This vibrant, progressive urban village, dubbed "The Creative City," is home to many artists, actors, writers, musicians and design professionals of all kinds. From the world-famous Sunset Strip and its many trendy nightclubs and restaurants, to the Avenues of Art and Design, an international center for interior design anchored by the Pacific Design Center, West Hollywood is a thriving business location distinguished by its unique lifestyle and concentration of creative talent.
The City of West Hollywood is a Council-Manager type municipality with five Council members elected at large to four year terms on a staggered basis. Police service is contracted with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and Fire protection through the Los Angeles County and Consolidated Fire Protection District.
West Hollywood has one of the lowest business tax rates in the Los Angeles region. In a comparison of local cities, West Hollywood has lower annual rates than the other four cities in all categories except personal service. Additionally, the City of West Hollywood provides business tax credits for new businesses.
According to the 2000 Census, West Hollywood's population is 35,716 and has remained stable within the past ten years, with a 1.1 percent decrease between 1990 and 2000. This is also consistent with the 1.2 percent increase between 1980 and 1990. The area that currently comprises West Hollywood had its greatest increase in the past three decades between 1970 and 1980 when the population grew by 21.3 percent. One of the unique aspects of West Hollywood is the significant number of residents who are Russian-speaking or approximately 13.6 percent.
The 2000 Census indicates that West Hollywood has an aging population, 88 percent of the residents were age 25 or older. Almost half of the population was adults age 25 to 44 with the largest portion, 26.4 percent, being age 25 to 34. The City's median age of 39.4 years old far exceeded the County median of 32 years old. The city had a very small population of youth with only 6.4 percent of the residents being age 19 or younger.
West Hollywood is characterized as a well-educated City with 21.2 percent of the population 25 years and over have some college, 6.5 percent associate degrees, 31.1 percent bachelor's degrees and 15.7 percent graduate degrees. Only 8.8 percent of the City's residents did not graduate from high school, compared to 30 percent of the County's residents.
On average, residents of West Hollywood earned less income in 1999 than County residents. The median household income of City was $38,914 with over 29 percent of households having incomes in excess of $50,000. The County median household income was $42,189. The City's per capita income exceeded that of the County by $17, 619. The 1999 CACI-Information Decision Systems Market Profile Report indicates that West Hollywood resident's average income and per capita income each increased by 36 percent and median income increased by 24 percent. The County average income increased by 32 percent while the median income increased by 23 percent and the per capita income increased by 38 percent.
Important Numbers West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce 8278 1/2 Santa Monica Blvd. West Hollywood CA 90046 (323) 650-2688 www.wehochamber.org
Average Household Size: 2.24 persons 1990 - 2000 change in population -1.1% 1980 - 1990 change in population +1.2% 1970 - 1980 change in population +21.3%
Mean household income: $39,014 Median household income: $29,314
This vibrant, progressive urban village, dubbed "The Creative City," is home to many artists, actors, writers, musicians and design professionals of all kinds. From the world-famous Sunset Strip and its many trendy nightclubs and restaurants, to the Avenues of Art and Design, an international center for interior design anchored by the Pacific Design Center, West Hollywood is a thriving business location distinguished by its unique lifestyle and concentration of creative talent.