Hawthorne is a city in southwestern Los Angeles County, California. The city in 2000 had a population of 84,112.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 6.1 square miles (15.7 km²), all land.

To the north of Hawthorne is the unincorporated community of Lennox and the city of Inglewood. To the east is the unincorporated community of Athens and the city of Gardena. To the south is the unincorporated community of El Camino Village, and the cities of Lawndale and Redondo Beach. Manhattan Beach is at the southwest corner of Hawthorne, and the city of El Segundo is to the west of Hawthorne. The unincorporated community of Del Aire is surrounded on three sides by the city of Hawthorne along western edge of Hawthorne.

The Century Freeway (Glenn Anderson Freeway, I-105) runs along the northern boundary of Hawthorne, with the LACMTA Green Line light rail line running down the center of the Century Freeway. The San Diego Freeway (I-405) runs along the western boundary of Hawthorne. Major east-west streets in Hawthorne include Rosecrans Ave., El Segundo Ave., and Imperial Highway. Major north-south streets include Aviation Blvd., Inglewood Ave., Hawthorne Blvd., Prairie Ave., Crenshaw Blvd., and Van Ness Ave.

Hawthorne is five miles (8 km) from the Los Angeles International Airport.

Hawthorne comprises ZIP codes, 90250 and 90251. It is in a 310 area code, except for a small portion of northeastern Hawthorne, which is located in a 323 area code.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 84,112 people, 28,536 households, and 19,775 families residing in the city. The population density was 13,879.4 inhabitants per square mile (5,359.0/km²). There were 29,629 housing units at an average density of 4,889.1 per square mile (1,887.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 29.27% White, 39.02% Black or African American, 0.75% Native American, 6.73% Asian, 0.86% Pacific Islander, 24.16% from other races, and 5.22% from two or more races. 44.3% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 28,536 households, out of which 43.7% included children under the age of 18, 38.6% were married couples living together, 23.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.7% were non-families. 24.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.93 and the average family size was 3.50.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 31.7% under the age of 18, 11.3% from 18 to 24, 34.9% from 25 to 44, 16.1% from 45 to 64, and 6.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females there were 92.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,887, and the median income for a family was $35,149. Males had a median income of $29,481 versus $27,427 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,022. About 18.4% of families and 20.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.6% of those under age 18 and 9.0% of ages 65 or over.

Local government

According to the city’s most recent "Comprehensive Annual Financial Report," its various funds had $126.1 million in revenues, $113.2 million in expenditures, $220.2 million in total assets, $152.7 million in total liabilities, and $29.6 million in cash and investments. The structure of the management and coordination of city services is: