The South East study area, which includes the contiguous cities of Huntington Park, South Gate, and Cudahy, cover an area of 11.6 square miles east of the Los Angeles River and Los Angeles City limits. Although these areas were historically white suburban communities, dramatic demographic and cultural shifts have occurred in the last three decades. These areas are now Hispanic ethnic enclaves. According to the 2000 Census, 96% of Huntington Park, 92% of South Gate, 94% of the total population of Cudahy is Hispanic. Residents are relatively young, and a significant proportion of them are first generation immigrants.