California, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
California is a borough in Washington County
, Pennsylvania
, United States
, along the Monongahela River
. The population was 5,274 as of the 2000 census. California is the home of California University of Pennsylvania
. Founded in 1849, the borough was named for the territory of California
following the Gold Rush
. The borough has had two notably young mayors: Democrat Peter Daley
, who was 22 at his election, and Republican Casey Durdines, who was 20 at his election.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the borough has a total area of 11.2 square miles (29 km²), of which, 11 square miles (28.5 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) of it (1.78%) is water.
of 2000, there were 5,274 people, 1,891 households, and 867 families residing in the borough. The population density
was 478.2 people per square mile (184.6/km²). There were 2,092 housing units at an average density of 189.7 per square mile (73.2/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 93.93% White, 4.13% African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.74% Asian, 0.13% from other races
, and 0.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.49% of the population.
There were 1,891 households out of which 16.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.8% were married couples
living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 54.1% were non-families. 36.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.85.
In the borough the population was spread out with 10.7% under the age of 18, 42.2% from 18 to 24, 17.3% from 25 to 44, 15.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24 years. For every 100 females there were 92.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.3 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $24,628, and the median income for a family was $43,168. Males had a median income of $35,833 versus $24,537 for females. The per capita income
for the borough was $14,412. About 7.3% of families and 22.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.7% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over.
Washington County, Pennsylvania
-Government and politics:As of November 2008, there are 152,534 registered voters in Washington County .* Democratic: 89,027 * Republican: 49,025 * Other Parties: 14,482...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, along the Monongahela River
Monongahela River
The Monongahela River is a river on the Allegheny Plateau in north-central West Virginia and southwestern Pennsylvania in the United States...
. The population was 5,274 as of the 2000 census. California is the home of California University of Pennsylvania
California University of Pennsylvania
California University of Pennsylvania is a public university located in California, Pennsylvania, USA. Founded in 1852, it is a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. Cal U's enrollment is approximately 9,400.The main campus consists of about 38 buildings situated on 92 acres...
. Founded in 1849, the borough was named for the territory of California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
following the Gold Rush
California Gold Rush
The California Gold Rush began on January 24, 1848, when gold was found by James W. Marshall at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California. The first to hear confirmed information of the gold rush were the people in Oregon, the Sandwich Islands , and Latin America, who were the first to start flocking to...
. The borough has had two notably young mayors: Democrat Peter Daley
Peter Daley
Peter J. Daley, II is a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing the 49th Legislative District since 1983. His district includes parts of Fayette County and Washington County....
, who was 22 at his election, and Republican Casey Durdines, who was 20 at his election.
Geography
California is located at 40°3′55"N 79°53′50"W (40.065313, -79.897120).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the borough has a total area of 11.2 square miles (29 km²), of which, 11 square miles (28.5 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) of it (1.78%) is water.
History
When founded in 1849, the town was named California, though Columbia and Sagamore were names that were also suggested for the new town. Before there were mayors in California, there were burgesses, the first of whom was Solomon Sibbitt.- East Pike Run Township merged with California Borough in 1953.
- The former Vigilant Mine in California once produced the largest single lump of coal in the world.
- California was once home to the largest soft coal mine in the world when Vesta # 4 opened in 1893.
- The town of Philipsburg used to sit on land that is now occupied by California University of Pennsylvania. This includes the Philipsburg Cemetery, which is still in use and includes a number of graves of Civil War soldiers.
- The first house built in California is next to the California Post Office on Second Street.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 5,274 people, 1,891 households, and 867 families residing in the borough. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 478.2 people per square mile (184.6/km²). There were 2,092 housing units at an average density of 189.7 per square mile (73.2/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 93.93% White, 4.13% African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.74% Asian, 0.13% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.49% of the population.
There were 1,891 households out of which 16.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.8% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 54.1% were non-families. 36.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.85.
In the borough the population was spread out with 10.7% under the age of 18, 42.2% from 18 to 24, 17.3% from 25 to 44, 15.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24 years. For every 100 females there were 92.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.3 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $24,628, and the median income for a family was $43,168. Males had a median income of $35,833 versus $24,537 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the borough was $14,412. About 7.3% of families and 22.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.7% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over.