Acton, California

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Acton, California
settlement_type = CDP
nickname =
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mapsize = 250x200px
map_caption = Location of Acton in Los Angeles County, California.


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = California
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Los Angeles
government_footnotes =
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leader_title =
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area_footnotes =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 12.0
area_land_km2 = 12.0
area_water_km2 = 0.0
area_total_sq_mi = 4.6
area_land_sq_mi = 4.6
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 2390
population_density_km2 = 198.8
population_density_sq_mi = 514.8

timezone = PST
utc_offset = -8
timezone_DST = PDT
utc_offset_DST = -7
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 826
elevation_ft = 2710
latd = 34 |latm = 28 |lats = 22 |latNS = N
longd = 118 |longm = 11 |longs = 1 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 93510
area_code = 661
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 06-00212
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 1660228
website =
footnotes =

Acton is an unincorporated Census-designated place in Los Angeles County, California near the Antelope Valley. According to the 2000 census, the CDP had a population of 2,390, while the Greater Acton area "(which includes the CDP)" had a population of 9,175 [http://www.cityofacton.org/] .

Description

Acton is a small residential community located in the rugged Sierra Pelona mountains. It is off the Antelope Valley Freeway (Highway 14) near Palmdale. Acton is roughly 20 miles northeast of the San Fernando Valley, and 47 miles north of downtown Los Angeles. The town has a rural western theme which can be seen in its homes, commercial buildings, and historical buildings (some of which date back to the late 1800s).

The homes in the mountains around Acton have great views of the valley below. In the valley are ranch style homes, often with equestrian facilities. Acton is commonly referred to as the "Beverly Hills" of the Antelope Valley due to its many expensive mansion and "ranch-style" homes on large properties. Although, geographically, Acton is not a part of the Antelope Valley, it is grouped together with the “AV” in the General Plan. Acton has a Metrolink commuter rail station, on its border with Palmdale that is themed in an "old western" style and has been seen in various movies and commercials.

History

Acton was founded in 1887 by gold miners who were working in the Red Rover Mine. It was named after Acton, Massachusetts by one of the miners. Two of the best-known gold mines located in Acton were the Red Rover mine and the Governors mine. Mining of Gold, copper, and titanium ore continued into the early 1900s.

Acton was once considered for the State capital of California. California Governor Henry T. Gage (1899-1903) owned the Red Rover Mine and sought to relocate the capital to Acton. This effort ultimately failed and the capital was not moved from Sacramento.

In the late 1880s, Acton started to become more of a ranching and farming community.

In 1889, Acton's first hotel and its first saloon, the 49er Bar and Grill(the name of the diner was changed to Sutters Mill but has recently came under new ownership and the name was switched back to The 49er) was opened, and it is still open for business. You can tie off your horse on a side rail while you visit the saloon. The bank in the same shopping center was seen in the Clint Eastwood movie "Blood Work".

Geography

Acton is located at coor dms|34|28|22|N|118|11|1|W|city (34.472777, -118.183696)GR|1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 12.0 km² (4.6 mi²), all land.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 2,390 people, 797 households, and 639 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 198.9/km² (514.8/mi²). There were 873 housing units at an average density of 72.6/km² (188.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 89.12% White, 0.71% Black or African American, 0.46% Native American, 1.46% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 5.31% from other races, and 2.89% from two or more races. 11.00% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 797 households out of which 42.7% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.2% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.7% were non-families. 14.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.00 and the average family size was 3.32.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 30.6% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 28.1% from 45 to 64, and 8.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 103.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.6 males.

Most available statistical comparisons are limited to the various communities in the North County Plan (Antelope Valley). For example, Acton comprises 3.63 % of the total area of the valley, and 2.62 % of the valley population, but the median household income and net asset figures are more than 38 % above those of the Antelope Valley.

Estimated Average Household Income $89,860Estimated Median Household Income $63,717Estimated Per Capita Income $31,458

Households by Number of VehiclesNo Vehicles 1.86 %One Vehicle 12.43 %Two Vehicles 45.22 %Three or more Vehicles 40.49 %

Population 16+ By OccupationExecutive And Managerial 13.46 %Professional Specialty 14.71 %Technical Support 2.71 %Sales 12.87 %Administrative Support 12.65 %Service: Private Household 0.21 %Service: Protective 6.86 %Service. Other 4.58 %Farming Forestry & Fishing 2.72 %Prec. Production & craft 17.9 %Machine Operator 3.34 %Trans. & material moving 6.11 %Laborers 1.88 %

Education - Persons 25 and OverHigh School Graduate 31.4 %Associates Degree 10.27 %Bachelors Degree 12.9 %Graduate Degree 5.3 %Some College - No Degree 35.4 %

Politics

In the state legislature Acton is located in the 17th Senate District, represented by Republican George Runner, and in the 38th Assembly District, represented by Republican Cameron Smyth. Federally, Acton is located in California's 25th congressional district, which has a Cook PVI of R +7 [cite web | title = Will Gerrymandered Districts Stem the Wave of Voter Unrest? | publisher = Campaign Legal Center Blog | url=http://www.clcblog.org/blog_item-85.html | accessdate = 2008-02-10] and is represented by Republican Buck McKeon.

Education

Acton Agua Dulce School District [http://aadusd.k12.ca.us/]
*Meadowlark Elementary School [http://aadusd.k12.ca.us/mes/default.htm]
*High Desert Middle School [http://aadusd.k12.ca.us/hds/default.htm]
*Vasquez High School

Wildlife Preserve

Actress Tippi Hedren also has a wild animal nature preserve in Acton called Shambala Preserve. Ventures on Tippi Hedren's 80 acre wild animal compound include a Safari at the authentic African-style haven for more than 70 African Lions, Royal Bengal and Siberian Tigers, Spotted and Black Leopards, Cougars, and African Elephants. Tours are available.

Riders on the Metrolink trains between Palmdale and Santa Clarita often see the animals grazing in the fields of the preserve as the train passes through.

Filming location

Acton was one of the filming locations for the TV movie "Duel", and the Clint Eastwood movie "Blood Work". "Terminator 3" was partially filmed at the local AM-PM Gas Station, located on the south side of Highway 14. Acton is also where "Little Miss Sunshine" was filmed along highway 14 near Red Rover Mine Road. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers "Swingin" music video was filmed along Escondido Canyon Road. Also filmed here was Army of Darkness.Metallica shot the video for the song The Day That Never Comes in Acton.

Parker Mountain

Acton is home to Parker Mountain, the mecca for a style of radio control aircraft flying called "dynamic soaring" and where the current world speed record of 302mph was achieved. [http://www.sloperacing.com/results/ds-speeds.htm]

External links

* [http://www.cityofacton.org/ Town of Acton - Official Site]
* [http://www.acton411.com Acton Community Guide]
* [http://actonweather.us/ Acton Weather Station]
* [http://www.shambala.org/ Shambala Preserve]
* [http://www.actonastro.com/weather/current.php Another Acton Weather Station]