Walk into any neighborhood in Southern California and you’ll see houses, parks, maybe a few strip malls. But City of Industry is different. It’s weird. In a good way, mostly, if you’re into commerce.
When you look at the map for CA 91748 City of Industry, you aren't looking at a traditional town. You're looking at a massive, 12-mile-long strip of land that was literally engineered to be an economic powerhouse. It’s a place where the daytime population swells into the tens of thousands while the actual resident count stays incredibly low—usually hovering around 200 to 300 people. It’s an industrial suburb that basically functions as the back engine of the Los Angeles economy.
Why the 91748 Zip Code is a Logistics Goldmine
If you’re running a business, the location is everything. Honestly, it’s the primary reason this zip code is so coveted.
The geography here is intentional. Nestled between the San Gabriel River (605) and Orange (57) freeways, and sliced right through the middle by the Pomona (60) Freeway, CA 91748 City of Industry sits at a nexus point. It’s the gateway between the massive ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach and the rest of the United States.
Think about it.
Those shipping containers coming off the ships need to go somewhere before they hit your doorstep via Amazon. A huge chunk of them stop here first. The Union Pacific and Southern Pacific railroads run right through the city, which means heavy industry isn't just a name; it’s the daily reality of the dirt and the steel.
Real Estate Realities in the Area
Finding space here is tough. Even though the city is almost entirely industrial, the vacancy rates stay impressively low. You've got everything from massive distribution centers to small specialized manufacturing shops.
But here is the thing people miss: it’s not just warehouses.
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You have the Puente Hills Mall—yes, the one from Back to the Future—and a surprising amount of retail and dining along Gale Avenue and Colima Road. This creates a strange contrast where you can buy a high-end sushi dinner just a few blocks away from a facility that manufactures industrial-grade plastics.
The Tax Advantage and Local Governance
The city was incorporated in 1957 with a very specific goal: to prevent surrounding residential cities from annexing the land and hiking up taxes or imposing restrictive zoning.
Because there are so few residents, the city’s tax revenue (which is massive) goes almost entirely back into infrastructure that benefits businesses. We're talking about heavy-duty roads that don't crumble under the weight of semi-trucks and specialized police and fire services geared toward industrial safety.
It’s a pro-business environment that you just don't find in neighboring cities like Hacienda Heights or Rowland Heights. Those places are for living; Industry is for working.
What Most People Get Wrong About 91748
People often assume it’s a wasteland of concrete.
That's just wrong.
Actually, the city owns the Industry Hills Expo Center and the Pacific Palms Resort. You’ve got two championship golf courses right in the middle of this industrial hub. It’s a bit surreal to be standing on a manicured green, looking out over a horizon of flat-roofed warehouses, but that is the essence of CA 91748 City of Industry. It is a study in functional contrasts.
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The Resident Paradox
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to live in a city with only 200 neighbors?
Most residents are somehow connected to the city's operations or live in small pockets that have existed for decades. Because the residential population is so small, the "voter" base is tiny, which has led to some pretty legendary political drama over the years. Investigating the city's history reveals decades of audits and power struggles that feel more like a Scorsese film than a suburban council meeting. It’s a place where the interests of multi-billion dollar corporations often carry more weight than the local neighborhood watch.
Navigating the Logistics of City of Industry
If you're moving a business here or just visiting for a meeting, you need to understand the traffic. It’s brutal.
The 60 Freeway is one of the most congested corridors in the country. During peak hours, the "Industry crawl" is real. Logistics managers usually schedule their arrivals and departures for the middle of the night or the very early morning to avoid the gridlock at the 60/57 interchange.
- Pro Tip: If you're coming for a meeting at one of the corporate offices on Castleton St or Crossroads Pkwy, give yourself an extra 30 minutes. The truck traffic can turn a 2-mile drive into a 20-minute ordeal.
- The Food Scene: Don't sleep on the food. Because Industry borders Rowland Heights, which is a cultural hub for the Chinese and Taiwanese community, the "business lunch" options here are some of the best in the country. You can find world-class dim sum and boba tea within minutes of any warehouse.
Environmental and Future Challenges
It isn't all profits and smooth shipping.
The city faces massive pressure regarding air quality. With thousands of diesel trucks idling and moving through the 91748 zip code every day, the environmental impact is a constant point of friction with the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
We are seeing a massive shift toward electrification. New warehouses are being built with heavy-duty EV charging infrastructure for the next generation of electric freight trucks. If you are an investor looking at this area, you have to account for these "green" mandates. They aren't optional anymore.
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Getting Things Done in CA 91748 City of Industry
For those looking to establish a footprint here, you have to play by the city's specific rules.
The planning department is famously efficient but strict. They want businesses that contribute to the industrial base. If you’re trying to build something that doesn't fit that "Industry" mold, you’re going to have a hard time.
- Check Zoning First: Don't assume that because it’s a "business" city, you can do anything. The city is very protective of its industrial status.
- Infrastructure Assessment: If you’re moving into an older building, check the power grid. Many of the 1960s-era buildings aren't equipped for high-draw modern data centers or automated robotics.
- Engage with the Chamber: The Regional Chamber of Commerce San Gabriel Valley is incredibly active here. It’s where the real networking happens.
The story of City of Industry is really the story of how Southern California became a global trade leader. It’s not a "pretty" city in the traditional sense, but it’s an essential one. Without this 12-mile stretch of concrete and commerce, the shelves in stores across the country would look a lot emptier.
Actionable Next Steps
If you're looking to leverage the power of this specific zip code, start by auditing your logistics chain.
Compare the drayage costs from the Port of LA to City of Industry versus further inland hubs like Ontario or Riverside. While the real estate in 91748 is more expensive, the proximity to the coast often saves enough in fuel and driver time to more than make up the difference. Reach out to a local commercial broker who specializes in "The Industry"—they know the off-market deals that never hit the public sites.
Finally, if you're just passing through, stop at the Workman and Temple Family Homestead Museum. It’s a weird, historic oasis in the middle of all that industry that reminds you this place had a history long before the freeways arrived.