10th district, Los Angeles City Council

10th district, Los Angeles City Council is a political division of the City of Los Angeles representing a central-south area of the city. It is one of fifteen districts that elect a member to the Los Angeles City Council. The district is known for its significant African American cultural and political history, encompassing historic neighborhoods like Leimert Park and Crenshaw. Its current representative is interim Councilmember Heather Hutt.

Geography

The district is located in the central-south portion of the city, roughly bounded by Slauson Avenue to the south, Crenshaw Boulevard and Western Avenue to the west, the Santa Monica Freeway (I-10) to the north, and the Harbor Freeway (I-110) to the east. It includes the neighborhoods of Baldwin Hills, Crenshaw, Leimert Park, West Adams, Historic South Central, and parts of Mid-City. The district's topography is generally flat, with the Baldwin Hills providing a notable elevated area.

Demographics

According to the 2020 United States Census, the district has a population of approximately 261,000 residents. It has historically been a center of African American life in Los Angeles, though it has become increasingly diverse. Significant populations include Latino and Korean American communities. Key demographic indicators, such as median household income and educational attainment, vary widely between its affluent northwestern areas like Baldwin Hills and other more working-class neighborhoods.

History

The district was created in 1925 with the expansion of the Los Angeles City Council from nine to fifteen seats. Throughout the mid-20th century, it became the heart of the city's African American community, especially following the Second Great Migration. The district was represented for decades by prominent figures like Tom Bradley, who later became the first African American mayor of Los Angeles, and Nate Holden. It was the epicenter of cultural movements like the West Coast hip hop scene and was deeply affected by events such as the 1992 civil unrest.

Government and politics

The district is represented on the Los Angeles City Council by interim Councilmember Heather Hutt, who was appointed in 2022 following the resignation of Mark Ridley-Thomas. Ridley-Thomas, a former County Supervisor, was a dominant political force in the area for years. The district is a stronghold for the Democratic Party and is part of California's 37th congressional district, represented in the U.S. House by Sydney Kamlager-Dove. Key local issues include affordable housing, economic development, and public safety.

Economy and infrastructure

The district's economy is anchored by commercial corridors along Crenshaw Boulevard and Western Avenue, featuring numerous small businesses, restaurants, and cultural institutions. Major employers include the Kaiser Permanente medical center on Crenshaw Boulevard and the Los Angeles Unified School District. The district is served by several stations of the Metro Rail system, including the K Line stations at Leimert Park and Crenshaw/Expo, connecting it to Downtown Los Angeles and LAX. The Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital in Willowbrook is a critical healthcare facility.

Notable places

The district contains several culturally and historically significant landmarks. Leimert Park is renowned as a hub for African American art and music, home to venues like the World Stage. The Crenshaw Wall is a historic mural celebrating African American history. Other notable sites include the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, the African American Firefighter Museum, the Vision Theatre, and the Museum of African American Art. The district also contains the University of Southern California's Health Sciences Campus and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, which is adjacent to its northern boundary.