Incorporated on March 11, 1888, the city was once a part of Rancho Dominguez, one of the first Spanish land grants. The Dominguez Ranch and the restored Dominguez Adobe Museum, run by the Claretian Order, lie just south of the city limits. These beautiful and historic buildings are frequently the site of special city functions. The City of Compton has a multiracial, multiethnic population of approximately 96,455.

The City of Compton covers 10.5 square miles near the southern section of Los Angeles and is located twelve miles south of downtown Los Angeles. Surrounded by four major freeways, it is known as the “Hub City” because of its central location to Los Angeles, Long Beach, and surrounding communities. Downtown Compton is located at the midpoint of the 22.5 mile Metro Light Rail Line which connects the cities of Los Angeles and Long Beach and provides easy and inexpensive access to the city. Located less than 30 minutes from local beaches, Compton is close to many Southern California cultural attractions, resorts, and numerous institutions of higher education, including UCLA, USC and three California State Universities: Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Dominguez Hills. For the outdoor sports enthusiast, we are only a 1-2 hour drive from major ski resorts, beautiful deserts and spacious camping grounds.

The city offers affordable housing to individuals at all income levels. Surrounding communities such as Carson, Long Beach, Redondo Beach, and Lakewood are also areas where many of our employees reside and they offer a variety of housing options.

Compton enjoys a pleasant Mediterranean climate, with temperature average of 82 degrees in the summer and 65 degrees in the winter, and a winter rainfall average of 12 inches.