Descanso, California
Encyclopedia
Descanso is a small census-designated place
in the Mountain Empire area of southeastern San Diego County, California
and part of California's 52nd congressional district
. Descanso is located east of Alpine
and west of Pine Valley
. The population was 1,423 at the 2010 census.
The community's name is a Spanish word meaning a place of rest. At a 3450 feet (1,051.6 m) 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 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).
Descanso is a small community where the majority of residences generally commute to San Diego as the local job market is limited, the only local employers being the various fire protection agencies listed above as well as the Descanso Junction restaurant, The Perkins Store and Deli, a handful of small convenience and gift shops, Factory Built Homes of Southern California (a local contractor) a feed store, grandpas nursery, and finally the local U.S. Post Office.
The ZIP Code
is 91916 and the community is inside area code 619
.
, the CDP covers an area of 19.2 square miles (49.8 km²), all of it land.
was 74.1 people per square mile (28.6/km²). 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 per square mile (14.0/km²), 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.
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
in the Mountain Empire area of southeastern San Diego County, 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...
and part of California's 52nd congressional district
California's 52nd congressional district
California's 52nd congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of California based in San Diego County. The district consists of many of San Diego's suburbs, including Lakeside, Poway, Ramona, La Mesa, and Spring Valley....
. Descanso is located east of Alpine
Alpine, California
Alpine is a census-designated place in San Diego County, California. Alpine had a population of 14,236 at the 2010 census, up from 13,143 at the 2000 census.Alpine is the residence of former United States Representative Duncan Hunter...
and west of Pine Valley
Pine Valley, California
Pine Valley is a community and census-designated place in the Mountain Empire area of southeastern San Diego County, California. The population was 1,510 at the 2010 census, up from 1,501 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
. The population was 1,423 at the 2010 census.
The community's name is a Spanish word meaning a place of rest. At a 3450 feet (1,051.6 m) elevation, it is located at the south entrance to Cuyamaca Rancho State Park
Cuyamaca Rancho State Park
Cuyamaca Rancho State Park is a state park located forty miles east of San Diego, California in the Laguna Mountains of the Peninsular Ranges. The park's 26,000 acres feature pine, fir, and oak forests, with meadows and streams that exist due to the relatively high elevation of the area compared...
and also borders Cleveland National Forest
Cleveland National Forest
Cleveland National Forest encompasses 460,000 acres , mostly of chaparral, with a few riparian areas. A warm dry mediterranean climate prevails over the Forest. It is the southernmost National forest of California. It is administered by the United States Forest Service, a government agency within...
to the west and east.
The area was heavily threatened by the 2003 Cedar Fire
Cedar Fire
The Cedar Fire was a human-caused wildfire that burned out of control through a large area of San Diego County, in Southern California, in October 2003...
. 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 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).
Descanso is a small community where the majority of residences generally commute to San Diego as the local job market is limited, the only local employers being the various fire protection agencies listed above as well as the Descanso Junction restaurant, The Perkins Store and Deli, a handful of small convenience and gift shops, Factory Built Homes of Southern California (a local contractor) a feed store, grandpas nursery, and finally the local U.S. Post Office.
The ZIP Code
ZIP Code
ZIP codes are a system of postal codes used by the United States Postal Service since 1963. The term ZIP, an acronym for Zone Improvement Plan, is properly written in capital letters and was chosen to suggest that the mail travels more efficiently, and therefore more quickly, when senders use the...
is 91916 and the community is inside area code 619
Area code 619
North American area code 619 is a California telephone area code which was split from area code 714 on November 5, 1982. This area code currently covers the southern half of the city of San Diego and its eastern and southern suburbs....
.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited 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 CDP covers an area of 19.2 square miles (49.8 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
The 2010 United States Census reported that Descanso had a population of 1,423. The population densityPopulation 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 74.1 people per square mile (28.6/km²). 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
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 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
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, 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
POSSLQ
POSSLQ is an abbreviation for "Persons of Opposite Sex Sharing Living Quarters," a term coined in the late 1970s by the United States Census Bureau as part of an effort to more accurately gauge the prevalence of cohabitation in American households....
, 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
Family (U.S. Census)
A family or family household is defined by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes as "a householder and one or more other people related to the householder by birth, marriage, or adoption. They do not include same-sex married couples even if the marriage was performed in a state...
(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 per square mile (14.0/km²), 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.
Aviation
Pilots are recommended not to fly low over the town or risk a lawsuit. Especially if you are found "Dive-Twirling". Owners of jet aircraft and other very loud "obnoxious" sounding airplanes that "rev" their engines, are also encouraged, NOT TO GO NEAR this town.Local attractions
Local attractions include- the Laguna MountainsLaguna MountainsThe Laguna Mountains are a section of the Peninsular Ranges in eastern San Diego County, California. The mountains run in a northwest/southeast alignment for approximately ....
- ViejasViejasViejas is a San Diego area casino, and outlet center owned by the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians. The casino houses 2,200 slot machines, up to 86 table games, four restaurants, a deli, bingo, an off-track betting facility, lounge, concert venues and a poker room...
- Lake Cuyamaca
- Lake Morena
- Pacific Southwest Railway MuseumPacific Southwest Railway MuseumThe Pacific Southwest Railway Museum, located at the corner of State Route 94 and Forrest Gate Road near Campo, California, is a railroad museum dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of railroads as they existed in the Pacific Southwest....
- Descanso Junction Restaurant
- Perkins Store
Local churches
- Chapel of the Hills Methodist Church
- Our Lady of Light Catholic Church