South El Monte is a city in the San Gabriel Valley, in Los Angeles County, California, United States.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.8 square miles (7.4 km2), virtually all land.

The racial makeup of South El Monte was 10,136 (50.4%) White (3.4% Non-Hispanic White), 107 (0.5%) African American, 250 (1.2%) Native American, 2,211 (11.0%) Asian, 12 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 6,718 (33.4%) from other races, and 682 (3.4%) from two or more races.

According to the 2010 United States Census, South El Monte had a median household income of $44,104, with 19.4% of the population living below the federal poverty line.

[29] At the 2000 census there were 21,144 people in 4,620 households, including 4,088 families, in the city.

[32] The City of South El Monte has four Council members elected at large for a term of four years.

The South El Monte City Council consists of:[2] In the state legislature South El Monte is in the 22nd Senate District, represented by Democrat Susan Rubio and the 56th Assembly District, represented by Democrat Lisa Calderon.

[34] The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) operates the Temple Station in Temple City, serving South El Monte.

South El Monte community news is provided by the San Gabriel Valley Tribune.