Cerritos

Cerritos is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. It sits in the southeastern part of the county within the Los Angeles metropolitan area, bordered by the communities of Artesia, La Palma, Lakewood, and Norwalk. The city covers about eight square miles and has a population in the range of 50,000 people. It was incorporated in 1956 and developed from agricultural land into a residential and commercial suburb.

Cerritos operates under a council-manager form of government. The City Council selects a mayor from its members to serve a one-year term. Local government focuses on public safety, land use planning, and services for residents. The economy includes the Cerritos Towne Center, the Cerritos Auto Square—one of the largest auto malls in the world—and the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, which hosts tours and local productions. The Cerritos Library, located in the Civic Center, is noted for its architecture and community programs.

The population is diverse, with sizeable Asian American communities, including Korean and Filipino residents, along with long-standing Latino and White residents. The city hosts a mix of single-family homes and apartment communities, and several parks and community facilities.

Education in Cerritos is provided mainly by the ABC Unified School District, which operates several elementary and secondary schools, including Cerritos High School. The nearby Cerritos College serves as the area’s community college. The name Cerritos derives from the Spanish word for 'little hills'.