More about Compton California

Compton is a city in Los Angeles County south-southeast of the downtown area. Compton was officially incorporated in 1889 and as of 200 has an estimated population of 93,493. The city has seen an increase of middle-class residents in the past few years due to cheap housing and a decrease in crime. Although it is sen primarily as an African-American community, in the last few years, Latinos have become the plural-majority due to immigration and shifts in ethnic populations. The original tract if land that houses Compton was part of Rancho San Pedro, and the tree that marked the original north boundary of the rancho, is still standing at the corner of Poppy and Short streets. Griffith D. Compton originally led a group of settlers looking for a mild climate to the now city in 1867, and officially incorporating it in May, 1889. Although the area is in such close proximity to a major metropolitan area, it has managed to retain a small pocket of agriculture. In 2008, using data from the F.B.I. “Crime in the United States 2008” Compton was rated the 17th most dangerous city in the nation, primarily because of its notorious gang activity from organized gang such as the Bloods and Crips. Compton’s violent reputation was popularized in the late 1980s with the rise of violent gangster rap music from groups such as N.W.A. and Compton’s Most Wanted. Although it is still rated a dangerous city, the crime rate has decreased significantly since 2002, due to the enlisting of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Another method the city used to combat violence was a program called Gifts for Guns, in which residents were offered a $100 check for foods and other goods if they handed their guns over to the police. Although the city has a history of violence, it was recently named an “Entrepreneurial Hot Spot” by Cognetics, Inc. The city made the national list for best places to start and grow a business and ranked number 2 in Los Angeles County out of 88 cities. One reason for this is the city’s Planning and Economic Development department provides a business assistance program to help those trying to start their own business.