Carson is located in southern California, in the South Bay section of Los Angeles County. It is situated less than 20 miles south of downtown Los Angeles with the city of Torrance to the West and Long Beach to the east. According to the 2020 U.S. census, Carson has a population of 95,558.
Due to its proximity to the coast, Carson enjoys a Mediterranean-like climate, with mild winters and warm summers that are cooled by the ocean breeze. Rain rarely occurs in summer but is interspersed occasionally throughout the winter months with an average annual rainfall of 12.8 inches. Average temperatures for the year range from a high of 70.7° F to a low of 50.5° F.
Over 200 years ago, the land around Carson was known as Rancho San Pedro and was deeded in a land grant to Juan Jose Dominguez. As the city prepared for incorporation in the 1960s, they selected the name “Carson” in honor of George Henry Carson, a member of the Dominguez family. After its incorporation on February 20, 1968, Carson selected the motto “Future Unlimited” to reflect the possibilities its location and open land offered.
City |
Single |
Family |
Carson, CA |
$2099 |
$4981 |
Hickory, NC |
$1660 |
$3617 |
Jacksonville, FL |
$2109 |
$4891 |
Austin, TX |
$2672 |
$6245 |
New York City, NY |
$3723 |
$8021 |
Carson’s economy is diverse with employment options spanning multiple industries. Top employers include; Marathon Refining Logistics Services, See’s Candy Shops Inc., Lakeshore Learning, and Mag Aerospace Industries.
The cost of living is slightly less than the California average and Carson does not have a local property tax. Housing rates average $1,274 per month for an individual and $2,140 for a family of four.
Carson offers a diverse range of activities for people of all ages and interests. For sports fans, the LA Galaxy MLS team plays their home games at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson. The city will also host some of the 2028 Summer Olympics events as part of Los Angeles’ hosting bid. Carson also hosts the annual JP Morgan/Chase tennis tournament.
The city offers 12 parks and sports/recreation facilities which include 3 swimming pools, a boxing center, and the Carson Community Center. Car enthusiasts can get behind the wheel of a Porsche at the Porsche Experience Center. And for history buffs, the International Printing Museum and Los Angeles County Natural History Museum are great places to visit. Carson’s proximity to LA and the beach make excursions to the city or the beach simple and easy.
