?p=1&s=CA&service_name=post_office&z=Gardena Post Office Location – GARDENA]." ''[[United States Postal Service]]''. Retrieved on December 6, 2008.</ref> the South Gardena Post Office at 1103 West Gardena Boulevard,<ref>"[https://archive.today/20120719112558/http://usps.whitepages.com/service/post_office/63390?p=1&s=CA&service_name=post_office&z=Gardena Post Office Location – SOUTH GARDENA]." ''[[United States Postal Service]]''. Retrieved on December 6, 2008.</ref> and the Alondra Post Office at 14028 Van Ness Avenue.<ref>"[https://archive.today/20120719155048/http://usps.whitepages.com/service/post_office/12115?p=1&s=CA&service_name=post_office&z=Gardena Post Office Location – ALONDRA]." ''[[United States Postal Service]]''. Retrieved on December 6, 2008.</ref>

===Libraries===
[[File:GardenaMaymeDearPublicLibrary.jpg|thumb|Gardena branch of [[LA County Library]]]]
Gardena Mayme Dear Library, a {{convert|16000|sqft|sqm|adj=on}} building located in Gardena,<ref name="MaymeDear">"[http://www.colapublib.org/libs/gardena/ Gardena Mayme Dear Library] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090309233852/http://colapublib.org/libs/gardena/ |date=March 9, 2009 }}." ''[[County of Los Angeles Public Library]]''. Retrieved on April 21, 2009.</ref> and Masao W. Satow Library, located west of Gardena in [[Alondra Park, California|Alondra Park]] (El Camino Village), [[unincorporated area|unincorporated]] [[Los Angeles County]],<ref name="Satow">"[http://www.colapublib.org/libs/satow/ Masao W. Satow Library] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100326161024/http://www.colapublib.org/libs/satow/ |date=March 26, 2010 }}." ''[[County of Los Angeles Public Library]]''. Retrieved on April 21, 2009.</ref><ref name="AlondraCDPMap">"[http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/MapItDrawServlet?geo_id=16000US0601150&_bucket_id=50&tree_id=420&context=saff&_lang=en&_sse=on Alondra Park CDP, California] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606104645/http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/MapItDrawServlet?geo_id=16000US0601150&_bucket_id=50&tree_id=420&context=saff&_lang=en&_sse=on |date=June 6, 2011 }}." [[U.S. Census Bureau]]. Retrieved on May 5, 2010.</ref> are operated by the [[County of Los Angeles Public Library]].

Wednesday Progressive Club sponsored the formation of the Gardena Library.<ref name="MaymeDear"/> In 1913 the Moneta Branch was formed.<ref name="Satow"/> In 1914 the Gardena Library became a part of the Los Angeles County Free Library system. Due to annexation the library was transferred to the Los Angeles City Library Board.<ref name="MaymeDear"/> In 1919 the Strawberry Park branch was formed.<ref name="Satow"/> In August 1951 the Gardena library came back to the county system.<ref name="MaymeDear"/> In 1958 the Strawberry Park and Moneta branches merged into the West Gardena Branch.<ref name="Satow"/> The current Gardena library building was dedicated on December 5, 1964.<ref name="MaymeDear"/> In 1969 a fire forced the West Gardena branch to go to a new location. The current Satow building, dedicated on February 26, 1977, was named after a [[Japanese American]] in the community.<ref name="Satow"/> The Gardena library received its current name on May 30, 1992, and was named after a library volunteer, who had died prior to the renaming.<ref name="MaymeDear"/>

===Transportation===
[[File:Rosecrans & I-110 Metro Silver Line Station- Picture 5.JPG|thumbnail|[[Rosecrans (Los Angeles Metro station)|Rosecrans]] Metro Silver Line station at Gardena]]
The city operates the [[GTrans]] bus services (formerly as Gardena Municipal Bus Lines).

The [[National Transportation Safety Board]] operates the Gardena Aviation Field Office in Harbor Gateway, Los Angeles; it is the regional headquarters of the NTSB Aviation Western Region.<ref>"[https://www.ntsb.gov/abt_ntsb/regions/aviation.htm Regional Offices: Aviation]." [[National Transportation Safety Board]]. Retrieved on May 15, 2010.</ref>

==Notable people==
*[[Akwafei Ajeakwa]], soccer player
*[[Paul Bannai]], former city councilman and first Japanese American to serve in the [[California State Legislature]]<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Jenks |first1=Hillary |title=Seasoned Long Enough in Concentration: Suburbanization and Transnational Citizenship in Southern California's South Bay |journal=Journal of Urban History |volume=40 |issue=1 |page=16 |doi=10.1177/0096144213503941 |s2cid=129479455 }}</ref>
*[[Beau Bennett]], retired hockey player born in Gardena<ref>{{Cite web |title=Beau Bennett Stats and News |url=https://www.nhl.com/player/beau-bennett-8475761 |access-date=October 4, 2022 |website=NHL.com |language=en-US}}</ref> who was the highest-drafted hockey player of all-time to be born and trained in California<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 25, 2013 |title=Former Jr. King Beau Bennett a fast riser |url=https://lakingsinsider.com/2013/07/25/former-jr-king-beau-bennett-a-fast-riser/ |access-date=October 4, 2022 |website=LA Kings Insider |language=en-US}}</ref>
*[[Polly Bergen]], actress and singer; lived in Gardena and attended [[Gardena High School]]<ref name=Images>Gardena Heritage Committee, "Images of America: Gardena," (San Francisco: Arcadia Publishing, 2006), 74-99</ref>
*[[Gary Berland]], professional poker player; won five [[World Series of Poker]] bracelets; born and raised in Gardena
*[[Ron Block]], banjo player, guitarist and singer-songwriter
*[[Steven Bradford]], 1978 Gardena High School graduate; first African American elected to the Gardena City Council (1997–2009); former California Assemblyman (2009–2014)
*[[Enos Cabell]], third baseman with the [[Baltimore Orioles]] and [[Detroit Tigers]]; attended Gardena High School<ref name=Images/>
*[[Ed Carmichael]], gymnast, [[1932 Summer Olympics]] bronze medalist in the vault.
*[[Wayne Collett]], runner, [[1972 Summer Olympics]] silver medalist in the 400 meter event; attended Gardena High School<ref name=Images/>
*[[Dock Ellis]], pitcher with the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]]; attended Gardena High School<ref name=Images/>
*[[Charlie Evans (American football)|Charlie Evans]], running back with the [[New York Giants]] and [[Washington Redskins]]; born in Gardena<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/E/EvanCh01.htm| title= Charles Evans  |publisher= Pro-Football-Reference.Com|access-date= November 26, 2012}}</ref>
*[[Robert L. Freedman]], screenwriter and playwright; former resident of Gardena
*[[Gaston Green]], running back with the [[Los Angeles Rams]] and [[Denver Broncos]]; attended Gardena High School<ref name=Images/>
*[[H.B. Halicki]], actor, filmmaker, stuntman; business owner in Gardena and premiered his ''[[Gone in 60 Seconds (1974 film)|Gone in 60 Seconds]]'' there in 1974<ref name=Images/>
*[[Juaquin Hawkins]], professional [[basketball]] player; played with the Houston Rockets during the [[2002-2003 NBA season]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hawkiju01.html| title =Juaquin Juan Hawkins | publisher= Basketball-Reference.Com |access-date= November 26, 2012}}</ref>
*[[Lisa Leslie]], Olympic gold medalist and [[Los Angeles Sparks]] basketball player; born in Gardena <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.biography.com/people/lisa-leslie-12816766|title=Lisa Leslie|website=Biography.com|access-date=February 23, 2019}}</ref><!--MISSING CONNECTION TO GARDENA-->
*[[Blydell Martin]], boxer
*[[Butch Patrick]], actor; was living in Gardena and attending PAE when he auditioned for ''[[The Munsters]]''<ref name=Images/>
*[[Art Pepper]], innovative jazz saxophonist; born in Gardena<ref>{{cite book | last = Slonimsky | first = Nicolas | author2 = Theodore Baker | title = Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Musicians, Eighth Edition | publisher=Schirmer Books | year = 1992 | location = New York, New York }}</ref>
*[[Paul Petersen]], actor, novelist, activist; former resident of Gardena<ref name=Images/>
*[[William Rosecrans]], [[Union Army|Union]] general, [[United States Congress|congressman]], and ambassador to [[Mexico]]; owner of and resident upon (from 1869) "Rosecrans Rancho," the foundation upon which Gardena later emerged<ref name=Images/>
*[[Kevin A. Ross]], host of ''[[America's Court with Judge Ross]]''; attended Gardena High School and served as the school's student body president<ref name=Images/>
*[[Daewon Song]], professional skateboarder; resident of Gardena
*[[George Stanich]], high jumper and bronze medalist of the [[1948 Summer Olympics]]; resident of Gardena<ref name=Images/>
*[[Paul Tanaka]], Mayor and council-member<ref name="DB 20170307">{{cite news|url=http://www.dailybreeze.com/government-and-politics/20170307/election-2017-rachel-johnson-takes-razor-thin-gardena-mayoral-victory-two-newcomers-top-city-council-field|title=Election 2017: Rachel Johnson takes razor-thin Gardena mayoral victory; two newcomers top City Council field| newspaper=[[The Daily Breeze]] |first1= Sandy |last1=Mazza|first2=Cynthia |last2=Washicko|date=March 7, 2017|access-date=March 12, 2017}}</ref>
*[[Dakarai Tucker]] (born 1994), basketball player for [[Hapoel Haifa B.C.|Hapoel Haifa]] of the [[Israeli Basketball Premier League]]
*[[Tyga]], rapper; attended Gardena High School<ref>{{cite web|last=Winslow|first=Mike|title=Tyga Returns To High School To Inspire Students|date=October 19, 2011|url=http://allhiphop.com/2011/10/19/tyga-returns-to-high-school-to-inspire-students/|publisher=allhiphop.com}}</ref>
*[[Billy Warlock]], actor
*[[Robert Woods (wide receiver, born 1992)|Robert Woods]], Los Angeles Rams wide receiver

==Sister cities==
*{{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Huatabampo]], Mexico<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://socalsistercities.org/sister-city-directory/|title = Sister City Directory – SOCAL Sister Cities}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|JPN}} [[Ichikawa, Chiba|Ichikawa]], Japan<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cityofgardena.org/sister-cities/ | title=Sister Cities | date=April 26, 2016 }}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Greater Los Angeles}}
*[[Gardena Municipal Bus Lines]]
*[[South Bay, Los Angeles]]
*[[Ascot Park (speedway)|Ascot Park]], a closed racetrack in Gardena

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
*Williams, Bob. "[https://www.proquest.com/docview/153929138 Gardena Goes Its Way, Successfully] ." ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''. August 16, 1984. South Bay p. SB1. <!--"Transformation Could Create a 'Little Tokyo' in the South Bay GARDENA: 'Little Tokyo of South Bay'" and "Can this small American gambling town on the urban prairie of Los Angeles County transform itself into the Little Tokyo of the South Bay? Can it find new prosperity as the financial and shopping center of visitors and immigrants from the Far East?" and "According to the 1980 census, Gardena's population is 31% white, 23% black, 21 % Japanese and 17% Latino, with the remainder made up of Chinese, Filipinos [...]"-->
*Yoshinaga, George. "[http://www.rafu.com/2013/08/horses-mouth-where-to-eat-in-gardena/ HORSE’S MOUTH: Where to Eat in Gardena]."  ''[[Rafu Shimpo]]''. Wednesday August 21, 2013.

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*{{official website|https://www.cityofgardena.org}}
*Jobs and business: [http://www.gardenaecondev.com Gardena Economic Development]

{{Clear}}
{{Gardena, California}}
{{Cities of Los Angeles County, California}}
{{Greater Los Angeles Area}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Gardena, California| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Los Angeles County, California]]
[[Category:Incorporated cities and towns in California]]
[[Category:South Bay, Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Japanese-American culture in California]]
[[Category:Korean-American culture in California]]
[[Category:1930 establishments in California]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1930]]
[[Category:Korean communities in the United States]]