text:
Solvang, California

Solvang (Danish for "sunny field") is a city in Santa Barbara County, California, United States. It is located in the Santa Ynez Valley. The population was 6,126 at the 2020 census, up from 5,245 at the 2010 census. Solvang was founded in 1911 and incorporated as a city on May 1, 1985. Solvang has been described as "The Danish Capital of America".

Solvang's origins date back to 1804, when Mission Santa Inés was founded by the Spanish under Esteban Tápis. A small community grew up around the mission called "Santa Inés" during the Mexican period, but it was largely abandoned after the American Conquest of California. In 1911, a new settlement was founded around the mission by a group of Danish Americans who purchased 9000 acres of the surrounding Rancho San Carlos de Jonata, to establish a Danish community far from Midwestern winters. The community began building Danish-themed architecture in 1947, and has since become a tourist destination. The community attracts tourists from Nordic countries, and has been the subject of several Danish royal visits, most recently by Prince Henrik in 2011. A minority of residents in the 21st century are of Danish origin.

Beginnings

The Santa Ynez Valley, in which Solvang lies, was originally inhabited by the Chumash, identified by Father Pedro Font, chaplain of the 1776 Anza Expedition, and were described as an ingenious and industrious people who are good fishermen and hunters, with an excellent astronomical system.

As part of the expansion of the mission system established in California by Spanish missionaries, Father Estévan Tapís founded Mission Santa Inés, now located near the center of Solvang, in order to relieve overcrowding at Mission Santa Barbara and Mission La Purísima Concepción since it was located midway between the two. It also served as a gateway to the Chumash Indians living east of the Coast Range.

After the Mexican War of Independence, the Mexican Assembly passed the Secularization Laws which confiscated Mission lands, along with other property, and transferred them to the control of local ranchers, with Solvang being later founded on what became known as the Rancho San Carlos de Jonata. With secularization, Mission Santa Inés began to decline and the Chumash Indian population in the area along with it. For a time, the mission was a seminary but soon began to deteriorate; it was repaired by the Donahue family in 1884 and renovated by Fr. Alexander Buckler in 1904.

Danish settlement
In 1910, Danish-Americans created the Danish-American Colony Company in San Francisco. Later that year, suitable land was found in the Santa Ynez Valley northwest of Santa Barbara, and in 1911, they acquired and founded Solvang. The Danes had bought almost 9000 acre of the Rancho San Carlos de Jonata land grant, paying an average of $40 per acre.

A hotel was built close to the Mission where new arrivals could be housed, and a school opened in 1911, with 21 students.

Expansion

In 1912, when it became difficult to sell any more plots of land, developers from Solvang travelled to Iowa and Nebraska to persuade Danish immigrants to buy land in the town. This attracted new settlers. The early settlement had a store, a bank, a lumber yard, a barbershop and a post office.

Folk high school
In 1914, Atterdag College opened, named after Valdemar IV of Denmark. The school taught Danish-speaking students in their late teens a curriculum that emphasized lectures, singing, gymnastics, folk dancing and fellowship. During World War I, enrollment dropped due to reduced Danish immigration, and a rise in nationalism. The school was sold to the Solvang Lutheran church in 1921. Atterdag College continued to be used as a folk school, community meeting hall, performing arts venue, gymnastics center, summer school, and boarding house until it was demolished in 1970, and then replace by the Solvang Lutheran Home.

Danish church

The Bethania Evangelical Lutheran Church opened in 1928, designed as a Gothic-styled, 14th century rural Danish church. Originally, the services were mainly in Danish, but are now in English.

Danish-styled architecture
Initially, most of Solvang's buildings were built in the same style as others in the area. The Lutheran church was the first to be based on Danish architecture and bears a close relationship to Danish equivalents. But after World War II, interest grew in the concept of a "Danish Village". The pioneer of the Danish Provincial style was Ferdinand Sorensen, originally from Nebraska. In the mid-1940s, after returning to Solvang from a trip to Denmark, he first completed Møllebakken, his Danish-styled home, and then went on to build the first of the village's four windmills. A little later, Earl Petersen, a local architect, gave the older buildings a new look, adding façades in so-called "Danish Provincial" style. Buildings in the half-timbered style of Danish rural houses proliferated, creating a new tourist attraction. While much was done to create an "authentic" Danish atmosphere in the town center, it has been pointed out by Scandinavians that fake thatched roofs and artificial timbering are largely a result of local interests in general rather than those of the Danish immigrants themselves. The older buildings have simply been restyled to look Danish even if there was nothing Danish about them originally.

Subsequent development
During the 1920s, the proportion of non-Danish residents rose substantially and local businesses and churches began providing services in English, in addition to traditional Danish. In the 1930s, Solvang became the largest town in the Santa Ynez Valley and a commercial hub for the local region. By the late 1940s, Solvang's growth stagnated as the town's economic activity focused predominately on agriculture, prompting younger residents to leave in search of more diverse job opportunities. In 1947, the town was featured in an article in The Saturday Evening Post entitled "Little Denmark", which praised Solvang's quaint rural charms and sparked a tourism boom prompting residents of Los Angeles and San Francisco to take weekend trips to Solvang. Solvang subsequently developed a tourism industry focused on emphasizing the town's Danish heritage. The 2004 film Sideways brought attention to the vineyards in the surrounding Santa Ynez Valley and tasting rooms have opened. Restaurants are also part of the revitalization of Solvang as it becomes a destination for locally sourced fare.

Geography
Solvang is located in the Santa Ynez Valley some 46 mi north-west of Santa Barbara and about 15 mi north of the Pacific coast. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.4 sqmi, 99.95% of it land and 0.05% of it water.

Climate
Solvang enjoys sunshine throughout the year with clear, warm days and cool nights. Average temperatures vary between 52 and 72 F with highs reaching the lower 90s °F (lower 30s °C) and winter lows in the upper 30s °F (below 5 °Curthermore, Solvang experiences large diurnal temperature variations, especially in the summer, when daily temperatures vary on average by almost 40 °F. Average annual rainfall for Solvang (recorded between 1964 and 2010) is 19.31 in.

Solvang is 140 mi northwest of Los Angeles.

2010
The 2010 United States Census reported that Solvang had a population of 5,245. The population density was 2,161.6 PD/sqmi. The racial makeup of Solvang was 4,326 (82.5%) White, 38 (0.7%) African American, 59 (1.1%) Native American, 72 (1.4%) Asian, 1 (0.0%) Pacific Islander, 611 (11.6%) from other races, and 138 (2.6%) from two or more races. There were 1,530 Hispanic or Latino residents, of any race (29.2%).

The Census reported that 5,190 people (99.0% of the population) lived in households, 3 (0.1%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 52 (1.0%) were institutionalized.

There were 2,173 households, out of which 611 (28.1%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 1,081 (49.7%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 183 (8.4%) had a female householder with no husband present, 121 (5.6%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 120 (5.5%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 18 (0.8%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 636 households (29.3%) were made up of individuals, and 303 (13.9%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39. There were 1,385 families (63.7% of all households); the average family size was 2.97.

There were 1,094 residents (20.9%) under the age of 18, 384 (7.3%) aged 18 to 24, 1,142 (21.8%) 25 to 44, 1,530 (29.2%) 45 to 64, and 1,095 residents (20.9%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.7 males.

There were 2,485 housing units at an average density of 1,024.1 /mi2, of which 1,257 (57.8%) were owner-occupied, and 916 (42.2%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.8%; the rental vacancy rate was 6.9%. 2,872 people (54.8% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 2,318 people (44.2%) lived in rental housing units.

2000
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,332 people, 2,185 households, and 1,415 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,143.3 PD/sqmi. There were 2,288 housing units at an average density of 919.7 /mi2. The racial makeup of the city was 88.24% White, 0.43% African American, 0.66% Native American, 1.05% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 5.51% from other races, and 4.07% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 19.86% of the population.

There were 2,185 households, out of which 26.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.2% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.2% were non-families. 30.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the city, 21.9% of the population was under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 24.4% from 45 to 64, and 22.9% was 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $45,799, and the median income for a family was $57,703. Males had a median income of $41,429 versus $30,175 for females. The per capita income for the city was $25,363. About 2.7% of families and 6.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.5% of those under age 18 and 5.9% of those age 65 or over.

Top employers
According to Solvang's 2020 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city were:

Tourism
Solvang is a tourist attraction with over one million visitors per year. Tourists were initially attracted to Solvang by the visit of Denmark's Prince Frederik in 1939. But it was in 1947, following a feature article in The Saturday Evening Post, that they began to flock to the town. Sights include the Danish windmills, the statues of Hans Christian Andersen and The Little Mermaid replica, the half-timbered houses, the Danish rural church, the Round Tower as well as Danish music and folk dancing. Several restaurants and pastry shops serve Danish specialities. A replica of a 19th-century Danish streetcar, the horse-drawn Hønen ("the hen"), takes visitors on sightseeing tours around downtown Solvang. Partly as a result of the 2004 film Sideways, which was set in the surrounding Santa Ynez Valley, the number of wine-related businesses in Solvang has increased, attracting oenophiles to the downtown area.

Museums

 * The Elverhøj Museum, housed in the former residence of artist Viggo Brandt-Erichsen, is devoted to preserving the Danish heritage of Solvang with its Danish-American pioneer spirit. The building which was completed in 1950 is inspired by the 18th-century farmhouses of northern Jutland. After extensive renovation, the museum opened to the public in May 1988. The cottage in the garden houses a diorama of scale models depicting Solvang in the 1920s. From January to April 2011, the museum was hosting an exhibition entitled "Spirit of Solvang" consisting of a series of old black-and-white photographs of the village enhanced by local resident Paul Roark.
 * The Hans Christian Andersen Museum, located above The Book Loft, is devoted to presenting the author's life and works. Displays include models of Andersen's childhood home and of "The Princess and the Pea". The museum also contains hundreds of volumes of Andersen's works, including many illustrated first editions.
 * The Vintage Motorcycle Museum displays machines from the private collection of Virgil Elings, a veteran motorcross and road racer. While there is an emphasis on vintage racing bikes, the collection is quite broad and ranges from 1910 to the present.

Danish Days

Since 1936, Solvang has celebrated Danish folk traditions at its annual "Danish Days" event. Led by a "Danish Maid", the program consists of æbleskiver eating competitions, music, dancing, and processions through the downtown area with floats, marching groups, marching bands, folk dancers and singers. A Danish Days breakfast on Sunday morning features medisterpølser, a spiced pork sausage recipe of Danish origins, and æbleskiver.

Festival Theater
One of Solvang's attractions is the 700-seat open-air Festival Theater, which was built in 1974 following the success of a makeshift performance of Hamlet in 1971 in the town park. Strong support from the local business community, Donovan Marley (director of the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts), and Earl Petersen (a local architect), allowed the structure to be completed in record time. Recent productions have included West Side Story and Les Misérables. The style of the exterior is reminiscent of both Danish and Elizabethan architecture.

Royal visits
On April 7, 1939, Danish Crown Prince Frederik and Princess Ingrid visited Solvang; at the time, a large number of the town's 400 residents were Danish immigrants. They drove through the grounds of Atterdag College and attended a Good Friday service at Bethania Church. The crown prince spoke of their reception favorably: "To find out traditions in our fatherland in new surroundings makes them only more beloved to us. We have been bathed in sunlight ever since we began this memorable day and now we have driven into a bit of Denmark tucked into this beautiful California."

On June 5, 1960, Princess Margrethe of Denmark paid a visit which included a reception at Palacio del Rio, lunch at Bethania Church and a tour of downtown Solvang. She returned on May 23, 1976, as Queen of Denmark together with her husband, Prince Henrik. After a formal luncheon in the Parish Hall, the couple visited Bethania Church and the Solvang Lutheran Home before greeting residents on Copenhagen Drive. Shortly after her visit, the queen awarded Solvang developer Ferdinand Sorensen the Order of the Dannebrog for strengthening ties between the United States and Denmark.

100th anniversary
During Solvang's centennial celebrations in 2011, the city was visited by Friis Arne Petersen, the Danish ambassador to the United States, and by Prince Henrik of Denmark.

Bicycling
Solvang is a popular destination for bicyclists, and has been featured as a race location on the Tour of California. The surrounding countryside and variable terrain provide a variety of conditions useful for training. Two annual amateur bicycling events are held in Solvang: the Solvang Century (held in March) and the Solvang Prelude (held in November).

The Tour of California cycle race has had time trial stages in Solvang on four occasions; 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011.

Filming location

 * Solvang was one of the two locations featured in the William Castle film, Homicidal (1961). The location used for the drugstore and flowershop still stands today and remains relatively unchanged.
 * Parts of the horror film The Unseen (1980) were filmed in Solvang along or near Mission Drive, with particular use made of the Bit O' Denmark Restaurant and the Solvang Gardens Lodge, which was known as the Solvang Gaard Lodge at the time of filming.
 * Much of the Oscar-winning film Sideways (2004) was filmed in Solvang and in nearby Buellton.
 * Much of the Netflix film Paddleton (2019) takes place in Solvang.
 * The Lifetime film A Very Charming Christmas Town (2020) takes place almost entirely in Solvang.

Transportation
State Route 246 runs through Solvang as Mission Drive, connecting Buellton and U.S. Route 101 to the west, and Santa Ynez and Highway 154 to the east.

Although most of Solvang's visitors arrive by car, there are three bus connections per day for those arriving at Santa Barbara by rail. The Santa Ynez Valley Transit bus service connects Buellton, Solvang, Santa Ynez, and Los Olivos. The Clean Air Express now connects Solvang and Buellton to Goleta and Santa Barbara.

The nearby Santa Ynez Airport caters to general aviation.

Public safety
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office has a sub station in Solvang, while the Solvang Volunteer Fire Department was disbanded in April 2007 and replaced with a contract from the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

Literature

 * In the Dean Koontz novel Watchers (1987), the main characters Travis and Nora go on a date in the town's Danish Village.
 * The narrator of Sluk, a novel by Danish-Norwegian writer Lars Saabye Christensen, spends time in Solvang.

Television

 * In "Rumspringa" season 6, ep 17 of New Girl, Jessica, Nick and Schmidt go to Solvang and experience the local delights.
 * Full video: Solvang is the featured city in the hour-long 2002 Episode #113 of Road Trip With Huell Howser.''
 * In American Dad! Vol. 4 Ep. 2, Roger refers to buying chocolate in Solvang.
 * The town of Solvang was featured on Bravo's hit television show, Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List, on its third season.
 * Part of the plot of a season 1 episode of the Disney Channel original series A.N.T. Farm, "America Needs TalANT", features the main characters becoming stranded in Solvang; its original airdate was November 25, 2011.
 * In Pinky and the Brain episode "Hoop Schemes", Brain forms a basketball team that has a practice session in Solvang.
 * In season 3 episode "Christmas Joy" of the TV show Psych Solvang's Danish Village is featured as the scene of the crime, portrayed as Solvang Santa's Village.
 * An episode of the Travel Channel show Stranded with Cash Peters featured Solvang.
 * Solvang was mentioned in Season 2, Episode 4 of The Blacklist. When sarcastically asked by FBI agent Elizabeth Keen if he has spirited a witness away to "Saint Kitts or Solvang", James Spader's character Raymond Reddington responds, "Solvang? I never send anyone I care about to Solvang."
 * In season 5 episode "Happy Birthday, Anastasia", The Girls Next Door and their guests take a road trip which includes a visit to Solvang; its original airdate was January 4, 2009.
 * In The Simpsons episode "Little Orphan Millie", it was revealed that Milhouse has an uncle from Solvang named Norbert "Zack" Van Houten. Bart has a telephone conversation with a switchboard operator in Solvang, and a wooden "Solvang Air" airliner, whose fuselage resembles buildings in the town, is shown landing at Springfield Airport. Uncle Zack's overwhelming pride in his Danish heritage also reflects Solvang's history from its founding by Danish citizens.
 * In The Rockford Files episode "The Queen of Peru" (season 4, episode 12), Rockford pursues a family in an RV on their way to Solvang.
 * In Modern Family episode "Do it yourself" (season 8, episode 13), Jay tells Phil that he once took his dog Stella to a "farm-to-table" dog-bakery in Solvang.
 * In the Star Trek: Lower Decks season 1 episode, "No Small Parts", a California-class ship named U.S.S. Solvang is present.
 * Solvang is the setting of the 2020 Lifetime movie A Very Charming Christmas Town, with the film shot entirely in the actual town.

Notable people

 * Greta Andersen, Danish-American swimmer, lived in Solvang from 2017 to her death in 2023.
 * Kenny Baker, singer and actor, resided and died in Solvang.
 * Al Gionfriddo, outfielder and hero for the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1947 World Series, resided and died in Solvang.
 * Patricia Hitchcock, actress and only child of film director Alfred Hitchcock, resided in Solvang.
 * Ska-punk band Mad Caddies calls Solvang its home.
 * Beach volleyball Olympic gold medalist Todd Rogers lives in Solvang with his family.
 * Professional cyclist Alison Tetrick was born in Solvang.
 * Stephanie Zimbalist lives part-time in the valley where she has a house inherited from her late father Efrem Zimbalist Jr.
 * Serial killer Thor Nis Christiansen lived in Solvang from age 5 until his late teens.

Sister city

 * 🇩🇰 Denmark, Aalborg, since 1971.

title: Solvang, California


text:
Summerland, California

Summerland is a census designated place (CDP) in Santa Barbara County, California. The population was 1,448 at the 2010 census, down from 1,545 at the 2000 census.

The town includes a school and a Presbyterian Church. There are many small businesses.

History
Tar from natural oil seeps in the Summerland area was used for sealing their ocean-going tomols by the Chumash people and for the Mission Santa Barbara as waterproofing for the roof.

In 1883, spiritualist and real estate speculator H.L. Williams founded the town of Summerland. In 1888 he divided his land tract, on a moderately sloping hill facing the ocean, into numerous parcels. He promoted the tiny lots – 25 x 60 – to fellow Spiritualists, who bought them in quantity and moved to the area. The spiritual center of the town was a Spiritualist Church, with séance room, demolished when Highway 101 was put through in the 1950s.

In the 1890s, oil development began in the coastal area of Summerland, at the Summerland Oil Field. Numerous wooden oil derricks were built on the beach, and on piers stretching into the ocean. The world's first offshore oil well, drilled into the sea floor, was at this location. Production at this beach area peaked before 1910, although most of the rigs remained into the 1920s. Peak production from the onshore portion of the Summerland Field did not occur until 1930; the last oil was pumped from the nearshore region in 1940.

In 1957, Standard Oil Co. of California (now Chevron) found the large Summerland Offshore Oil Field, several miles offshore, which was shut down in the 1990s. In January 1969, a blowout at the Dos Cuadras Field, about five miles offshore, caused the Santa Barbara Oil Spill, a formative event for the modern environmental movement.

In August 2015, Summerland's beach was closed for several days by County of Santa Barbara health officials due to large amounts of oil washed onshore. Local residents suspect the petroleum source is a leaking capped oil well ("the Becker wellhead") in the tidal area below Lookout Park.

Geography
Summerland is located at 34.42139°N, -119.59583°W (34.421395, -119.595969). It is on the coast directly east at Ortega Ridge Road at the unincorporated community of Montecito and west-northwest of the city of Carpinteria. Summerland has a significantly higher population density than the surrounding area. U.S. Route 101 goes through Summerland.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Summerland has a total area of 2.0 square miles (5.2 km$2$), of which, 2.0 square miles (5.1 km$2$) of it is land and 0.33% is water.

The community is built on a set of coastal bluffs right next to the ocean. Surrounding it and Montecito are the cities of Carpinteria and Santa Barbara.

Climate
This region experiences warm (but not hot) and dry summers, with no average monthly temperatures above 71.6 °F. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Summerland has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, abbreviated "Csb" on climate maps.

2010
At the 2010 census Summerland had a population of 1,448. The population density was 727.9 PD/sqmi. The racial makeup of Summerland was 1,295 (89.4%) White, 3 (0.2%) African American, 7 (0.5%) Native American, 41 (2.8%) Asian, 6 (0.4%) Pacific Islander, 51 (3.5%) from other races, and 45 (3.1%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 192 people (13.3%).

The whole population lived in households, no one lived in non-institutionalized group quarters and no one was institutionalized.

There were 687 households, 128 (18.6%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 270 (39.3%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 55 (8.0%) had a female householder with no husband present, 23 (3.3%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 54 (7.9%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 9 (1.3%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 230 households (33.5%) were one person and 62 (9.0%) had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.11. There were 348 families (50.7% of households); the average family size was 2.68.

The age distribution was 211 people (14.6%) under the age of 18, 119 people (8.2%) aged 18 to 24, 315 people (21.8%) aged 25 to 44, 546 people (37.7%) aged 45 to 64, and 257 people (17.7%) who were 65 or older. The median age was 49.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.6 males.

There were 823 housing units at an average density of 413.7 per square mile, of the occupied units 362 (52.7%) were owner-occupied and 325 (47.3%) were rented. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.2%; the rental vacancy rate was 9.7%. 790 people (54.6% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 658 people (45.4%) lived in rental housing units.

2000
At the 2000 census there were 1,545 people in 715 households, including 368 families, in the CDP. The population density was 764.7 PD/sqmi. There were 784 housing units at an average density of 388.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 91.78% White, 0.45% African American, 0.26% Native American, 2.39% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 2.27% from other races, and 2.72% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.44%.

Of the 715 households 17.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.2% were married couples living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 48.5% were non-families. 33.1% of households were one person and 5.5% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.16 and the average family size was 2.70.

The age distribution was 14.6% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 34.2% from 25 to 44, 32.9% from 45 to 64, and 11.7% 65 or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.9 males.

The median household income was $53,964 and the median family income was $75,625. Males had a median income of $50,469 versus $41,042 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $41,668. About 4.5% of families and 9.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.5% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

In popular culture

 * Is mentioned in the Everclear song "Summerland", from their Sparkle and Fade album.
 * Is the main location in the T.V. show Summerland.
 * Is the title of a song by King's X on their album Gretchen Goes to Nebraska. The song's lyrics do not otherwise specifically reference the town.
 * Is featured prominently in the climactic scenes of the science fiction film The Space Between Us.
 * Is the title of a song by indie pop/rock group half•alive.

Notable residents

 * Julian Ritter, artist.
 * Harry Thomason, film and television director and producer.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Summerland, California


text:
Toro Canyon, California

Toro Canyon (Toro, Spanish for "bull") is a census-designated place (CDP) in Santa Barbara County, California, United States. The population was 1,835 at the 2020 census, up from 1,508 at the 2010 census.

Geography
Toro Canyon is bounded on the west by Montecito and Summerland, on the east and southeast by Carpinteria, on the north by Los Padres National Forest, and on the south by the Pacific Ocean.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 3.6 sqmi, 99.90% of it land and 0.10% of it water.

2010
The 2010 United States Census reported that Toro Canyon had a population of 1,508. The population density was 422.0 PD/sqmi. The racial makeup of Toro Canyon was 1,388 (92.0%) White, 7 (0.5%) African American, 7 (0.5%) Native American, 14 (0.9%) Asian, 1 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 73 (4.8%) from other races, and 18 (1.2%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 293 persons (19.4%).

The Census reported that 1,508 people (100% of the population) lived in households, 0 (0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.

There were 620 households, out of which 138 (22.3%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 352 (56.8%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 49 (7.9%) had a female householder with no husband present, 15 (2.4%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 32 (5.2%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 8 (1.3%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 153 households (24.7%) were made up of individuals, and 71 (11.5%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43. There were 416 families (67.1% of all households); the average family size was 2.87.

The population was spread out, with 253 people (16.8%) under the age of 18, 107 people (7.1%) aged 18 to 24, 290 people (19.2%) aged 25 to 44, 525 people (34.8%) aged 45 to 64, and 333 people (22.1%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.1 males.

There were 804 housing units at an average density of 225.0 /sqmi, of which 440 (71.0%) were owner-occupied, and 180 (29.0%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.6%; the rental vacancy rate was 6.6%. 1,088 people (72.1% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 420 people (27.9%) lived in rental housing units.

2000
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,697 people, 698 households, and 450 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 468.1 PD/sqmi. There were 814 housing units at an average density of 224.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 87.98% White, 0.35% African American, 0.35% Native American, 1.36% Asian, 0.18% Pacific Islander, 8.01% from other races, and 1.77% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 16.26% of the population.

There were 698 households, out of which 22.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.2% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.4% were non-families. 27.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 20.2% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 31.8% from 45 to 64, and 17.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.5 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $68,789, and the median income for a family was $79,732. Males had a median income of $58,207 versus $32,969 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $45,967. About 4.6% of families and 7.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.5% of those under age 18 and 3.3% of those age 65 or over.

title: Toro Canyon, California


text:
Vandenberg Space Force Base

Vandenberg Space Force Base, previously Vandenberg Air Force Base, is a United States Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County, California. Established in 1941, Vandenberg Space Force Base is a space launch base, launching spacecraft from the Western Range, and also performs missile testing. The United States Space Force's Space Launch Delta 30 serves as the host delta for the base. In addition to its military space launch mission, Vandenberg Space Force Base also hosts space launches for civil and commercial space entities, such as NASA and SpaceX.

Camp Cooke (1941–1953)
In 1941, just before the United States would enter World War II, the United States Army embarked on an initiative to acquire lands in the United States to be used to train infantry and armored forces. These areas needed to be of a varied nature to ensure relevant training. In March 1941, the Army identified approximately 86000 acre of open ranch lands along the Central Coast of California between Lompoc and Santa Maria. With its flat plateau, surrounding hills, numerous canyons, and relative remoteness from populated areas, the Army was convinced this portion of the Gaviota Coast was an ideal training location. The government purchased most of the land, however, some smaller parcels were obtained either by lease, license, or as easements.

Construction of the Army camp began in September 1941. Although unfinished, the camp was activated on 5 October and named Camp Cooke in honor of Phillip St. George Cooke, a cavalry officer with a distinguished career spanning the Mexican War, Indian Wars, the Civil War.

Troop training didn't wait for construction to finish. The 5th Armored Division was the first to arrive in February and March 1942. Throughout the war, Camp Cooke served as a training ground for numerous armored and infantry divisions before their deployment overseas. Additionally, anti-aircraft artillery, combat engineer, ordnance, and hospital units trained at Cooke. In total, over 400 groups passed through the camp.

As the war progressed, Camp Cooke was used to house German and Italian prisoners of war. Following the Geneva Convention, the groups were kept separate and assigned various jobs within the camp, including construction, clerical work, food service, and laundry. To address wartime labor shortages, German prisoners also participated in agricultural work in nearby communities.

After the war's conclusion in 1946, Camp Cooke became home to a maximum-security military prison, while most of the land was largely leased for agriculture and grazing. From 1950 to 1953, Camp Cooke served again as a training ground for units heading to the Korean War. In 1953, the camp was inactivated, and the military prison became a federal prison for civilians, now known as the United States Penitentiary, Lompoc.

The final remaining buildings from Camp Cooke were demolished in 2010.

Known United States Army Units at Camp Cooke
World War II

 * 5th Armored Division
 * 81st Armored Regiment
 * 6th Armored Division
 * 50th Armored Infantry Regiment, 6th Armored Division
 * 11th Armored Division
 * 13th Armored Division
 * 20th Armored Division
 * 86th Infantry Division
 * 97th Infantry Division
 * 2nd Filipino Infantry Regiment

Korean War
 * 40th Infantry Division
 * 44th Infantry Division

Cooke Air Force Base
As the 1950s ushered in the age of missiles, and the United States urgently needed a training ground that could also serve as an initial combat ready missile base. In 1956, after examining over 200 potential locations, a committee selected Camp Cooke. Similar to its appeal in 1941 for the Army, Camp Cooke's vast size, remoteness, moderate climate, and coastal location made it ideal. Missiles could be launched westward over the Pacific Ocean without flying over populated areas, and satellites could be placed into polar orbit towards the South Pole without traversing any landmass until reaching Antarctica.

Following the committee's recommendation, on 16 November 1956, the Secretary of Defense directed the Army to transfer 64000 acre to the United States Air Force. This land was initially called North Camp Cooke, but when the official transfer happened on 21 June 1957 it was named Cooke Air Force Base.

The first airmen of the 6591st Support Squadron arrived on 15 February, before the official transfer, and found the base in rough shape. World War II-era buildings were dilapidated, and roads needed extensive repair. Over the next two years, launch and control facilities emerged, old structures were renovated, and new housing was built. The initial mission of the base was to train personnel on the PGM-17 Thor, SM-65 Atlas, and HGM-25A Titan I missiles, while also serving as an emergency operational facility for the Atlas.

The 1957 launch of Sputnik by the Soviet Union intensified the urgency of the U.S. missile program. In November, the Department of Defense authorized ballistic missile launches from Cooke AFB. Management responsibility shifted from the Air Research and Development Command (ARDC) to the Strategic Air Command (SAC) in January 1958. SAC assumed responsibility for training missile launch crews and achieving initial operational capability. ARDC retained oversight of site activation, research, and development testing. This began a close working relationship between the two commands that would last 35 years.

In February 1958, the PGM-19 Jupiter program was transferred from the Army to the Air Force. SAC established squadrons for both the Jupiter and Atlas missiles at Cooke. Construction also began on the Operational System Test Facility for the Titan I. The first Thor arrived later that year.

The southern 19800 acre of Cooke AFB was transferred to the Navy in May 1958 for their Pacific Missile Range. However, in 1963, a restructuring returned major sections of this range, including Point Arguello, to the Air Force. This move gave the Air Force full responsibility for missile range safety at Vandenberg and much of the Pacific Ocean. The Air Force renamed the area the Western Range.

Vandenberg Air Force Base
The facility was renamed Vandenberg Air Force Base on 4 October 1958 in honor of General Hoyt Vandenberg, the Air Force's second Chief of Staff.

The final acquisition of 15000 acre of land for the base occurred in 1966 to accommodate the construction of Space Launch Complex 6 for the Manned Orbiting Laboratory program. With the annexation, the base reached its final size, 99099 acre.

PGM-17 Thor
The transition from U.S. Army camp to missile base solidified on 15 December 1958 when Vandenberg AFB successfully launched its first missile, a PGM-17 Thor IRBM (Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile). The launch from Vandenberg inaugurated the intermediate-range ballistic missile portion of the Pacific Missile Range and was fired by a crew from the 1st Missile Division. The first successful launch of a Thor IRBM by a Royal Air Force crew took place at Vandenberg AFB on 16 April 1959. The launch was part of integrated weapon system training. In October 1959, the first combat training launch of a Thor IRBM by a Royal Air Force crew was successful.

On 22 April 1960, the fourth and final British-based Thor IRBM squadron was turned over to the Royal Air Force by the Strategic Air Command, thus completing the deployment of this weapon system in the United Kingdom. The next month, the first missile to be removed from an operational unit and sent to Vandenberg AFB for confidence firing arrived from a Thor IRBM squadron (No. 98 Squadron RAF) in the United Kingdom. Confidence firing was the predecessor of SAC's operational test program.

SM-65 Atlas
On 16 October 1958, the first Atlas ICBM launcher (576A-1) constructed at Vandenberg AFB, California, was accepted from the contractor by the 1st Missile Division. The first intercontinental ballistic missile, the SM-65D Atlas ICBM, was delivered and was accepted by SAC's 576th Strategic Missile Squadron on 18 February 1959. The first Atlas-D flew on 9 September 1959, and following the successful launch, General Thomas S. Power, CINCSAC, declared the Atlas ICBM to be operational. The following month, equipped with a nuclear warhead, the Atlas at Vandenberg became the first ICBM to be placed on alert in the United States. It was an SM-69D Atlas ICBM (AFSN 58-2190) on launcher 576A-1. In April 1960, the first attempted launch of a Series D Atlas ICBM from a coffin-type launcher (576B-2) was successful. This launcher was the prototype of the ones to be used at the first operational Atlas squadron, the 564th Strategic Missile Squadron, Francis E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming. Following this successful launch, Major General David Wade, Commander of the 1st Missile Division, declared the coffin-type launcher to be operational.

In July 1959, construction began on the first Series E Atlas ICBM coffin-type launcher (Atlas operational system test facility #1). On 28 February 1962, the first successful launch of the SM-65E Atlas took place. Construction began on the first SM-65F Atlas ICBM "silo-lift" launcher (Atlas operational system test facility #2) in November 1962. The first Atlas F arrived in June 1961 and the first operationally configured Series F Atlas was successfully launched on 1 August 1962.

During its testing phase, Vandenberg would operate two Atlas-D launch complexes; two Atlas-E, and three Atlas-F silos. The Atlas-Ds were taken off alert at the 576th Strategic Missile Squadron (Complex 576B) in May 1964 as part of the phaseout of the Atlas from active ICBM service. The last Atlas F test launch was on 18 January 1965, and the 576th Strategic Missile Squadron was inactivated on 2 April 1966. The 576th SMS carried out 53 Atlas-D, 7 Atlas-E and 7 Atlas-F test launches between 1959 and 1965.

The Atlas would remain in use as a launch vehicle for satellites from Vandenberg as a space booster configured with an RM-81 Agena upper-stage rocket and the Atlas-Agena would launch many different types of satellites into orbit until its phaseout in the late 1980s.

HGM-25A Titan I
The HGM-25A Titan I was the United States' first multistage ICBM. When designed and manufactured, the Titan I provided an additional nuclear deterrent to complement the U.S. Air Force's SM-65 Atlas missile. It was the first in a series of Titan rockets, and was an important step in building the Air Force's strategic nuclear forces.

In July 1958, construction began on the Titan I ICBM Operational System Test Facility (OSTF). This was the prototype of the hardened Titan I launch control facility at its operational sites. It consisted of one silo-lift launcher, blockhouse, and associated equipment. Designated "OSTF-8", the facility was destroyed on 3 December 1960 when the launcher elevator failed while lowering a fully fueled missile back into the silo. There were no injuries. This was the first silo accident at Vandenberg.

The first "silo-lift" launch of the Titan I was successful in September 1961, and the first SAC launch of the ICBM was successful in January 1962. As a result, the Titan I ICBM launch complex (395-A1/A2/A3) at Vandenberg was turned over to the Strategic Air Command 395th Strategic Missile Squadron to perform test launches of the missile.

However, the operational lifetime of the Titan I was short, as Secretary of Defense McNamara announced in November 1964 that all remaining first-generation ICBMs (Series E and F Atlas and Titan I) would be phased out (Project Added Effort) by the end of June 1965.

On 5 March 1965, the last test launch of a Titan I ICBM conducted by the Strategic Air Command at Vandenberg was successful. The 395th SMS performed 19 test launches between 1963 and 1965 before moving on to exclusively Titan II testing. During the 1980s, some Titan I second stages were used as targets for early Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) testing.

LGM-25C Titan II
The LGM-25C Titan II ICBM was a second-generation ICBM with storable propellants, all inertial guidance, and in-silo launch capability. Construction of the first Titan II site began in 1962, and eventually Vandenberg operated four Titan II launch complexes.

Most of the testing of the missile was done at Cape Kennedy Air Force Station, Florida by the 6555th Aerospace Test Group, and the first successful underground silo launch of a Titan II ICBM took place at Vandenberg by the 395th SMS in April 1963. The first fully operational test took place in March 1965.

On 25 March 1966, the 200th SAC missile launched from Vandenberg AFB, California was a Titan II. The operational testing of the Titan II continued until 1985. Like its predecessor the Atlas ICBM, the Titan II GLV a derivative of that missile was used to launch Project Gemini spacecraft and the Titan 23G was used as a space booster to launch satellites. The final launch of a Titan II was made in 2003 when the last Titan IIG was expended.

LGM-30 Minuteman
The advent of solid-propellant gave the three-stage LGM-30 Minuteman ICBM a major advantage over earlier liquid propellant ICBMs. In February 1961, the construction began on Minuteman ICBM test launch facilities at Vandenberg. Silos 394A-1 through A-7 were the first constructed for use by the SAC 394th Strategic Missile Squadron.

LGM-30A Minuteman IA flight tests began in September 1962. The first Minuteman IB test took place in May 1963. On 24 February 1966, the first attempted salvo (simultaneous) launch of two model "A" Minuteman I ICBMs from Vandenberg silos LF-04 (394A-3) and LF-06 (394-A5) was successful. This launch demonstrated the multiple countdown and launch techniques that would be used at operational bases under actual combat conditions. Minuteman I testing continued until 1968.

LGM-30F Minuteman II testing began in August 1965 with the first launch conducted by Air Force Systems Command, was successful. The missile flew 5000 mi down the Pacific Missile Range and its reentry vehicle impacted in the target area.

On 22 October 1970, the first attempted OT GT70F (Salvo) operational test launch (simultaneous) launch of two Minuteman II ICBMs was successful from LF-25 and LF-26. The last Minuteman II phase I operational test was performed in April 1972.

The first LGM-30G Minuteman III phase II operational test was launched on 5 December 1972 from the LF-02 silo. The ICBM flew 800 mi downrange before impacting in the Pacific Ocean. This was the beginning of Minuteman III launches which continue to this day from Vandenberg.

In July 1974, the initial training of Minuteman missile combat crews, formerly performed by Air Training Command (ATC) instructors at Vandenberg AFB, California, was incorporated into the 4315th Combat Crew Training Squadron's Operational Readiness Training (ORT) program at Vandenberg. As a result of this action, the entire Minuteman missile combat training, from beginning (initial training) to end (upgrade training) became the responsibility of Strategic Air Command.

SAC launched two Minuteman III ICBMs from Vandenberg AFB during exercise Global Shield, a comprehensive exercise of SAC's nuclear forces on 10 July 1979 from LF 08 and LF 09. One of these Global Shield missions, Glory Trip 40 GM, was the last Minuteman III phase I operational test flight. The missiles were launched 12 seconds apart by a SAC task force from the 90th Strategic Missile Wing, Francis E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming.

Glory Trip 77GM, a Minuteman III Operational Test in September 1980, became the longest Minuteman flight test when its payload impacted a broad ocean area target over 5600 nmi downrange.

LGM-118 Peacekeeper
The last ICBM tested from Vandenberg was the LGM-118 Peacekeeper (MX) ICBM beginning in June 1983. In addition to having a longer range than earlier ICBMs, the Peacekeeper could deliver up to 10 reentry vehicles to separate targets. It was intended as a replacement for the LGM-30 Minuteman, but it suffered from a long development time, and was retired in 2005 before the Minuteman because of arms reduction treaties.

The first Peacekeeper ICBM was launched by Air Force Systems Command from an aboveground canister-type launch facility from Launch Complex TP-01 on 17 June 1983. This was the first "cold launch" of a missile at Vandenberg AFB, the missile reaching 600 mi downrange. Two more test launches were conducted in 1983 from Launch Complex TP-01.

The first Peacekeeper with a Mark-21 test reentry vehicle was flight-tested from TP-01 on 15 June 1984. The Mark-21 resembled the reentry vehicle intended for the Peacekeeper weapon system. Two more test launches were conducted in 1984, the missile from TP-01. Air Force Systems Command conducted the final Peacekeeper launch from the aboveground TP-01 launch pad on 30 June 1985.

The first silo launch from LF-05 took place on 24 August 1985 from LF-08. LF-02 began to be used in 1986 for additional launches. On 23 August 1986 the first launch of a completely operational hardware configured missile and launch facility, and also the first Peacekeeper launch by a SAC combat crew under the control of Air Force Systems Command took place from silo LF-02.

A new Peacekeeper Missile Procedures Trainer was dedicated in March 1987. The US$17 million facility featured a state-of-the-art computer based simulator which would be used to train and evaluate missile crew members. The first LGM-118 Peacekeepers were deployed to Francis E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming that year. LGM-118 Peacekeeper test launches continued from Vandenberg with a third silo, LF-05 becoming operational in March 1990. The final launch of a LGM-118 Peacekeeper 33PA took place on 21 July 2004 before the missile was retired from service.

Ground-Based Midcourse Defense Interceptor
The latest missile deployed at Vandenberg in 2005 is the Ground-based Interceptor (GBI) missile suborbital booster for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency's Ground-based Midcourse Defense system's EKV ballistic missile kill vehicle. It is part of a National missile defense system advocated by President George W. Bush. The OBV is under development by Orbital Sciences; for every interceptor missile there is a missile silo and a Silo Interface Vault (SIV), which is an underground electronics room adjacent to the silo. The basic OBV consists of the upper three stages and guidance system from the Taurus orbital launch vehicle (essentially a wingless Pegasus-XL). The developmental OBV is launched from an open pad; the operational version is to be silo-launched.

The first test firing of the OVB took place from former Atlas-F pad 576-E on 6 February 2003. Launch silo LF-23 is used for ongoing silo testing, with target missiles consisting of surplus inert Minuteman ICBM second and third stages being launched from the Kwajalein Meck launch site in the Pacific Range.

Early space exploration
The world's first polar orbit satellite, Discoverer 1, launched from Vandenberg on 28 February 1959. The launch vehicle for this mission consisted of a Thor-Agena combination. The Discoverer series of satellites provided other significant firsts for Vandenberg. For instance, in August 1960, the data capsule was ejected from Discoverer XIII in orbit and recovered from the Pacific Ocean to become the first man-made object ever retrieved from space. A week later, on 19 August 1960, the descending capsule from Discoverer XIV was snared by an aircraft in flight for the first air recovery in history. Shrouded in a cover story of scientific research, Discoverer was actually the cover name for CORONA, America's first photo reconnaissance satellite program. The publicized Discoverer series came to an end on 13 January 1962 after 38 launches (or launch attempts).

Over the years, satellites of every description and purpose, including international satellites, were placed in orbit from Vandenberg by a widening variety of boosters. Among the parade of newer space boosters are the Titan IV (March 1991), Taurus (March 1994), Pegasus (April 1995), Delta II (February 1996), Atlas IIAS (December 1999), Minotaur (2000), and beginning in late 2005, the Falcon 1, the Delta IV, and Atlas V vehicles.

The most ambitious Air Force endeavors at Vandenberg were the Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL) and the Space Shuttle programs. The MOL vehicle consisted of a Titan III booster carrying a modified Gemini space capsule (Gemini B) attached to a space laboratory. Construction work for MOL began at Space Launch Complex-6 (SLC-6) on South Vandenberg in March 1966. President Richard Nixon canceled the estimated US$3 billion program in June 1969, as a result of cost overruns, completion delays, emerging new technologies, and the expense of fighting the Vietnam War. SLC-6 remained closed for the next decade.

Space Shuttle

In 1972, Vandenberg was selected as the West Coast Space Shuttle launch and landing site, but it was never used as such.

Space Launch Complex-6 (SLC-6, pronounced as "Slick Six"), originally built for the abandoned Manned Orbital Laboratory project, was extensively modified for shuttle operations. Over US$4 billion was spent on the modifications to the complex and construction of associated infrastructure. The original Mobile Service Tower (MST) was lowered in height and two new flame ducts were added for the shuttle's solid rocket boosters. Additional modifications or improvements, included liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen storage tanks, a payload preparation room, payload changeout room, a new launch tower with escape system for the shuttle crewmembers, sound suppression system and water reclamation area and a Shuttle Assembly Building were added to the original complex.

The existing 8,500-foot (2,590 m) runway and overruns on the North Base flightline were lengthened to 15,000 feet (4,580 m) to accommodate end-of-mission landings, along with construction of the Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) lights/large triangle arrows at both ends of the runway. Turn-around servicing and refurbishing of the Space Shuttle orbiter would be accomplished in the adjacent Orbiter Maintenance and Checkout Facility (OMCF). The Mate-Demate Facility, to load and unload the Orbiter from the Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA), was changed from the large structure found at Dryden Flight Research Center and Kennedy Space Center, to a transportable "erector set-like" Orbiter Lifting Frame (OLF). This facility design change was due to the possibility of needing to support a landing at a location where there was no facility to load the Orbiter onto the SCA. The OLF could be disassembled, loaded onto two C-5 aircraft, shipped to the overseas Orbiter landing site, and reassembled to load the Orbiter onto the Boeing 747. To transport the Orbiter from the OMCF (on North Vandenberg AFB) to SLC-6, the 22 mi route was upgraded to accommodate a 76-wheeled vehicle, built by Commetto in Italy specifically to carry the Orbiter on its large flat deck utilizing the three external tank interface points, versus towing the Orbiter on its landing gear that long distance.

Modification of SLC-6 to support polar missions had been problematic and expensive. SLC-6 was still being prepared for its first Shuttle launch, mission STS-62-A targeted for 15 October 1986, when the Challenger disaster grounded the Shuttle fleet and set in motion a chain of events that finally led to the decision to cancel all west coast shuttle launches. The orbiter transporter was sent to Kennedy Space Center in Florida after the Vandenberg AFB launch site was abandoned and was used to transport the Orbiter from the Orbiter Processing Facility to the Vehicle Assembly Building.

Persistent site technical problems and a joint decision by the Air Force and NASA to consolidate Shuttle operations at the Kennedy Space Center, following the Challenger disaster in 1986, resulted in the official termination of the Shuttle program at Vandenberg on 26 December 1989.

Had the space shuttle program been successful at SLC-6, the West Coast operation would have contrasted with that at the Kennedy Space Center by creating the orbiter stack directly on the launch pad, rather than assembling it and then moving it. Three movable buildings on rails, the Launch Tower, Mobile Service Building and Payload Changeout Room were used to assemble the Shuttle orbiter, external tank and SRBs. These buildings were designed to protect the shuttle "stack" from high winds in the area and were used during a series of "fit tests" utilizing the space shuttle Enterprise in 1985.

Delta IV
After the end of the shuttle program at Vandenberg in 1989, SLC-6 was reconfigured in 1999 to support polar-orbit satellite launches by the new Delta IV family of launch vehicles, utilizing a Common Core Booster for all its class sizes including the Delta IV (Heavy) launcher. After the reconfiguration, the 132 acre launch site included structures similar to those at the Delta IV launch site at Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 37 (SLC-37B) in Florida, with a Fixed Umbilical Tower, Mobile Service Tower, Fixed Pad Erector, Launch Control Center and Operations Building, and a Horizontal Integration Facility. SLC-6 also featured a Mobile Assembly Shelter that protects the rocket from adverse weather.

The first of the Delta IV launch vehicles to fly from SLC-6 successfully lifted off at 20:33 PDT on 27 June 2006 when a Delta IV Medium+ (4,2) rocket lofted NROL-22, a classified satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office, into orbit. The payload was successfully deployed approximately 54 minutes later. ten Delta IVs were launched from SLC-6, with the last launching in 2022 before the site was relinquished to SpaceX.

Atlas V
The Atlas V was developed by Lockheed Martin as part of the United States Air Force (USAF) Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program. The Atlas V launches from Space Launch Complex-3E (SLC-3E). Lockheed Martin Commercial Launch Services markets the Atlas V to government and commercial customers worldwide.

The first Atlas V launch vehicle to fly from SLC-3E was launched on 19 March 2008 for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).

All Atlas V launches from Vandenberg have been successful.

SpaceX Falcon

SpaceX briefly used SLC-3W during the early development of the Falcon 1 launch vehicle, and later moved operations to Space Launch Complex 4-East (SLC-4E). SpaceX refurbished SLC-4E for Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launches, in a 24-month process that began in early 2011. The draft environmental impact assessment with a finding of "no significant impact" was published in February 2011. Demolition began on the pad's fixed and mobile service towers in summer 2011.

By late 2012, SpaceX continued to anticipate that the initial launch from the Vandenberg pad would be in 2013, but would be a Falcon 9 launch—actually a heavily modified and much larger Falcon 9 v1.1. As the pad was nearing completion in February 2013, the first Falcon 9 launch was scheduled for summer 2013 and was finally launched on 29 September 2013. This was the maiden flight of the Falcon 9 v1.1 evolution, carrying Canada's CASSIOPE satellite. In October 2018, SpaceX landed a Falcon 9 booster on a Vandenberg ground pad for the first time.

In April 2023, SpaceX leased SLC-6 to begin converting it for Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launches after the last Delta IV launch there. SpaceX expects to begin Falcon 9 launches from SLC-6 in 2025 and Falcon Heavy launches in 2026.

Boeing X-37B
The Boeing X-37B, a reusable uncrewed spacecraft operated by the Space Force, also known as the Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV), has landed at Vandenberg in the past. On 3 December 2010, the X-37B spaceplane successfully landed at the base after 224 days in space thus performing the first autonomous orbital landing onto a runway conducted by a U.S spacecraft. Since then, the X-37B has successfully landed on the 15,000-foot runway at Vandenberg two more times, on 16 June 2012 after 468 days in orbit and again on 14 October 2014 after 674 days in orbit. All of the X-37B missions thus far have been launched from Florida, the first four using expendable Atlas V rockets from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and the fifth on a reusable SpaceX Falcon 9 from Kennedy Space Center.

Major commands to which assigned

 * Air Research and Development Command, 21 June 1957
 * Strategic Air Command, 1 January 1958
 * Air Force Space Command, 15 January 1991 – 20 December 2019
 * Space Operations Command, 20 December 2019 – present

Major units assigned

 * 1st Strategic Aerospace Division, 16 July 1957 – 1 September 1991
 * 392d Strategic Missile Wing, 18 October – 20 December 1961
 * Space and Missile Test Center, 1 April 1970 – 1 July 1980
 * Air Force Space Test Center, Provisional, 2 January – 15 May 1964
 * Air Force Western Test Range, 5 May 1964 – 1 April 1970
 * Redesignated Western Space and Missile Center, 1 October 1979
 * Redesignated 30th Space Wing, 1 November 1991 – present

 * 704th Strategic Missile Wing (ICBM), 1 July 1957 – 1 July 1959
 * 6565th Test Wing, 20 October 1960
 * Redesignated 6595th Aerospace Test Wing, 1 April 1961 – 1 October 1979

 * 10th Aerospace Defense Group, 1 January 1967 – 31 December 1971 (Aerospace Defense Command)
 * 30th Launch Group, 1 December 2003 – present
 * 30th Operations Group, 19 November 1991 – present
 * 6595th Missile Test Group, 1 May 1970 – 1 October 1990
 * 6595th Space (later Satellite, later Aerospace) Test Group, 1 May 1970 – 1 October 1990
 * 6595th Space Transportation (later Shuttle) Test Group, 21 May 1979 – 30 September 1987
 * 2d Space Launch Squadron, 19 November 1991 – 31 October 2005; 1 June 2019 – present
 * 4th Space Launch Squadron, 15 April 1994 – 29 June 1998; 1 December 2003 – 31 May 2019
 * 10th Aerospace Defense Squadron, 15 November 1963 – 1 January 1967; 31 December 1970 – 1 November 1979
 * 394th Missile Testing Squadron (ICBM-Atlas), 1 April – 15 December 1958
 * 394th Strategic Missile Squadron (ICBM-Titan), 1 July 1960 – 30 June 1976
 * Redesignated 394th Test Maintenance Squadron, 1 July 1976
 * Redesignated 394th Operational Missile Maintenance Squadron, 1 September 1991
 * Redesignated 394th Field Missile Maintenance Squadron, 1 September 1994 – present

 * 395th Strategic Missile Squadron (ICBM-Titan), 1 February 1959 – 31 December 1969
 * 576th Strategic Missile Squadron (ICBM-Atlas), 1 April 1958 – 2 April 1966
 * Redesignated 576th Flight Test Squadron, 1 September 1991 – present
 * Assigned to Air Force Global Strike Command, 1 December 2009 – present

 * 644th Strategic Missile Squadron, 15 January – 1 November 1959
 * 670th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron, 5 May 1950 – 2 August 1951
 * 4315th Combat Crew Training Squadron, 1 May 1958 – 15 January 1991

United States Space Force
On 14 May 2021, the base was renamed Vandenberg Space Force Base, in keeping with the expansion and standing up of the Space Force.

Role and operations
The host unit at Vandenberg SFB is the Space Launch Delta 30 (SLD 30). The unit oversees the Western Range, a vast testing area stretching from Vandenberg's coast westward to the Western Pacific, including sites in Hawaii. This range facilitates Department of Defense space and missile testing, including launches that place satellites into near-polar orbits. Their operations involve collaboration with a multitude of federal agencies and commercial partners.

SLD 30 is organized into operations, mission support and medical groups, along with several directly assigned staff agencies:

 * 30th Operations Group

 * The 30th Operations Group provides the core capability for West Coast spacelift and range operations. The group is responsible for operating and maintaining the Western Range for spacelift, missile test launch, aeronautical and space surveillance missions.

 * 30th Mission Support Group

 * The 30th Mission Support Group is responsible for quality-of-life needs on the base, including, housing, personnel, services, civil engineering, contracting and security.

 * 30th Medical Group

 * The 30th Medical Group provides medical, dental, bio-environmental and public health services for the base.

Space and Missile Heritage Center
The Space and Missile Heritage Center is located at Space Launch Complex 10, site of the first IRBM tests of the Thor and Discoverer (aka CORONA) spy satellite series of launches. It is Vandenberg's only National Historic Landmark that is open for regularly scheduled tours through the 30th Space Wing's Public Affairs office. The Center preserves and displays artifacts and memorabilia to interpret the evolution of missile and spacelift activity at Vandenberg from the beginning of the Cold War through current non-classified developments in military, commercial, and scientific space endeavors.

The current display area is made up of two exhibits, the "Chronology of the Cold War" and the "Evolution of Technology". The exhibits incorporate a combination of launch complex models, launch consoles, rocket engines, re-entry vehicles, audiovisual and computer displays as well as hands-on interaction where appropriate. There are plans to evolve the center in stages from the current exhibit areas as restorations of additional facilities are completed.

Based units
Notable units based at Vandenberg Space Force Base. Units marked GSU are Geographically Separate Units, which although based at Vandenberg, are subordinate to a parent unit based at another location.

United States Space Force
Space Systems Command (SSC)
 * Space Launch Delta 30 (SLD 30)
 * Headquarters Space Launch Delta 30
 * 30th Comptroller Squadron
 * 30th Operations Group
 * 2nd Space Launch Squadron
 * 30th Operations Support Squadron
 * 30th Space Communications Squadron
 * 30th Launch Support Squadron
 * 30th Medical Group
 * 30th Medical Operations Squadron
 * 30th Medical Support Squadron
 * 30th Mission Support Group
 * 30th Civil Engineer Squadron
 * 30th Contracting Squadron
 * 30th Force Support Squadron
 * 30th Logistics Readiness Squadron
 * 30th Security Forces Squadron
 * United States Space Forces – Space (S4S)
 * Space Delta 5
 * Space Delta 6
 * 21st Space Operations Squadron (GSU)
 * 65th Cyber Squadron

Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM)
 * Space Delta 1
 * 1st Delta Operations Squadron
 * 533rd Training Squadron

United States Air Force
Air Education and Training Command (AETC)

 * Second Air Force
 * 381st Training Group
 * 81st Training Support Squadron
 * 532rd Training Squadron

Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC)

 * 576th Flight Test Squadron

Air National Guard
California Air National Guard
 * 195th Wing
 * 195th Operations Group
 * 148th Space Operations Squadron (GSU)
 * 216th Space Control Squadron (GSU)

Department of Defense
United States Space Command

 * Combined Joint Force Space Component Commander
 * Combined Space Operations Center

Geography

Much of the base is rugged, mountainous, and undeveloped; predominant groundcover includes chaparral with coastal sage scrub and oak woodland. Because of its protected nature—none of the backcountry areas are open to the public or to any kind of development—the base contains some of the highest quality coastal habitat remaining in southern or central California. It is home to numerous threatened or endangered species, including Gambel's watercress (Nasturtium gambellii). The western terminus of the Santa Ynez Mountains is on the base, and is dominated by Tranquillion Peak, which rises 2297 ft above sea level. An optical tracking station is located at the top of the peak, which overlooks the various space launch complexes. The Amtrak Coast Starlight and Pacific Surfliner trains travel along the coast, providing a splendid view and one of the few ways for the public to see these remote areas. Conversely, State Route 1, California's Pacific Coast Highway, avoids these coastal protected areas and instead turns inland to serve the base's eastern side. The Breeze Bus provides service between the base, Santa Maria, and Lompoc.

Beaches
Surf Beach is open to the public, while Wall and Minuteman beaches are restricted to those with regular access to the base. Sections of these three beaches are closed between 1 March and 30 September every year during the nesting season of the Western Snowy Plover. The closures are in place to protect the bird under the Endangered Species Act. If a set number of trespass violations have been reached during any nesting season (50 for Surf, 10 for Wall, 10 for Minuteman), the beach is closed entirely.

Surf Beach is adjacent to the Surf Amtrak station, just south of Ocean Beach Park, run by the Santa Barbara County Parks Division. On 22 October 2010, 19-year-old Lucas Ransom, a University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) student, was killed by a great white shark near Surf Beach. On 23 October 2012, 38-year-old Francisco Javier Solorio Jr. was killed by a shark near Ocean Beach.

Wildlife
Snowy plovers nest on the beach.

Demographics
The United States Census Bureau has designated Vandenberg Space Force Base as a separate census-designated place (CDP) for statistical purposes, covering the base's residential population. Per the 2020 census, the population was 3,559. The CDP was formerly known as Vandenberg Air Force Base, reflecting the base's former name.

2020 census
''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.''

title: Vandenberg Space Force Base


text:
Vandenberg Village, California

Vandenberg Village is a census-designated place (CDP) in the unincorporated area of Santa Barbara County, California, United States. The population was 6,497 at the 2010 census, up from 5,802 at the 2000 census.

It is a community situated in the hills north of Lompoc, California. While shops and markets can be found in Vandenberg Village, many residents commute to nearby Lompoc on a daily basis.

It is close to Vandenberg Space Force Base.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 5.2 sqmi, 99.99% of it land and 0.01% of it water

Vandenberg Village is the location of Cabrillo High School (one of two general high schools located within Lompoc Unified School District boundaries), Buena Vista Elementary School, and Maple High (Continuation) School.

Surrounding the village is the Burton Mesa Ecological Reserve, and north of that the Lompoc Oil Field follows the line of the Purisima Hills.

Services
Water and Wastewater services are provided by Vandenberg Village Community Services District.

Electricity services are provided by Pacific Gas and Electric.

Library services are provided by the Lompoc Public Library System. It is served by Lompoc School District, which ranks in the top 20 percent of schools in California.

2010
The 2010 United States Census reported that Vandenberg Village had a population of 6,497. The population density was 1,238.2 PD/sqmi. The racial makeup of Vandenberg Village was 5,029 (77.4%) White, 271 (4.2%) African American, 60 (0.9%) Native American, 323 (5.0%) Asian, 58 (0.9%) Pacific Islander, 432 (6.6%) from other races, and 324 (5.0%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1,216 persons (18.7%).

The Census reported that 6,478 people (99.7% of the population) lived in households, 15 (0.2%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 4 (0.1%) were institutionalized.

There were 2,551 households, out of which 770 (30.2%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 1,486 (58.3%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 237 (9.3%) had a female householder with no husband present, 114 (4.5%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 86 (3.4%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 11 (0.4%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 597 households (23.4%) were made up of individuals, and 360 (14.1%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54. There were 1,837 families (72.0% of all households); the average family size was 2.99.

The population was spread out, with 1,467 people (22.6%) under the age of 18, 473 people (7.3%) aged 18 to 24, 1,304 people (20.1%) aged 25 to 44, 1,917 people (29.5%) aged 45 to 64, and 1,336 people (20.6%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.1 males.

There were 2,707 housing units at an average density of 515.9 /sqmi, of which 1,953 (76.6%) were owner-occupied, and 598 (23.4%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.1%; the rental vacancy rate was 6.1%. 4,968 people (76.5% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 1,510 people (23.2%) lived in rental housing units.

2000
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,802 people, 2,304 households, and 1,737 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,110.5 PD/sqmi. There were 2,366 housing units at an average density of 452.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 84.54% White, 5.60% African American, 1.02% Native American, 3.00% Asian, 0.17% Pacific Islander, 2.67% from other races, and 3.00% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.88% of the population.

There were 2,304 households, out of which 25.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.8% were married couples living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.6% were non-families. 20.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 22.0% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 22.7% from 25 to 44, 25.9% from 45 to 64, and 24.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.4 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $58,700, and the median income for a family was $66,122. Males had a median income of $50,362 versus $27,969 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $29,838. About 3.8% of families and 4.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.3% of those under age 18 and 3.8% of those age 65 or over.

title: Vandenberg Village, California


text:
Alum Rock, San Jose

Alum Rock is a district of San Jose, California, located in East San Jose. Formerly an independent town, it has been a neighborhood of San Jose since the 1950s, though some portions are still unincorporated as a census-designated place. Alum Rock is one of San Jose's most notable and historic Chicano/Mexican-American districts. It is home to Alum Rock Park, the oldest municipal park in California and one of the largest in the country.

History
Alum Rock was named after a rock formerly thought to be composed of alum in nearby Alum Rock Park.

In the 19th century and early 20th century Alum Rock was mostly fruit orchard land. During the 1940s and 1950s, developers began building housing and formed the community of Alum Rock. During that time, Alum Rock Avenue and a passenger railroad passed through the town on the way to Alum Rock Park.

In the 1980s and 1990s, the neighborhood became older and increasingly populated with Latino immigrants as "white flight" affected the area of East San Jose. Today, Alum Rock remains a distinct community separated from the rest of San Jose.

The magnitude 5.6 Alum Rock earthquake occurred just northeast of the community on October 30, 2007, the strongest to hit the region since the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. No significant damage or injuries were reported.

Geography
Alum Rock is a vast district of East San Jose, made up of numerous smaller neighborhoods. Neighborhoods include Little Portugal, Little Saigon, Mayfair, King & Story, East Foothills, Alum Rock Village, Mount Pleasant, among others.

Alum Rock is located north of the Evergreen district, south of the Berryessa district, and east of Downtown San Jose. Alum Rock is bound by the Diablo Range to the east, Coyote Creek to the west, Mabury Road to the north and Ocala Avenue to the south.

Demographics
The following demographic data is about the Alum Rock CDP, not the larger Alum Rock district of San Jose.

2010
The 2010 United States Census reported that Alum Rock had a population of 15,536. The population density was 12,899.0 PD/sqmi. The racial makeup of Alum Rock was 6,581 (42.4%) White, 207 (1.3%) African American, 298 (1.9%) Native American, 2,039 (13.1%) Asian, 70 (0.5%) Pacific Islander, 5,466 (35.2%) from other races, and 875 (5.6%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10,977 persons (70.7%).

The Census reported that 15,364 people (98.9% of the population) lived in households, 66 (0.4%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 106 (0.7%) were institutionalized.

There were 3,686 households, out of which 1,895 (51.4%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 2,064 (56.0%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 621 (16.8%) had a female householder with no husband present, 335 (9.1%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 241 (6.5%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 23 (0.6%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 444 households (12.0%) were made up of individuals, and 181 (4.9%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.17. There were 3,020 families (81.9% of all households); the average family size was 4.33.

The population was spread out, with 4,383 people (28.2%) under the age of 18, 1,709 people (11.0%) aged 18 to 24, 4,708 people (30.3%) aged 25 to 44, 3,345 people (21.5%) aged 45 to 64, and 1,391 people (9.0%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31.7 years. For every 100 females, there were 105.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.2 males.

There were 3,863 housing units at an average density of 3,207.3 /sqmi, of which 2,393 (64.9%) were owner-occupied, and 1,293 (35.1%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.8%; the rental vacancy rate was 3.2%. 9,541 people (61.4% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 5,823 people (37.5%) lived in rental housing units.

2000
As of the census of 2000, there were 13,479 people, 3,345 households, and 2,736 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 12,044.7 PD/sqmi. There were 3,411 housing units at an average density of 3,048.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 44.14% White, 2.23% African American, 1.71% Native American, 8.70% Asian, 0.39% Pacific Islander, 36.89% from other races, and 5.94% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 66.99% of the population.

There were 3,345 households, out of which 44.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.4% were married couples living together, 16.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.2% were non-families. 13.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.98 and the average family size was 4.17.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 30.6% under the age of 18, 10.7% from 18 to 24, 32.5% from 25 to 44, 17.2% from 45 to 64, and 9.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 105.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.0 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $54,567, and the median income for a family was $53,872. Males had a median income of $31,485 versus $28,154 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $15,359. About 8.2% of families and 10.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.6% of those under age 18 and 11.8% of those age 65 or over.

Government
In the California State Legislature, Alum Rock is in, and in.

In the United States House of Representatives, Alum Rock is in.

Regarding San Jose City Council, most of Alum Rock falls inside of District 5, represented by Magdalena Carrasco, though small portions are inside of District 7 and District 4.

Education
Alum Rock is served by the Alum Rock Union School District for elementary and middle school, while high schools are served by the East Side Union High School District. }

Schools in Alum Rock include:

Parks and plazas
Parks in the Alum Rock district include:
 * Alum Rock Park
 * Cimarrón Park
 * Delano Manongs Park
 * Emma Prusch Farm Park
 * Overfelt Gardens (including the Chinese Cultural Garden)
 * Mayfair Park
 * Plata Arroyo Park
 * Zolezzi Park

Transportation
The Alum Rock Transit Center is an important transit center for East San Jose, operated by the Valley Transportation Authority. It is serviced by bus and light rail.

VTA light rail stations along Capitol Expressway within Alum Rock:
 * McKee station
 * Alum Rock station

Penitencia Creek station is located right at the border of Alum Rock and Berryessa.

The Eastridge Expansion of the VTA light rail plans the construction of another light rail station at Story Road and Capitol Expressway.

Both the Bayshore Freeway (US-101) and the Sinclair Freeway (I-680) pass through Alum Rock.

title: Alum Rock, San Jose


text:
Buena Vista, San Jose

Buena Vista (Spanish for "Good View") is a former census-designated place (CDP) in Santa Clara County, California, United States. The population was 1,704 at the 2000 census. The area is now part of the city of San Jose.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 0.1 sqmi, all of it land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,704 people, 539 households, and 321 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 24,099.1 PD/sqmi. There were 557 housing units at an average density of 7,877.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 45.36% White, 5.28% African American, 0.82% Native American, 3.46% Asian, 0.41% Pacific Islander, 38.38% from other races, and 6.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 65.90% of the population.

There were 539 households, out of which 38.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.1% were married couples living together, 17.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.4% were non-families. 28.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.14 and the average family size was 3.83.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 30.0% under the age of 18, 12.0% from 18 to 24, 38.7% from 25 to 44, 15.5% from 45 to 64, and 3.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females, there were 114.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 114.4 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $30,449, and the median income for a family was $27,727. Males had a median income of $18,393 versus $21,940 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $11,134. About 26.9% of families and 26.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.7% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

title: Buena Vista, San Jose


text:
Cambrian, San Jose

Cambrian is a neighborhood of San Jose, California, located in South San Jose. Though most of the neighborhood is incorporated as part of San Jose, a small portion exists as an unincorporated census-designated place called Cambrian Park.

History
The name "Cambrian Park" was used regularly since the 1950s by the then San Jose Mercury and San Jose News newspapers (now The San Jose Mercury News) to refer to a portion of the Union school and Cambrian school areas, the latter school named in the 1870s by ranch hand David Lewis of the Jeremiah D. Casey Ranch for Cambria, the Latinized name for Wales (Welsh, Cymru), the country of Lewis's birth. Due to the relative isolation of adjacent population centers within then rural Santa Clara County, place names and later, municipalities, were often defined by their public school service boundaries. These indistinct boundaries persisted until WWII, after which a rapidly expanding population and demand for municipal services resulted in more precise boundaries being established. The Cambrian Park area continues to be recognized as a distinct, partly unincorporated neighborhood bordering the cities of San Jose and Campbell and the town of Los Gatos.

We and Our Neighbors Clubhouse was established in the adjacent Union School District area in 1892, "...to promote social ties, intellectual and cultural pursuits, charitable deeds, and recreation for the farm families of the neighborhood." Their clubhouse, built in 1910, is a San Jose Historic Landmark and appears in the National Register of Historic Places.

The commerce center for the Cambrian Park area has always been the Cambrian Park Plaza. Located at the crossroads of Camden and Union Avenues, the center was originally built in 1953. Today the center maintains the country charm and construction style, across over 170,000 square feet of stores. Through the years, the center has housed a mix of local shops and national brands. The iconic colorful carousel atop the center sign is a historical landmark. This is of particular interest in the community as the center was sold for the first time ever in 2015, to Texas-based Weingarten Realty.

Geography
Cambrian Park is located at 37.25556°N, -121.92889°W (37.255593, −121.928915).

Cambrian is located in the South San Jose region of the city. Willow Glen is to its north, Los Gatos is to its south and west, Campbell is to its northwest, and Almaden is to its east.

Most of Cambrian lies within San Jose's city limits, though a small portion is an unincorporated county pocket. A large swath of the pocket was annexed by the City of Campbell in 2012, under an agreement with the City of San Jose, while the rest will eventually be annexed by San Jose. According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP had a total area of 0.6 sqmi, all of it land.

Demographics
These figures do not include any part of Cambrian Park which has been incorporated into San Jose at the time of the census.

2010
The 2010 United States Census reported that Cambrian Park had a population of 3,282. The population density was 5,503.8 PD/sqmi. The racial makeup of Cambrian Park was 2,598 (79.2%) White, 26 (0.8%) African American, 29 (0.9%) Native American, 221 (6.7%) Asian, 19 (0.6%) Pacific Islander, 190 (5.8%) from other races, and 199 (6.1%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 591 persons (18.0%).

The Census reported that 3,268 people (99.6% of the population) lived in households, 3 (0.1%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 11 (0.3%) were institutionalized.

There were 1,141 households, out of which 439 (38.5%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 670 (58.7%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 122 (10.7%) had a female householder with no husband present, 67 (5.9%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 57 (5.0%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 10 (0.9%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 206 households (18.1%) were made up of individuals, and 88 (7.7%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.86. There were 859 families (75.3% of all households); the average family size was 3.25.

The population was spread out, with 789 people (24.0%) under the age of 18, 231 people (7.0%) aged 18 to 24, 775 people (23.6%) aged 25 to 44, 1,080 people (32.9%) aged 45 to 64, and 407 people (12.4%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.4 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.2 males.

There were 1,179 housing units at an average density of 1,977.1 /sqmi, of which 909 (79.7%) were owner-occupied, and 232 (20.3%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.8%; the rental vacancy rate was 4.1%. 2,621 people (79.9% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 647 people (19.7%) lived in rental housing units.

2000
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,258 people, 1,127 households, and 854 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 2,062.2/km$2$ (5,322.0/mi2). There were 1,143 housing units at an average density of 723.5/km$2$ (1,867.1/mi2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 84.87% White, 0.40% African American, 1.04% Native American, 4.11% Asian, 0.21% Pacific Islander, 4.33% from other races, and 5.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.63% of the population.

There were 1,127 households, out of which 35.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.8% were married couples living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.2% were non-families. 16.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.88 and the average family size was 3.20.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 25.7% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 31.9% from 25 to 44, 23.5% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.2 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $80,743, and the median income for a family was $89,706. Males had a median income of $59,375 versus $46,700 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $31,942. About 4.2% of families and 5.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.0% of those under age 18 and 14.1% of those age 65 or over. There have been plans made in 2018 to remodel and modernize the Cambrian Park Plaza. Hundreds of townhouses and apartments, a couple of hotels, a convalescent home, a town square and a small park would mix with stores and shops at the renovated Cambrian Park Plaza shopping center, according to recently unveiled preliminary design plans.

Education
Cambrian is served by the Cambrian School District, which operates elementary and middle schools. For high school, Cambrian is served by the Campbell Union High School District.

Schools in Cambrian include:
 * Leigh High School
 * Branham High School

title: Cambrian, San Jose