Downey is a city in southeastern Los Angeles County, California, United States, 13 mi (21 km) southeast of Downtown Los Angeles. It is considered part of the Gateway Cities. The city is the birthplace of the Apollo space program and Taco Bell. It is also the home of the oldest operating McDonald's restaurant in the world. As of the 2020 census, the city had a total population of 114,355.

Official town website ↗

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

How Downey ranks

All →

#2Closest to a top hospital in CA #99Lowest depression in CA #99Most walkable in CA All CA rankings →

Town numbers

ZIP code90239, 90240, 90241

Area code562

Living in Downey

Housing in Downey

$879K▲ 2.3% in a year Typical home value · Zillow

The typical Downey home is worth about $879,000, up 2.3% in a year, 15% above the California typical home.

A seller's market

Buyer’sBalancedSeller’s

Days on market29

Sale-to-list102.1%

Sold in May26

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →

Safety in Downey

—

Not graded

A grade needs all of the FBI's latest years (2023–2025). Downey's police department reported only 2023 and 2025, so we don't grade it yet. The figures below are still real.

Violent crime per 1,000

Downey 3

California 4.3

U.S. 3.3

Property crime per 1,000

Downey 21.8

California 18.2

U.S. 15.5

FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to policeCrime & safety →

Work & commute in Downey

Full picture →

Most working residents leave Downey for work: only 9% work in town. The top destinations are Los Angeles (22%), Long Beach (4%) and Santa Fe Springs (3%). Half commute less than 11 miles.

Los Angeles

22%

Long Beach

Santa Fe Springs

Anaheim

9%Work in townlive and work in Downey 11 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 42,300Jobs based herebalanced

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Downey →

Health in Downey

Health Grade B

Healthier than 61% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates.

Compared with California

6better than CA·8worse

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 18 are too close to call.

Conditions 6▲ 6 close Habits all close Care 2▼ 5 close Mind 3▼ 2 close Everyday needs 3▼ 1 close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

5%Fewer adults who have had cancerCA 6.4% · better 4%Fewer adults with COPDCA 5.1% · better 14.8%More uninsured adultsCA 10.6% · worse

Care nearby

Pih Health Downey HospitalDowney · 0.2 mi · ER

Wesley Health Centers - DowneyDowney · 0.1 mi · sliding-scale fees

3 hospitals · 5 health centers in Downey →

Primary careNo shortage

DentalNo shortage

Mental healthNo shortage

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CDC's estimate for Downey · CMS · HRSAHealth in Downey →

Natural hazards in Downey

Very high

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 83% of U.S. communities.

🏚️ Earthquakes🌊 Inland flooding

6Does Downey flood?paid flood claims since 2001 7Disasters that paid out herefederal disasters sent FEMA money to Downey MapDowney vs. its neighborsnearby towns shaded by rating

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Downey →

Climate in Downey

Full climate →

Downey has warm winters and warm summers, with very little rain. A typical July afternoon reaches 84°, a January night drops to 47°, and snow is almost unheard of.

69° / 47°Winter

74° / 53°Spring

83° / 63°Summer

80° / 57°Fall

How much snow does Downey get?Almost none.Rain & snow →Does it ever freeze?In about 7% of years.Frost →Is it warmer than it used to be?+2.5° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Downey →

Schools in Downey

All Downey schools →

A⁻

School Grade A-

The public schools Downey’s kids attend, from kindergarten through graduation, outperform 76% of California’s districts on state tests and graduation. Among towns with similar incomes, they rank near the top.

DistrictDowney UnifiedSchools29

Rio Hondo ElementaryElementary · Grades K–5 · 838 students Lewis (Ed C.) ElementaryElementary · Grades K–5 · 810 students Carpenter (C. C.) ElementaryElementary · Grades K–5 · 796 students Gallatin ElementaryElementary · Grades K–5 · 788 students Price (Maude) ElementaryElementary · Grades K–5 · 757 students Rio San Gabriel ElementaryElementary · Grades K–5 · 747 students

School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results and graduation rates, graded within CA. Ratings are from neighbors.