Hermosa means beautiful and that it is-flat, sandy, long-ideal for sunbathing, beach volleyball, surfing and paddleboarding. The city itself is only about 15 blocks from east to west and 40 blocks from north to south- with the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH to the locals) running down the middle. Situated right on the Pacific Ocean, Hermosa's average temperature is 70 degrees in the summber and 55 degrees in the winter. Gentle westerly sea breezes take the edge off what can be high summertime temperatures in Los Angeles and elsewhere in the county. The same breezes help keep the smog away 360 days of the year. In 2005, Hermosa Valley and Hermosa View schools were honored as the U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon Schools along with approximately 300 schools across the nation. The award was based on academic achievement. Both schools were been honored as National Blue Ribbon Schools along with 33 California schools and less than 300 schools across the nation. Hermosa schools' Blue Ribbon Schools Program Award was based on academic achievement. Hermosa schools are among the top 10% of schools in the state with students scoring at or above the 90% in the highest grade tested in reading and math. A paved path, called The Strand, runs along Hermosa's beach from Redondo Beach in the south approximately twenty miles north to Santa Monica. A typical day on this path will see thousands of people on foot, bicycle, skateboard, rollerblade and stroller enjoying the sun and surf. Beach volleyball is another important aspect of Hermosa Beach's lifestyle. Hermosa Beach is often referred to as the beach volleyball capital of the world. The wide and flat sand beaches provide the perfect venue for the sport and permanent poles and nets are placed and maintained by the city year-round. Surfing is a key element of the South Bay lifestyle year-round. Powerful winter storms in the Pacific ocean can turn typically placid and rolling South Bay waves into large and occasionally dangerous monsters, a natural draw for the local surfing population. The Summer provides warm water and typically smaller waves for begginners to learn. As of the census of 2000, there were 18,566 people, 9,476 households, and 3,553 families residing in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 89.58% White, 0.81% Black or African American, 0.40% Native American, 4.40% Asian, 0.22% Pacific Islander, 1.68% from other races, and 2.91% from two or more races. 6.75% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 9,476 households out of which 14.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 30.6% were married couples living together, 4.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 62.5% were non-families. 39.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.95 and the average family size was 2.65. The median income for a household in the city was $81,153, and the median income for a family was $104,645. Males had a median income of $67,407 versus $50,295 for females. The per capita income for the city was $54,244. About 1.7% of families and 4.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.1% of those under age 18 and 3.0% of those age 65 or over. |