Vision
Carson: A thriving, diverse, destination city - a great place to live,
work and play with an unlimited future.
Mission
To serve and enhance the quality of life of residents and businesses
through engagement and the efficient delivery of exceptional
services.
History
Carson was part of a Spanish Land Grant known as Rancho San Pedro
deeded to Juan Jose Dominguez over 200 years ago. During the
incorporation process, the community was named after George Henry
Carson, a member of the Dominguez family. "Dominguez" was a close
second to "Carson" as the name for the newly incorporated city.
Incorporated as a general law city on February 20, 1968, the city
adopted the motto of "Future Unlimited." Its strategic location and
vacant land were part of the reason for that statement of unbridled
optimism.
Location
Located in the South Bay section of Los Angeles County, Carson has
grown from a population of 61,000 in 1968 to 96,710 in 2022. Over the years, three
annexations have increased the city's size to 19.2 square miles. Steady and
continued growth has enabled Carson to become a city of regional significance.
Community
While Carson is well known as an industrial center with unparalleled
access to transportation and the Pacific Rim, it is also a
culturally diverse community that is attractive place to live and
work. The city has more than 120 acres of park land divided into 12
parks, 2 mini-parks and sports/recreational facilities that include
3 swimming pools, a boxing center, a state-of-the art sports complex
and the Carson Community Center. These facilities allow the
residents of Carson to enjoy a variety of sports, recreational and
cultural programs. The city's educational needs are served by Los
Angeles Unified School District, and the community has access to 47
church organizations.