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A Brief History of the City

Jared Sidney Torrance founded the City of Torrance in 1912 when his land development company purchased 2,791 acres from the Dominguez Estate Company. The purchased land was originally a small part of the Spanish land grant known as Rancho San Pedro and given to Juan Jose Dominguez in 1784. The newly-developed industrial town provided housing for 500 people. By 1921, when the City was incorporated, it had a population of approximately 1,800 residents. The original Torrance City Charter was voted on and ratified by a vote of the people on August 20, 1946. The Charter was subsequently filed with the Secretary of State on January 7, 1947.

Early development in the City was marked by the discovery of oil, a planned industrial expansion, and various land annexations. These events paved the way for Torrance to become one of the largest cities in Los Angeles County today with a population of approximately 148,427.


Torrance strives to maintain its founding fathers’ concept of a well-balanced community in which business, industry, finance, government and residents work together to create a spirit of community.


The City currently comprises a land area of 20.54 square miles (or 13,146 acres). Not only is the City a leading industrial center in the Los Angeles area, but it is the commercial hub for the greater South Bay communities, serving a combined 24-hour population of approximately 500,000 people.

3031 Torrance Blvd.  Torrance, CA 90503      |   (310) 618-2870    |      CityClerk@TorranceCA.Gov 
  • About Us
    • FAQ
    • Contact
    • Ethics Information
    • Video Vignettes
    • About the City of Torrance >
      • Strategic Plan
      • Vision
      • Preamble
      • Mission Statement
      • Values
      • Brief History of Torrance
      • Basic City Organizational Chart
      • Other Agencies
    • City Hall Information
  • Voter Information
    • Important Dates
    • Registration Information
    • Vote By Mail
    • Vote In-Person
    • Ballot Drop Box
    • Candidate & Measure Information
    • Special Services
  • Torrance Election
    • Election Results
    • District Information >
      • District Highlights
    • Council Appointment
    • Meet the Candidates
    • City Of Torrance Elected Offices
  • Research Candidates
    • Meet the Candidates
    • Candidate Forums
    • Campaign Finance Disclosures
    • Candidate Contact List
    • List of Certified Qualified Candidates
  • Run for Office
    • Campaign Contribution Limits (Torrance Municipal Code)
    • Finance Rules (FPPC)
  • Ways to Volunteer
  • External Resources
    • Disclaimer
    • External Resource Submissions