Maywood is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. In terms of area, Maywood is the third-smallest incorporated city in Los Angeles County, as it is slightly larger than Hawaiian Gardens, the smallest, and Cudahy, the second-smallest. The population was about 29,984 on January 1, 2009, according to the California Department of Finance. Various news accounts have said its official population swells to 45,000 when illegal immigrants are counted. About one third of its residents work in the factories at nearby Vernon and Commerce. The city has been at the forefront of illegal immigration debates. The city, 97% of which is Latino, became a sanctuary city causing a backlash from groups like the Minutemen Project. The city has a relatively young population and due to this the city government has build a community activity sport building, the new Riverfront Park, and new half-sized olympic swimming pool at the Maywood Activity Center. Maywood Academy High School along with Maywood Elementary School have been build to accommodate the young families of the city. Another new high school is slated to open in the near future. The city also provides a free WiFi internet service to benefit the young people and businesses of the city.