Editing Montebello, California

{{Short description|City in California, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
 | name                     = Montebello, California
 | settlement_type          = [[List of municipalities in California|City]]
 | nickname                 = 
 | image_skyline            = File:Montebello Genocide Memorial, July 2023 (6).jpg
 | image_seal               = Seal of Montebello, California.png
| image_blank_emblem              = Montebello, California logo.png
| blank_emblem_type               = 
 | image_map                = LA County Incorporated Areas Montebello highlighted.svg
 | mapsize                  = 250x200px
 | map_caption              = Location of Montebello in [[Los Angeles County, California]]
 | pushpin_map              = Los Angeles#California#USA
 | pushpin_label            = Montebello
 | pushpin_map_caption      = Location of Montebello in Los Angeles Metro Area##Location of Montebello in California##Location of Montebello in the United States
 | pushpin_relief           = 1
 | coordinates              = {{coord|34|0|56|N|118|6|39|W|region:US-CA|display=inline,title}}
 | coordinates_footnotes    = <ref name="gnis"/>
 | subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
 | subdivision_name         = United States
 | subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
 | subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in California|County]]
 | subdivision_name1        = [[California]]
 | subdivision_name2        = [[Los Angeles County, California|Los Angeles]]
 | established_title        = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
 | established_date         = October 16, 1920<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/20131017052413/http://www.calafco.org/docs/Cities_by_incorp_date.doc
   |archive-date = October 17, 2013
   |df          = mdy-all
 }}</ref>
 | government_type          = [[Council-Manager]]
 | leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
 | leader_name              = Scarlet Peralta
 | leader_title3            = [[City Manager]]
 | leader_name3             = Raul Alvarez
<!-- 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_km2           = 21.68
 | area_total_sq_mi         = 8.37
 | area_land_km2            = 21.58
 | area_land_sq_mi          = 8.33
 | area_water_km2           = 0.10
 | area_water_sq_mi         = 0.04
 | area_water_percent       = 0.48
 | elevation_footnotes      = <ref name="gnis">{{Cite GNIS|2411144|City of Montebello|entry-date=March 11, 2008}}</ref>
 | elevation_ft             = 203
<!-- Population ----------->
 | population_footnotes     = <ref name=quif>{{Cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/montebellocitycalifornia/PST120223|title=Montebello (city) QuickFacts|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=February 19, 2024}}</ref>
 | population_total         = 62,623
 | population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
 | pop_est_footnotes        = <ref name="USCensusEst2019CenPopScriptOnlyDirtyFixDoNotUse">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.2019.html|date=May 24, 2020|title=Population and Housing Unit Estimates|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 27, 2020}}</ref>
 | population_est           = 60569
 | pop_est_as_of            = July 2022
 | population_density_sq_mi = 7435.67
 | timezone                 = [[Pacific Time Zone|PST]]
 | utc_offset               = -8
 | timezone_DST             = PDT
 | utc_offset_DST           = -7
 | postal_code_type         = [[ZIP Code]]
 | postal_code              = 90640
 | area_code_type           = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
 | area_code                = 213 and 323
 | blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS]] code
 | blank_info               = {{FIPS|06|48816}}
 | blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature IDs
 | blank1_info              = {{GNIS 4|1656573}}, {{GNIS 4|2411144}}
 | website                  = {{official URL}}
}}

'''Montebello''' ([[Italian language|Italian]] for "Beautiful Mountain") is a city in [[Los Angeles County, California]], United States, located just east of [[East Los Angeles, California|East Los Angeles]] and southwest of [[San Gabriel Valley]]. It is an independent city {{convert|8|mi|abbr=on}} east of [[downtown Los Angeles]]. It is considered part of the [[Gateway Cities]] and San Gabriel Valley Cities, and is a member of the Gateway Cities Council of Governments and the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments.

In the early 20th century, Montebello was a well-known source for oil reserves.<ref name="History">{{cite web|url=http://www.cityofmontebello.com/about/history_/default.asp |title=History |publisher=City of Montebello |date=October 19, 1920 |access-date=March 26, 2013}}</ref> At the 2020 census, the population estimate was 63,833.<ref>{{Cite web|title=City of Montebello|url=http://www.animateddemographics.com/montebello|access-date=April 21, 2021|website=www.animateddemographics.com}}</ref> The population estimate for July 1, 2022, was 60,569.<ref>{{Cite web |title=QuickFacts - Montebello city, California |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/montebellocitycalifornia/PST120223}}</ref>

==History ==
Historic occupants of the land along the [[Rio Hondo (California)|Rio Hondo River]] were the indigenous [[Tongva]] (also known as Gabrielino), a portion of the [[Uto-Aztecan languages|Uto-Aztecan]] family of [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]]. The Tongva occupied much of the Los Angeles basin and the southern Channel Islands - [[Santa Catalina Island (California)|Santa Catalina]], [[San Nicolas Island|San Nicolas]], [[San Clemente Island|San Clemente]] and [[Santa Barbara Island|Santa Barbara]].

When the explorer [[Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo]] arrived off the shores of Santa Catalina in 1542, he was met by the Tongva people. Because the language of the Tongva was different from the neighboring tribes, the Spanish called them ''"Gabrielino"''. As more non-natives arrived and established settlements, diseases that were endemic among them caused high mortality among the Tongva and other indigenous peoples. These were new infectious diseases to them. By 1870, the area had few remaining [[Aboriginal people|indigenous]] inhabitants.<ref name="Fred">{{cite web |url=http://www.datarecoverypomona.com/data-recovery-montebello.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708233600/http://www.datarecoverypomona.com/data-recovery-montebello.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 8, 2011 |title=Data Recovery Montebello California (CA) - Data Retrieval Montebello California (CA) - Data Restoration Montebello California (CA) |website=Datarecoverypomona.com |date=October 19, 1920 |access-date=March 26, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last= |first= |url=https://archive.org/details/spanishexplorati0000unse_q3y0/page/18/mode/2up |title=Spanish exploration in the Southwest, 1542-1706 |date=1908 |publisher=New York : Barnes & Noble |others=Internet Archive |editor-last=Bolton |editor-first=Herbert Eugene |pages=13-20 |chapter=The "Relation of the Voyage of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, 1542-1543}}</ref>

Father Angel Somera and Father Pedro Cambon, both Franciscan missionaries, founded the original [[Mission San Gabriel Arcángel]], called [[Mission Vieja]], on September 8, 1771.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Engelhardt |first=Zephyrin |url=https://archive.org/details/sangabrielmissio0000zeph/page/n9/mode/2up |title=San Gabriel Mission and the  Beginning of los  angeles |date=1927 |publisher=Mission San Gabriel |others=Internet Archive |pages=3-21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Hackel |first=Steven W. |url=https://books.google.com/books/about/Junipero_Serra.html?id=5csMGaP36FQC |title=Junipero Serra: California's Founding Father |date=2013-09-03 |publisher=Farrar, Straus and Giroux |isbn=978-0-374-71109-2 |pages=182-183 |language=en}}</ref> Today the site is near the intersection of San Gabriel Boulevard and the Rio Hondo River. The establishment of this mission marked the beginning of settlement by Spaniards in the Los Angeles region; it was the fourth of twenty-one<ref name="cityofmontebello1">{{cite web|url=http://www.cityofmontebello.com/about/history_/default.asp |title=History |publisher=City of Montebello |date=October 19, 1920 |access-date=August 3, 2010}}</ref>  missions that they ultimately established along California's [[El Camino Real (California)|El Camino Real]]. The mission did well initially as a farm and cattle ranch.

Six years after its founding, however, a destructive flood led the mission fathers to relocate the mission farther north, to its current location in what is the present day city of [[San Gabriel, California|San Gabriel]]. The original mission site is [[California Historical Landmark]] #161.<ref>{{cite web | title =Los Angeles | work =California Historical Landmarks  | publisher =California Department of Parks & Recreation Office of Historic Preservation | year =2004 | url =http://ohp.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=21427 | access-date =July 30, 2007}}</ref>

During the early years of the mission's operations, the region was managed by Spanish colonists who had a "Rancho" land grant system.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://lib.berkeley.edu/EART/rancho.html |title=Ranchos of California |access-date=January 4, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426091322/https://lib.berkeley.edu/EART/rancho.html |archive-date=April 26, 2012  }}</ref>  The current city of Montebello consists of land from [[Rancho San Antonio (Lugo)|Rancho San Antonio]], [[Rancho La Merced]], and [[Rancho Paso de Bartolo]]. The Juan Matias Sanchez Adobe, built in 1844, still stands at the center of old Rancho la Merced in East Montebello. Rancho la Merced is the city's oldest standing structure.<ref name="History"/>
[[File:Battle of Río San Gabriel.jpg|thumb|left|The 1847 [[Battle of Río San Gabriel]] was a decisive victory of American forces against the [[Californios]] during the [[conquest of California|U.S. conquest of California]].]]
[[File:CHL- 385 - Rio San Gabriel Battlefield (4430196506).jpg|thumb|left|[[Battle of Río San Gabriel]] cannons and memorial in Montebello.]]
On January 8, 1847, the [[Battle of Río San Gabriel]] took place in what are today parts of the cities of Whittier, Pico Rivera and Montebello. The battle was a decisive, critical victory for the [[U.S. Army]] in the [[Mexican–American War]]. The United States took control of Los Angeles and Alta California. Today, the site is noted as California State Historical Landmark #385. Two cannons and a plaque commemorating the battle were installed overlooking the river at Bluff Road and Washington Boulevard.<ref>{{cite book | author=Bauer, K. Jack  | title=The Mexican War, 1846–1848 | publisher=Macmillan | location=New York | year=1974 | isbn=978-0-8032-6107-5}}</ref>

Following the [[American Civil War]], some {{convert|5000|acre|abbr=on}} of the [[Eastside Los Angeles|East Los Angeles area]] was owned by Alessandro Repetto, an Italian immigrant from [[Genoa]], [[Italy]]. Following Repetto's death in 1885, his brother sold his rancho to a consortium of five Los Angeles businessmen, including banker [[Isaias W. Hellman]] and wholesale grocer/historian [[Harris Newmark]], for $60,000, or approximately $12 per acre.<ref name="cityofmontebello1"/>  The land was later divided among the partners, one large parcel of approximately {{convert|2000|acre|abbr=on}} going to a partnership of Newmark and his nephew, banker Kaspare Cohn.

The city of Montebello was developed in May 1899 from the Newmark and Cohn share of {{convert|1200|acre|abbr=on}}. After the partners received the advice of [[hydraulic engineer]] [[William Mulholland]] for the design and building of the town's water system, they subdivided the land. In 1900 the completed water system was incorporated as the Montebello Land and Water Company.<ref>{{cite web | title =Sixty years in Southern California, 1853–1913, containing the reminiscences of Harris Newmark | work =American Memory | publisher =Library of Congress | url =http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/calbk:@field(DOCID+@lit(calbk023div45)) | access-date =July 30, 2007}}</ref>

An area of {{convert|200|acre|abbr=on}} adjacent to the tracks of what was formerly the [[Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad|San Pedro, Los Angeles & Salt Lake Railroad]] was developed into a townsite called Newmark. It was bounded by Los Angeles Avenue on the south, 1st Street on the east, Cleveland Avenue on the north, and 5th Street on the west. The remainder of the land was subdivided into {{convert|5|acre|abbr=on}} lots suitable for small-scale agriculture. On [[William Mulholland]]'s suggestion, leaders of the city adopted Montebello as the name in 1920, replacing Newmark.<ref>{{cite news | last =Rasmussen | first =Cecilia | title =City names stem from trees, ranches - even a goddess | work =Los Angeles Times | pages =B2 | date =July 29, 2007}}</ref>

Originally an agricultural community, the city was known for its prolific production of flowers, berries, fruits, and vegetables. The first public flower show in 1912 was sponsored by the Montebello Women's Club and held in the [[Montebello High School]] auditorium on Whittier Boulevard.<ref name="cityofmontebello1"/>  The Montebello – El Carmel (South Montebello) Improvement Association, the predecessor of the Montebello Chamber of Commerce, operated from September 1907 to April 1912, with the purpose "to improve and beautify the community." Some of its early achievements included: paving Whittier Boulevard, having trees planted along the streets, establishing the city's first high school, and having the entire area incorporated as "The City of Montebello".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.montebellochamber.org/History.aspx |title=Chamber History |website=Montebellochamber.org |access-date=August 3, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101113105038/http://www.montebellochamber.org/History.aspx |archive-date=November 13, 2010 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>

On October 16, 1920, the city was incorporated. In honor of Montebello's agricultural roots, the city's official seal contains a red poinsettia in the center.<ref name="cityofmontebello1"/> In the first half of the 20th century, much of south Montebello was populated by Japanese-American farmers. During World War II, most were [[Internment of Japanese Americans|interned hundreds of miles away at camps]] in harsh areas under direction by President [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]] by [[Executive Order 9066]]. Many of the displaced residents were unable to return to their homes; survivors and their descendants did not receive an official apology or compensation until the late 20th century. The family of M's Flowers can trace their history and participation in the growth of the flower industry, largely through their efforts.

The [[Standard Oil Company]] discovered oil in the Montebello hills in 1917 on the Baldwin and Temple properties; this discovery changed the face of the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityofmontebello.com/about/history_/|title=Home - City of Montebello|website=Cityofmontebello.com|access-date=November 9, 2017}}</ref> Oil fields replaced agriculture. Eventually, the oil pumped from this find produced one-eighth of the crude oil in California.<ref name="MTB1">{{cite web|url=http://www.streetgangs.com/hispanic/montebello |title=Montebello, California – Hispanic Gangs &#124; Street Gangs Resource Center |website=Streetgangs.com |access-date=March 26, 2013}}</ref> Over the course of sixty years, the Montebello hills were filled with producing oil wells.<ref name="cityofmontebello1"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mkhs.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=62613&type=d |title=Mark Keppel High School |website=Mkhs.org |date=December 19, 1938 |access-date=March 26, 2013}}</ref>

On March 22, 2023, a high-end EF1 tornado struck the city, damaging 17 structures and injuring one person. According to the National Weather Service, it was the strongest tornado to hit the LA Metro area since [[1983 South Central Los Angeles tornado|March 1983]].<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Kiszla |first1=Cameron |last2=Von Quednow |first2=Cindy |last3=Sternfield |first3=Marc |last4=Wynter |first4=Kareen |last5=McDade |first5=Mary Beth |last6=Herrera |first6=Carlos |date=March 22, 2023 |title=Montebello tornado was an EF1, touched down for 2 to 3 minutes, NWS says |url=https://ktla.com/news/local-news/montebello-california-tornado/ |access-date=April 3, 2023 |work=KTLA |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Public Information Statement |url=https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php?pil=PNSLOX&e=202303230405 |website=mesonet.agron.iastate.edu |access-date=March 22, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://ktla.com/news/local-news/montebello-california-tornado/ |title='Craziest thing I've ever seen': Tornado damages buildings in Montebello |last=Kiszla |first=Cameron |date=March 22, 2023 |website=ktla.com |publisher=KTLA |access-date=March 23, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media |date=March 23, 2023 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JAJlaZRgLQ |title=Witnesses detail moments tornado swept through Montebello |publisher=[[KCAL News]] |via=[[YouTube]] |access-date=March 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323034811/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JAJlaZRgLQ |archive-date=March 23, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref>

== Geography ==
Montebello is located {{convert|8|mi|abbr=on}} east of [[downtown Los Angeles]]. The city is considered to be part of the [[Gateway Cities]] while the northern part of the city is in the [[San Gabriel Valley]]. The surrounding cities are [[Monterey Park, California|Monterey Park]], [[South San Gabriel, California|South San Gabriel]], and [[Rosemead, California|Rosemead]] to the north, [[Commerce, California|Commerce]] to the south, [[Pico Rivera, California|Pico Rivera]] to the east, and [[Los Angeles]] and [[East Los Angeles, California|East Los Angeles]] to the west. The city is a member of the Gateway Cities Council of Governments.

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|8.4|m²|abbr=on}}, of which {{convert|8.2|m2|abbr=on}} are land and {{convert|0.1|m²|abbr=on}} or 1.32% is water.

===Climate===
{{Weather box
| location    = Montebello, California
| single line = Y
| Jan record high F = 91
| Feb record high F = 95
| Mar record high F = 100
| Apr record high F = 104
| May record high F = 105
| Jun record high F = 108
| Jul record high F = 108
| Aug record high F = 106
| Sep record high F = 113
| Oct record high F = 106
| Nov record high F = 100
| Dec record high F = 88
| year record high F = 113
| Jan high F = 69.7
| Feb high F = 71.3
| Mar high F = 72.6
| Apr high F = 77.4
| May high F = 79.2
| Jun high F = 84.2
| Jul high F = 88.9
| Aug high F = 89.4
| Sep high F = 87.5
| Oct high F = 82.2
| Nov high F = 75.2
| Dec high F = 70.7
| year high F = 79.0
| Jan low F = 47.9
| Feb low F = 48.7
| Mar low F = 50.5
| Apr low F = 53.1
| May low F = 56.9
| Jun low F = 60.9
| Jul low F = 64.3
| Aug low F = 65.4
| Sep low F = 63.8
| Oct low F = 58.4
| Nov low F = 52.0
| Dec low F = 47.3
| year low F = 55.8
| Jan record low F = 30
| Feb record low F = 29
| Mar record low F = 30
| Apr record low F = 32
| May record low F = 33
| Jun record low F = 38
| Jul record low F = 39
| Aug record low F = 44
| Sep record low F = 50
| Oct record low F = 44
| Nov record low F = 37
| Dec record low F = 30
| year record low F = 29
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation inch = 3.53
| Feb precipitation inch = 3.60
| Mar precipitation inch = 2.94
| Apr precipitation inch = 0.90
| May precipitation inch = 0.23
| Jun precipitation inch = 0.06
| Jul precipitation inch = 0.01
| Aug precipitation inch = 0.02
| Sep precipitation inch = 0.17
| Oct precipitation inch = 0.31
| Nov precipitation inch = 1.00
| Dec precipitation inch = 1.67
| year precipitation inch = 14.44
| source 1 = http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?ca5790<ref>{{cite web | author=WRCC | title=Western U.S. Climate Historical Summaries Weather | url=http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?ca5790 | publisher=Desert Research Institute | access-date=February 12, 2011}}</ref> 
| date     = February 2011
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1930= 5498
|1940= 8016
|1950= 21735
|1960= 32097
|1970= 42807
|1980= 52929
|1990= 59564
|2000= 62150
|2010= 62500
|2020= 62640
|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/>
}}

Montebello first appeared as a city in the [[1930 U.S. Census]]<ref name=1930CensusCA/> as part of the newly-formed but now defunct Montebello Township (1930 pop. 38,641).<ref name=1930CensusCA/> 

===2020===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+'''Montebello 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 – Montebello city, California |url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=160XX00US0648816&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) – Montebello city, California |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US0648816&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) – Montebello city, California |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US0648816&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!% 2000
!% 2010
!{{partial|% 2020}}
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|6,911
|5,325
|style='background: #ffffe6; |4,460
|11.12%
|8.52%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |7.12%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|395
|380
|style='background: #ffffe6; |472
|0.64%
|0.61%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.75%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|141
|99
|style='background: #ffffe6; |106
|0.23%
|0.16%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.17%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|7,075
|6,646
|style='background: #ffffe6; |7,793
|11.38%
|10.63%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |12.44%
|-
|[[Native Hawaiian]] or [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|24
|37
|style='background: #ffffe6; |66
|0.04%
|0.06%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.11%
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH)
|70
|65
|style='background: #ffffe6; |196
|0.11%
|0.10%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.31%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or Multiracial]] (NH)
|1,187
|370
|style='background: #ffffe6; |533
|1.91%
|0.59%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.85%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|43,347
|49,578
|style='background: #ffffe6; |49,014
|74.57%
|79.32%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |78.25%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''62,150'''
|'''62,500'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''62,640'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%'''
|}

The  [[2020 United States census]] reported Montebello had a population of 62,640.<ref name="2020 census"/> This corresponds to density of 7,521.6 people per square mile.<ref name="2020 census quickfacts">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Montebello city, California|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/montebellocitycalifornia/PST045223|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=2024-09-14}}</ref> The racial makeup of Montebello was 13,346 (21.3%) [[White (U.S. Census)|white]], 8,005 (12.8%)  [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 614 (1.0%) [[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]], 1,400 (2.2%) [[Native American (U.S. Census)|American Indian and Alaska Native]], 82 (0.1%) [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander]], 26,259 (41.9%) [[Race (U.S. Census)|some other race]], and 12,934 (20.6%) people were of two or more races.<ref name="2020 census">{{cite web|title=Montobello city, California - Census Bureau Tables|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Montebello%20city,%20California&d=DEC%20Demographic%20Profile|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=2024-09-14}}</ref>

Including all responses for people of two or more races, 25,562 (40.8%) were white alone or in combination with one or more other races, 8,597 (13.7%) were Asian alone or in combination with one or more other races, 1,015 (1.6%) were Black or African American alone or in combination, 2,421 (3.9%) were American Indian and Alaska Native alone or in combination, 214 (0.3%) were Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone or in combination, and 38,402 (61.3%) were some other race alone or in combination with one or more other races.<ref name="2020 census" />

49,014 (78.2%) were  [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race. Of those, 8,886 (14.2% of the total population) were white alone, 142 (0.2%) were Black or African American alone, 1,294 (2.1%) were American Indian and Alaska Native alone, 212 (0.3%) were Asian alone, 16 (0.0%) were Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, 26,063 (41.6%) were some other race alone, and 12,401 (19.8%) were two or more races.<ref name="2020 census" />

The census reported that Montebello had 20,308 housing units. Of those, 19,761 (97.3%) were occupied. 8,771 (44.4%) of the occupied units were owner-occupied and 10,990 (55.6%) were renter-occupied. Of the vacant units, 281 (1.4% of total) were for rent, 26 (0.1%) were rented but not occupied, 31 (0.2%) were for sale only, 20 (0.1%) were sold but not occupied, 12 (0.1%) were for seasonal, recreational, or occasional use, and 177 (0.9%) were otherwise vacant. <ref name="2020 census" />

The median household income between 2017 and 2022 was $72,317 (2022 dollars), with 13.0% of people living in poverty.<ref name="2020 census quickfacts"/>

===2010===

The [[2010 United States census]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0648816|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140715031757/http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0648816|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 15, 2014|title=2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Montebello city|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=July 12, 2014}}</ref> reported that Montebello had a population of 62,500. The population density was {{convert|7,464.7|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of Montebello was 33,633 (53.8%) [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 567 (0.9%) [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 634 (1.0%) [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 6,850 (11.0%) [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 58 (0.1%) [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 18,431 (29.5%) from [[Race (United States census)|other races]], and 2,327 (3.7%) from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 49,578 persons (79.3%). [[Non-Hispanic Whites]] were 8.5% of the population.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06/0648816.html |title= Montebello (city), California |work= State & County QuickFacts |publisher= U.S. Census Bureau |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150402092307/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06/0648816.html |archive-date= April 2, 2015 |df= mdy-all }}</ref>

Ethnic Latinos, mostly Mexican-American, make up the predominant group of residents in the city. Montebello borders [[East Los Angeles, California|East Los Angeles]], and is well known for its Mexican-American history and culture.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.drugrehabmontebello.com/ |title=Drug Rehab, Montebello, Alcohol Treatment, Drug Rehab, Drug Addiction Recovery And Rehab Programs |website=Drugrehabmontebello.com |access-date=August 3, 2010}}</ref>  Montebello also has a significant Armenian-American community.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sinosoul.com/2010/05/a-goat-roast-at-chic-la-wine-festival-armenian-food-fair-on-the-lamb-high-tea/ |title=A Goat Roast at Chic, LA Wine Festival, Armenian Food Fair, On the Lamb High Tea |website=Sinosoul.com |date=May 5, 2010 |access-date=August 3, 2010 |archive-date=June 14, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614021622/http://sinosoul.com/2010/05/a-goat-roast-at-chic-la-wine-festival-armenian-food-fair-on-the-lamb-high-tea/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In the 2010 census, 38.3% of Montebello residents identified as foreign born, with 75.6% speaking a language other than English in the home. There is also a [[Japanese Americans|Japanese]] community in Montebello.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pbssocal.org/history-society/on-location-montebello|title=On Location: Montebello|date=May 22, 2015}}</ref>

Armenian, Italian, German, Irish and Russian are the most common ancestries. Spanish and Chinese are the most common spoken non-English languages.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Montebello, CA - 90640 - Real Estate Market Data - NeighborhoodScout |url=https://www.neighborhoodscout.com/ca/montebello |access-date=2025-01-04 |website=www.neighborhoodscout.com}}</ref>

The census reported that 62,100 people (99.4% of the population) lived in households, 39 (0.1%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 361 (0.6%) were institutionalized.

There were 19,012 households, of which 8,168 (43.0%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 9,088 (47.8%) were [[marriage|opposite-sex married couples]] living together, 4,031 (21.2%) had a female householder with no husband present, 1,651 (8.7%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 1,302 (6.8%) [[POSSLQ|unmarried opposite-sex partnerships]], and 134 (0.7%) [[same-sex partnerships|same-sex married couples or partnerships]]. 3,350 households (17.6%) were made up of individuals, and 1,640 (8.6%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.27. There were 14,770 [[family (U.S. Census)|families]] (77.7% of all households); the average family size was 3.67.

The population was spread out, with 16,142 people (25.8%) under the age of 18, 6,414 people (10.3%) aged 18 to 24, 17,567 people (28.1%) aged 25 to 44, 13,857 people (22.2%) aged 45 to 64, and 8,520 people (13.6%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34.7 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.5 males.

There were 19,768 housing units at an average density of {{convert|2,361.0|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}, of which 8,766 (46.1%) were owner-occupied, and 10,246 (53.9%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.9%; the rental vacancy rate was 4.1%. 29,095 people (46.6% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 33,005 people (52.8%) lived in rental housing units.

According to the 2010 United States census, Montebello had a median household income of $47,488, with 15.4% of the population living below the federal poverty line.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06/0648816.html|title=Montebello (city) QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau|website=Census.gov|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402092307/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06/0648816.html|archive-date=April 2, 2015}}</ref>

===2000===
As of the 2000 [[Census]], there were 62,150 people, 18,844 households, and 14,867 families residing in the city.<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> The population density was {{convert|7,536.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 19,416 housing units at an average density of {{convert|2,354.6|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the city was 46.82% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.90% [[African-American (U.S. Census)|African-American]], 1.23% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 11.64% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.08% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 33.85% from [[Race (United States census)|other races]], and 5.48% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 74.57% of the population, some of which are also included in the census of the white population.<ref name="epodunk1">{{cite web|url=http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/popInfo.php?locIndex=10538 |title=Montebello - Montebello - Population overview |website=Epodunk.com |access-date=August 3, 2010}}</ref>

[[Mexican Americans|Mexican]] and [[Armenian Americans|Armenian]] were the most common ancestries in Montebello. [[Mexico]] and [[El Salvador]] were the most common foreign places of birth.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://maps.latimes.com/neighborhoods/neighborhood/montebello/index.html|title=Montebello Profile - Mapping L.A. - Los Angeles Times|website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref>

There were 18,844 households, out of which 40.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.5% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 20.1% had a female head of household and 21.1% were unrelated individuals. 17.1% of all households consisted of a single individual and 8.0% had persons who were 65 years of age or older living alone. The average household size was 3.28 and the average family size was 3.67.

The 2000 census data counted persons as 28.6% under the age of 18, 10.4% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 18.2% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34.32 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.3 males.

The median [[income]] for a household in the city was $38,805, and the median income for a family was $41,257. Males had a median income of $30,423 versus $26,590 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $15,125. 16.3% of residents have a bachelor's degree or higher and 69% of residents have a high school degree. About 14.2% of families and 13.2% of the population were living below the [[poverty line]], including 24.3% of those under age 18 and 10.7% of those age 65 or over.

==Economy==
===Top employers===
According to the city's 2009 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:<ref name="cafr2009">{{cite web|url=http://www.cityofmontebello.com/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=2851#page=|title=Home - City of Montebello|website=Cityofmontebello.com|access-date=November 9, 2017}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! #
! Employer
! # of Employees
|-
| 1
|[[Kaiser Permanente]]
|4,496
|-
| 2
|[[Montebello Unified School District]]
|3,577
|-
| 3
|Monarch Litho
|2,865
|-
| 4
|[[The Shops at Montebello]]
|1,897
|-
| 5
|Beverly Hospital
|860
|-
| 6
|[[Bimbo Bakeries USA]]
|750
|-
| 7
|Minson
|633
|-
| 8
|City of Montebello
|601
|-
| 9
|Royal Paper Box
|170
|}

== Parks and recreation ==
Parks include:
* [[Grant Rea Park]], which features Montebello Barnyard Zoo, pony rides, train rides and a miniature water park.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.montebellobarnyardzoo.com/about.html |title=:: Montebello Barnyard Zoo :: |access-date=June 28, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101215171941/http://www.montebellobarnyardzoo.com/about.html |archive-date=December 15, 2010  }}</ref>
* Bicknell Park, which features the [[Armenian Genocide Martyrs Monument]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://armenian-genocide.org/Memorial.118/.../memorials_detail.html |title=Monument at Bicknell Park in Montebello, California |website=Armenian-genocide.org |date=April 24, 1965 |access-date=August 3, 2010}}</ref>
* Montebello City Park, the oldest park, which featured fishponds in the 1950s, and now includes a skateboard park.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.socalskateparks.com/park/Montebello |title=Montebello Montebello Skateboard Park Montebello, CA Southern California Skateboard Parks Montebello Skatepark |website=Socalskateparks.com |access-date=August 3, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100809094827/http://www.socalskateparks.com/park/Montebello |archive-date=August 9, 2010 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>
* Sanchez Adobe Park, which includes Juan Matias Sanchez Adobe, built in 1845, the oldest extant structure in Montebello.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.letsgoseeit.com/index/county/la/montebello/loc02/sanchez_adobe.htm |title=Juan Sanchez Adobe |website=LetsGoSeeIt.com |access-date=August 3, 2010}}</ref>
* Ashiya Park, named for Montebello's sister city in Japan.
* Henry Acuna Park, named for the only Montebello Police Department officer to die on duty. Memorials are located there.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mtbpoa.com/Memorial.htm |title=MPOA ~ Memorial Page |website=Mtbpoa.com |access-date=August 3, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714125546/http://www.mtbpoa.com/Memorial.htm |archive-date=July 14, 2011 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>
* The {{convert|11|acre|abbr=on}} Reggie Rodriguez Park, which includes the Reggie Rodriguez Community Center, both named for a [[Vietnam War]] hero.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.virtualwall.org/dr/RodriguezRJ01a.htm |title=Reginald Rodriguez, LCPL, Marine Corps, Montebello CA, 17Feb69 32W052 |publisher=The Virtual Wall |access-date=March 26, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://archrecord.construction.com/projects/BTS/archives/public/ReggieRodriguez/overview.asp |title=Architectural Record Building Types Study &#124; Reggie Rodriguez Community Center |website=Archrecord.construction.com |access-date=August 3, 2010}}</ref>
* Chet Holifield Park, which features the Chet Holifield Branch Library, both named for Congressman [[Chet Holifield]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Montebello |url=http://www.americantowns.com/ca/montebello/organization/chet_holifield_library |title=Chet Holifield Library - Montebello California CA |website=AmericanTowns.com |access-date=March 26, 2013}}</ref>

===Golf course===
Montebello Municipal Golf Course, a {{convert|120|acre|ha|adj=on}}, 18-hole course founded in 1928 as a private club, was purchased by the city in 1941,
and features hotels and a conference center.<ref name="golf">{{cite web |url=http://www.cityofmontebello.com/depts/golf_course/default.asp |title=Golf Course |publisher=City of Montebello |date=May 7, 1999 |access-date=March 26, 2013 |archive-date=May 19, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130519143414/http://www.cityofmontebello.com/depts/golf_course/default.asp |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Banquets and Events |date=August 16, 2012 |url=http://www.quietcannon.com/#/banquets-events/ |publisher=Quiet Cannon Conference & Event Center |access-date=February 8, 2021}}</ref>

==Government ==
[[File:Postal Road Trips - Montebello CA.jpg|thumb|Post office in Montebello]]

In the [[California State Legislature]], Montebello is in {{Representative|casd|30|fmt=sdistrict}}, and in {{Representative|caad|54|fmt=adistrict}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=Final Maps |work=We Draw the Lines CA |access-date=March 7, 2023 |url=https://www.wedrawthelinesca.org/final_maps}}</ref> In the [[United States House of Representatives]], Montebello is in {{Representative|cacd|38|fmt=district}}.<ref>{{Cite GovTrack|CA|38}}</ref>

Montebello utilizes a city council/city administrator form of government. The city council provides political leadership and policy direction. Montebello's current elected City Treasurer is Rafael Gutierrez.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cityofmontebello.com/offices/treasurer.asp|title=City of Montebello - City Treasurer|website=Cityofmontebello.com|access-date=March 20, 2016}}</ref> and the current elected City Clerk is Irma-Bernal Barajas.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cityofmontebello.com/offices/clerk.asp|title=City of Montebello - City Clerk Barnal-Barajas|website=Cityofmontebello.com|access-date=March 20, 2016}}</ref>  The city administrator works under the direction of the City Council, and functions as the manager of city employees and the department heads. Montebello has six department heads and some oversee more than one division. Previous Mayor [[Vanessa Delgado]] resigned in 2018 to serve on the California State Senate.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dailynews.com/2018/08/13/montebello-mayor-vanessa-delgado-surrenders-her-seat-to-be-sworn-in-as-a-short-term-state-senator/|title=Montebello Mayor Vanessa Delgado surrenders her seat to be sworn in as a short-term state senator|date=August 13, 2018|website=Dailynews.com|access-date=August 23, 2018}}</ref> The City Council is composed of five members elected at large by the citizens of Montebello to serve for four-year overlapping terms. Members include Scarlet Peralta (Mayor), Salvador Melendez (Mayor Pro Tem), Angie M. Jimenez, Georgina Tamayo, and David N. Torres.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.montebelloca.gov/government/elected_officials|access-date=January 29, 2024|title=CITY COUNCIL - City of Montebello.|language=en-gb}}</ref>

On January 24, 2024, Montebello became "at least" the fourth city in Southern California whose local governments passed a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Israel's war on Gaza; the city council passed the resolution unanimously.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 27, 2024 |title=Montebello unanimously adopts resolution calling for ceasefire in Gaza |url=https://www.whittierdailynews.com/2024/01/26/montebello-unanimously-adopts-resolution-calling-for-ceasefire-in-gaza/ |access-date=May 7, 2024 |website=Whittier Daily News |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Education==
===Public===
The city is served by the [[Montebello Unified School District]]. M.U.S.D. serves the city of Montebello, portions of the cities of Bell Gardens, Commerce, Downey, Rosemead, Pico Rivera, and Monterey Park, as well as the unincorporated community of South San Gabriel, and a part of the unincorporated community of East Los Angeles. The District is one of the largest and most diverse in Los Angeles County with an enrollment of more than 35,000 K–12 students and 30,000 adults enrolled in adult education.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.niche.com/k12/search/most-diverse-school-districts/m/los-angeles-metro-area/|title=2018 Most Diverse School Districts in the Los Angeles Area|website=Niche|access-date=November 9, 2017}}</ref>

There are eighteen elementary schools, six intermediate schools, five high schools, and four adult schools.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.montebello.k12.ca.us/schools/default.htm |title=Montebello Unified School District &#124; Schools |website=Montebello.k12.ca.us |access-date=August 3, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527042426/http://www.montebello.k12.ca.us/schools/default.htm |archive-date=May 27, 2010 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>  The five high schools are: [[Montebello High School]], founded in 1909;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mhs.montebello.k12.ca.us/ |title=Montebello High School &#124; Home |website=Mhs.montebello.k12.ca.us |access-date=August 3, 2010 |archive-date=May 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130503085423/http://www.mhs.montebello.k12.ca.us/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Bell Gardens High School]]; [[Schurr High School]]; [[Vail High School (Montebello, California)|Vail High School]], an [[alternative high school]] for grades 10–12;

Applied Technology Center, a $30 million facility opened in the fall of 2011, is a vocational high school with state-of-the-art technical training capable of accommodating up to 750 students. Students wishing to attend ATC are required to apply for admission.<ref name="new">{{cite web |url=http://www.whittierdailynews.com/ci_17386593?source=rss_viewed |title=New Montebello Unified School District high school on schedule to open Fall 2011 |publisher=Whittier Daily News |access-date=March 26, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324201830/http://www.whittierdailynews.com/ci_17386593?source=rss_viewed |archive-date=March 24, 2012 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>  Board of education President Edwin Chau stated that ATC offers students a "rigorous academic curriculum and career technical education within a full-day schedule." Montebello Unified, has made it their goal to ensure students graduate ready and college prepared."<ref name="new"/>  The project was paid for with a $98 million Measure M bond, which voters passed in November 2004.<ref name="new"/>

===Private===
Saint Benedict School, a private parochial grammar school, K-8, is operated on Saint Benedict Church property. It opened in September 1941 and was formally dedicated on Pearl Harbor Day, December 7, 1941.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.st-benedict.com/ |title=Home |website=St-benedict.com |access-date=March 26, 2013}}</ref>

Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Parish School. The school first opened in 1954 through the leadership of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent De Paul.

A private parochial high school, [[Cantwell-Sacred Heart of Mary High School]], is also located in Montebello. Originally two separate gender-segregated High Schools, they merged in the 1991, the Sacred Heart of Mary campus moving to the Cantwell campus.

St. John's Lutheran Church has a Kindergarten-8th school on a site adjoining the church.

==Infrastructure==
===Transportation===
The city is easily accessible to the [[Interstate 710 and State Route 710 (California)|Long Beach-]] (I-710), [[Interstate 605|San Gabriel River-]] (I-605), [[California State Route 60|Pomona-]] (SR 60) and [[Santa Ana Freeway|Santa Ana-]] (I-5) freeways.

====Buses====
Public transportation is provided by the city-owned [[Montebello Bus Lines]]; the service is the sixth largest public transit agency in Los Angeles County with an annual ridership of over 8.2 million.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.apta.com/resources/statistics/Pages/ridershipreport.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090909083234/http://www.apta.com/resources/statistics/Pages/ridershipreport.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 9, 2009 |title=Ridership Reports |publisher=American Public Transportation Association (APTA) |access-date=May 19, 2013 }}</ref>  Starting in 1931 with a fleet of four buses, the agency now has a fleet of 66 buses, including five hybrid gasoline-electric buses and serves 14 communities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.whittierdailynews.com/ci_18581970 |title=Montebello Bus Lines celebrates 80 years |date=July 29, 2011 |publisher=Whittier Daily News |access-date=March 26, 2013}}</ref>

====Other public transportation====
Montebello LINK is a transportation shuttle offering curb-to-curb service to and from the [[Montebello/Commerce station]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityofmontebello.com/depts/transit/default.asp |title=Transportation |publisher=City of Montebello |access-date=August 3, 2010}}</ref>  Montebello also operates Montebello Dial-a-Taxi, a program offering transportation for senior residents and qualified disabled persons of any age. 15,000 residents utilize this service.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cityofmontebello.com/depts/transit/dialtaxi.asp |title=Dial-A-Taxi |publisher=City of Montebello |date=June 4, 2007 |access-date=August 3, 2010 |archive-date=June 8, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608225310/http://www.cityofmontebello.com/depts/transit/dialtaxi.asp |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Law enforcement===
Montebello has a police department consisting of 74 sworn officers, which includes the Chief of Police, two captains, five lieutenants, and ten sergeants.<ref name="police">{{cite web|url=https://www.montebelloca.gov/departments/police/about |title=Community Alerts |publisher=City of Montebello |access-date=February 20, 2024}}</ref> The department also employs 24 civilian personnel organized into three divisions: Field Services, Investigative Services, and Support Services. The Chief of Police is Paul Espinosa and is the eleventh police chief of the Montebello Police Department since 1920. Augmenting the department are a Reserve Officer Corps, a Police Explorer Program, a Police Chaplain Corps, and a civilian "Citizens on Patrol" program.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityofmontebello.com/depts/police/fsb/citizen.asp |title=Citizen Patrol |publisher=City of Montebello |access-date=March 26, 2013}}</ref> The department provides a variety of services to citizens including Neighborhood Watch, the Citizen's Academy and a child seat loan program. The Crime prevention Bureau provides free security inspections to local businesses and residents.<ref name="police"/>

===Fire department===
The Montebello Fire Department includes three fire stations, three paramedic engine companies, two paramedic rescue squads, one battalion chief unit, and one truck company.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityofmontebello.com/depts/fire/default.asp|title=Home - City of Montebello|website=Cityofmontebello.com|access-date=November 9, 2017}}</ref>

===Trees===
The city maintains an estimated 20,000 city trees, and has received a "Tree City U.S.A." award since 1991.<ref name="golf"/>

==Notable people==
* [[Alan Bannister]], born in Montebello, was a [[Major League Baseball]] player<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=bannial01 |title=Alan Bannister Baseball Stats by Baseball Almanac |website=Baseball-almanac.com |access-date=March 26, 2013}}</ref>
* [[Richard Cabral]], American actor and writer known for his role on the anthology series ''[[American Crime (TV series)|American Crime]]'' (2015), and his recurring role on the [[Fox (TV network)|Fox]] [[action comedy TV series|action comedy]]-[[Drama (modern genre)#Drama as a television genre|drama]] TV series ''[[Lethal Weapon (TV series)|Lethal Weapon]]'', based on the [[Lethal Weapon (franchise)|action film series of the same name]]
* [[Ken Davitian]], actor, most notably played the role of Azamat in the movie "[[Borat]]"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.reporter.am/pdfs/C0614.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=December 4, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101128181411/http://reporter.am/pdfs/C0614.pdf |archive-date=November 28, 2010  }}</ref>
* [[John DeCuir]], Oscar-winning art director; Montebello High School Class of 1936; earned eleven Oscar nominations, winning three: ''[[The King and I (1956 film)|The King and I]]'', ''[[Cleopatra (1963 film)|Cleopatra]]'', and ''[[Hello, Dolly! (film)|Hello, Dolly!]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mhs.montebello.k12.ca.us/ |title=Montebello High School &#124; Home |website=Mhs.montebello.k12.ca.us |access-date=March 26, 2013 |archive-date=May 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130503085423/http://www.mhs.montebello.k12.ca.us/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*[[Oscar De La Hoya]], 10-time boxing world champion and Olympic gold medalist<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.infoplease.com/biography/var/oscardelahoya.html#axzz0xiFkUQQf |title=Oscar De La Hoya Biography (Boxer) — |website=Infoplease.com |date=February 4, 1973 |access-date=March 26, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.answers.com/topic/oscar-de-la-hoya-1|title=Answers - The Most Trusted Place for Answering Life's Questions|website=Answers.com|access-date=November 9, 2017}}</ref>
* [[Rodney Eastman]], actor, ''[[A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors]]'' and ''[[A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master]]''; graduate of Schurr High School Class of 1985<ref>{{cite web|url=https://millennium-thisiswhoweare.net/guide/cast/profiles/rodney-eastman|website=Millennium - This Is Who We Are|quote=Deciding while he was attending Schurr High School in Montebello, California that he wanted to be an actor, he studied drama and appeared in numerous high school productions.|access-date=26 March 2025|url-status=live|archive-date=9 December 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241209221918/https://millennium-thisiswhoweare.net/guide/cast/profiles/rodney-eastman|title=Rodney Eastman's Millennium Cast Profile}}</ref>
* [[Deborah Foreman]], actress, star of film ''[[Valley Girl (1983 film)|Valley Girl]]'' as Julie Richman; born in Montebello<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Deborah-Foreman/movies|website=Times Entertainment|title=Deborah Foreman|access-date=26 March 2025|quote=Born - October 12, 1962 in Montebello, California, USA|url-status=live|archive-date=26 March 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250326060659/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Deborah-Foreman/movies|publisher=Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd.}}</ref>
* [[Darlene Hard]], tennis player, 2-time U.S. Nationals champion (1960, 1961), 1960 French champion, [[Fed Cup]] champ 1963; won 18 [[Grand Slam (tennis)|tennis]] titles in doubles and mixed doubles; born in Montebello and a 1953 graduate of Montebello High School
* [[Ed Hernandez]], California state senator and former state assembly member
* [[Jay Hernandez]], actor, has appeared in several major motion pictures, including playing the lead role in the 2005 horror film ''[[Hostel (2005 film)|Hostel]]'' and [[El Diablo (comics)#Chato Santana|Chato Santana / El Diablo]] in 2016's ''[[Suicide Squad (2016 film)|Suicide Squad]]''
* [[Bobby Knoop]], Major League Baseball player and coach, member [[Angels Hall of Fame|Los Angeles Angels Hall of Fame]]; Montebello High School Class of 1956
* [[Mickey Klutts]], Major League Baseball player, was born in Montebello
* [[Jack Larson]], Actor, co-star in the Adventures of Superman (Jimmy Olsen), graduated from Montebello High School
* [[Judi Evans|Judi Evans Luciano]], actress, was born in Montebello, star on ''[[Days of Our Lives]]''<ref>{{cite web  | title =Judi Evans' Biography | work =Judi Evans Official Website  | url =http://www.judievans.net/site/biography.htm | access-date =July 30, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080302032815/http://www.judievans.net/site/biography.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = March 2, 2008}}</ref>
* [[Robert Bruce Merrifield]], Montebello High School class of 1939, [[Nobel Prize]] winner<ref>{{cite web  | title =Bruce Merrifield - Biography  | publisher =The Nobel Foundation | url =http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/chemistry/laureates/1984/merrifield-bio.html  | access-date =July 30, 2007}}</ref>
* [[Max Montoya]], born in Montebello, [[National Football League|NFL]] player, 4-time Pro Bowl selection
* [[Sergio Mora]], professional boxer; Schurr High School class of 1997
* [[Sona Movsesian]], born in Montebello, New York Times Best Selling author, podcast host, media personality, and [[Conan O'Brien]]'s executive assistant
* [[Mirai Nagasu]], born in Montebello, professional figure skater, national champion and Olympian<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pasadenaweekly.com/facebook/olympian-mirai-nagasu-of-arcadia-carries-on-a-long-local-figure-skating-tradition/article_e544566d-9bed-5dc8-ada8-ae14d2bfb858.html|website=Pasadena Weekly|quote=Born in Montebello, raised in Arcadia, trained at the Pasadena Ice Skating Center, and currently living in Colorado, Nagasu has gained this distinction not by winning medals, but by completing a triple axel in Olympic competition.|date=22 February 2018|access-date=26 March 2025|title=Olympian Mirai Nagasu of Arcadia carries on a long local figure skating tradition|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230316115804/https://www.pasadenaweekly.com/facebook/olympian-mirai-nagasu-of-arcadia-carries-on-a-long-local-figure-skating-tradition/article_e544566d-9bed-5dc8-ada8-ae14d2bfb858.html|archive-date=16 March 2023|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Edward James Olmos]], actor and director; Montebello High School Class of 1964
* [[Ramona Pagel]], athlete, held U.S. record in shot put, Pan-American Games gold medalist; [[Schurr High School]]
* [[Joshua Pérez]], born in Montebello, professional [[association football|soccer]] player
* [[Jeffrey Lee Pierce]], born in Montebello, singer, songwriter, guitarist and author. Founding member and frontman of ''[[The Gun Club]]''.
* [[Jerry Pimm]], college basketball coach, Montebello High School Class of 1956
* [[Carl Renezeder]], off-road racing champion
* [[Jack Russell (musician)|Jack Russell]], born in Montebello, lead vocalist for [[Great White]]
* [[Mark Salas]], born in Montebello, former MLB player.<ref>{{cite book|title=The ESPN Baseball Encyclopedia|year=2007|publisher=Sterling Publishing|isbn=978-1-4027-4771-7|page=874}}</ref>
* [[Hagop Sandaldjian]], microminiature [[sculpture|sculptor]], lived and worked in Montebello after emigrating from [[Yerevan, Armenia]] (then part of the [[Soviet Union]]) in 1980.<ref>[[Lawrence Weschler]], ''[[Mr. Wilson's Cabinet of Wonder]]'' (Pantheon Books, 1995), {{ISBN|978-0-679-43998-1}}, pp. 58–60.</ref>
* [[Catherine Sandoval]], first Latina [[Rhodes Scholar]], professor of law, California Public Utilities Commissioner
* [[Tom Tellez]], track star and coach; Montebello High School Class of 1951, [[Tom Tellez Track at Carl Lewis International Complex]]
* [[Nosaj Thing]], hip-hop recording artist, is a native of Montebello
* [[Art Torres]], politician, Montebello High School Class of 1964
* [[Michael Trevino]], born in Montebello; actor, best known for his role in "[[The Vampire Diaries]]" as Tyler Lockwood
* [[Eduardo Xol]], television personality; graduate of Schurr High School Class of 1984

==Sister cities==
Montebello has been affiliated with [[Ashiya, Hyōgo]], Japan since the inception of the Sister City Program in 1961. Student Ambassadors are chosen to travel to Ashiya every year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://montebellosistercity.wixsite.com/classic-layout|title=Montebello Sister City Association|date=2015|website=Montebello Sister City Association|access-date=October 10, 2016|archive-date=October 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011055418/http://montebellosistercity.wixsite.com/classic-layout|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Montebello has been affiliated with [[Stepanakert]], Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, since 2005, when a controversial move to facilitate the sister city relationship was made by the Armenian National Committee of the San Gabriel Valley and was approved by City Council.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.anca.org/press_releases/press_releases.php?prid=834 |title=Despite Azeri Meddling, Montebello City Council Ok'S Sister-City Ties With Stepanakert |website=Anca.org |access-date=August 3, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100615182843/http://anca.org/press_releases/press_releases.php?prid=834 |archive-date=June 15, 2010  }}</ref>

Montebello is a sister city with [[Escuinapa de Hidalgo|Esquinapa, Mexico]], [[Iguala, Mexico]] and [[Ensenada, Mexico]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.montebelloca.gov/our_community/sister_cities#:~:text=Over%20fifty%20years%20after%20the,is%20Montebello's%20first%20sister%20city.|title=Sister Cities}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Greater Los Angeles}}
*[[List of cities in Los Angeles County, California]]
*[[List of municipalities in California]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*{{Official website}}

{{Geographic Location
| title = '''Destinations from Montebello''' |Centre = Montebello |North = [[Monterey Park, California|Monterey Park]] |Northeast = [[Whittier Narrows]] |East = [[Whittier Narrows]]<br />[[Pico Rivera, California|Pico Rivera]] |Southeast = [[Pico Rivera, California|Pico Rivera]] |South = [[Commerce, California|Commerce]]<br />[[Pico Rivera, California|Pico Rivera]]|Southwest = [[Commerce, California|Commerce]]|West = [[East Los Angeles, California|East Los Angeles]] |Northwest = [[East Los Angeles, California|East Los Angeles]]<br />[[Monterey Park, California|Monterey Park]]}}
{{Montebello, California}}
{{Cities of Los Angeles County, California}}
{{Greater Los Angeles Area}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Montebello, California| ]]
[[Category:Armenian-American culture in California]]
[[Category:Armenian diaspora communities in the United States]]
[[Category:1920 establishments in California]]
[[Category:Cities in Los Angeles County, California]]
[[Category:Communities in the San Gabriel Valley]]
[[Category:Gateway Cities]]
[[Category:Incorporated cities and towns in California]]
[[Category:Mid-importance Southern California articles]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1920]]
[[Category:Chicano and Mexican neighborhoods in California]]