Where is Downey, California, U.S.

Written and Fact-checked by | Updated On: May 11, 2026

Where is Downey, California Located in the United States? - Downey is a city located in the Los Angeles County in California, United States. Downey lies between 33.9401 Degrees North latitudes and -118.1332 Degrees West longitudes.

Location Map of Downey, Los Angeles, California

Where is Downey Located in Los Angeles, California

About Map: The map shows the location of Downey in Los Angeles County, in the U.S. state of California.

Downey Map, California, USA

About Downey Map: This Google Map provides a detailed view with zoom, satellite, and street options to explore the area and its surroundings.

About Downey, Los Angeles County, California

Downey is located in Los Angeles County in the U.S. state of California, United States. It lies in the southern part of the state in the state of the United States within the southeastern portion of Los Angeles County. The city was incorporated in 1956 and was named after John Gately Downey, a former Governor of California, and it developed as an important aerospace and manufacturing center before expanding into a diverse residential and commercial community.

Population

According to the United States Census Bureau, the population of Downey is 114,355 as recorded in the 2020 Census, and the population density is approximately 9,900 people per square mile.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, Downey covers a total area of approximately 12.6 square miles (about 32.6 square kilometers), including about 12.4 square miles (32.1 square kilometers) of land and 0.2 square miles (0.5 square kilometers) of water.

Location and Surroundings

Downey is situated southeast of downtown Los Angeles and north of Long Beach, positioned within the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area. The city features primarily flat terrain with established neighborhoods, commercial corridors, and community parks. Major highways including Interstate 5, Interstate 605, and Interstate 710 provide convenient regional connectivity.

Top Attractions

Downey offers a variety of parks, civic spaces, and cultural landmarks that serve residents and visitors. Notable attractions include the Columbia Memorial Space Center, Wilderness Park, and the historic Downey Theatre. The city is also home to Rio Hondo College, contributing to higher education and workforce development in the region.

Transportation

Downey is served by Interstate 5, Interstate 605, and Interstate 710, providing direct access to central Los Angeles and surrounding communities. Public transportation includes bus services operated by Los Angeles County transit agencies connecting to nearby Metro rail lines. The nearest major airport is Los Angeles International Airport, located approximately 20 miles to the west.

Explore more cities in California or visit the United States Map section to learn more about the country’s geography.

Sources:

Population and area data sourced from the United States Census Bureau (2020 Census). General city information referenced from the Official Downey City Website.

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Downey City Facts

CityDowney
StateCalifornia
CountyLos Angeles County
CountryUnited States
RegionSouthern California - Gateway Cities
IncorporatedDecember 17, 1956
Founded1873
Total AreaApproximately 12.6 sq mi (32.6 km2)
Land AreaApproximately 12.4 sq mi (32.1 km2)
Water AreaApproximately 0.2 sq mi (0.5 km2)
ElevationApproximately 118 ft (36 m)
Population (2023 estimate)Approximately 113,000+
Population (2020 Census)114,355
Population DensityApproximately 9,000 people per sq mi
Time ZonePacific Time (UTC-8 / UTC-7 DST)
ZIP Codes90239, 90240, 90241, 90242
Area Code562
Major HighwaysInterstate 5, Interstate 605, State Route 105
Public TransitLos Angeles Metro Bus
Major AttractionsColumbia Memorial Space Center, Downey Theatre, Wilderness Park
Official Websitehttps://www.downeyca.org/

Distance from Downey City, CA to Nearby Cities in California

  • Los Angeles, CA – 13 miles (21 km)
  • Long Beach, CA – 15 miles (24 km)
  • Anaheim, CA – 20 miles (32 km)
  • Santa Ana, CA – 25 miles (40 km)
  • Irvine, CA – 35 miles (56 km)
  • Pasadena, CA – 18 miles (29 km)
  • Glendale, CA – 20 miles (32 km)
  • Inglewood, CA – 17 miles (27 km)
  • Torrance, CA – 20 miles (32 km)
  • El Monte, CA – 15 miles (24 km)
  • Pomona, CA – 27 miles (43 km)
  • Ontario, CA – 32 miles (51 km)
  • Riverside, CA – 50 miles (80 km)
  • San Bernardino, CA – 55 miles (89 km)
  • Santa Monica, CA – 22 miles (35 km)
  • Burbank, CA – 22 miles (35 km)
  • Norwalk, CA – 6 miles (10 km)
  • Compton, CA – 8 miles (13 km)
  • Fullerton, CA – 18 miles (29 km)
  • Huntington Beach, CA – 30 miles (48 km)

About Los Angeles County

Los Angeles County is the most populous county in the United States and serves as the economic, cultural, and entertainment center of Southern California. Established in 1850 as one of California's original counties, it is home to more than 10 million residents spread across 88 incorporated cities and numerous unincorporated communities. The county includes world-famous destinations such as Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Malibu, Long Beach, and Pasadena.

The county has one of the world's largest and most diverse economies, driven by entertainment, international trade, technology, aerospace, healthcare, education, tourism, manufacturing, and finance. The Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach together form the busiest container port complex in North America, while Hollywood remains the global center of the film and television industry.

Nearby Counties

  • Ventura County - West
  • Kern County - North
  • San Bernardino County - East
  • Orange County - Southeast

Climate and Weather

SeasonAverage HighAverage LowWeather Characteristics
Winter (Dec-Feb)67°F49°FMild with occasional rainfall
Spring (Mar-May)72°F54°FWarm, pleasant, and relatively dry
Summer (Jun-Aug)84°F65°FWarm to hot with dry conditions
Autumn (Sep-Nov)79°F59°FWarm, sunny, and low rainfall

Transportation

ModeDetails
Major AirportsLos Angeles International Airport (LAX), Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), Long Beach Airport (LGB), Van Nuys Airport
Interstate HighwaysI-5, I-10, I-105, I-110, I-210, I-405, I-605, I-710
US HighwaysUS 101, US 6, US 395 (portion)
Passenger RailAmtrak, Metrolink
Public TransitLA Metro Rail, Metro Bus, Long Beach Transit, Foothill Transit, Santa Monica Big Blue Bus, and other local systems

Driving Distances to Major California Cities

DestinationDistance by RoadApproximate Drive Time
Anaheim30 mi (48 km)40 minutes
Long Beach25 mi (40 km)35 minutes
Santa Ana35 mi (56 km)45 minutes
Riverside60 mi (97 km)1 hour 10 minutes
San Bernardino65 mi (105 km)1 hour 15 minutes
Santa Barbara95 mi (153 km)1 hour 50 minutes
San Diego120 mi (193 km)2 hours 15 minutes
Bakersfield113 mi (182 km)2 hours
Fresno220 mi (354 km)3 hours 45 minutes
Sacramento385 mi (620 km)6 hours

Cities and Communities in Los Angeles County

City / CommunityTypePopulation (2020 Census)
Los AngelesCity3,898,747
Long BeachCity466,742
GlendaleCity196,543
Santa ClaritaCity228,673
PomonaCity151,713
TorranceCity147,067
PasadenaCity138,699
DowneyCity114,355
West CovinaCity109,501
NorwalkCity102,773

Major Attractions and Places to Visit

AttractionLocationCategory
Griffith ObservatoryLos AngelesObservatory
Hollywood SignLos AngelesLandmark
Universal Studios HollywoodUniversal CityTheme Park
The Getty CenterLos AngelesArt Museum
Santa Monica PierSanta MonicaTourist Attraction
Rodeo DriveBeverly HillsShopping District
Dodger StadiumLos AngelesSports Venue
Crypto.com ArenaLos AngelesSports & Entertainment Arena
Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical GardensSan MarinoMuseum & Gardens
Aquarium of the PacificLong BeachAquarium

Educational Institutions

InstitutionTypeLocationKnown For
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)Public UniversityLos AngelesResearch and Medicine
University of Southern California (USC)Private UniversityLos AngelesBusiness, Engineering, Film
California State University, Long BeachPublic UniversityLong BeachEngineering and Liberal Arts
California Institute of Technology (Caltech)Private UniversityPasadenaScience and Engineering
Pepperdine UniversityPrivate UniversityMalibuLaw and Business

Major Rivers, Lakes, and Waterbodies

Los Angeles River, San Gabriel River, Santa Clara River, Rio Hondo, Castaic Lake, Pyramid Lake, Puddingstone Reservoir, Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area, Legg Lake, Malibu Lagoon, Echo Park Lake, Silver Lake Reservoir.

Golf Courses in Los Angeles County

Griffith Park Golf Courses, Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles, Brookside Golf Club, Industry Hills Golf Club at Pacific Palms, Rancho Park Golf Course, Wilson Golf Course, Harding Golf Course, Angeles National Golf Club, Rustic Canyon Golf Course, Rio Hondo Golf Club.

Los Angeles County History

  • Los Angeles County was established on February 18, 1850, shortly after California became the 31st state of the United States.
  • The area was originally inhabited by the Tongva, Chumash, and Tataviam peoples long before Spanish explorers arrived in the 16th century.
  • The Spanish founded El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles in 1781, which later became the City of Los Angeles.
  • Railroad expansion during the late 19th century and the discovery of oil helped transform the county into a major economic center.
  • The emergence of Hollywood in the early 20th century established Los Angeles County as the global capital of the film and television industry.
  • Today, Los Angeles County is recognized as the most populous county in the United States and a global leader in entertainment, international trade, technology, education, tourism, aerospace, and cultural diversity.

References

California Related Links

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