Palos Heights, Montverde

Palos Heights is a beach city in La Monte County, Montverde. It is the third largest city in Montverde, behind St. Matthew's and neighboring Rio Santo. A planned commuter suburb, it is situated along the the Baroda Ocean, a few miles southeast of Rio Santo, and it borders the Town of Eastwood Beach. The city's population was estimated to be 19,945 at the July 2016 census.

History
The city was founded as a wealthy suburb of Rio Santo, and later become a principal city as it grew in population and size.

Geography
Palos Heights is thus quite hilly to the north like much of the cities in southern La Monte County, with many curving streets. According to the Union Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8 square miles, of which, 6.92 square mile is land and 1.08 square miles is water. The main state highway, Interstate 21/East West Highway, widens to five lanes within city limits.

Neighborhoods

 * Downtown Palos Heights, the commercial center of the city.
 * Palos Beach, a residential neighborhood overlooking the Baroda Ocean.
 * Palos Villages, the residential neighborhood adjacent to downtown where most of the population lives.

2016
As of the census of 2016, there were 16,480 people, and 4,618 households residing in the city. The population density was 2,381.5 inhabitants per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 69.0% White, 12.0% African American, 0.3% Native American, 11.4% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 2.5% from other races, and 4.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.5% of the population.

Economy
Palos Heights is the current headquarters of C&F Industries.

Downtown Palos Heights receives an influx of tourists from neighboring Eastwood Beach and is known as a regional shopping district.

City Government
The city is in incorporated as a general law city, meaning it follows the standard state regulations and policies for municpal cities. The city has no mayor, but rather an executive manager and their council who make decisions for the city, much like a town.

State Government
The city is the home of the Montverde Department of Education and all of its chambers, as well as the Montverde District Court 2.

Recreation
The city is known for it's 4 miles of coastline along the Baroda. During summer months, the city's population swells along with other adjacent beach cities.

Primary Schools
There are three primary schools within city limits:
 * Palos Beach Academy (Private)


 * Palos Heights Primary School
 * North Palos Primary School

High Schools
There are three high schools in city limits:
 * Coldwater Academy
 * Palos Beach Academy Prep
 * Palos Heights High School

Higher Education

 * Palos Heights Community College

Transportation
The city currently has no mass transit options, but the city is planned to incorporate a new bus service in the future.