Earth Day Network
 Urban Environment Report: How Does Your City Perform?
 
CITY ENVIRONMENT DATA
Los Angeles, California
State California
City Los Angeles
County1 Los Angeles
City Population (2005)2 3,731,437 10.6% of state population
City Population Rank in United States, largest 50 Cities (2005) 2 (of top 50 in U.S.)
City Population Rank in Urban Environment Report (2005) 2 (of 72 in EDN study)
City Population Rank in State (2005) 1
City Size Classification - Population Very Large
City Size Classification - Population Density Medium High Density
State Capitol City Sacramento
State Population (2005)2 35,278,768
 
 
CIVIC LEADERSHIP INFORMATION
Mayor Name (as of 1/1/2007) Antonio Villaraigosa
Mayor/City Website (as of 1/1/2007) http://www.lacity.org/mayor/
Mayor/City Contact (as of 1/1/2007) 213-978-0600
Mayor Political Affiliation (as of 1/1/2007) Democrat
Next General Mayoral Election Tuesday, March 3, 2009
US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement as of 10/18/06   Yes
State Governor Name Arnold Schwarzenegger
State/Governor Website http://www.state.ca.us/state/portal/myca_homepage.jsp
State/Governor Contact Information 916-445-2841
State/Governor Party Affiliation Republican
State Governor Current Term Ends January 1, 2008
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Note: All rank information is out of 72 cities, though not all may have reported in every category.
1 is the 'best' (least polluting, most tree cover, etc) and 72 is the 'worst'.
 

(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
 
EDN VULNERABLE POPULATION INDEX (EDN VPI) 1.50    
Vulnerable Population Estimate 22.5%    
     Disability Status 11.5% 10  
     Emphysema 1.09% 14  
     Cardiovascular Disease 22.42% 14  
     Diabetes 4.68% 14  
     Pediatric Asthma 8.51% 37  
     Adult Asthma 7.85% 25  
     Adult Obesity 20.9%   30
     People Without Health Insurance 19.0%   47
     Age: Children under 5 years 7.6% 42  
     Age: 65 years and over 9.7% 19  
     Not Literate (Adult Level 1 Literacy) 37.0% 61  
     Adults without High School Degree (or higher) 29.9% 5  
     High School Drop-Out Rate 53.6% 20  
     Unemployed (Civilian Labor Force) 8.3% 38  
     Individuals Below Poverty 18.0% 39  
     Children (under 18 years old) Below Poverty 30.3% 55  
     Free or Reduced Lunch 73.5% 55  
     Other Languages Spoken at Home (primary language is not English) 61.4% 70  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
1 • TOXICS & WASTE     (metadata) (score) 3.0    
Overall Toxics Rank Average 38.7 (of 51) 56  
Cumulative Cancer-Causing Chemical Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 107,796,715 pounds   43
Cumulative Developmental Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 51,717,653 pounds 29
Cumulative Reproductive Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 5,264,294 pounds 31
Cumulative Suspected Neurological Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 778,603,113 pounds 40
Cumulative Suspected Respiratory Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 535,867,323 pounds 33
Dioxin Releases by State (grams in 2000) 38.7 grams 25
Number of Superfund Sites in County 17 sites 70  
Municipal Solid Waste Generation, tons per person (1997) 0.989 tons per person 22
Recycling Rate (1997) 30.0% 18
Tons Municipal Solid Waste Generated by State (2004) 54,995,884 tons 50
Municipal Solid Waste Generated Per Capita by State, tons/person (2004) 1.5 tons/person 40
Tons Municipal Solid Waste Recycled by State (2004) 21,766,226 tons 1
% Municipal Solid Waste Recycled by State (2004) 39.6% 6
% Municipal Solid Waste to Waste-to-Energy (2004) 1.5% 25
% Change in Municipal Solid Waste Generated (1997 to 2004) 51.7% 38
% Change in State Recycling Rate (1997 to 2004) 32.0% 7
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
2 • AIR QUALITY     (metadata) (score)    3.4***    
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Released, Tons in 2002 200 tons   4
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) Released, Tons in 2002 10,800 tons   9
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Released, Tons in 2002 31,312,000 tons   18
Mercury Released, Pounds in 2002 0.0 pounds   1
High Ozone Days (annual # of, Weighted Average) (2001-2003) 71.5 days 62  
Short-term Particle Pollution Weighted Average, 24 Hour (2001 - 2003) 49.5 PM2.5 70  
Year-Round Particle Pollution - Design Value (Annual PM2.5) (2001 - 2003) 23.6 PM2.5 62  
High Ozone Days (annual # of, Weighted Average) (2002 - 2004) 85.8 days 61  
Short-term Particle Pollution Weighted Average, 24 Hour (2002 - 2004) 39.7 PM2.5 67  
Year-Round Particle Pollution - Design Value (Annual PM2.5) (2002 - 2004) 21.7 PM2.5 62  
EPA Ambient Carbon Monoxide (CO) (8-hr ppm) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
EPA Ambient Lead (PB) Q Max (ug/m3) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
EPA Mean Ambient Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2 ppm) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
EPA Larger Particle (PM10) 24-hr (ug/m3) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
EPA Mean Ambient Sulfur Dioxide (SO2 ppm) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
EPA Days over 100 AQI (Warning Level) 9 days 19  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
3 • DRINKING & SURFACE WATER     (metadata) (score) 3.8    
DRINKING WATER QUALITY
Tap Water Quality & Compliance Grade Fair ---  
Right to Know Report, What's in your Tap Water Grade Good ---  
Drinking Water Source Protection Grade Fair ---  
WATERSHED & RESOURCES
Watershed Name Los Angeles ---  
# of Units in Watershed 79 units 21  
# of Assessed Watershed Units 41 units 24  
# of Threatened & Impaired Watershed Units 33 unit 42  
% of Watershed Units Assessed as Impaired or Threatened 80.5% 43  
% of Watershed Units Not Assessed 48.1% 54  
U.S. Census Annual Rainfall, inches (1961-1990) 14.77 inches 60  
Water Area Total, square miles 2,895 square miles 20  
Water Area Inland, square miles 2,674 square miles 15  
Water Area Coastal, square miles 222 square miles 23  
Water Area Great Lakes, square miles 0 square miles 10  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Station Los Angeles ---  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Length of record in years 63 years 5  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Annual 35 days 59  
Snow & Ice Pellets (thru 1998), Station Los Angeles ---  
Snow & Ice Pellets (thru 1998), Length of record in years 62 years 9  
Snow & Ice Pellets, Annual inches (thru 1998) Trace (Not Available)  
WATER WITHDRAWN
Water Withdrawn - Total, gallons/day 45,900,000,000 gallons/day 1  
Fresh Water Withdrawn - Per capita, gallons/day 1,130,000,000 gallons/day 39  
Ground water, gallons/day 14,700,000,000 gallons/day 1  
Surface water, gallons/day 31,300,000,000 gallons/day 1  
Irrigation, gallons/day 28,900,000,000 gallons/day 1  
Public Supply, gallons/day 5,740,000,000 gallons/day 1  
Industrial, gallons/day 802,000,000 gallons/day 15  
Thermo-Electric, gallons/day 9,630,000,000 gallons/day 12  
Fresh Water Consumption, gallons/day 25,500,000,000 gallons/day 1  
WATER POLLUTION
Water Supplier Los Angeles City Dept. of Water ---  
Number of People Served by Water Supplier 3,828,700 people 2  
Year(s) Included in Summary 1998-2003 ---  
Total Contaminants Detected 46 contaminants 61  
Contaminants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 7 contaminants 61  
Agricultural Pollutants Detected 7 contaminants 57  
Agricultural Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 1 contaminant 52  
Sprawl and Urban Pollutants Detected 13 contaminants 61  
Sprawl and Urban Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 4 contaminants 60  
Industrial Pollutants Detected 38 contaminants 61  
Industrial Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 5 contaminants 61  
Water Treatment & Distribution By-Products Detected 6 contaminants 34  
Water Treatment & Distribution By-Products Detected, Over Health Based Limits 2 contaminants 21  
Naturally Occurring Contaminants Detected 21 contaminants 61  
Naturally Occurring Contaminants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 2 contaminants 48  
WATER HEALTH & TESTING SUMMARY
Contaminants in Tap Water 46 contaminants 61  
Contaminants in Tap Water, Over Health Based Limits 7 contaminants 61  
Contaminants Reported as Tested by this Water Supplier 218 contaminants 1  
Contaminants with Federal Legal Limit in Tap Water 73 contaminants ---  
Regulated Contaminants Tested 166 contaminants 1  
Unregulated Contaminants Tested 52 contaminants 1  
WATER VIOLATION SUMMARY
Total Violations 0 violations 1  
Health Violations 0 violations 1  
Monitoring Violations 0 violations 1  
Reporting Violations 0 violations 1  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
4 • QUALITY OF LIFE (SITES4)     (metadata) (score) 3.3    
DENSITY & SPRAWL
Population Density, people per square mile of land area 7,876.8 people per square mile 13  
Housing Density, units per square mile of land area 2,851.8 housing units per square mile 16  
TRANSPORTATION
Mean Travel Time to Work, minutes (2000) 29.6 minutes 64  
Mean Travel Time to Work, minutes (2004) 30.0 minutes 68  
Means of Transportation - % Carpool (2000) 14.7% 24  
Means of Transportation - % Public (2000) 10.2% 20  
Means of Transportation - % Walk or Bike (2000) 3.6% 32  
Means of Transportation - % Work @ Home (2000) 4.1% 4  
Cost of Living: Transportation, % of National Average 109.0 50  
Motor Vehicle Registrations per 100 Residents (2003) 85.7 MV registrations   28
% Change in Motor Vehicle Registrations (1980 to 2003) 79.3%   45
Motor Vehicle Registrations - Autos Only per 100 Residents (2003) 53.0 MV registrations   43
Motor Vehicle Registrations per Licensed Driver (2003) 1.34 MV registrations   42
Total State Highway Mileage (2003) 169,549 miles   50
Total State Highway Mileage, Estimated % of Land Area (2003) 0.247%   13
Urban Highway Mileage, % of Total State Highway Mileage (2003) 50.5%   8
Total Highway Mileage per Licensed Driver (2003) 0.01 miles   4
Total Highway Mileage per Motor Vehicle Registration (2003) 5.61 miles   2
State $ Disbursements for Highways (2003) $9,349,000,000   51
State $ Disbursements for Highways, per highway mile (2003) $55,140 per mile   42
% Change in State Disbursements for Highways (1995 to 2003) 56.7%   28
Annual Person Hours of Delay, per person (2003) 50.0 hours per person 53  
Annual Congestion Cost, $ per person (2003) $855 per person 53  
Annual Congestion Delay and Fuel Cost (2003) $10,686,000,000 53  
Fuel Wasted, gallons per person (2003) 33 gallons per person 53  
INCOME & EMPLOYMENT
Median Household Income (2004) $40,682 28  
Median Household Income (2000) $36,687 44  
Per capita income (2004) $22,466 33  
Per capita Personal Income (2000) $20,671 37  
% of Families Below Poverty Level (2004) 15.8% 45  
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level (1999) 22.1% 57  
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level (2004) 18.0% 39  
% of Households with Public Assistance Income (2000) 6.9% 57  
% of Children Under 18 Years Old Below Poverty Level (1999) 30.3% 55  
People In the Labor Force, Unemployed (2005) 155,728 people 66  
% In the Labor Force: Unemployed (2005) 5.5% 39  
% of the Civilian Labor Force: Unemployed (2005) 8.3% 38  
% In the Labor Force: Unemployed (2000) 5.6% 56  
% of the Civilian Labor Force Unemployed (2000) 9.3% 55  
% Change in the Labor Force Unemployed (2000 to 2005) -2.0% 13  
% Change in the Civilian Labor Force Unemployed (2000 to 2005) -12.0% 12  
State Minimum Wage Laws (2006) Higher Than Federal ---  
State Minimum Wage Rates (2006) $6.75 per hour 10  
EDUCATION
# of School Age Kids K-12 (ages 5 to 17) 704,101 kids (2.0% of total pop.) 2  
Largest School District Enrollment 721,346 kids (2.0% of total pop.) 2  
% on Free or Reduced Lunch 73.5% 55  
Cumulative Promotion Index (CPI) Graduation Rate 46.4% 50  
Level of Education: % with High School Degree or Higher (2004) 70.1% 68  
Level of Education: % with Bachelor's Degree or Higher (2004) 28.5% 37  
Adult Level 1 Literacy Rate 37% 61  
State School Bus Efficiency (2002) Flunked Out   ---
State School Bus Soot Pollution Grade C   ---
State School Bus Cleanup Program Rank (2006) Good   ---
State School Bus Smog Pollution Rank (2006) Poor   ---
HOUSING & COST OF LIVING
Occupied Housing Units (2004) 1,297,454 units 2  
% of Owner Occupied Housing 59.1% 8  
Cost of Living: Housing 230.2 67  
Cost of Living: Utilities 116.0 49  
Cost of Living: Miscellaneous 106.8 58  
Cost of Living: Overall 153.9 66  
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Voter Turnout in the Election of November 2004 60.01%   32
State Voter Turnout Rate: 2002 Election 35.10%   50
State Voter Turnout Rate: 2004 Election 49.20%   50
State Volunteering Rate: 2002-2005 Combined 25.9%   41
SAFETY/SECURITY
Total Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 4,347.5 incidents per 100,000 people 13  
Violent Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 1,107.3 incidents per 100,000 people 49  
Property Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 3,240.2 incidents per 100,000 people 7  
Total Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2003) 4,808.8 incidents per 100,000 people 14  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
5 • PARKS & RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES     (metadata) (score) 3.0    
Average # of Parks, per square mile 0.8 parks per square mile 26  
Average Area Dedicated to Parks, per city square mile 33.3 park acres per city square mile 24  
Park Area per 1000 Residents, acres 8.2 acres 35  
Parkland as % of City Area 10.0% 17  
Adjusted Park Spending, per resident $37 per resident 4  
Total City Tree Canopy % 4.7% 47  
Total City Urbanized Area % 69.4% 49  
Park Programs to Assist Low-Income Park Users Yes ---  
Disability Advisory Committees Yes ---  
Collection of Data on Crime in Parks Yes ---  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
6 • HUMAN & PUBLIC HEALTH     (metadata) (score) 2.6    
Pediatric Asthma, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 8.51% 37
Adult Asthma, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 7.85% 25
Chronic Bronchitis, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 2.96% 12
Emphysema, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 1.09% 14
Cardiovascular Disease, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 22.42% 14
Diabetes, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 4.68% 14  
% of Adults with Obesity (2001) 20.9% 30
Change in % of Adults with Obesity (1991-2001) 10.9% 44
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 1992 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (1992) 10%-14% ---
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 1997 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (1997) 15%-19% ---
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 2003 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (2003) 20%-24% ---
% of Adults Lacking Healthcare Insurance, ages 18 - 65 (2001) 19.0% 45
Infant Mortality Rate (2002) 5.5% 7
Number of Cancer Deaths per 100,000 people (2002) 175.7 8
Cost of Living: Health 118.8 52  
% of People without Health Insurance Coverage by State (2003-04 Average) 18.5% 44
% of People without Health Insurance Coverage by State (2004-05 Average) 19.0% 47
Rate of Change in People without Health Insurance Coverage, between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 2.7% 35
Change in People without Health Insurance Coverage, between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 0.5% 37
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Farms 11 farms 31
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Farmers' Markets 36 markets 8
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Restaurants 14 restaurants 7
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Groceries 4 grocery stores 11
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Other 13 other sources 4
Cost of Living: Food 112.3 58
Lung Cancer Deaths/100,000 Men (1999-2003) 51.3% 6
Lung Cancer Deaths/100,000 Women (1999-2003) 31.8% 8
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
7 • GLOBAL WARMING CLIMATE CHANGE     (metadata) (score) 2.3    
Mini-Kyoto Participant, US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement (as of 10/18/06) Yes ---
Number of State and Local Net Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Programs 4 programs   1
Net Metering Net Metering Offered by Only One or More Individual Utilities   ---
Net Metering Residential Size Limit 1,000 kW   3
Net Metering Commercial Size Limit 1,000 kW   3
Completed Climate Action Plans Completed State Climate Action Plan   ---
Regional Initiatives Yes   ---
States with Greenhouse Gas Inventories Yes   ---
States with Greenhouse Gas Reporting & Registries Yes   ---
States with Public Benefit Funds Funds Support Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy   ---
States with Renewable Portfolio Standards 33%   1
Date set for Renewable Portfolio Standards 2028   21
States with Green Pricing Programs Optional   ---
States with Renewable Energy Credit Tracking Systems Yes   ---
States with Mandates and Incentives Promoting Ethanol None   ---
States with Residential Energy Codes State Codes with ECPA Compliance   ---
States with Commercial Energy Codes 1999 ASHRAE or Later (ECPA Compliant)   ---
Green Building Standards for State Buildings LEED Required   ---
ICLEI's Cities for Climate Protection Participant (US CCP) Yes ---
% of State Generation that is from Renewable sources (2003) 31.2%   7
Average percentage of possible sunshine thru 1998: Length of record (years) 60 years 6
Average percentage of Possible Sunshine: Annual 72% 6
Annual Average wind speed, m.p.h. 7.5 mph 52
January Average wind speed, m.p.h. 6.7 mph 57
July Average wind speed, m.p.h. 7.9 mph 32
Heating Degree Days 1,458 days 6
Cooling Degree Days 727 days 20
Average Relative Humidity (%), Length of record (years) 39 years 15
Annual Morning Average Relative Humidity (%) 79% 22
Annual Afternoon Average Relative Humidity (%) 65% 57
Elevation, feet 292 feet 30
 
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
BACKGROUND INFORMATION      
SIZE & CLASSIFICATION
City Population (2005)2 3,731,437 2 (of 72 in EDN study) 10.6% of state population
City Population (2000) 3,694,820 2 (of 72 in EDN study)  
State Population (2005)2 35,278,768 1 (of 51 in EDN study)  
General Region West ---  
EPA Region 9 ---  
PHYSICAL QUALITIES
City Land Area, square miles 469.0 square miles 7 0.3 % of state land area
State Land Area, square miles 155,973 square miles 3  
Watershed Name Los Angeles ---  
Elevation, feet 292 ft. (88.8 m) 35  
Average Daily Temperature - January 57.1°F (13.9°C) 4
Average Daily Temperature - July 69.3°F (20.7°C) 9  
DEMOGRAPHIC SUMMARY
Median Age 33.2 years 29  
18 years and older, % of population (2004) 73.6% 45  
65 years and older, % of population (2004) 9.7% 54  
Under 5 years of age 283,687 kids (7.6% of total pop.) 2  
One Race-White % (2005) 49.1% 52  
One Race - Non-white % (2005) 50.9% 21  
Hispanic or Latino, of any race % (2005) 48.9% 4  
% of Population who Speak a non-English Language at Home (2004) 61.4% 3  
Largest School District Name Los Angeles Unified ---  
 
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1 Use of the * within the County field indicates the city is in multiple counties. Typically the county for which the city serves as a county seat was selected.
2 Use of the * within the Population Rank Indicates year 2000 data was used since year 2004 data was not available.
3 Scores in parenthesis indicate partial scores, e.g. at least one scored indicator was not available or reported for this city.
4 SITES is an acronym developed by EDN as a summary for the 'Safety, Income, Transportation, Education and Sprawl' Topic.
 
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© 2006 Earth Day Network