Valley Center, California

History

In the late 1860s, the area now known as Valley Center was referred to as Bear Valley, and was the habitat of the now-extinct California grizzly bear, pictured on the flag of California. In 1866, the largest grizzly ever recorded in California was shot and killed in Valley Center.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 27.4 sqmi, all land.

Climate

According to the Köppen climate classification system, Valley Center has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate abbreviated "Csa" on climate maps. On March 30, 2023, a tornado warning was issued by the National Weather Service which is extremely rare for this part of the US.

Demographics

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

Valley Center was first listed as a census designated place in the 1980 U.S. census.

2020

The 2020 United States census reported that Valley Center had a population of 10,087. The population density was 367.5 PD/sqmi. The racial makeup of Valley Center was 59.6% White, 1.1% African American, 3.0% Native American, 3.7% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 16.7% from other races, and 15.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 33.2% of the population.

The census reported that 99.8% of the population lived in households, 0.2% lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0.0% were institutionalized.

There were 3,152 households, out of which 31.8% included children under the age of 18, 65.4% were married-couple households, 4.7% were cohabiting couple households, 15.8% had a female householder with no partner present, and 14.1% had a male householder with no partner present. 14.8% of households were one person, and 8.1% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 3.19.

The age distribution was 21.5% under the age of 18, 8.2% aged 18 to 24, 21.6% aged 25 to 44, 28.3% aged 45 to 64, and 20.4% who were 65years of age or older. The median age was 43.6years. For every 100 females, there were 104.2 males.

There were 3,327 housing units at an average density of 121.2 /mi2, of which 3,152 (94.7%) were occupied. Of these, 82.6% were owner-occupied, and 17.4% were occupied by renters.

2023 estimates

In 2023, the US Census Bureau estimated that 19.8% of the population were foreign-born. Of all people aged 5 or older, 71.0% spoke only English at home, 26.7% spoke Spanish, 0.4% spoke other Indo-European languages, and 1.9% spoke Asian or Pacific Islander languages. Of those aged 25 or older, 86.4% were high school graduates and 35.6% had a bachelor's degree.

The median household income was $116,620, and the per capita income was $46,664. About 9.1% of families and 12.4% of the population were below the poverty line.

Arts and culture

Museums

Valley Center History Museum was founded in 2003. Exhibits include a stagecoach which served as a Civil War ambulance, provided local transportation, and was featured in a number of Western motion pictures; a preserved California Grizzly Bear; and memorabilia.

Events

On Memorial Day weekend, the town remembers fallen veterans at the Valley Center Stampede Rodeo and Festival.

Every year, the town celebrates their western heritage with the Valley Center Western Days Parade and Country Fair.

Government

In the California State Legislature, Valley Center is in , and in .

In the United States House of Representatives, Valley Center is in .

Valley Center also serves as the seat of the tribal governments of the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians and the San Pasqual Band of Diegueno Mission Indians reservations, east of the CDP area.

Education

Almost all of it is in the Valley Center-Pauma Unified School District. A small section of the CDP extends into the Escondido Union School District and the Escondido Union High School District.

Notable people

• June Allyson, actress
• Fred Astaire, actor/dancer
• Glen Bell, founded Taco Bell chain
• Fred Biletnikoff, former Oakland Raiders wide receiver
• Louis Bromfield, Author
• Daniel Brunskill, NFL offensive tackle
• J.J. Cale, musician
• Gary Cooper, actor
• Kevin Craft, former UCLA quarterback
• Billy Cundiff, NFL kicker
• John DeLorean, auto tycoon
• Gary Garrison, former San Diego Chargers football player
• Kirby Grant, actor and rancher
• Jack Haley, actor, the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz
• Charles Hatfield, rainmaker
• Mike Leake, MLB pitcher
• Katie Leclerc, actress
• Denise Mueller-Korenek, cyclist, world speed record holder
• Merle Oberon, actress
• Dick Powell, actor
• Steve Reeves, Hercules actor
• Trevor Reilly, former NFL linebacker, defensive lineman
• Irene Ryan, actress, Granny on The Beverly Hillbillies
• Sean Salisbury, former NFL quarterback, television sports analyst
• Randolph Scott, actor
• John Wayne, actor
• Lawrence Welk, American accordionist, bandleader, and television impresario
• Mae West, actress
• Carol Williams, international concert organist and San Diego civic organist since 2001
• Sam Zimbalist, movie producer

References

References

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30. Jones, Harry J. (30 July 2015). [http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2015/jul/30/valley-center-museum-closes-expansion/ "Valley Center history museum closes"]. ''[[San Diego Union-Tribune]]''. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
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32. [https://www.sandiego.org/explore/events/sports/valley-center-stampede-rodeo-festival.aspx VC's Annual Western Heritage Celebration Unifies as "Valley Center Stampede"]
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41. "Sky King' star landed in Valley Center". [[Union Tribune]].