Mid City, Los Angeles

The Holmes-Shannon House in Victoria Park was built in 1911.

Apartment building at San Vicente and Pico boulevards

The 2000 U.S. census counted 52,197 residents in the 3.47-square-mile neighborhood—an average of 15,051 people per square mile, among the highest population densities in Los Angeles County. In 2008, the city estimated that the population had increased to 55,016. The median age for residents was 31, about average for both the city and the county.[5]

Mid City was said to be "highly diverse" when compared to the city at large, with a diversity index of 0.637. The ethnic breakdown in 2000 was: Latinos, 45.2%; blacks, 38.3%; whites, 9.5%; Asians, 3.9%; and others, 3.1%. Mexico (46) and El Salvador (15.6%) were the most common places of birth for the 35.1% of the residents who were born abroad, a figure that was considered average for the city and county.[5]

The median household income in 2008 dollars was $43,711, considered average for the city. The percentage of households earning $20,000 or less was high, compared to the county at large. The average household size of 2.8 people was just about average for Los Angeles. Renters occupied 68.9% of the housing units, and home- or apartment owners the rest.[5]

The percentages of never-married men (43.2%) and never-married women (35%) were among the county's highest. The census found 2,748 families headed by single parents, the 23.4% rate being considered high for both the city and the county.[5]

Smaller neighborhoods within Mid City include:

• Reynier Village. Rocha House, the 13th Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument, is located in the village.[7]
• Lafayette Square, a historic semi-gated neighborhood. It was designated by the city as a Los Angeles Historic Preservation Overlay Zone in 2000.
• Brookside
• Crestview
• Little Ethiopia
• Picfair Village
• Faircrest Heights
• La Cienega Heights
• Wellington Square
• Victoria Park
• Arlington Heights

Holy Spirit Catholic Church.

• Nate Holden Performing Arts Center – Located at 4718 West Washington Boulevard, the center is the home of the Ebony Repertory Theater Company.[11]
• The Del Mar Theater – Located at 5036 W. Pico Boulevard, the theater's blue and yellow neon facade was re-lit in 2003 as part of the non-profit "Pico Revitalization Project".[12]
• The Comedy Union – Located at 5040 W. Pico Boulevard, The Comedy Union is a comedy club that showcases black comedians.[13]
• Midtown Crossing, a retail power center on the site of the former large Sears store (1930s–1990s) at Pico and Rimpau
• The Mint – Located at 6010 W. Pico Boulevard, The Mint is a music club that was established in 1937.[14] Past performers include Macy Gray, The Wallflowers, and Natalie Cole.[15]
• Beth Chayim Chadashim – recognized by the Los Angeles Conservancy for its "cultural significance" as the world's first lesbian and gay synagogue
• Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles – Local branch of the restaurant chain.
• United States Post Office, Ray Charles Station – An existing post office at 4960 West Washington Boulevard was renamed in honor of singer Ray Charles in 2005.[16]

• Gladys Jean Wesson Park, 2508 S W Blvd
• Vineyard Recreation Center, 2942 Vineyard Ave
• Mascot Park, Mascot Street and Pickford Street
• Washington Irving Pocket Park, 4103 W. Washington Blvd
• Mid City has an aquatic gym in the name of Eleanor Green Roberts Aquatic Center located on 4526 W Pico Blvd

Mid City residents aged 25 and older holding a four-year degree amounted to 16.8% of the population in 2000, about average for both the city and the county.[5]

These are the elementary or secondary schools within the neighborhood's boundaries:[5]

Alexander Hamilton High School

The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) operates public schools:

• Hamilton High School, 2955 Robertson Boulevard
• Saturn Street Elementary School, 5360 Saturn Street
• Los Angeles Senior High, 4650 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, 90019
• Alta Loma Elementary School, 1745 Vineyard Avenue
• Shenandoah Street Elementary School, 2450 Shenandoah Street
• Virginia Road Elementary School, 2925 Virginia Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90016
• Marvin Avenue Elementary School, 2411 S Marvin Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90016
• Cienega Elementary School, 2611 S Orange Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90016
• Futuro College Preparatory Elementary School, LAUSD charter, 3838 Rosemead Avenue
• Crescent Heights Boulevard Elementary School, alternative school, 1661 South Crescent Heights Boulevard
• Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies, alternative school, 5931 West 18th Street[17]

Community Magnet School, an arts and humanities magnet primary school, was located in Mid City since its founding in 1977,[18][19] for a period of around 25 years. It had been located in an area within the Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies campus.[18] By October 2002, Community Magnet had moved to its new location in Bel-Air.[20]

Previously the community was home to the Open Magnet Charter School, which was located on the campus of the Crescent Heights School. The Open school later moved to Westchester.[18] Current charter school includes Stella Middle Charter Academy

• Harold Harby, Los Angeles City Council member, 1939–42, 1943–57[5][21][22]
• Charles Bukowski, 1931–42, then returned in 1947[23]
• Earl Sweatshirt, rapper, record producer and songwriter from Los Angeles[24]
• Blueface, rapper, grew up in Mid City for most of his youth.[25]