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Descanso, California

Descanso, California
FieldValue
nameDescanso, California
settlement_typeUnincorporated community
Census designated place
image_skylineCalifornia sr79 2021 descanso junction restaurant 1.jpg
image_captionThe Descanso Junction restaurant
pushpin_mapUSA California San Diego County#USA California#USA
pushpin_labelDescanso
pushpin_label_positionright
pushpin_map_captionLocation within San Diego County##Location within California##Location within the United States
image_mapFile:San Diego County California Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Descanso Highlighted 0618940.svg
map_captionLocation of Descanso in San Diego County, California.
subdivision_typeCountry
subdivision_name
subdivision_type1State
subdivision_name1California
subdivision_type2County
subdivision_name2Flag_of_San_Diego_County,_California.png San Diego
leader_title
unit_prefImperial
area_footnotes
area_total_sq_mi19.16
area_land_sq_mi19.16
area_water_sq_mi0.00
area_total_km249.61
area_land_km249.61
area_water_km20.00
area_water_percent0
population_as_of2020
population_total1499
population_density_km230.21
timezonePacific (PST)
utc_offset-8
timezone_DSTPDT
utc_offset_DST-7
elevation_footnotes
elevation_ft3573
coordinates
postal_code_typeZIP codes
postal_code91916
area_code619
blank_nameFIPS code
blank_info06-18940
blank1_nameGNIS feature ID
blank1_info2582992
population_density_sq_mi78.25

Census designated place

Descanso (Spanish for "Rest") is a small unincorporated community in the Cuyamaca Mountains, within the Mountain Empire area of southeastern San Diego County, California. The community's name is a Spanish word meaning "rest from labor".

The population was 1,499 at the 2020 census, up from 1,423 at the 2010 census. For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau categorizes Descanso as a census-designated place. It is in California's 48th congressional district.

Descanso is located east of Alpine and west of Pine Valley. At a 3450 ft elevation, it is located at the south entrance to Cuyamaca Rancho State Park and also borders Cleveland National Forest to the west and east.

The area was heavily threatened by the 2003 Cedar Fire. The community consists of many small ranches and newer homes of San Diego commuters. Horseback riding and hiking are frequent pastimes due to the proximity to San Diego's back-country recreation areas. It is approximately a 50-minute commute from downtown San Diego. The majority of residents generally commute to San Diego as the local job market is limited. Community radio station KNSJ operates out of Descanso.

The Descanso Fire Station of the United States Forest Service is home to the Laguna Hotshots. Descanso is home to many firefighters, and many local teenagers join either the Forest Service or the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (which also provides direct fire and EMS protection to the community).

The ZIP Code is 91916, and the community is inside area code 619.

History

In 1884, a group of Spiritualists started Hulburd Grove. In 1898, the residents of the area started the Descanso school and the Descanso Town Hall. Peter Jacobs started the Descanso Park Addition in 1926.

Geography

Old Highway 80, south and west of Descanso

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP covers an area of 19.2 square miles (49.8 km2), all of it land.

Climate

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Descanso has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, abbreviated "Csa" on climate maps.

Demographics

|align-fn=center 1860–1870 1880-1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

Descanso first appeared as a census designated place in the 2010 U.S. census.

2020

Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Descanso CDP, Californiaurl=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US0618940&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2website=United States Census Bureauaccess-date= }}Pop 2020% 2010% 2020
White alone (NH)1,1981,14884.19%76.58%
Black or African American alone (NH)550.35%0.33%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)25101.76%0.67%
Asian alone (NH)15141.05%0.93%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH)800.56%0.00%
Other race alone (NH)590.35%0.60%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)17831.19%5.54%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)15023010.54%15.34%
Total1,4231,499 100.00%100.00%

The 2020 United States census reported that Descanso had a population of 1,499. The population density was 78.3 PD/sqmi. The racial makeup of Descanso was 1,221 (81.5%) White, 6 (0.4%) African American, 13 (0.9%) Native American, 15 (1.0%) Asian, 0 (0.0%) Pacific Islander, 49 (3.3%) from other races, and 195 (13.0%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 230 persons (15.3%).

The whole population lived in households. There were 604 households, out of which 132 (21.9%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 344 (57.0%) were married-couple households, 42 (7.0%) were cohabiting couple households, 103 (17.1%) had a female householder with no partner present, and 115 (19.0%) had a male householder with no partner present. 141 households (23.3%) were one person, and 72 (11.9%) were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.48.

The age distribution was 274 people (18.3%) under the age of 18, 89 people (5.9%) aged 18 to 24, 302 people (20.1%) aged 25 to 44, 460 people (30.7%) aged 45 to 64, and 374 people (24.9%) who were 65years of age or older. The median age was 50.5years. For every 100 females, there were 100.7 males.

There were 673 housing units at an average density of 35.1 /mi2, of which 604 (89.7%) were occupied. Of these, 490 (81.1%) were owner-occupied, and 114 (18.9%) were occupied by renters.

In 2023, the US Census Bureau estimated that the median household income was $125,714, and the per capita income was $53,639. About 0.0% of families and 2.0% of the population were below the poverty line.

2010

The 2010 United States census reported that Descanso had a population of 1,423. The population density was 74.1 PD/sqmi. The racial makeup of Descanso was 1,290 (90.7%) White, 5 (0.4%) African American, 29 (2.0%) Native American, 16 (1.1%) Asian, 9 (0.6%) Pacific Islander, 46 (3.2%) from other races, and 28 (2.0%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 150 persons (10.5%).

The census reported that 1,423 people (100% of the population) lived in households, 0 (0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.

There were 585 households, out of which 152 (26.0%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 326 (55.7%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 44 (7.5%) had a female householder with no husband present, 27 (4.6%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 33 (5.6%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 7 (1.2%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 140 households (23.9%) were made up of individuals, and 54 (9.2%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43. There were 397 families (67.9% of all households); the average family size was 2.82.

The population was spread out, with 256 people (18.0%) under the age of 18, 108 people (7.6%) aged 18 to 24, 260 people (18.3%) aged 25 to 44, 604 people (42.4%) aged 45 to 64, and 195 people (13.7%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.0 males.

There were 696 housing units at an average density of 36.2 /sqmi, of which 440 (75.2%) were owner-occupied, and 145 (24.8%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.3%; the rental vacancy rate was 9.4%. 1,086 people (76.3% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 337 people (23.7%) lived in rental housing units.

Local attractions

Local attractions include:

  • Laguna Mountains
  • Viejas Casino
  • Lake Cuyamaca
  • Lake Morena
  • Pacific Southwest Railway Museum
  • Julian, nearby historical mining town
  • Sweetwater River

Local churches

  • Chapel of the Hills Methodist Church
  • Our Lady of Light Catholic Church

Transportation

San Diego MTS route 888 provides service on Mondays and Fridays between El Cajon, Descanso, and Jacumba Hot Springs.

References

References

  1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
  2. {{gnis. 2582992
  3. Gannett, Henry. (1905). "The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States". Govt. Print. Off..
  4. (30 April 2015). "Hulburd Grove Historical Tour in Descanso - May 23, 2015".
  5. "Descanso History".
  6. [https://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/21299/files/historic%20background%20study.pdf CUYAMACA RANCHO STATE PARK HISTORIC BACKGROUND STUDY & HISTORIC INVENTORY]
  7. "Descanso, California Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)".
  8. "Decennial Census by Decade".
  9. "1870 Census of Population - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties - California - Almeda County to Sutter County".
  10. "1870 Census of Population - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties - California - Tehama County to Yuba County".
  11. "1890 Census of Population - Population of California by Minor Civil Divisions".
  12. "1900 Census of Population - Population of California by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions".
  13. "1910 Census of Population - Supplement for California".
  14. "1920 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California".
  15. "1930 Census of Population - Number and Distribution of Inhabitants - California".
  16. "1940 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California".
  17. "1950 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California".
  18. "1960 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California".
  19. "1960 Census of Population - General population Characteristics - California".
  20. "1970 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California".
  21. "1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California".
  22. "1990 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California".
  23. "2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California".
  24. "2010 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California".
  25. "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Descanso CDP, California".
  26. "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Descanso CDP, California".
  27. "Descanso CDP, California; DP1: Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics - 2020 Census of Population and Housing".
  28. "Descanso CDP, California; P16: Household Type - 2020 Census of Population and Housing".
  29. "Descanso CDP, California; DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics - 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates Comparison Profiles".
  30. "2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Descanso CDP". U.S. Census Bureau.
  31. (August 31, 2025). "MTS".
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