Valley Center, California

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Valley Center, California
settlement_type = CDP


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mapsize = 250x200px
map_caption = Location in San Diego 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 = San Diego
government_type =
leader_title =
leader_name =
established_date =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 75.8
area_total_sq_mi = 29.3
area_land_km2 = 75.8
area_land_sq_mi = 29.3
area_water_km2 = 0
area_water_sq_mi = 0
elevation_ft = 1312
elevation_m = 400
population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 7323
population_metro =
population_density_km2 = 96.6
population_density_sq_mi = 249.9
timezone = PST
utc_offset = -8
latd = 33 |latm = 14 |lats = 26 |latNS = N
longd = 117 |longm = 0 |longs = 51 |longEW = W
timezone_DST = PDT
utc_offset_DST = -7
postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 92082
area_code = 760
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 06-81736
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 1661616
footnotes =
website =

Valley Center is a census-designated place (CDP) in San Diego County, California, United States. The population was 7,323 at the 2000 census.

Geography

Valley Center is located at coor dms|33|14|26|N|117|0|51|W|city (33.240485, -117.014262)GR|1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 75.8 km² (29.3 mi²), all land.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 7,323 people, 2,415 households, and 1,919 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 96.6/km² (250.1/mi²). There were 2,517 housing units at an average density of 33.2/km² (86.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 85.69% White, 0.52% African American, 2.84% Native American, 1.35% Asian, 0.19% Pacific Islander, 6.45% from other races, and 2.96% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 16.47% of the population.

There were 2,415 households out of which 38.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.4% were married couples living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.5% were non-families. 15.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.01 and the average family size was 3.33.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 29.6% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 27.4% from 45 to 64, and 11.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 102.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.1 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $64,649, and the median income for a family was $68,388. Males had a median income of $50,440 versus $35,199 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $24,071. About 5.8% of families and 6.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.7% of those under age 18 and 13.6% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

In the state legislature Valley Center is located in the 36th Senate District, represented by Republican Dennis Hollingsworth, and in the 66th and 74th Assembly District, represented by Republicans Kevin Jeffries and Martin Garrick respectively. Federally, Valley Center is located in California's 49th congressional district, which has a Cook PVI of R +10 [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 Darrell Issa.

Community character and culture

Valley Center is a community in transition from a small rural town to a suburban "bedroom" community. This transition has been underway for several years. This has resulted in some agriculture, such as large fruit orchards, giving way to housing development. The growth of Valley Center has been slowed by lower densities including a minimum of convert|2|acre|m2 being required for most parcels. However, with San Diego County's [http://www.co.san-diego.ca.us/cnty/cntydepts/landuse/planning/GP2020/comm/valleyctr.htm GP2020] plan, currently being discussed, the densities in a few areas of Valley Center will be changed from a minimum of convert|2|acre|m2 per parcel to much higher densities. This would allow the population to expand, particularly in the town's central area. Even with current growth it is reasonable to characterize the town as "semi-rural".

Once a year, parts of the city are closed down for an event known as [http://www.vcchamber.com/western-days07.html Western Days] . This event is traditionally held over the Memorial Day weekend and consists of a community parade, a gathering at the Valley Center Community Center and a rodeo.

Agriculture

Traditionally, the town and the surrounding areas have largely been dedicated to agricultural uses. Various commercial crops include oranges, lemons, and avocados. More recently farmers have taken up other crops such as ornamental floral products such as lavender. Additionally, there is a thriving animal farming industry including egg-producing hens, llamas, and a large milk dairy.Miscellaneous Valley Center agricultural links:
* [http://www.thelavenderfields.com/ The Lavender Fields] Publicly open for visitors, selling live plants and lavender products
* [http://www.enjoyllamas.com/ Hilldale Farm Llama Ranch]
* [http://tierramiguel.org/ Tierra Miguel Organic and Educational Farm]

Notable Residents

*Billy Cundiff -NFL kicker
*J. J. Cale-Guitarist/Singer
*Gary Cooper-Cowboy Actor
*Irene Ryan-Granny on Beverly Hillbillies
*Steve Reeves-Hercules Actor
*June Allyson-Actress
*Dick Powell-Actor
*Benji- Acting Dog
*Fred Astaire Actor/Dancer
*Jack Haley- Actor/Tin Man in Wizard of OZ
*Bill Murray- Actor
*Sean Salisbury-Television sports analyst
*Glen Bell-Founded Taco Bell chain
*John Wayne-Actor
*Kevin Craft- Current UCLA Quarterback

Points of interest

* Pikake Botanical Gardens
* Metta Forest Monastery
* [http://www.batesnutfarm.biz/index.php%3Fparam=100 Bates Nut Farm] Local farm hosting country events, it is regionally famous for its pumpkin patch around Halloween time.
* [http://www.valleyviewcasino.com/default.aspx Valley View Casino] sits on a hill overlooking the local middle school.
* Fat Ivors BBQ restaurant located at 27961 Valley Center Rd.. It was recently burned down accidentally, but has since been rebuilt.
* [http://www.lakewohlford.com/ Lake Wohlford] Local lake that allows public fishing; allows small boats.
* [http://www.hellholecanyon.org/ Hellhole Canyon Open Space Preserve]
* [http://www.valleycenterhistory.org/ Valley Center History Museum] Home of the Famous Grizzly Bear, 29200 Cole Grade Rd, [phone]

External links

* [http://www.valleycenterweb.com/ Valley Center Directory] Find local Valley Center businesses, dining, real estate, and resources.
* [http://www.valleycenter.com/ Valley Center Roadrunner] Weekly newspaper published for the Valley Center, Pala and Pauma Valley California areas.
* [http://www.vcrunners.com/ Valley Center Runners Resource Website] A webpage dedicated to the strong running community in Valley Center with events, pictures and meeting/running schedules.
* [http://www.vcchamber.com/ Valley Center Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://www.myvalleycenter.com/ My Valley Center Community Website]
* [http://www.onlinevalleycenter.com/ Local Community Website and Business Guide] Contractor and Business listings, Restaurants, Casinos, Local Articles and Information, Self Service Classified Ads and much more.
* [http://www.vcpro.org/ Valley Center Professional Referral Organization] A referral based business networking organization.