Quartz Hill is a census-designated place located in Los Angeles County, California. As of the 2000 census, the CDP had a total population of 9,890. The name is also shared with the neighboring district areas of its border cities, Palmdale, and Lancaster.

Geography

Quartz Hill is located at 34°39'8" North, 118°13'14" West (34.652194, -118.220647).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 9.9 km² (3.8 mi²). 9.9 km² (3.8 mi²) of it is land and none of it is covered by water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 9,890 people, 3,450 households, and 2,639 families residing in the CDP. The population density is 999.6/km² (2,591.9/mi²). There are 3,644 housing units at an average density of 368.3/km² (955.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP is 81.47% White, 4.99% African American, 1.13% Native American, 1.84% Asian, 0.24% Pacific Islander, 6.12% from other races, and 4.21% from two or more races. 15.28% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 3,450 households out of which 41.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.8% are married couples living together, 14.1% have a female householder with no husband present, and 23.5% are non-families. 18.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 5.8% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.86 and the average family size is 3.24.

In the CDP the population is spread out with 30.5% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 9.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 35 years. For every 100 females there are 97.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 93.6 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP is $49,098, and the median income for a family is $58,125. Males have a median income of $51,136 versus $33,971 for females. The per capita income for the CDP is $22,140. 11.9% of the population and 9.1% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 14.1% of those under the age of 18 and 13.4% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

General Information

Quartz Hill is located in the High Desert of California north of the Los Angeles area. As recently as the Nineteen Seventies the town was largely Agricultural, with cash crops of Almonds, Alfalfa, and Turkeys. The almond orchards crippled by decease and the alfalfa growers having to contend with their water rights being diverted (to a growing Los Angeles) caused a significant shift in the local work force. Mainly the shift was toward the nearby aerospace plants of Lockheed Martin and Rockwell International. Their fields long empty Quartz Hill still celebrates an Almond Blossom and Alfalfa Festival every year. Quartz Hill schools include Quartz Hill Elementary School, Joe Walker Middle School and Quartz Hill High School.

Notable Locals include:

Jane Pinero -- Painter and Artist

Ralph Vásquez -- Poet, Musician and Artist

Gilbert Vásquez -- Founder of the National Hubcap Collector Association (NHCA)

Near by communities include:

Palmdale -- Home of Afro Man, All 4 One, the B-1 Bomber , the B-2 Bomber and the F-117 Fighter, and the Los Angeles County Raceway.

Lancaster -- Home of Frank Zappa and Beefheart .

Rosamond -- Home of Willow Springs International Raceway, Edwards Air Force Base, and the Exotic Feline Compound.

External links