How Did Cerritos Start?
If you’ve lived in Cerritos for years, or you’re thinking about selling here, this is one of those local stories worth knowing.
A lot of people don’t realize Cerritos didn’t start as Cerritos. So how did Cerritos start?
It started as Dairy Valley.
Cerritos was incorporated on April 24, 1956 as the City of Dairy Valley, and the city’s name change to Cerritos became official on January 10, 1967. That’s exactly why 2026 marks such a meaningful 70-year milestone for the city.
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Before it was Cerritos, it was Dairy Valley
Long before Cerritos became known for beautiful neighborhoods, top-rated schools, parks, shopping, and a strong sense of community, this area was filled with:
- dairy farms
- chickens
- turkeys
- sugar beet fields
- dirt roads
- open land
In fact, when Dairy Valley officially became a city in 1956, the numbers were wild.
According to the City’s historical records, the new city had about:
- 3,500 people
- 32,000 cows
- 83,000 chickens
- 9,600 turkeys
That gives you a pretty good idea of what life looked like back then.
This wasn’t suburban Cerritos yet.
This was agricultural land with a very specific identity.
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Why was Dairy Valley created in the first place?
Back in the 1950s, the local dairymen wanted more control over what happened to the land.
Nearby areas were growing fast, and there was real concern that outside development would change the future of the community.
So local leaders pushed for incorporation.
That move helped create a city that could protect agricultural land and guide what happened next.
On April 10, 1956, voters approved incorporation. Then on April 24, 1956, Dairy Valley officially became a city.
That decision changed everything.
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So when did Dairy Valley become Cerritos?
As the 1960s moved forward, land values started rising.
Property taxes increased.
And over time, dairy farming became less practical in this part of Los Angeles County.
That’s when the city started shifting from an agricultural community into a residential one.
The City of Cerritos notes that this transition accelerated as residents voted to open more land to new homes and future development. Then the name changed.
The official name change from Dairy Valley to Cerritos happened on January 10, 1967.
That new name reflected a new future.
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What makes this story matter today?
Because this is exactly the kind of story that makes people feel more connected to a city.
Cerritos isn’t just “another suburb.”
It has a real identity.
It went from farmland to one of the most recognized communities in Southeast Los Angeles County.
That transformation is part of why longtime homeowners feel such a strong sense of pride here.
And if you’re a homeowner thinking about selling in Cerritos, local story matters more than people think.
Buyers don’t just buy square footage.
They buy:
- community
- schools
- lifestyle
- reputation
- long-term pride of ownership
When you understand how a city was built, you market the home differently.
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Why this matters if you’re selling a home in Cerritos
If you’re planning to sell in Cerritos, this 70th anniversary is more than a fun fact.
It’s a local relevance moment.
That gives us content angles like:
- “Why homeowners love living in Cerritos”
- “How Cerritos became one of the most desirable cities in the area”
- “70 years of community pride in Cerritos”
- “What makes Cerritos stand out for today’s buyers”
That kind of content helps your home stand out because it gives buyers context.
And context builds emotional connection.
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Final thoughts
Cerritos started as Dairy Valley in 1956.
It officially became Cerritos in 1967.
And now, 70 years later, it’s one of the most established and recognizable communities in the area.
If you’ve owned a home here for years, that history is part of what makes your property more meaningful.
And if you’re thinking about selling, your story should be marketed with the city’s story in mind.
Christine Almarines is a top real estate agent in Buena Park and Cerritos helping homeowners sell in Orange County and Los Angeles County.
If you’re curious what your Cerritos home could sell for in today’s market, reach out for a custom home value review.
Christine Almarines
Real Estate Agent | CA Real Estate Group | Caliber Real Estate
📱 714-476-4637
📧 christine@carealestategroup.com
DRE #01412944