Beverlywood was developed in 1940 by Walter H. Leimert, who also developed Leimert Park. The neighborhood consists of 1,354 single family homes, and was one of the first neighborhoods in the Los Angeles area to have binding CC&Rs. These regulations, which are administered by the Beverlywood Homes Association, strictly limit housing size, style, color, and design along with additional restrictions on landscaping, and are enforced by a review committee. Additionally, all residents are required to pay the fees to the Beverlywood Home Association.[2][3]
In recent years, the neighborhood has become a hotspot for mansionization. Despite complying with HOA regulations, many residents believe that the newer and larger houses ruin the feel of the neighborhood and have been successfully campaigning the Los Angeles City Council for regulations to restrict new home sizes.[4]
Geography
Beverlywood as delineated by the Los Angeles Times
The Mapping L.A. boundaries of Beverlywood, which are broader than those recognized by the Beverlywood Homes Association, include areas not subject to the rules and regulations that limit housing size, style, color, and design.[6][9]
According to the Mapping L.A. project of the Los Angeles Times, Beverlywood is flanked on the north by Pico-Robertson, on the east by Mid-City, on the south by Palms, and on the west by Cheviot Hills.[9][10] Beverlywood's street and other borders are given as: north, Cashio Street and Airdrome Street; east. Canfield Avenue and Robertson Boulevard; south, Cattaraugus Avenue; and west, Beverwil Drive and the boundary with the Hillcrest Country Club.[1]
These wider boundaries include the neighborhoods of both Castle Heights and West Helms, which are served by different neighborhood associations (though all part of the South Robertson Neighborhoods Council).[6][9]
Population
Within the Mapping L.A. boundaries, the 2000 U.S. census counted 6,080 residents in the 0.79-square-mile Beverlywood neighborhood—an average of 7,654 people per square mile, about average for the city. In 2008, the city estimated that the population had increased to 6,418. The median age for residents was 39, older than the city at large; the percentages of residents aged 35 to 49 and 65 and older were among the county's highest.[11]
The neighborhood was considered "not especially diverse" ethnically,[12] with a high percentage of white people. The breakdown was whites*, 80%; Asians, 7.3%; Latinos, 6.1%; blacks, 4.2%; and others, 2.4%. *Iran (12.1%) and *Israel (9.3%) were the most common places of birth for the 24.5% of the residents who were born abroad—considered a low figure for Los Angeles.[11]
The median yearly household income in 2008 dollars was $105,253, a high figure for Los Angeles, and the percentage of households earning $125,000 and up was also considered high for the county. The average household size of 2.5 people was average for Los Angeles. Renters occupied 29.7% of the housing stock and house- or apartment owners held 70.3%.[11]
In 2000 there were 113 families headed by single parents, a low rate for the city and the county. The percentages of veterans who served during World War II or the Korean War were among the county's highest.[11]
The neighborhood has been described as an "Orthodox Jewish enclave".[13][14]
Education
Fifty-five percent of Beverlywood residents aged 25 and older had earned a four-year degree by 2000, a high figure for both the city and the county. The percentages of residents of that age with a bachelor's degree or a master's degree were also considered high for the county.[11]
The schools within Beverlywood are as follows:[15]
Canfield Avenue Elementary School, LAUSD, 9233 Airdrome Street
The Beverlywood Homes Association owns and maintains several private parks in the neighborhood, which, with the exception of Circle Park, are gated and only accessible to Beverlywood residents.[2]
