Living in Lawndale, CA: Homes, Schools, Costs and Honest Pros and Cons

By Frank Kenny, REALTOR® (DRE #01250123) · Frank Kenny Real Estate Team, eXp Realty of Greater Los Angeles · Updated October 2026

Lawndale is a small, close-knit South Bay city of about 32,000 people packed into just under 2 square miles between Redondo Beach, Hawthorne and Torrance, and it's one of the lower-priced places to own a home near the beach cities. The I-405 runs through it, Hawthorne Boulevard is its main street, and most of what you need is a few minutes away.

I've sold homes in the South Bay since 1998, and Lawndale is often where buyers end up when they want to stay close to Redondo Beach and Manhattan Beach without paying beach-city prices. Here's what it's really like: the neighborhoods, what homes cost, the schools and the trade-offs.

Lawndale at a Glance

Fact	Lawndale, CA
Population	31,807 (2020 Census); 29,892 (Census estimate, July 2025)
Incorporated	December 28, 1959
Land area	1.97 square miles
ZIP codes	90260, 90261
County	Los Angeles County
School districts	Lawndale Elementary (K–8, Niche B+) and Centinela Valley Union High (9–12, Niche B+), as of October 2026
Distance to LAX	About 5 to 6 miles
Distance to Downtown LA	About 13 miles in a straight line
Homes	Mostly 1950s–1960s houses plus apartments and townhomes; 37.0% owner-occupied (ACS 2020–2024)
Market snapshot	Median sale price $805K, three months ending September 2026 (Redfin)

What is it like to live in Lawndale?

Living in Lawndale feels like living in a compact, mostly residential neighborhood that happens to be its own city. At 1.97 square miles, it's small enough that City Hall, the library, the parks and the schools are all close by, and the city calls itself "The Heart of South Bay." Redondo Beach borders it on the west, Hawthorne to the north, Torrance to the southeast and unincorporated Alondra Park to the east.

A street in Lawndale (2018). Photo: FASTILY, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Lawndale's roots go back to 1905, when Charles B. Hopper subdivided the land and named it after a Chicago neighborhood. The Pacific Electric Red Car ran down Railway Avenue, today's Hawthorne Boulevard, until 1933. The city incorporated in 1959, and in 2003 the "Beautify Lawndale" project finished a makeover of the Hawthorne Boulevard corridor.

Many residents rent. According to the Census Bureau, 37.0% of homes are owner-occupied, so blocks of single-family houses sit near apartment buildings and townhomes. The civic center on Burin Avenue, with City Hall at 14717 Burin and the Lawndale Library next door, works as the town center.

What are the neighborhoods in Lawndale?

Lawndale is too small for big, separately named districts, so locals usually describe where they live by the nearest park, school or main street.

• Hawthorne Boulevard corridor: the city's commercial spine, with shops and services, close to the civic center on Burin Avenue.
• Lawndale Acres: a neighborhood name Redfin uses for part of the city.
• Around Jane Addams Park: the blocks near Firmona Avenue, where the park has three baseball fields.
• Along Manhattan Beach Boulevard: the area around Rogers/Anderson Park, whose name it shares with two nearby district schools, Will Rogers Middle and William Anderson Elementary.
• The south end: the streets near William Green Park on 168th Street and Hogan Park on 167th Street.
• The east side: the blocks bordering Alondra Park, near the large LA County regional park of the same name.

What kind of homes are in Lawndale, and what do they cost?

Lawndale homes are mostly modest post-war houses, townhomes and apartments, and they're among the lower-priced options near the beach cities. According to the American Community Survey, about 41% of Lawndale's homes were built in the 1950s and 1960s, and roughly 15% more in the 1970s.

Market snapshot: Redfin reports a median sale price of about $805,000 for the three months ending September 2026, up 6.9% from a year earlier, at a median of $494 per square foot. Redfin rates the market "very competitive": homes received 6 offers on average and sold in a median of 43 days, down from 72 a year earlier. Only 31 homes sold in September 2026, which shows how small the market is. Zillow's Home Value Index put Lawndale's typical home value at about $772,000 at the end of September 2026, and the Census Bureau's 2020–2024 survey put the median owner-occupied value at $781,900.

With so few sales each month, one or two larger homes can move the median. If you own in Lawndale, a home value estimate based on your own street is more useful than the citywide number.

What are the schools like?

Lawndale students are served by two districts: Lawndale Elementary School District for kindergarten through 8th grade, and Centinela Valley Union High School District for high school. Both hold an overall Niche grade of B+ as of October 2026.

• Lawndale Elementary School District: six elementary schools (William Anderson, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, William Green, Billy Mitchell, Lucille Smith and Mark Twain) and two middle schools (Jane Addams and Will Rogers), plus preschool and transitional kindergarten programs. Niche reports about 4,324 students and a 22-to-1 student-teacher ratio, and gives the district an A for teachers.
• Centinela Valley Union High School District: headquartered on Inglewood Avenue in Lawndale. It runs Lawndale High School and Leuzinger High School, both in Lawndale, plus Hawthorne High School and Lloyde High School, a continuation school. Niche ranks it #179 in California. The district runs nine career academies, and Leuzinger reopened its renovated Rice Theater and Olympian Gym in October 2026.
• Charter option: Environmental Charter High School also serves grades 9–12 in Lawndale.

Boundary note: district lines don't match city lines here. Lawndale Elementary also serves some Hawthorne addresses, and its Roosevelt school is in neighboring Alondra Park. Confirm the assigned school by address with the district.

What is there to do?

Day-to-day life in Lawndale centers on its six city parks, the community center and the shopping along Hawthorne Boulevard, with the beach a short drive west through Redondo Beach.

The entrance to the Lawndale Library. Photo: Penny Richards, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

• Jane Addams Park (15114 Firmona Ave.): three baseball fields, basketball courts, picnic areas and barbecues.
• William Green Park (4558 W. 168th St.): a softball field, basketball courts and the recreation office.
• Rogers/Anderson Park (4161 W. Manhattan Beach Blvd.): a baseball field and playgrounds.
• Hogan, Hopper and Larry R. Rudolph parks: smaller neighborhood parks with playgrounds, fitness zones and picnic areas.
• Alondra Regional Park: a larger LA County park just east of the city.
• Lawndale Library (14615 Burin Ave.): an LA County library branch, renovated and reopened in 2009.
• Community events: the city's Halloween Haunt each October and the Field of Honor flag display in November, which reached its 11th year in 2026.

For bigger shopping, the South Bay Galleria is nearby in Redondo Beach along Hawthorne Boulevard. The mall changed hands in July 2025, and new owner Kennedy Wilson is considering mixed-use and housing plans for the site.

How is the commute?

Lawndale's commute is mostly about the I-405, which runs right through the city. Hawthorne Boulevard (State Route 107) runs north–south and Artesia Boulevard (State Route 91) runs east–west, connecting to the rest of the South Bay. LAX is about 5 to 6 miles away, and downtown LA about 13 miles in a straight line.

For transit, Metro buses 40, 211 and 740 serve the city, along with the city's Lawndale Beat shuttle. The closest Metro rail stop is the K Line's Redondo Beach station at 5301 Marine Avenue, which has 340 parking spaces and a Lawndale Beat connection. Since November 2024, the K Line runs from there north through El Segundo to LAX/Metro Transit Center, Inglewood and the Expo/Crenshaw station.

What should buyers know before buying in Lawndale?

Before buying in Lawndale, a buyer should look closely at freeway proximity, the school assignment and the full tax bill.

• The I-405: homes near the freeway get more traffic noise. Visit at rush hour and on a weekend night before you decide.
• School assignment: confirm the elementary and middle school by address, since Lawndale Elementary's lines don't follow city limits.
• Property tax: plan on California's 1% base rate plus local voter-approved bonds, and expect a supplemental tax bill after closing. Check the current bill for special assessments.
• Transfer tax: Lawndale pays only the standard LA County documentary transfer tax ($1.10 per $1,000 of price). Neighboring Redondo Beach is one of five LA County cities with its own special rate, so compare closing costs if you're shopping both.
• Competition: with homes drawing 6 offers on average in the three months ending September 2026, according to Redfin, come in with your loan approval ready.
• Insurance and hazards: get an insurance quote during your inspection period and read the Natural Hazard Disclosure report for the parcel.

Pros and Cons of Living in Lawndale

Pros

• A median sale price around $805,000, below the nearby beach cities
• Next door to Redondo Beach, Hawthorne and Torrance
• Small and easy to get around, with six city parks
• Two high schools, Lawndale High and Leuzinger High, inside the city
• Direct I-405 access

Cons

• Freeway noise near the I-405
• School ratings (Niche B+) below some neighboring districts
• Very few homes for sale, about 31 in September 2026
• Competitive bidding, with 6 offers per home on average
• Mostly older homes from the 1950s and 1960s

Who Is Lawndale Best For?

Lawndale is best for first-time buyers and move-up renters who want to own a house in the South Bay near the beach cities for less. It also fits people who work in El Segundo, Hawthorne or Torrance and want an easy I-405 commute, and buyers who like a small city where the parks and schools are close.

It's a harder fit if you need a large lot or a newer home, or if you want to be far from freeway noise.

Thinking about Lawndale? Search homes for sale, read our South Bay buyer's guide, or talk to our team about getting ready for a competitive market. Already own? Get a home value estimate.

This guide is general information, not tax, legal or insurance advice. Tax rates, school boundaries and insurance availability change. Verify details for any specific property with the county, the school district and your own advisors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lawndale, CA a good place to live?

Lawndale is a good fit for buyers who want to own in the South Bay near Redondo Beach at a lower price. Its median sale price was about $805,000 for the three months ending September 2026, according to Redfin. The main trade-offs are freeway noise near the I-405 and a small supply of homes.

What school district is Lawndale, CA in?

Lawndale is served by Lawndale Elementary School District for grades K–8 and Centinela Valley Union High School District for grades 9–12. Both districts hold an overall Niche grade of B+ as of October 2026. Lawndale High School and Leuzinger High School are both in the city.

How much does a house cost in Lawndale?

Redfin reported a median sale price of about $805,000 in Lawndale for the three months ending September 2026, up 6.9% from a year earlier. Zillow's Home Value Index put the typical home value at about $772,000 at the end of September 2026. Because only about 31 homes sold in September, the median can swing from month to month.

How big is Lawndale, CA?

Lawndale covers 1.97 square miles and had 31,807 residents in the 2020 Census. It borders Redondo Beach, Hawthorne, Torrance and unincorporated Alondra Park. The city incorporated on December 28, 1959.

Is there a Metro train station in Lawndale?

There's no rail station inside Lawndale's city limits. The closest is the K Line's Redondo Beach station at 5301 Marine Avenue, which has 340 parking spaces and a connection to the city's Lawndale Beat shuttle. Metro buses 40, 211 and 740 also serve the city.

Featured image photo: Penny Richards, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped and edited with added text.