Rancho Dominguez and Compton are two distinct areas located in southern Los Angeles County in California. While they border each other geographically, they have separate histories and identities.
Rancho Dominguez has its origins as part of a historic Spanish land grant called Rancho San Pedro, which covered over 75,000 acres of land. The rancho was granted by the King of Spain in 1784 to Juan José Domínguez, a retired Spanish soldier. Over time, the southern part of the rancho became known as Rancho Dominguez.
In contrast, Compton originated later as an unincorporated area that was home to successive waves of settlers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was named after Griffith D. Compton, who arrived in the area in 1867. Compton was incorporated as a city in 1888.
Today, the boundaries between Rancho Dominguez and Compton are clearly delineated. However, the two communities are closely linked geographically and share some historical roots from the era of Spanish settlement in California.
Geographical Location
Rancho Dominguez and Compton are neighboring communities located in the southern part of Los Angeles County, California. Rancho Dominguez is situated approximately 15 miles south of downtown Los Angeles, while Compton is located around 10 miles south of downtown LA.
Rancho Dominguez is bounded by the city of Compton to the north, the city of Long Beach to the south and southeast, the community of Willowbrook to the west, and the city of Paramount to the east. Compton is surrounded by the cities of Lynwood and Paramount to the east, South Gate and Willowbrook to the south, West Compton to the west, and the unincorporated community of Rancho Dominguez to the north.
Both cities occupy a gateway region between Los Angeles proper and the neighboring counties of Orange and Riverside. This strategic location along the I-110 and I-105 freeways has shaped the development of Rancho Dominguez and Compton over the years.
Boundaries
Rancho Dominguez is an unincorporated community located in Los Angeles County, California. It is situated between the cities of Compton, Carson, Long Beach, and Torrance. The boundaries of Rancho Dominguez are generally considered to be north of Alondra Boulevard, south of Artesia Boulevard, east of Wilmington Avenue, and west of Central Avenue.
Compton is an incorporated city located in southern Los Angeles County, California. It is surrounded by the neighborhoods of Willowbrook, Watts, Lynwood, Paramount, and East Compton. The boundaries of Compton are generally considered to be north of El Segundo Boulevard, south of Greenleaf Boulevard, east of Central Avenue, and west of Alameda Street.
So while Rancho Dominguez and Compton border each other, they have distinct and separate boundaries.
Source: https://mapcarta.com/N150935555
Demographics
Rancho Dominguez and Compton have some notable demographic differences. According to the 2010 US Census, Rancho Dominguez had a population of 15,816 while Compton had a population of 96,456. Rancho Dominguez has a predominantly Hispanic/Latino population, with over 75% of residents identifying as such. In contrast, Compton has a larger African American population at around 31%. The median age in Rancho Dominguez is 28, with over 30% under the age of 18. Compton has an older median age of 28.4, with under 30% under 18.
In terms of income, the median household income in Rancho Dominguez is around $45,000 while it is $42,952 in Compton. Rancho Dominguez also has a higher home ownership rate of over 60%, compared to just under 50% for Compton. While the communities have some demographic similarities in terms of income and age, Rancho Dominguez stands out for its predominantly Hispanic population compared to Compton’s larger African American population.
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History
Rancho Dominguez has a long history going back to the Spanish colonial era. The area was originally part of a 75,000 acre Spanish land grant called Rancho San Pedro that was gifted in 1784 by the King of Spain to Juan José Domínguez, a retired Spanish soldier (Domingo Rancho History). The grant included the entire present-day South Bay region of Los Angeles County. Domínguez used the land mainly for cattle ranching.
Over time, portions of the original rancho lands were sold off. In the 1860s, some of the ranch lands were acquired by Manuel Dominguez, a nephew of the original owner. This area, centered around the Dominguez Ranch House, became known as Rancho Dominguez. The ranch lands began to be subdivided for agriculture and residential development in the early 20th century. The cities of Compton and Carson, which are now part of the South Bay region, were founded in the Rancho Dominguez area in the late 19th and early 20th centuries (The Historic Dominguez Rancho Adobe).
Economy and Industry
The economy of Compton City & West Rancho Dominguez focuses heavily on transportation, health care, retail trade, and manufacturing according to datausa.io. Major employers in the area include the Compton Unified School District, the City of Compton, and Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Centers. Other top industries are construction, transportation and warehousing, accommodation and food services, and public administration.
Meanwhile, West Rancho Dominguez’s economy relies more on educational services, health care, social assistance, manufacturing, and transportation and warehousing as noted by the US Census. The top major employer in West Rancho Dominguez is AltaMed Health Services Corporation. The area also has sizable wholesale trade, retail trade, construction, and finance industries.
Crime
Rancho Dominguez has historically had high rates of violent crime compared to the national average. According to Best Places, the violent crime rate in Rancho Dominguez is 26.2 per 100,000 residents, much higher than the national average of 22.7 per 100,000. However, the murder rate is relatively low at 0.0315 per 1,000 residents, as reported by Crime Grade. Many residents do not feel safe in Rancho Dominguez due to the high rates of assault, robbery, and other violent crimes. Compton, a nearby suburb, has even higher crime rates than Rancho Dominguez.
Improving public safety and reducing crime should be a high priority for the community. Additional resources for law enforcement, youth programs, and economic development could help make Rancho Dominguez a safer place to live and work.
Education
Rancho Dominguez and Compton share many of the same school districts and educational institutions. The Compton Unified School District serves students in Compton as well as parts of Rancho Dominguez, including Dominguez High School and East Rancho Dominguez Middle School (Source 1). Other schools located in Rancho Dominguez include Virginia Avenue Park Community Adult School, Wisdom Elementary School, and St. Paul Baptist Schools (Source 2).
In terms of education levels, around 70% of residents in both Rancho Dominguez and Compton have a high school degree or higher, while around 10-15% have a bachelor’s degree or higher. Compton Community College also provides higher education opportunities for residents of both communities.
Culture
Rancho Dominguez and Compton both have rich cultural histories as working-class communities with large Black and Hispanic populations. However, there are some key differences in the cultural offerings of each city.
Rancho Dominguez has fewer major cultural attractions compared to Compton. While Compton is home to attractions like the Compton Cricket Club and the Compton Community College Art Gallery, Rancho Dominguez’s amenities are more neighborhood-focused, like local parks and community centers.
Both cities host annual cultural events celebrating their diversity. Rancho Dominguez highlights its Hispanic heritage through events like the Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum’s annual La Fiesta de Los Niños. Meanwhile, Compton hosts events like the Compton Gospel Fest and the Compton Cowboy Rodeo Drawing on its Black cowboy history.
Food is another expression of culture. Compton is known for soul food restaurants and its hybrid Mexican-Korean cuisine. Rancho Dominguez also has authentic Mexican and Salvadoran restaurants reflecting the Central American immigrant communities.
Overall, while Rancho Dominguez has a rich Latino culture, Compton offers more established museums, events, and cuisine representing both the African American and Hispanic communities that have defined the city’s cultural landscape.
Conclusion
In summary, Rancho Dominguez and Compton share some similarities but also have some distinct differences. Both are located in the South Los Angeles region and have historically had large Black populations. However, Rancho Dominguez is an unincorporated community while Compton is an independent city.
Rancho Dominguez also has a smaller population, lower household incomes, and lower home values compared to Compton. Both have struggled with crime and poverty over the years, but this has likely been more acute in Rancho Dominguez. On the other hand, Compton has a more well-known national reputation and identity, especially tied to hip hop culture.
While connected geographically, economically, and socially, Rancho Dominguez maintains a separate identity from its larger neighbor Compton. Understanding the nuances between the two communities provides insights into the diverse fabric of South Los Angeles.