kids encyclopedia robot

Rancho Cucamonga, California facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Rancho Cucamonga, California
City of Rancho Cucamonga
Cucamonga Peak 122608.jpg
Virginia Dare Winery Office Park - panoramio.jpg
Ozel Jewelers, Rancho Cucamonga - panoramio.jpg
Cucamonga Peak (top), Virginia Dare Winery (left), and shops in Rancho Cucamonga (right)
Flag of Rancho Cucamonga, California
Flag
Official seal of Rancho Cucamonga, California
Seal
Motto(s): 
A World Class Community
Location of Rancho Cucamonga in San Bernardino County
Location of Rancho Cucamonga in San Bernardino County
Rancho Cucamonga, California is located in the United States
Rancho Cucamonga, California
Rancho Cucamonga, California
Location in the United States
Country United States
State California
County San Bernardino
Incorporated (city) November 30, 1977
Government
 • Type Council-Manager
Area
 • Total 40.12 sq mi (103.91 km2)
 • Land 40.11 sq mi (103.89 km2)
 • Water 0.01 sq mi (0.02 km2)  0.05%
Elevation
1,207 ft (368 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 174,453
 • Rank 4th in San Bernardino County
26th in California
145th in the United States
 • Density 4,349.36/sq mi (1,679.21/km2)
Time zone UTC−8 (PST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−7 (PDT)
ZIP Code
91701, 91729, 91730, 91737, 91739
Area code(s) 909
FIPS code 06-59451
GNIS feature ID 1667908

Rancho Cucamonga ( ran-CHOH-_-KOO-kə-MUNG-gə) is a city located just south of the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and Angeles National Forest in San Bernardino County, California, United States. About 37 miles (60 km) east of Downtown Los Angeles, Rancho Cucamonga is the 28th most populous city in California. The city's seal, which centers on a cluster of grapes, alludes to the city's agricultural history including wine-making. The city's proximity to major transportation hubs, airports, and highways has attracted the business of several large corporations, including Coca-Cola, Frito-Lay, Big Lots, Mercury Insurance Group, Southern California Edison, and Amphastar Pharmaceuticals.

The city had a population of 174,453 according to the 2020 United States Census. The city experiences an average of 287 sunny days per year, compared to a national average of 205 days. Its climate is classified as warm Mediterranean, or Csa, under the Köppen climate classification system.

The city's favorable location and host of public amenities have earned it numerous distinctions. Notably, Money Magazine ranked Rancho Cucamonga 42nd on its "Best Places to Live" list in 2006. In addition, Business Insider established one Rancho Cucamonga neighborhood as the 13th richest neighborhood in Southern California. The four public high schools (Alta Loma, Etiwanda, Los Osos, and Rancho Cucamonga) earned the Silver distinction in a 2015 ranking of the nation's high schools by U.S. News & World Report. In 2017 the California Department of Education announced that all four high schools were being named California Gold Ribbon Schools.

The Jack Benny Program popularized the city's name, in particular the word "Cucamonga".

History

Rancho Cucamonga's first settlers were Native American. By 1200 A.D., Kukamongan Native Americans had established a village settlement in the area around present-day Red Hill, near the city's western border. Kukamonga derives its name from a Native-American word meaning "sandy place." Anthropologists have determined that this cluster of settlers likely belonged to the Gabrielino culture, at one time one of the largest concentrations of Native American peoples on the North American continent. In the 18th Century, following an expedition led by Gaspar de Portola, the land was incorporated into the Mission System established by Father Junipero Serra and his group of soldiers and Franciscan Monks.

John Rains House 2
The front of John Rains' House, a National Historic Place.

After a half-century of political jockeying in the region, the land finally came under the control of Juan Bautista Alvarado, governor of Mexico. On March 3, 1839, Alvarado granted 13,000 acres of land in the area called Cucamonga to Tubercio Tapia, a first-generation Spanish native of Los Angeles, successful merchant, and notorious smuggler. Tapia went on to establish the first winery in California on his newly deeded land. Rancho Cucamonga was purchased by John Rains and his wife in 1858. The Rains family's home, Casa de Rancho Cucamonga, was completed in 1860 and now appears on the National Register of Historic Places.

During the ensuing years the town prospered and grew. In 1887, irrigation tunnels were dug into Cucamonga Canyon by Chinese laborers and the Santa Fe Railroad was extended through the area. Among the town's economic mainstays was agriculture, including olives, peaches, citrus, and, most notably, vineyards. In 1913, the Pacific Electric Railway was extended through Rancho Cucamonga in an effort to improve crop transportation. Several landmarks in existence today pay tribute to the city's multicultural founding. In particular, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel remains as a relic of the area's Mexican agriculture laborers while the Chinatown House stands as a reminder of the Chinese immigrants who labored in constructing the area's infrastructure.

In 1977, the unincorporated communities of Alta Loma, Cucamonga, and Etiwanda voted to incorporate, forming the city of Rancho Cucamonga.

Grapeland

The former community of Grapeland, first settled in 1869, lay roughly between today's Victoria Groves Park and Central Park. There was a schoolhouse which also doubled as a church. In 1890 an irrigation district was formed and $200,000 in bonds were sold to pay for improvements. The Sierra Vista reservoir was built in 1886-87 by J.L. Scofield as the focal point of a network of irrigation pipes. The system was unused, however, because the bond issue was declared illegal. "Orchards and vineyards began to die," The Daily Report newspaper reported in a retrospective. "Residents moved out. The post office closed in 1905. Homes, buildings were destroyed or abandoned." The reservoir remained unused until 1956, when the Fontana Union Water Company filled it with 5 million gallons of water. The local school district was merged with the Etiwanda district in 1901. In 1957 the settlement was practically deserted, but there were still rabbit-proof stone walls marking boundaries of previous citrus orchards.

Geography

Rancho Cucamonga is part of the Inland Empire and San Bernardino County, a region that lies inland from the pacific coast and directly east of Los Angeles county. Rancho Cucamonga is located about 37 miles (60 km) east of Los Angeles, bordered by Upland to its West, Ontario to its South, the San Gabriel Mountains to its North and I-15 and Fontana to its East. The city sits atop an alluvial plain and views of Cucamonga Peak, one of the tallest peaks of the San Gabriel Mountains, are available from all points throughout the city. The city has a total area of 39.9 square miles (103 km2), 99.95% of which is land and 0.05% water.

Climate

The city's climate is classified as warm Mediterranean, or Csa, under the Köppen climate classification system. Yearly precipitation is 15.3 inches (390 mm) and the city experiences an average of 287 sunny days per year, compared to a national average of 205 days.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1980 55,250
1990 101,409 83.5%
2000 127,743 26.0%
2010 165,269 29.4%
2020 174,453 5.6%

2010

The 2010 United States Census reported that Rancho Cucamonga had a population of 165,269. The population density was 4,145.2 people per square mile (1,600.5/km2). The racial makeup of Rancho Cucamonga was 102,401 (62.0%) White (42.7% Non-Hispanic White), 15,246 (9.2%) African American, 1,134 (0.7%) Native American, 17,208 (10.4%) Asian, 443 (0.3%) Pacific Islander, 19,878 (12.0%) from other races, and 8,959 (5.4%) from two or more races. There were 57,688 residents of Hispanic or Latino ancestry, of any race (34.9%).

The census reported that 162,145 people (98.1% of the population) lived in households, 136 (0.1%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 2,988 (1.8%) were institutionalized.

Out of a total of 54,383 households, 23,055 (42.4%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 30,533 (56.1%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 7,514 (13.8%) had a female householder with no husband present, and 3,257 (6.0%) had a male householder with no wife present, as well as 2,995 (5.5%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships and 425 (0.8%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 9,956 households (18.3%) were made up of individuals, and 2,679 (4.9%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.98. Over the 41,304 families (76.0% of all households), the average family size was 2.90.

The age distribution of the city was as follows: 42,550 people (25.7%) under the age of 18, 17,365 people (10.5%) aged 18 to 24, 48,600 people (29.4%) aged 25 to 44, 43,710 people (26.4%) aged 45 to 64, and 13,044 people (7.9%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.2 males.

There were 56,618 housing units at an average density of 1,420.1 per square mile (548.3/km2), of which 35,250 (64.8%) were owner-occupied, and 19,133 (35.2%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.6%; the rental vacancy rate was 5.2%. 110,570 people (66.9% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 51,575 people (31.2%) lived in rental housing units.

During 2009–2013, Rancho Cucamonga had a median household income of $77,835, with 6.9% of the population living below the federal poverty line.

2000

As of the 2000 census, there were 127,743 people, 40,863 households, and 31,832 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,317.0/km2 (3,411.4/mi2). There were 42,134 housing units at an average density of 434.4/km2 (1,125.2/mi2). The racial makeup of the city was 66.53% White, 9.00% Asian, 0.67% Native American, 5.99% African American, 0.27% Pacific Islander, 13.25% from other races, and 5.41% from a biracial or multiracial background. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 27.78% of the population.

There were 40,863 households, of which 44.7% had children under the age of 18. 60.2% of households consist of a married couple living together. 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present. 22.1% were non-families. 16.8% of all households were single-person and 4.1% had a person of 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.04 and the average family size was 3.44.

In the city, the population spread was as follows: 29.9% were under the age of 18, 9.9% were from 18 to 24, 33.2% were from 25 to 44, 21.0% were from 45 to 64, and 6.1% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $78,428 and the median income for a family was $91,240. Males had a median income of $50,288 versus $40,952 for females. The per capita income for the city was $23,702. About 4.9% of families and 7.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.6% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over.

1884 Cabinet Photo Ranch at Cucamunga San Bernardino CA
Orchards and farms, such as this Cucamonga ranch photographed in 1884, had dominated the landscape of the area until the land development boom in the late 20th century.

In popular culture

The name "Cucamonga" became well known to fans of Jack Benny's popular radio program, in which an announcer, voiced by Mel Blanc, would call out: "Train leaving on track five for Anaheim, Azusa and Cu-camonga!" This running gag became so well known that it eventually led to a statue of Benny in Cucamonga.

In the 1970s, Sesame Street often referenced Cucamonga, including the neologism "Cucamongaphobia".

Bugs Bunny cartoons feature numerous references to Cucamonga. In Mutiny On the Bunny, Cucamonga is one of the stickers on the boat at the end of the cartoon that Bugs is riding in. In My Bunny Lies Over The Sea, Bugs reads map directions that include "turn left at Cucamonga".

The city Rancho Cucamonga was featured in the hit 2000 stoner comedy film Next Friday starring Ice Cube and Mike Epps.

Rancho Cucamonga has been featured on the Comedy Central hit show Workaholics where it was nicknamed "Hollywood East". The main characters are said to live in the heart of Rancho Cucamonga.

Economy

In 2006, Money magazine ranked the city 42nd on its "Best Places to Live" list. Business Insider magazine ranked Haven View Estates, one of the city's many gated communities, 13th on its list of "The 27 Richest Neighborhoods in Southern California", just behind the Los Angeles neighborhood of Bel Air, which ranked 12th.

HavenPark, Rancho Cucamonga
An example of the office parks along Haven Avenue

While most of the city's land area is devoted to residential areas, Rancho Cucamonga, like its neighbors Ontario and Fontana, is a major center for the logistics industry in Southern California. This is due to its proximity to two interstate highways and Ontario International Airport, and the space afforded by the large tracts of former agricultural land in the southern section of the city.

In the area around Milliken Avenue, between Archibald and Etiwanda Avenues, Foothill Boulevard, and Fourth Street, about seven square miles of land are primarily occupied by numerous massive distribution centers, and even more, smaller manufacturing companies. This area is ringed by office parks, mostly along Haven Avenue, and shopping strips, such as the Terra Vista Town Center (part of a nearly two-square-mile master-planned community in the center of the city), and malls, such as Victoria Gardens, and the Ontario Mills, across Fourth Street in Ontario.

The city is also home to a CMC Steel (Formerly Gerdau, Formerly TAMCO Steel) minimill, the only producer of long steel in California. This mill recycles ferrous scrap, such as junked cars and appliances, to produce rebar.

The city hosts LoanMart Field, (formerly known as The Epicenter), a minor-league baseball stadium, home of the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. The Quakes' mascot, Tremor, is a "Rallysaurus."

Victoria Gardens

Victoria Gardens American Apparel
An example of the architecture and urban design of Victoria Gardens
Victoria Gardens Cultural Center and Library
The Victoria Gardens Cultural Center
Central Park, Rancho Cucamonga, California
Central Park

Victoria Gardens is a lifestyle center near the eastern end of the city, at the intersection of Foothill and Day Creek Boulevards. Since the city had never developed a traditional commercial downtown like neighboring cities Ontario and Upland had, efforts were made in the design of Victoria Gardens to bring elements of more traditional and urban town design to what had historically been a suburban city. While retaining many characteristics of traditional shopping malls, such as large anchor stores, a food court, and vast parking lots and garages, the smaller stores are arranged as city blocks in a grid of two-lane streets, featuring lush landscaping and metered "teaser parking" in front of the stores, which open onto the sidewalk. There are two "Main Streets", which run from west to east across the center. Running from north to south between them is a pedestrian axis leading from one of the Macy's anchor stores, through a "town square" between a pair of mixed-use office buildings, to the Victoria Gardens Cultural Center, which contains the Lewis Playhouse (a 570-seat theater) and a branch of the city library. The east side of the development has Southern California's only Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World superstore; the 180,000-square-foot (17,000 m2) facility includes a Tracker Boat Center and the Islamorada Fish Company restaurant. There are restaurants throughout the center, both well-known chains and unique eateries, including California Pizza Kitchen, The Cheesecake Factory, Fleming's, Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ Dining, Johnny Rockets, King's Fish House, Lucille's BBQ, N7 Creamery, P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Richie's Diner, T.G.I. Friday's, and Yard House. The center features a 12-screen AMC Theatre.

Top employers

According to the city's 2018 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the principal employers in the city are:

Rank Employer # of employees % of total employment
1 Inland Empire Health Plan 2315 2.50%
2 Etiwanda School District 2293 2.47%
3 Chaffey Community College 2111 2.28%
4 Alta Loma School District 1095 1.18%
5 City of Rancho Cucamonga 865 0.93%
6 Amphastar Pharmaceutical 643 0.69%
7 Mercury Insurance Company 632 0.68%
8 Macy's 615 0.65%
9 Central School District 605 0.65%
10 Big Lots Distribution Center 600 0.54%

Education

Universal Technical Institute
UTI (Universal Technical Institute)
Archibald Library Rancho Cucamonga
Archibald Avenue Library

Schools

Rancho Cucamonga has multiple public K–12 schools, operating under several different school districts, within its borders: Alta Loma School District, Central School District, Cucamonga School District, Etiwanda School District, and Chaffey Joint Union High School District. Private schools include Upland Christian Academy. In addition, Rancho Cucamonga is the home to Chaffey College and satellite campuses of the University of La Verne, Cambridge College, University of Redlands, Everest College, and University of Phoenix, as well as the automotive trade school.

High Schools

  • Alta Loma High School
  • Etiwanda High School
  • Los Osos High School
  • Rancho Cucamonga High School

Libraries

The city of Rancho Cucamonga has two public libraries, with a combined total of over 200,000 volumes. The library at 7368 Archibald Avenue opened in 1994 and was remodeled in the summer of 2008. The Paul A. Biane library at 12505 Cultural Center Drive at the Victoria Gardens Cultural Center opened in August 2006. In 2013, the Rancho Cucamonga Public Library was a recipient of the National Medal for Museum and Library Services, the nation's highest honor that can be bestowed on a Library or Museum.

Infrastructure

Reliant Energy Etiwanda Generating Station
NRG's Etiwanda Generating Station, with Cucamonga Peak in the background

Rancho Cucamonga's location at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains has necessitated the use of numerous control channels and basins to reduce the seasonal flood danger from the several streams descending from the range. In past years, some of the city's roads were known for flooding. Hermosa Avenue, in particular, now features many high curbs and extra-large storm drain grates to reduce flooding.

Transportation

Rancho Cucamonga is served by Omnitrans bus service, train service from Metrolink's Rancho Cucamonga station on the San Bernardino Line, and nearby Ontario International Airport, one of four major Los Angeles-area passenger airports with multiple daily flights by most domestic carriers as well as a major shipping hub for companies like UPS and FedEx.

Interstate 15 (I-15) and State Route 210 (SR-210) run through Rancho Cucamonga as well as the historic U.S. Route 66 (as Foothill Boulevard).

I-15 sits atop an elevated berm, and cuts a curve through the southeastern part of the city, isolating a mostly industrial area, a small shopping center, and several housing tracts from the larger part of the city. Further north, I-15 forms part of the northeastern border with neighboring Fontana before entering the Cajon Pass through the San Gabriel Mountains. I-15 provides connectivity with the High Desert, Nevada, and points north for the Inland Empire and much of Southern California.

SR-210 runs nearly straight east–west through the northern part of the city, roughly bisecting the residential communities of Alta Loma and Etiwanda, providing connection (in addition to I-10 and SR-60) from the San Gabriel Valley and points west to the San Bernardino area.

Utilities

Rancho Cucamonga receives natural gas from the Southern California Gas Company. The city's water supply and sewage are managed by the Cucamonga Valley Water District. Garbage collection is by Burrtec Disposal, phone service is from Frontier Communications and cable TV is provided by Charter Communications.

Electric power in Rancho Cucamonga is provided by Southern California Edison and the Rancho Cucamonga Municipal Utility, and the city is also home to the Reliant Energy Etiwanda Generating Station, on Etiwanda Avenue. This facility, one of five Reliant stations in California, is a natural gas-fired power plant, which began operation in 1963. At 640 megawatts (860,000 hp) net capacity, it is Reliant's second-highest capacity plant on the West Coast. It utilizes four steam turbine generators; of which units three and four remained active after turbines one and two, as well as a combustion turbine, were retired in 2003 and 2004, respectively. Several systems are in place to control gas emissions, and annually, over 900,000,000 US gallons (750,000,000 imp gal; 3.4 GL) of recycled water are used for cooling.

On November 29, 2011, the Inland Empire Utilities Agency installed the first wind turbine in Rancho Cucamonga.

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Rancho Cucamonga para niños

kids search engine
Rancho Cucamonga, California Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.