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Redwood City, California
City of Redwood City
The skyline of downtown Redwood City
The skyline of downtown Redwood City
Official logo of Redwood City, California
Motto(s): 
Climate Best By Government Test
Location in San Mateo County and the state of California
Location in San Mateo County and the state of California
Redwood City, California is located in California
Redwood City, California
Redwood City, California
Location in California
Redwood City, California is located in the United States
Redwood City, California
Redwood City, California
Location in the United States
Country United States
State California
County San Mateo
Incorporated May 11, 1867
Re-incorporated May 3, 1897
Area
 • Total 34.74 sq mi (90.0 km2)
 • Land 19.34 sq mi (50.1 km2)
 • Water 15.41 sq mi (39.9 km2)  44.34%
Elevation
20 ft (6 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 84,292
 • Rank 100th in California
 • Density 2,426.4/sq mi (936.83/km2)
Time zone UTC-8 (Pacific)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP codes
94059, 94061–94065
Area code 650
FIPS code 06-60102
GNIS feature IDs 277584, 2410919

Redwood City is a city on the San Francisco Peninsula in Northern California's Bay Area, approximately 27 miles (43 km) south of San Francisco, and 24 miles (39 km) northwest of San Jose. Redwood City's history spans its earliest inhabitation by the Ohlone people to being a port for lumber and other goods. The county seat of San Mateo County in the heart of Silicon Valley, Redwood City is home to several global technology companies including Oracle, Electronic Arts, Evernote, Box, and Informatica. The city's population was 84,292 according to the 2020 census. The Port of Redwood City is the only deepwater port on San Francisco Bay south of San Francisco.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 34.7 square miles (90 km2), of which 19.4 square miles (50 km2) is land and 15.2 square miles (39 km2) (44.34%) is water. A major watercourse draining much of Redwood City is Redwood Creek, to which several significant river deltas connect, the largest of which is Westpoint Slough.

Climate

Redwood City, along with most of the Bay Area, enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate (Köppen climate classification Csb), with warm, dry summers and cool, relatively wet winters. The National Weather Service, which maintains both a forecast center and a cooperative office in Redwood City, reports that December is the coolest month and July is the warmest month. The record highest temperature of 110 °F (43.3 °C) and was recorded on July 14 and 15, 1972. The record lowest temperature of 16 °F (−8.8 °C) was recorded on January 11, 1949. Annually, there are an average of 21.6 days with highs of 90 °F (32 °C) or higher and 2.8 days with highs of 100 °F (38 °C) or higher; there are an average of 10.4 days with lows of 32 °F (0 °C) or lower.

The normal annual precipitation is 20.56 inches (52.22 cm). The most rainfall in one month was 12.42 inches (31.55 cm) in February 1998. The record 24-hour rainfall of 4.88 inches (12.4 cm) was on October 13, 1962. There are an average of 62.1 days with measurable precipitation. Snow flurries have been observed on rare occasions; there was some minor snow accumulation in May 1935, January 1962, and February 1976.

Climate data for Redwood City, California
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °F (°C) 58.5
(14.7)
61.7
(16.5)
65.5
(18.6)
69.5
(20.8)
74.0
(23.3)
79.2
(26.2)
81.9
(27.7)
81.6
(27.6)
79.6
(26.4)
74.4
(23.6)
62.6
(17.0)
58.5
(14.7)
70.6
(21.4)
Average low °F (°C) 42.1
(5.6)
43.8
(6.6)
45.2
(7.3)
46.5
(8.1)
49.9
(9.9)
53.4
(11.9)
55.9
(13.3)
55.8
(13.2)
53.8
(12.1)
49.8
(9.9)
44.3
(6.8)
42.4
(5.8)
48.6
(9.2)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 3.91
(99)
4.26
(108)
3.00
(76)
1.25
(32)
0.51
(13)
0.12
(3.0)
0.01
(0.25)
0.04
(1.0)
0.19
(4.8)
1.04
(26)
2.44
(62)
3.76
(96)
20.56
(522.2)
Source: "Western Regional Climate Center

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1870 727
1880 1,383 90.2%
1890 1,572 13.7%
1900 1,653 5.2%
1910 2,442 47.7%
1920 4,020 64.6%
1930 8,962 122.9%
1940 12,453 39.0%
1950 25,544 105.1%
1960 46,290 81.2%
1970 55,686 20.3%
1980 54,951 −1.3%
1990 66,072 20.2%
2000 75,402 14.1%
2010 76,815 1.9%
2020 84,292 9.7%
U.S. Decennial Census

2010

The 2010 United States Census reported that Redwood City had a population of 76,815. The population density was 3,955.5 people per square mile (1,527.2/km2). The racial makeup of Redwood City was 46,255 (60.2%) White, 1,881 (2.4%) African American, 511 (0.7%) Native American, 8,216 (10.7%) Asian, 795 (1.0%) Pacific Islander, 14,967 (19.5%) from other races, and 4,190 (5.5%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 29,810 persons (38.8%). Non-Hispanic Whites number 31,982 (40.9%).

The Census reported that 75,268 people (98.0% of the population) lived in households, 408 (0.5%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 1,139 (1.5%) were institutionalized.

There were 27,957 households, out of which 10,045 (35.9%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 13,642 (48.8%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 3,139 (11.2%) had a female householder with no husband present, 1,461 (5.2%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 1,818 (6.5%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 288 (1.0%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 7,411 households (26.5%) were made up of individuals, and 2,401 (8.6%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69. There were 18,242 families (65.3% of all households); the average family size was 3.26.

The population was spread out, with 18,193 people (23.7%) under the age of 18, 5,981 people (7.8%) aged 18 to 24, 24,819 people (32.3%) aged 25 to 44, 19,710 people (25.7%) aged 45 to 64, and 8,112 people (10.6%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.7 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.1 males.

There were 29,167 housing units at an average density of 1,501.9 per square mile (579.9/km2), of which 14,160 (50.6%) were owner-occupied, and 13,797 (49.4%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.3%; the rental vacancy rate was 3.9%. 37,757 people (49.2% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 37,511 people (48.8%) lived in rental housing units.

Demographic profile 2010
Total Population 76,815 – 100.0%
One Race 72,625 – 94.5%
Not Hispanic or Latino 47,005 – 61.2%
White alone 33,801 – 44.0%
Black or African American alone 1,655 – 2.2%
American Indian and Alaska Native alone 152 – 0.2%
Asian alone 8,063 – 10.5%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone 732 – 1.0%
Some other race alone 291 – 0.4%
Two or more races alone 2,311 – 3.0%
Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 29,810 – 38.8%

2000

In 2000, there were 75,402 people, 27,423 households and 17,898 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,882.7 people per square mile (1,499.1/km2). There were 29,568 housing units at an average density of 1,522.6 per square mile (550.3/km2). 47.1% spoke English, 39.6% Spanish, 2.4% Chinese or Mandarin, other Indo-European 1.7%, and other language 0.5%, as their first language from estimate census 2009.

There were 27,680 households, out of which 31.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.4% were married couples living together, 14.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.2% were non-families. 31.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.62 and the average family size was 4.80.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 30.6% under the age of 18, 14.7% from 18 to 24, 33.3% from 25 to 44, 17.4% from 45 to 64, and 7.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.4 males.

According to a 2009 estimate, the median income for a household in the city was $69,679, and the median income for a family was $77,964. Disposable income is relatively constant when Redwood City is compared with the rest of the country. Males had a median income of $47,345 versus $44,125 for females. The per capita income for the city was $31,042. About 8.4% of families and 10.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.1% of those under age 18 and 9.4% of those age 65 or over.

Downtown

In an attempt to revitalize Redwood City's downtown, city officials decided to look into development. In February 1999 the San Mateo County History Museum opened inside the old San Mateo County Courthouse in downtown Redwood City. In August 2006, a 20-screen theater and various shops opened in a prime downtown location. The theater complex boasts restaurant and retail space at street level and a 2-level underground parking structure.

In addition to the new 20-screen theater, major improvements were made to the historical courthouse located on Broadway. In the late '30s an addition was built in front of the original structure, obscuring the view. It was torn down as part of the revitalization project. The building has been replaced with a large courtyard flanked by water fountains on either side, leading to the main steps of the courthouse. The courthouse's glass dome is lit at night and changes colors every 11 seconds.

Landmarks

  • Union Cemetery, State Historical Landmark #816
Redwood City western sign
The western arch

Parks

  • Andrew Spinas Park (1.46 acres) – 2nd Ave./Bay Rd.
  • Dolphin Park (2.36 acres) – Turks Head/Quay Ln.
  • Dove Beeger Park (1 acre) – Whipple Ave./Circle Rd.
  • Fleishman Park (.63 acres) – Locust St./McEvoy St.
  • Garrett Park (6.9 acres) – 3600 Block Glenwood Ave.
  • Hawes Park (1.59 acres) – Hudson St./Roosevelt Ave.
  • Hoover Park (10.18 acres) – Woodside Rd./Spring St.
  • Jardin de Niños (.31 acres) – Middlefield Rd./Chestnut St.
  • Linden Park (.22 acres) – Linden St./Park St.
  • Maddux Park (.62 acres) – Maddux Dr./Kensington Rd.
  • Mariner Park (6.25 acres) – Tiller Lane/Bridge Parkway
  • Marlin Park (11.15 acres) – Neptune Dr./Cringle Dr.
  • Mezes Park (1.67 acres) – Warren St./Standish St.
  • Palm Park (.9 acres) – Hudson St./Palm Ave.
  • Preserve Park (3.5 acres) – 99 Shearwater Parkway
  • Red Morton Community Park (31.74 acres) – 1120 Roosevelt Ave.
  • Sandpiper Park (11.07 acres) – Redwood Shores Parkway and Egret Ln.
  • Shannon Park (1.87 acres) – Davit Lane/Shannon Way
  • Shore Dogs Park (.69 acres) – 1300 Block Radio Rd.
  • Shorebird Park (3.68 acres) – Marine Parkway/Island Dr.
  • Stafford Park (1.62 acres) – King St./Hopkins Ave.
  • Stulsaft Park (42.06 acres) – 3737 Farm Hill Blvd.
  • Wellesley Crescent Park (.75 acres) – Edgewood Rd./Arlington Rd.
  • Westwood Park (.25 acres) – Westwood St./Briarfield Ave.

Motto

Redwood City's slogan, emblazoned on arches across Broadway at the east and west entrances to downtown, is "Climate Best By Government Test." This is based on a climatological survey conducted by the United States and German governments prior to World War I. The area centered on Redwood City tied for the world's best climate with the Canary Islands and North Africa's Mediterranean Coast.

Independence Day parade

Redwood City's Independence Day parade sponsored by the Peninsula Celebration Association, held continuously since 1939, has been billed variously as 'The largest Independence Day Parade in California,' 'West of the Mississippi,' 'in North America,' claims which may or may not be accurate. The first verifiable written records of celebrations date to 1861, and to 1887 for a parade.

Sister cities

Economy

Ampex, Avangate, BigBand Networks, BroadVision, Crystal Dynamics, DPR Construction, Electronic Arts, GoFundMe, Informatica, iPass Inc., Jivox, Openwave, Oracle, Shutterfly, Support.com, Evernote, Equinix, i2c Inc, YuMe, and iCracked are based in Redwood City.

Additionally, All Nippon Airways operates an office in Suite 350 at 555 Twin Dolphin Drive in Redwood City. Until 1999 Sega operated its United States headquarters in Redwood City; during that year the headquarters moved to San Francisco. The 3DO Company, when it existed, had its headquarters in Redwood City. In addition to large tech companies, there is also a vibrant small business community in the town.

Cargill salt ponds

Cargill has operated salt ponds in Redwood City, and has proposed development of the ponds, resulting in demands for restoration of some of the land. The plans are currently stalled.

Top employers

  • As of 2020, the top employers in the city were:
# Employer # of Employees
1 Oracle Corporation 5,184
2 County of San Mateo 2,470
3 Stanford Hospital and Clinics 2,300
4 Box Inc. 1,685
5 Auris Surgical Robotics 1,533
6 Impossible Foods, Inc. 1,198
7 Google 908
8 Guardant Health 870
9 The Permanente Medical Group 818
10 Equinix 763

Education

Redwood City has one state community college, Cañada College.

It has elementary and middle schools operated by the Redwood City School District. At the high school level it is part of the Sequoia Union High School District and high schools in Redwood City that are part of this district are the comprehensive Sequoia High School, the charter schools Summit Preparatory Charter High School and Everest Public High School, and the continuation school Redwood High School. Many students from Redwood City attend another Sequoia Union school, Woodside High School, in the neighboring town of Woodside. The community of Redwood Shores is served by the Belmont - Redwood Shores School District and the Carlmont High School.

The Redwood City Public Library, a member of the Peninsula Library System, has a Downtown Library and two neighborhood branch locations: Redwood Shores and Schaberg. The city's first library opened in 1865 and in 1900 the city passed a special tax to support a free public library. In 1904, Andrew Carnegie gave $10,000 for a new library; he gave another $6,000 to rebuild it after it was destroyed in the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. In 1959, the Schaberg Branch Library opened, funded by a bequest in the will of Hannah Schaberg, widow of former County Clerk Herman W. Schaberg. The Redwood Shores Branch Library was completed and opened to the public in 2008.

Transportation

U.S. Route 101 passes through Redwood City as it goes along the Peninsula. Other major thoroughfares include El Camino Real, Route 82; Woodside Rd, Route 84, and I-280, which passes west of the city. Redwood City has a stop on Caltrain, and local bus service is provided by SamTrans.

Notable people

Politicians

  • Jon Huntsman Jr., American politician and diplomat (born 1960)
  • Karl W. Hofmann, diplomat, ambassador and president of Population Services International
  • William Royer, former mayor (1956–1960)
  • Alejandro Toledo, former president of Peru (2001-2006), arrested in July 2019

Sports

Greg Camarillo
Greg Camarillo
Daniel Nava on August 31, 2016
Daniel Nava
Zack Test 2014 (cropped)
Zack Test

Entertainment

  • Cedric Bixler-Zavala, singer for progressive rock group The Mars Volta and post-hardcore band At the Drive-In, was born in Redwood City
  • Linda Cardellini, actress most famous for her roles in Freaks and Geeks, ER, and Brokeback Mountain, was born in Redwood City
  • Bela Lugosi, actor most famous for role as Count Dracula, was married in Redwood City on July 27, 1929
  • Ross Malinger, who starred with Tom Hanks in the film Sleepless in Seattle, was born in Redwood City
  • Lydia Pense, musician and singer for the band Cold Blood
  • Chris Roberts (game developer), who is responsible for the Wing Commander (franchise), was born in Redwood City.
  • Chelsi Smith (1973–2018), Miss USA 1995 & Miss Universe 1995 winner.

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Redwood City para niños

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