Our City

Pico Rivera is a thriving community that offers opportunities to all who live, work and relax in the City. Situated on the eastern edge of the Los Angeles basin and the southern edge of the area known as the San Gabriel Valley, Pico Rivera is approximately 13 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles.

Formed through the merging of two historic communities, Pico and Rivera, the City was officially incorporated in January 1958 as the 61st city in Los Angeles County. Originally an agricultural area, the community evolved into a residential and industrial area following the end of World War II.

Pico Rivera is governed by a Council-Manager form of government. The voters of Pico Rivera elect a five-member City Council, which in turn appoints a City Manager to carry out its policies and serve as the administrative head of the city organization. As the City’s chief administrator, the City Manager is responsible for overseeing City employees who implement all of the City’s programs, services and projects, with the exception of police, fire and library services, which are provided through contracts with the County of Los Angeles.

Elementary and high school students in the community are served by the El Rancho Unified School District and Montebello Unified School District, with a number of universities and colleges in Los Angeles and Orange counties providing a range of opportunities for higher education.

Industrial and commercial uses continue to be attracted to Pico Rivera, thanks in large part to the easy access provided by three freeways, major railroads and the close proximity of world-class port and airport facilities.

Since its incorporation more than 50 years ago, the City has embraced progress while honoring its heritage. As the community looks forward to the next 50 years, several recent and pending projects will help ensure Pico Rivera continues to be a great place to live, work and play. These include the recently completed projects such as the Passons Boulevard railroad underpass project, the new Pico Rivera Library on Mines Avenue and the completion of the Parks Renovation project, which provided much-needed improvement and expansion of city parks and recreational facilities throughout the community.

The City is pleased to provide the latest accomplishments in projects, programs and other City services.  View our 2017-2018 Accomplishments Book here.