Westminster, California

Westminster, California
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Name	Westminster, California
Settlement type	City

Westminster, California is a city located in Orange County, California, near the cities of Garden Grove, California, Fountain Valley, California, and Santa Ana, California. The city is situated approximately 30 miles southeast of Los Angeles, California, and is part of the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area. Westminster is also close to several major attractions, including Knott's Berry Farm, Disneyland, and Huntington Beach, California. The city is served by the Westminster Mall, a large shopping center that features stores such as Macy's, Sears, and Target Corporation.

Geography

Westminster is located at an elevation of 39 feet above sea level, and has a total area of 10.0 square miles. The city is bordered by Huntington Beach, California to the west, Fountain Valley, California to the east, Garden Grove, California to the north, and Santa Ana, California to the southeast. Westminster is situated near the San Diego Creek, which flows into the Pacific Ocean at Newport Bay, California. The city's geography is also influenced by its proximity to the Santa Ana Mountains, which are located to the east. Nearby cities include Irvine, California, Costa Mesa, California, and Newport Beach, California, which are all part of the Orange County, California region. Westminster is also close to several major highways, including Interstate 405 (California), California State Route 22, and California State Route 39.

History

The area that is now Westminster was originally inhabited by the Tongva people, who were later displaced by Spanish and Mexican settlers. The city was founded in 1870 by Rev. Lemuel Webber, a Presbyterian Church (USA) minister who established a church and a school in the area. Westminster was officially incorporated as a city in 1957, and has since grown into a thriving community with a diverse population. The city's history is also closely tied to the history of Orange County, California, which was established in 1889. Nearby cities, such as Santa Ana, California and Anaheim, California, also played a significant role in the region's development. Westminster is also close to several historic sites, including the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum and the Crystal Cathedral.

Demographics

As of the 2010 United States Census, the population of Westminster was approximately 89,701 people. The city has a diverse population, with a mix of White Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic and Latino Americans, and African Americans. The median household income in Westminster is around $50,000, and the median home price is approximately $400,000. The city is also home to a large population of Vietnamese Americans, who have established a thriving community in the area. Nearby cities, such as Garden Grove, California and Fountain Valley, California, also have diverse populations. Westminster is also close to several major universities, including the University of California, Irvine, California State University, Fullerton, and Chapman University.

Economy

The economy of Westminster is driven by a mix of industries, including retail trade, health care and social assistance, and manufacturing. The city is home to several major employers, including Kaiser Permanente, St. Jude Medical Center, and Walmart. Westminster is also a popular tourist destination, with attractions such as the Westminster Mall and the Asian Garden Mall. The city's economy is also influenced by its proximity to several major industries, including aerospace engineering and biotechnology. Nearby cities, such as Irvine, California and Newport Beach, California, are also major economic centers. Westminster is also close to several major transportation hubs, including John Wayne Airport and the Port of Long Beach.

Government

The city of Westminster is governed by a city council, which is composed of five members elected by the citizens of Westminster. The city is also part of the Orange County, California government, which provides services such as law enforcement and public health. Westminster is represented in the California State Legislature by State Senator Tom Umberg and Assemblyman Tyler Diep. The city is also represented in the United States Congress by Representative Katie Porter and Representative Alan Lowenthal. Nearby cities, such as Santa Ana, California and Anaheim, California, also have their own city governments. Westminster is also close to several major government institutions, including the Orange County Superior Court and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Education

The city of Westminster is served by the Westminster School District, which operates several public schools in the area. The city is also home to several private schools, including Crean Lutheran High School and St. Boniface Parish School. Westminster is also close to several major universities, including the University of California, Irvine, California State University, Fullerton, and Chapman University. The city's education system is also influenced by its proximity to several major research institutions, including the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. Nearby cities, such as Irvine, California and Newport Beach, California, also have highly rated school districts. Westminster is also close to several major libraries, including the Orange County Public Library and the University of California, Irvine Library. Category: Cities in Orange County, California