Bear Valley Springs, California

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Bear Valley Springs, California
settlement_type = CDP


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mapsize = 250x200px
map_caption = Location in Kern County and the state of California


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_name1 = California
subdivision_name2 = Kern
government_type =
leader_title = N/A
leader_name =
leader_title1 = Senate
leader_name1 = Roy Ashburn (R)
leader_title2 = Assembly
leader_name2 = Jean Fuller (R)
leader_title3 = U. S. Congress
leader_name3 = Kevin McCarthy (R)
established_date =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 107.6
area_total_sq_mi = 41.5
area_land_km2 = 107.5
area_land_sq_mi = 41.5
area_water_km2 = 0.1
area_water_sq_mi = 0
elevation_ft = 4117
elevation_m = 1255
population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 4232
population_metro =
population_density_km2 = 39.3
population_density_sq_mi = 102
timezone = PST
utc_offset = -8
latd = 35 |latm = 10 |lats = 11 |latNS = N
longd = 118 |longm = 38 |longs = 42 |longEW = W
timezone_DST = PDT
utc_offset_DST = -7
postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 93561
area_code = 661
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 06-04734
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 1866997
footnotes =
website =

Bear Valley Springs is a census-designated place (CDP) in Kern County, California, United States. The population was 4,232 at the 2000 census. As of 2006 the total population is estimated at 7,500. Bear Valley Springs' Elevation ranges from convert|4118|ft|m to 6,934 feet (Bear Mountain). Bear Valley Springs is located in the greater Tehachapi Area.

Geography

Bear Valley Springs is located at coor dms|35|10|11|N|118|38|42|W|city (35.169783, -118.644987)GR|1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 41.6 square miles (107.6 km²), of which, 41.5 square miles (107.5 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (0.10%) is water.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 4,232 people, 1,586 households, and 1,329 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 101.9 people per square mile (39.4/km²). There were 2,147 housing units at an average density of 51.7/sq mi (20.0/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 89.89% White, 1.37% Black or African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.71% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 2.95% from other races, and 4.70% from two or more races. 7.84% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,586 households out of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 76.9% were married couples living together, 4.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.2% were non-families. 13.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 26.5% under the age of 18, 3.1% from 18 to 24, 22.3% from 25 to 44, 29.3% from 45 to 64, and 18.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 96.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.3 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $61,169, and the median income for a family was $64,583. Males had a median income of $61,834 versus $31,591 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $27,388. About 5.4% of families and 7.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.3% of those under age 18 and 7.0% of those age 65 or over.

History

While The Nation had pushed to the western coast, the land the Fickert family settled in 1869 was still isolated and remote...a rich, virtually hidden valley. For centuries, it had been the untamed realm of the Indian. Over the years, after purchasing squatter's rights to convert|160|acre|km2, the Fickerts expanded their holdings until, by 1900's their ranch encompassed a vast region, approximately 25,000 acres (110 km²).

By 1959, the last of the immediate Fickert family were gone, joining their kin who had gone before in the tiny family cemetery just up the hill from the main house. A quiet rural dynasty was ended.

After long negotiations Dart Resorts purchased the ranch, in its entirety, from the Fickert heirs. An outstanding ecological organization, Resource Ecology Associates, was employed by Dart to plan and maintain the original natural value of the property, including wildlife. Bear Valley Springs was born.

The first sales of property were in late 1970 with a full sales team starting January 1971. The project was sold out in November 1977. The Bear Valley Springs Community Services District was formed to act as a nonprofit organization for management and maintenance of the water, roads, and police protection. At the same time, the Bear Valley Springs Property Owners Association was formed to administer the amenity package. These groups acted to insure the upkeep of the facilities of Bear Valley Springs. Many projects in California have taken on one or the other. Bear Valley Springs has taken on both entities to protect the stability of the project.

The original concept was a second home destination resort where families could come to spend a weekend or longer and have a complete amenities package. As the uniqueness of Bear Valley Springs became apparent, many families moved here permanently, some retired and some to raise their families. The concept slowly changed from second homes to full time residents, approximately 1,700 homes. In these changing, clamorous times, the historic legacy of the Fickert family lives on. A number of athletes and tv/movie stars have also made BVS their home. Nothing like running into Kevin Costner while dumping your garbage.

References

External links

* [http://www.bearvalleysprings.com/ Bear Valley Springs Website]