Generated by DeepSeek V3.2| City of Pasadena | |
|---|---|
| Name | City of Pasadena |
| Settlement type | City |
| Nickname | Crown of the Valley, Rose City |
| Motto | "Progress, Service, Integrity" |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision name | United States |
| Subdivision type1 | State |
| Subdivision name1 | California |
| Subdivision type2 | County |
| Subdivision name2 | Los Angeles |
| Established title | Founded |
| Established date | 1874 |
| Established title2 | Incorporated |
| Established date2 | June 19, 1886 |
| Founder | Thomas B. Elliott, Daniel M. Berry |
| Government type | Council–manager |
| Leader title | Mayor |
| Leader name | Victor Gordo |
| Leader title1 | City manager |
| Leader name1 | Miguel Márquez |
| Area total sq mi | 23.18 |
| Area land sq mi | 22.66 |
| Area water sq mi | 0.52 |
| Elevation ft | 863 |
| Population total | 138,699 |
| Population as of | 2020 |
| Population density sq mi | auto |
| Timezone | PST |
| Utc offset | −8 |
| Timezone DST | PDT |
| Utc offset DST | −7 |
| Postal code type | ZIP Codes |
| Postal code | 91101–91110, 91114–91118, 91121, 91123–91126, 91129, 91182, 91184, 91185, 91188, 91189 |
| Area code | 626, 323 |
| Blank name | FIPS code |
| Blank info | 06-56000 |
| Blank1 name | GNIS feature IDs |
| Blank1 info | 1652767, 2411376 |
| Website | cityofpasadena.net |
City of Pasadena is a prominent city in Los Angeles County, situated at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains. Renowned for hosting the annual Rose Parade and the Rose Bowl Game, it is a major cultural and scientific center within the Greater Los Angeles area. The city is home to prestigious institutions like the California Institute of Technology and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, blending historic charm with modern innovation.
The area was originally inhabited by the Hahamog'na, a branch of the Tongva people, before becoming part of the Rancho San Pascual under Mexican California. Following the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and California statehood, the Indiana Colony, a group of settlers from Indiana, established the community in 1874, naming it after Pasadena, Minnesota. The arrival of the Southern Pacific Railroad and the completion of the Hotel Green spurred growth, with the city's climate making it a famed health resort. The 1890 founding of the Tournament of Roses and the subsequent construction of the Rose Bowl cemented its national reputation, while the establishment of Throop University, which later became Caltech, and the move of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory from the Guggenheim Aeronautical Laboratory at the California Institute of Technology established its scientific pedigree. Key figures in its development include Henry E. Huntington, whose Pacific Electric Railway connected it to Los Angeles, and architects like Greene and Greene, who defined its Arts and Crafts movement aesthetic.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city encompasses a total area of 23.2 square miles, with the Arroyo Seco watercourse running through it. It is bordered by the cities of Altadena to the north, San Marino and South Pasadena to the south, and Arcadia to the east, with the San Gabriel Valley providing its regional context. The landscape rises from the alluvial plain toward the front range of the San Gabriel Mountains, which are part of the Angeles National Forest. Notable geographic features include the Devil's Gate Dam and the lush expanses of the Brookside Park and the Descanso Gardens.
As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 138,699, reflecting a diverse community. The racial makeup includes significant Asian American, Hispanic or Latino, and White populations. The city has a high educational attainment level, heavily influenced by the presence of Caltech and Pasadena City College. Historically, neighborhoods like Bungalow Heaven and the Annandale district have been home to notable residents such as Theodore von Kármán, Jacqueline Cochran, and Julia Morgan.
The economy is anchored by education, science, and healthcare, with major employers being the California Institute of Technology, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (managed for NASA), and Huntington Hospital. The Pasadena Playhouse District and Old Pasadena are vibrant commercial and retail centers, while the Colorado Boulevard corridor hosts numerous businesses. The city is a hub for technology and engineering firms, many spun off from research at Caltech, and the annual Rose Bowl Game and related events generate significant tourism revenue. Corporate headquarters have included those of Avery Dennison and Wetzel's Pretzels.
The city is internationally famous for the Tournament of Roses Parade on Colorado Boulevard and the Rose Bowl Game, a major college football contest. Cultural institutions include the Norton Simon Museum, housing works by Rembrandt and Degas; the Pasadena Museum of California Art; and the Pasadena Symphony and POPS. Architectural landmarks span from the Gamble House and the Pasadena City Hall to the modern Pasadena Convention Center. The Pasadena Chalk Festival and the Doo Dah Parade offer eclectic community events, while dining and shopping thrive in districts like Old Pasadena and South Lake Avenue.
The city operates under a Council–manager government system, with a mayor elected at-large and a City Council representing six districts. The current mayor is Victor Gordo, and the city manager is Miguel Márquez. Key municipal services are provided by the Pasadena Police Department and the Pasadena Fire Department. The city is a charter city under the California Constitution and provides its own utilities through Pasadena Water and Power. It falls within California's 28th congressional district, represented in the U.S. House by Judy Chu.
Category:Cities in Los Angeles County, California Category:Populated places established in 1874