Los Angeles neighborhood guide
Carson
Vertical tick marks the LA neighborhood median.
Rent in Carson
Rent control: Carsonhas no local rent-stabilization ordinance we track, so California's statewide cap (AB 1482) is the main protection. It limits annual increases on most buildings at least 15 years old, with exemptions. Verify a building's status before signing.
General information, not legal advice.
How Carson scores for you
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Carson is a city of about 95,600 people in the South Bay, roughly 13 miles south of downtown Los Angeles and 14 miles from LAX. Incorporated in 1968, it has become a culturally diverse community with a significant Filipino-American population and strong immigrant communities. The city offers a working-class character with straightforward urban living and reasonable access to regional employment centers.
Living in Carson means accepting a car-dependent layout in exchange for space and a practical, no-frills environment. The city sits in an industrial corridor of Los Angeles County, which shapes both its character and its environmental profile. It is not a destination neighborhood, but rather a place where people choose to live for proximity to jobs, family, or affordability.
Living here
Most errands in Carson require a car or transit. Within a short walk you will find about 4-5 restaurants, 1-2 groceries, 1-2 coffee shops, and 2 gyms per neighborhood hex, though walkability overall ranks well below the regional average. Parks include Victoria Community Regional Park, Foisia Park, and Dolphin Park, offering local recreation without the crowds of more central locations.
Traffic here is above average for the region, and air quality is moderate but noticeably worse than many other parts of Los Angeles County due to proximity to industrial areas and freight corridors. There is no Metro rail service in Carson; you will rely entirely on the car, bus, or ride-share. For renters considering the wider South Bay, Carson's trade-off is straightforward: lower density, car dependency, and industrial exposure in return for more space.
Who it's for
Carson works best for renters who prioritize space and cost over walkability and transit access, or who work nearby and want a shorter commute than the central city offers. It suits families, shift workers, and people with strong ties to the South Bay industrial and logistics sector. It is less suitable for those without a car, those seeking vibrant street life, or renters sensitive to air quality.
Environment & livability
Air quality: moderate diesel PM exposure for California.
Above the state median, linked to mild long-term respiratory risk in some studies. Worth considering for sensitive households.
Traffic exposure: above-average traffic corridor exposure.
Higher traffic proximity correlates with elevated noise, diesel emissions, and reduced pedestrian comfort on nearby streets.
Tree cover: very limited tree cover, predominantly concrete.
Low canopy areas tend to run hotter and feel more exposed. Research links tree cover to lower ambient temperatures and improved pedestrian comfort.
Walkability: walkable for some errands, car useful for others.
A mixed walkability area. Good for quick trips on foot, but some destinations will require driving or transit.
Transit: minimal transit access, car strongly recommended.
Very infrequent or no meaningful transit nearby. Car dependency is high in this area.
Environmental data from CalEnviroScreen 4.0 and the EPA Smart Location Database. Informational only, not professional advice for a housing decision.
Who lives in Carson
Population
64,588
Renters
25%
of households rent
Median age
42
Median income
$109k
per household
Census ACS 5-year estimates.
Schools in Carson
20 public schools sit inside this area · 20 with published results. Figures are the share of students who met or exceeded state standards.
| School | Grades | English | Math |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ambler Avenue Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 44% | 30% |
| Annalee Avenue Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 48% | 38% |
| Bonita Street Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 45% | 44% |
| Broadacres Avenue Elementary Visual & Performing Arts Magnet Elementary | K-5 | 39% | 31% |
| Caroldale Learning Community Elementary | K-8 | 52% | 45% |
| Carson Street Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 60% | 50% |
| Catskill Avenue Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 49% | 50% |
| Del Amo Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 40% | 47% |
| Dolores Street Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 43% | 40% |
| Leapwood Avenue Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 35% | 39% |
| Towne Avenue Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 50% | 50% |
| Two Hundred Thirty-Second Place Elementary Elementary | K-5 | 65% | 62% |
| Van Deene Avenue Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 60% | 49% |
| Andrew Carnegie Middle Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 6-8 | 46% | 34% |
| Glenn Hammond Curtiss Middle Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 6-8 | 35% | 26% |
| Stephen M. White Middle Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 6-8 | 51% | 37% |
| Academies of Education and Empowerment at Carson High High School | 9-12 | 59% | 16% |
| California Academy of Mathematics and Science High School | 9-12 | 99% | 95% |
| Eagle Tree Continuation High School | 10-12 | 14% | 0% |
| Magnolia Science Academy 3Charter Elementary-High Combination | 6-12 | 38% | 17% |
Source: California Dept. of Education (directory) and CAASPP Smarter Balanced, 2025. We publish these figures as the state reports them and show the same table for every neighborhood. Saktoo does not rate schools, and school data is never part of a neighborhood match score. Attendance boundaries change — confirm the assigned school with the district before relying on it.
Around Carson
Albertsons · ALDI · Ralphs · Seafood City Supermarket
Churroholic · Ding Tea · GREENDOOR Powered by Intelligentsia · Starbucks
A&W · Back Home In Lahaina · Blue Lotus Vietnamese Cuisine · Buffalo Wild Wings
Anderson Park · Burrel McDonald Park · Calas Park · Carson Park
24 Hour Fitness
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Similar neighborhoods
Next to Carson
What the census says about Carson
Facts about the neighborhood from the American Community Survey. These describe Carson; none of them feed the scores above.
- Typical commute
- 30 min
- one way, residents who work
- Settled households
- 82%
- moved in before 2018
- Housing built
- ~1965
- average year of construction
- Above 1 per room
- 9%
- a measure of housing pressure
- Vacant units
- 4%
- of all housing units
- Broadband
- 94%
- of households subscribe
- Detached houses
- 72%
- the rest are attached or apartments
- Typical size
- 3 bed
- median across all homes here
- Homes here
- 23,070
- total housing units
Averaged across 49 areas of about a kilometre each. ACS 5-year estimates.
Carson in the regional index
How Carson places when every neighborhood in LA and Orange County is scored the same way.
- Where police report the fewest incidents
Ranks #71 of 254 neighborhoods on this weighting.
- Where home prices go furthest
Ranks #83 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
Finding a place in Carson
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need a car in Carson?+
Yes. There is no rail transit in Carson, and the city ranks 141st of 319 for transit access across Southern California. Most residents rely on personal vehicles, though bus service exists for some routes.
What is the air quality like in Carson?+
Air quality ranks 244th of 318 areas in the region due to industrial and freight activity nearby. It is moderate for California but noticeably worse than many neighborhoods further from ports and logistics centers.
What parks and recreation are nearby?+
Victoria Community Regional Park, Foisia Park, and Dolphin Park offer local outdoor space. Within a short walk you will find about 1 park per neighborhood area, along with several gyms including 24 Hour Fitness.
How is walkability in Carson?+
Walkability ranks 249th of 319, meaning most errands require a car. The city is car-oriented by design, so expect to drive for groceries, dining, and entertainment.
Is Carson walkable?+
Carson ranks #229 of 346 LA neighborhoods for walkability. In practice, walkable for some errands, car useful for others.
What is the average rent in Carson?+
Current residents of Carson pay a median rent of about $2,137 per month (Census ACS). Asking rents for new leases typically run higher.
How is the air quality in Carson?+
Carson has moderate diesel PM exposure for California, based on CalEnviroScreen 4.0 diesel particulate data (percentile 70 of 100, lower is cleaner).
Which LA neighborhoods are similar to Carson?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to Carson are Chino, Mission Hills, Sylmar and Sun Valley.