You've probably driven through it without realizing you left the City of Los Angeles. Westmont is one of those places that exists in the "in-between." It’s a 1.8-square-mile slice of South Los Angeles that technically isn’t part of the city at all. It’s unincorporated territory. This means while your neighbors a few blocks away deal with the LAPD and LA City Council, Westmont answers to the L.A. County Board of Supervisors and the Sheriff’s Department. It sounds like a minor bureaucratic detail. It isn't.
People often confuse Westmont with Vermont Knolls or West Falls. Don't. It has a specific grit and a specific history that’s tied to the expansion of the city in the mid-20th century. Bordered roughly by Vermont Avenue on the east and Imperial Highway to the south, it’s a neighborhood that has seen every wave of LA’s evolution. From the post-WWII housing boom to the disinvestment of the 80s and 90s, and now, the strange, creeping pressure of the "SoFi Effect" coming from nearby Inglewood. It’s a place of modest California bungalows and complex social realities.
The Identity Crisis of an Unincorporated Island
When we talk about Westmont Los Angeles CA, we're talking about a community that often feels invisible to the broader metropolis. Because it isn't an official city like Inglewood or Torrance, it doesn't have its own mayor. There is no Westmont City Hall. Instead, it’s part of the Second District of Los Angeles County. Honestly, that creates some weird gaps in services. If there’s a pothole on a residential street, you aren't calling 311; you’re calling County Public Works.
This "island" status has historically led to Westmont being overlooked for infrastructure projects. However, that’s shifted lately. The Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning has been aggressive about the Westmont-West Athens Community Plan. They’re trying to fix decades of zoning that allowed industrial sites to sit right next to single-family homes. It's a mess to untangle. Imagine living next to a salvage yard for thirty years because the 1950s zoning laws were "flexible" to the point of being negligent. That's the reality for a lot of long-term residents here.
The demographics have flipped several times. Originally a white working-class suburb in the 1940s, it became a hub for Black families seeking homeownership in the 50s and 60s despite restrictive covenants. Today, it’s a vibrant, if sometimes struggling, mix of Black and Latino households. According to Census data and the Los Angeles County Quality of Life indicators, the area remains one of the more affordable pockets in the region, though "affordable" is a relative term when the median home price in LA is hovering near a million dollars.
Real Estate Realities and the Inglewood Spillover
The market here is wild. You can still find a 2-bedroom, 1-bath house for $600,000, which in the context of 2026 Los Angeles, feels like a steal. But there's a catch. Or several.
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Investors are circling Westmont like hawks. Why? Because it’s less than four miles from SoFi Stadium and the Intuit Dome. As Inglewood becomes hyper-gentrified and prices there skyrocket, people who work in the South Bay or Downtown LA are looking at Westmont as the "next best thing." You see it on every other block: a flipped house with charcoal grey paint and a horizontal wooden fence. It’s the visual shorthand for "the neighborhood is changing."
What the numbers actually say:
- Median Household Income: Historically lower than the county average, often cited around $40,000 to $45,000, though this is rising as newer professionals move in.
- Housing Stock: Predominantly 1940s-era raised foundation cottages.
- Transit Access: It’s actually decent. You’re near the 110 and the 105, and the C Line (formerly Green Line) is accessible via the Vermont/I-105 station.
But living here isn't just about the proximity to the 105. It's about the small stuff. It’s about the street vendors on Normandie and the specific way the light hits the palm trees on 88th Street. There’s a community resilience here that’s hard to quantify in a spreadsheet.
Safety, Perception, and the "Death Alley" Label
We have to address the elephant in the room. For years, a stretch of Western Avenue that passes through Westmont was nicknamed "Death Alley" by some media outlets and law enforcement. This was based on high homicide rates during the early 2010s. It’s a label that residents hate. It’s also a label that is increasingly outdated, though the area still faces challenges with violent crime compared to the Westside or the Valley.
The LA County Sheriff’s South Los Angeles Station handles Westmont. There’s been a massive push for community policing and intervention programs like Urban Peace Institute and local gang injunction alternatives. Is it perfectly safe? No. But the narrative that it’s a "no-go zone" is mostly held by people who haven't set foot there in twenty years. Most of the crime is localized and doesn't target the average person walking their dog, but it would be dishonest to ignore that gang activity still has a footprint in certain pockets of the unincorporated area.
Community leaders like those involved with the Westmont Counseling Center have been vocal about the need for mental health resources over just "more boots on the ground." They argue that the trauma of the past needs to be addressed for the neighborhood to truly thrive.
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The Food and Culture You Won't Find in a Guidebook
Westmont doesn't have a Starbucks on every corner. It doesn't have a Whole Foods. What it does have is some of the best low-key food in the county. If you’re into regional Mexican cuisine or authentic Soul Food, this is your spot.
- Louisiana Fried Chicken: Yeah, it’s a chain, but the one near Manchester and Vermont hits differently. It’s a staple.
- Taco Stands: The nighttime scene along Western is basically a culinary tour of Michoacán and Jalisco.
- Local Bakeries: You’ll find panaderias that have been there for thirty years, serving neighbors who know each other by name.
The social life in Westmont happens in the front yards and at the parks. Jesse Owens Park is the heartbeat of the community. It’s 20 acres of green space that provides a massive respite from the asphalt. It has a pool, a gymnasium, and it’s where you’ll see the true Westmont: families having birthday parties, kids playing soccer, and seniors walking the perimeter. It’s a stark contrast to the gritty reputation the area gets in the news.
The Education Gap
One thing parents here struggle with is the school situation. Because it’s unincorporated, children are mostly served by the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). Schools like Budlong Avenue Elementary and Washington Preparatory High School serve the area. Washington Prep has a storied history—alumni include everyone from professional athletes to musicians—but like many South LA schools, it has faced hurdles with funding and test scores. Many parents are turning to charter schools or specialized magnets to find more options for their kids.
Is Westmont the New Frontier for LA Renters?
Renters make up a huge chunk of the Westmont population. Roughly 60% of residents rent their homes. With the LA County Rent Stabilization Ordinance protecting many of these units, there’s a level of security here that you don't always get in other parts of the country. But as property values go up, "renovictions" are becoming a concern.
There’s a tension here. You have long-term residents who have survived the worst of the city’s crack epidemic and the 1992 riots, and now they feel like they’re being priced out just as the neighborhood gets "nice." It’s a classic gentrification story, but with the added layer of County versus City politics.
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If you're looking to move here, you need to be aware of the "unincorporated tax." Your property taxes might look slightly different, and your utility providers (like Southern California Edison and SoCalGas) operate normally, but your trash and water might be handled through specific county contracts.
Navigating the Future of 90044 and 90047
Westmont spans a couple of zip codes, primarily 90044 and 90047. When you look at the future of these areas, the "Westmont-West Athens Community Plan Update" is the document to watch. The county is looking to increase density along the major corridors like Vermont and Western. We’re talking mixed-use buildings—apartments over retail. This would be a massive change for a neighborhood that has been mostly one-story homes for seventy years.
Critics say it will kill the "vibe" of the neighborhood. Proponents say it's the only way to bring in the grocery stores and pharmacies that the area desperately needs. Right now, Westmont is a bit of a food desert when it comes to high-quality fresh produce. You have small liquor stores and "markets," but a full-scale Ralphs or Vons? You’re usually driving out of the neighborhood for that.
Practical Steps for Residents and Newcomers:
- Check the Zoning: If you’re buying, look at the L.A. County Z-NET website. Westmont has some funky zoning laws where a lot might be designated for something you don't expect.
- Get Involved with the CAC: The Community Advisory Committee is the closest thing Westmont has to a city council. If you want to know what’s actually happening with the new development on 108th Street, that’s where you go.
- Know Your Sheriff: Since the LASD patrols the area, get to know the South LA Station’s community relations officer. It makes a difference when you need to report something that isn't a 911 emergency.
- Support Local: Skip the fast food once in a while. Hit the independent businesses on Normandie. That’s how the wealth stays in the community instead of leaking out to corporate headquarters in Irvine or Seattle.
Westmont is a place of contradictions. It’s loud, it’s quiet, it’s changing, and it’s staying exactly the same. It’s a place where you can see the Hollywood sign in the distance on a clear day, but the reality of daily life feels a world away from the glitz. It’s a neighborhood for people who want to be in the center of the action without paying the "City of LA" premium, provided they’re willing to put in the work to be part of a community that’s still finding its new identity.
The next five years will be the real test for Westmont Los Angeles CA. As the 2028 Olympics approach and the investment around the stadium district hits a fever pitch, this unincorporated pocket will either become a model for inclusive urban renewal or another example of displacement. For now, it remains one of the most interesting, authentic, and misunderstood corners of the Southland.