Norwalk is a city in Los Angeles County, California, in the southeastern part of the county. Its population is about 102,800, making it the fourteenth most populous city in the county. Incorporated in 1957, Norwalk grew from agricultural and dairy roots into a substantial suburban city within the greater Los Angeles metropolis. The area's early history was tied to farming and the dairy industry, and the city later developed as a residential community as the region urbanized. The city's identity is closely tied to public service and transportation. Norwalk is long identified by its iconic water tower, a local landmark that anchors the civic center, and the city is known for the breadth of its municipal services and recreational programming. The Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District serves the community, and the city's facilities, parks, and transit systems reflect its role as a regional hub. Transportation is a defining feature. Norwalk is served by four freeways, and the city hosts both a Metrolink commuter rail station, serving the Orange County Line and the 91/Perris Valley Line, and the Metro C Line (Green Line) light-rail terminal. The Norwalk Transit System provides local fixed-route and paratransit bus service, making the city one of the more transit-connected points in southeast Los Angeles County. For residents, the appeal is a settled, diverse community with strong civic institutions, practical housing, and exceptional access to the region's transportation network. The city's location places downtown Los Angeles, Orange County, and the San Gabriel Valley within reach, while its own parks, schools, and neighborhoods provide a grounded, family-oriented daily life. The combination of a historic civic core, deep public services, and a central position in the region's transit network defines Norwalk's character.