Is South Whittier Safe, Pros and cons of living in South Whittier

South Whittier, a census-designated place in Los Angeles County, California, offers a blend of suburban tranquility and accessibility to major urban centers. It is a community characterized by its diverse population and a strong sense of local identity. The area provides a range of amenities and a distinct lifestyle for its residents.

This community is situated within the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area, providing convenient access to employment, entertainment, and cultural attractions. South Whittier’s residential areas are known for their established neighborhoods and a community-focused atmosphere. The town’s infrastructure supports a comfortable living environment for families and individuals alike.

Is it Safe to Live in South Whittier?

The overall crime rate in South Whittier is considered slightly higher than the average U.S. city, with a crime index that suggests a risk of crime in the area (according to CrimeGrade.org). Residents generally perceive the northeast part of the city as the safest, while the northwest areas experience more crime incidents (according to CrimeGrade.org).

When examining specific crime statistics, South Whittier has reported rates for assault, murder, rape, and robbery (according to Niche). Property crimes such as burglary, theft, and motor vehicle theft are also tracked. Vandalism rates are reported to be lower than the national average, with an “A-” grade from CrimeGrade.org, indicating a relatively safer environment in this regard (according to CrimeGrade.org).

Cost of Living and Housing in South Whittier

The cost of living in South Whittier is considered to be higher than the national average. The median home value in South Whittier was approximately $708,300 in 2024, showing a significant increase from the previous year (as reported by Data USA). This median home value is more than double the national median (as reported by Data USA).

Renting in South Whittier also reflects a higher cost compared to the national median. The median rent for an apartment in South Whittier is around $2,285 per month, which has seen a slight increase over the past year (as reported by RentCafe). Houses for rent in South Whittier are typically more expensive, with an average monthly cost of $2,900 (as reported by Zumper).

Home Prices and Ownership

The median home price in South Whittier was $795,000 in March 2026, a slight decrease of 0.63% compared to the previous year (as reported by Redfin). Homes in South Whittier tend to sell relatively quickly, with an average of 39 days on the market (as reported by Redfin). The homeownership rate in South Whittier is approximately 64.7%, which is slightly lower than the national average (as reported by Data USA).

The median property value in South Whittier was $708,300 in 2024 (as reported by Data USA). This figure represents a 10.4% increase from the previous year (as reported by Data USA). The housing market is described as competitive, with a median sale price per square foot of $567, which has increased by 1.0% year-over-year (as reported by Redfin).

Rental Market

The average rent for an apartment in South Whittier is currently $2,285, marking a 1.46% increase from the previous year (as reported by RentCafe). A one-bedroom apartment in South Whittier typically offers 684 square feet for around $2,088 per month (as reported by RentCafe). Two-bedroom units, providing 947 square feet, are available for an average of $2,507 per month (as reported by RentCafe).

The majority of rental properties in South Whittier, approximately 48%, fall within the $2,001 to $2,500 per month range (as reported by RentCafe). Houses for rent in South Whittier tend to be more expensive, averaging $2,900 per month (as reported by Zumper). The median rent for all bedroom counts and property types in South Whittier was $2,300 as of March 2026, which is 20% higher than the national average (as reported by Zumper).

Demographics and Diversity in South Whittier

South Whittier is a community with a rich and varied demographic profile. The population is predominantly Hispanic, accounting for approximately 78.6% of residents (as reported by Census Dots). This significant Hispanic population is notably higher than the state average for California (as reported by Census Dots).

The racial composition of South Whittier also includes White residents at about 11.9%, Asian residents at 7.0%, and smaller percentages of Black, Multiracial, and Native American populations (as reported by Census Dots). While the community is diverse, it is considered less diverse than California as a whole (as reported by Census Dots).

Population and Age Distribution

As of the most recent data, South Whittier has a population of approximately 55,650 people (as reported by Data USA). The median age in South Whittier is 36.3 years, with a slightly higher proportion of males to females (as reported by Data USA). The population has seen a slight decrease in recent years according to projections (as reported by Census Dots).

The age distribution shows a significant portion of the population in the working-age brackets. In 2020, the median age was 35.8 years, with 23.5% of residents under 18 and 12.1% aged 65 or older (as reported by Wikipedia). For every 100 females, there were approximately 97.2 males (as reported by Wikipedia).

Citizenship and Foreign-Born Population

A large majority of South Whittier residents are U.S. citizens, with approximately 88.2% holding citizenship (as reported by Data USA). This figure is lower than the national average of 93.2% (as reported by Data USA).

The foreign-born population in South Whittier is around 26.4%, which is higher than the national average of 14% (as reported by Data USA). This percentage has seen an increase in recent years, indicating a growing foreign-born community within the CDP (as reported by Data USA).

Economy and Employment in South Whittier

The economy of South Whittier is supported by a diverse range of industries and a growing employment sector. In 2024, the total number of employed individuals in South Whittier was approximately 28,300, showing a growth rate of 2.38% from the previous year (as reported by Data USA).

The primary industries employing residents are Health Care & Social Assistance, Manufacturing, and Retail Trade (as reported by Data USA). These sectors form the backbone of the local job market, providing a variety of opportunities for the workforce.

Job Market and Major Employers

The most common job groups for residents of South Whittier include Office & Administrative Support Occupations, Management Occupations, and Sales & Related Occupations (as reported by Data USA). These roles represent a significant portion of the employed population, highlighting the service and administrative nature of many local jobs.

While specific major employers within South Whittier are not detailed in the provided search results, the broader Whittier area lists PIH Health and Whittier Hospital Medical Center as significant healthcare employers (as reported by Zippia and Business Profile | Whittier, CA). Other large employers in the vicinity include the City of Whittier and various retail and service companies (as reported by Zippia and Business Profile | Whittier, CA).

Income and Unemployment

The median household income in South Whittier was $100,800 in 2024, which has seen a slight increase from the previous year (as reported by Data USA). The per capita income in South Whittier is approximately $48,416 (as reported by World Population Review). A poverty rate of 10.59% is reported for the community (as reported by World Population Review).

The unemployment rate in South Whittier was recorded at 3.5% in a recent report (as reported by Labor Market Information). This rate is lower than the national average, indicating a relatively stable job market within the community (as reported by Labor Market Information).

Climate and Weather in South Whittier

South Whittier experiences a climate characterized by warm summers and cool winters. The area generally has short, warm, arid, and clear summers, while winters are longer, cooler, wet, and partly cloudy (as reported by AccuWeather). The temperature typically ranges from 46°F to 87°F throughout the year and rarely falls below 39°F or exceeds 96°F (as reported by AccuWeather).

The hottest month in South Whittier is typically August, with average high temperatures around 86°F and lows of 67°F (as reported by AccuWeather). The coldest month is December, with average low temperatures of 47°F and highs of 68°F (as reported by AccuWeather).

Rainfall and Seasonal Patterns

The average annual precipitation in South Whittier is approximately 9.99 inches (as reported by IDcide). Rainfall is distributed relatively evenly throughout the year, with February being the wettest month, averaging 3.62 inches of precipitation (as reported by IDcide).

The wet season typically spans from November to March, with a greater chance of a given day being wet during these months (as reported by AccuWeather). The drier season extends from late March through November, with July having the fewest wet days (as reported by AccuWeather).

Education in South Whittier

The South Whittier Elementary School District serves the educational needs of the community’s younger residents. This public school district has an enrollment of 2,272 students in grades K-8, maintaining a student-teacher ratio of 20 to 1 (as reported by Niche). State test scores indicate that 15% of students are proficient in math and 31% are proficient in reading (as reported by Niche).

The district receives an overall Niche grade of C- (as reported by Niche). Performance levels in areas like chronic absenteeism are noted as medium, at level 3 out of 5 (as reported by California School Dashboard). A significant portion of students, 91.3%, are socioeconomically disadvantaged (as reported by California School Dashboard).

School Performance and Ratings

Schools within the South Whittier Elementary School District include Loma Vista Elementary School, which holds a rating of 4 out of 5 based on one review (as reported by Niche). Other elementary schools serving the area include Howard J. McKibben Elementary School and Los Altos Elementary School (as reported by Niche).

The district’s performance on state assessments shows that 15% of students meet or exceed grade-level proficiency in math and 31% in reading (as reported by Niche). The student-teacher ratio is 20:1, and the district serves students in grades kindergarten through eighth grade (as reported by Niche).