Beverly Hills, California is a renowned community located within 5.7 square miles in the Southern California area. It is home to 35,000 residents and attracts millions of visitors annually. Known for its beautiful landscape, ideal climate, and variety of dining, entertainment, shopping, and cultural experiences, the city has a reputation as a desirable place to live, work, and visit. It is surrounded by Los Angeles and West Hollywood and offers excellent public safety, schools, infrastructure, and recreational activities. The city’s policies are determined by a five-member City Council, with the Mayor being elected annually from within the Council, and the City Manager overseeing daily government operations.
Glamorous History
In the early 20th century, the hotel industry in Beverly Hills attracted many famous movie stars, including Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford, who bought an existing hunting lodge and transformed it into their mansion, Pickfair, in 1919. This sparked a trend, as other celebrities such as Gloria Swanson, Will Rogers, Thomas Ince, Charlie Chaplin, Tom Mix, Carl Laemmle, Ronald Coleman, King Vidor, John Barrymore, Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd, Jack Warner, Clara Bow, Marion Davies, Harry Cohn and Rudolph Valentino also built luxurious homes in the area.
During the 1920s, the construction of a large, banked wooden racetrack in the southern part of the city further propelled Beverly Hills into the public consciousness through radio broadcasts of races that were on the same scale as the Indy 500. The speedway was also used as a base for another national trend: aviation.
After World War II, Beverly Hills continued to establish itself as a global hub of luxury living, dining, recreation, and shopping. The Golden Triangle, anchored by Rodeo Drive, was constructed and marketed as a premier shopping destination. Many more high-end hotels, such as the Beverly Wilshire, opened, drawing visitors from around the world. The city’s reputation was further solidified through various television shows and movies set in Beverly Hills, including The Jack Benny Show in the 1950s, The Beverly Hillbillies in the 1960s, and Beverly Hills Cop and Beverly Hills 90210 in later years.
In the 1950s, with few vacant lots remaining, developers began leveling entire hills to address the housing shortage. Today, that type of excessive development has slowed, and the population is around 34,000 and growing slowly. However, the allure of Beverly Hills as a place of wealth and beauty persists, a legacy dating back to the Tongva people who taught residents to appreciate the present while preserving the past.
Demographics
As of the 2010 United States Census, Beverly Hills had a population of 34,109, with a population density of 5,973.1 people per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was primarily White (82.4%), with a small percentage of African American (2.2%), Asian (8.9%), and other races (4.9%). The Hispanic or Latino population made up 5.7% of the population. Almost all of the population (99.6%) lived in households, with a small percentage (0.4%) living in non-institutionalized group quarters.
The census reported 14,869 households, with 25.3% having children under 18, 44.5% being opposite-sex married couples, 9.1% having a female householder with no husband present, and 3.3% having a male householder with no wife present. There were also a small number of unmarried opposite-sex partnerships (3.1%) and same-sex married couples or partnerships (0.9%). 36.3% of households were made up of individuals, and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 3.05.
The population was distributed among different age groups, with 19.4% being under 18, 7.4% being between 18 and 24, 25.0% being between 25 and 44, 29.0% being between 45 and 64, and 19.1% being 65 or older. The median age was 43.6 years. There were more females than males, with 84.3 males for every 100 females, and 80.3 males for every 100 females over 18.
There were 16,394 housing units, with an average density of 2,870.9 per square mile, 44.1% of which were owned and 55.9% were rented. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.0%. 52% of the population lived in owner-occupied housing units and 47.6% lived in rental housing units.
During the period of 2009-2013, Beverly Hills had a median household income of $86,141, with 8.8% of the population living below the federal poverty line.
Captivating Places
Trousdale Estates is a neighborhood of large, high-end homes located in Beverly Hills. It covers 410 acres and was primarily developed in the 1950s and 60s by Paul Trousdale. He had the land incorporated into Beverly Hills after purchasing it from The Doheny Family. The area boasts Greystone Mansion, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The average sale price for homes in Trousdale Estates is above $10 million.
Rodeo Drive is a street that is known for its luxury fashion boutiques and high-end shopping. It is one of the most famous shopping destinations in the world and attracts visitors from all over the globe. The street is lined with designer stores, such as Chanel, Gucci, Prada, and Louis Vuitton, as well as jewelers like Harry Winston and Van Cleef & Arpels. Rodeo Drive is also home to luxury department stores like Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue. The street is known for its iconic fashion, glamour, and exclusivity. Along with the high-end shopping, Rodeo Drive is also known for its designer restaurants, elegant cafes, and exclusive salons. Visitors can also enjoy the beautiful architecture and landscaping that adorns the street.
Beverly Gardens Park is a public park that runs along Santa Monica Boulevard for about 1.9 miles, and is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike. The park features a large central median with a series of lighted, illuminated arches that spell out “Beverly Hills” in large letters. Along the median, there are also a number of sculptures, fountains, and other public artworks. The park also has a variety of trees and shrubs, as well as lawns and gardens. It is a popular spot for walking, jogging, and picnicking.
The park also offers recreational facilities such as playgrounds, tennis courts, basketball courts and a fitness zone, also it has a free fitness program of yoga and Zumba classes that are held regularly.
Additionally, it is home to the Beverly Hills Farmers Market, held every Sunday, showcasing local farmers selling fresh produce, flowers, and baked goods.
The park also hosts many events throughout the year, including concerts, festivals, and art shows. It is a great place to experience the natural beauty of Beverly Hills and enjoy some of the city’s cultural offerings.
Greystone Mansion is a historic mansion built in 1928 by oil tycoon Edward L. Doheny as a gift for his son Ned. The mansion was designed by Gordon Kaufmann, a prominent architect of the time and was built in the Tudor Revival style. The mansion sits on a 18.3-acre estate and features 55 rooms, including a ballroom, a music room, a dining room, and a library.
The mansion is now owned by the city of Beverly Hills and is open to the public for tours, events, and filming. The Greystone Mansion and its grounds have been used as a filming location for many movies and TV shows, including The Big Lebowski, X-Men, and The Social Network. The mansion is also used for events such as weddings, receptions, and corporate events.
The mansion is also home to the Greystone Estate, a park with hiking trails, picnic areas, and a playground. The park offers visitors an opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty of the area while taking in the history and architecture of the mansion.
Greystone Mansion is considered one of the most significant remaining examples of an American Estate of the period and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts is a performing arts center housed in the historic Beverly Hills Post Office building, which was built in 1934 and was later transformed into a state-of-the-art performing arts venue. The center comprises of three venues: the 500-seat Bram Goldsmith Theater, the 150-seat Lovelace Studio Theater, and the 70-seat Lovelace Studio Theater.
The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts presents a wide range of programming, including theater, dance, music, and film. They host productions by local and international companies, as well as offering education and outreach programs for the community. The center also serves as a cultural hub for the community, hosting lectures, workshops, and other events.
The building was designed by the renowned architect William Pereira, and it features a sleek, modern design that contrasts with the original Art Deco architecture of the post office building. The center has undergone a $70 million renovation and restoration to preserve the historic elements of the building while creating a state-of-the-art theater. The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts is considered one of the most significant cultural institutions in the region, offering world-class performances and programs for the community.
The Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation is a private art established in the 1960s by Frederick R. Weisman, a businessman and art collector who wanted to share his collection with the public. The museum is housed in a mansion built in the 1920s, which was designed by the architect Paul Williams.
The museum’s collection includes works by American and European artists, with a focus on modern and contemporary art. Some of the artists represented in the collection include Paul Cézanne, Edgar Degas, Salvador Dalí, Joan Miró, and Mark Rothko. The collection also includes works by American artists such as John Singer Sargent, James McNeill Whistler, and Winslow Homer.
The museum is open to the public by appointment only, and it is a non-profit organization that does not charge admission. It is also used as a location for events, such as lectures, symposiums, and concerts. The Foundation is considered one of the best private art museums in the region, showcasing a valuable and diverse collection of artworks.
Classy Education
The Beverly Hills Unified School District is responsible for the education of students in Beverly Hills and it includes two elementary schools (Hawthorne and Horace Mann), one middle school (Beverly Vista), and Beverly Hills High School. Additionally, there is an alternative school, Moreno High School, that shares its campus with Beverly Hills High School. In addition to public schools, Beverly Hills also has private schools, such as Good Shepherd School, a PreK-8 institution that is part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles, and Harkham Hillel Hebrew Academy.
Hawthorne Elementary School is a public school that serves students in grades K-5 and is part of the Beverly Hills Unified School District. The school has a diverse student population and it is known for its strong academic programs, dedicated teachers and staff, and a supportive community.
The school offers a variety of academic programs, including a focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. The school also has a strong music and art program, as well as physical education. The school has a comprehensive after school program that includes sports, music and other activities.
Hawthorne Elementary School is known for its strong sense of community, and it is a place where students, parents, and staff work together to create a positive and supportive learning environment. The school is also known for its commitment to helping students develop the skills they need to be successful in life, including critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity.
Beverly Hills High School (BHHS) is a public high school that serves students in grades 9-12 and is part of the Beverly Hills Unified School District. BHHS is known for its strong academic programs, dedicated teachers and staff, and a supportive community.
The school offers a wide range of academic programs, including honors and Advanced Placement (AP) classes, as well as a variety of elective courses in subjects such as music, art, theater, and foreign languages. The school also has a strong sports program, with teams competing in various sports such as football, basketball, soccer, and more.
BHHS is also known for its diverse student body, with a mix of students from different cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. The school has a strong commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive community, and it is a place where students can develop the skills they need to be successful in college and in life.
Beverly Hills High School is also known for its strong alumni network, many of them are well known in entertainment, business and political fields, and for its beautiful and historic campus, which was built in the 1920s and is considered an architectural landmark.
Good Shepherd School is a private, Catholic school that serves students in Pre-K through 8th grade and is part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The school is known for its strong academic program, dedicated teachers and staff, and a supportive community.
The school offers a rigorous curriculum that includes core subjects such as math, science, English, and social studies, as well as elective courses in subjects such as art, music, and foreign languages. Religion classes are also an important part of the curriculum. The school also has a strong sports program, with teams competing in various sports such as football, basketball, soccer, and more.
Good Shepherd School is known for its strong sense of community, and it is a place where students, parents, and staff work together to create a positive and supportive learning environment. The school is also known for its commitment to helping students develop the skills they need to be successful in life, including critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. The school is also known for its strong emphasis on Catholic values and faith formation.
