Bear Valley Springs, California

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Entrance gate to Bear Valley Springs

Bear Valley Springs is a census-designated place (CDP) in Kern County, California, United States. The population was 4,232 at the 2000 census. As of 2006 the total population is estimated at 7,500. Bear Valley Springs' Elevation ranges from 4,118 feet to 6,934 feet (Bear Mountain).

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 History
4 External links

[edit] Geography

Location of Bear Valley Springs, California

Bear Valley Springs is located at 35°10′11″N, 118°38′42″W (35.169783, -118.644987)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 107.6 km² (41.6 mi²). 107.5 km² (41.5 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it (0.10%) is water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 4,232 people, 1,586 households, and 1,329 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 39.4/km² (101.9/mi²). There were 2,147 housing units at an average density of 20.0/km² (51.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 89.89% White, 1.37% Black or African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.71% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 2.95% from other races, and 4.70% from two or more races. 7.84% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,586 households out of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 76.9% were married couples living together, 4.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.2% were non-families. 13.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 26.5% under the age of 18, 3.1% from 18 to 24, 22.3% from 25 to 44, 29.3% from 45 to 64, and 18.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 96.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.3 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $61,169, and the median income for a family was $64,583. Males had a median income of $61,834 versus $31,591 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $27,388. About 5.4% of families and 7.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.3% of those under age 18 and 7.0% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] History

While The Nation had pushed to the western coast, the land the Fickert family settled in 1869 was still isolated and remote...a rich, virtually hidden valley. For centuries, it had been the untamed realm of the Indian. Over the years, after purchasing squatter's rights to 160 acres, the Fickerts expanded their holdings until, by 1900's their ranch encompassed a vast region, approximately 25,000 acres (110 km²).

By 1959, the last of the immediate Fickert family were gone, joining their kin who had gone before in the tiny family cemetery just up the hill from the main house. A quiet rural dynasty was ended.

After long negotiations Dart Resorts purchased the ranch, in its entirety, from the Fickert heirs. An outstanding ecological organization, Resource Ecology Associates, was employed by Dart to plan and maintain the original natural value of the property, including wildlife. Bear Valley Springs was born.

The first sales of property were in late 1970 with a full sales team starting January 1971. The project was sold out in November 1977. The Bear Valley Springs Community Services District was formed to act as a nonprofit organization for management and maintenance of the water, roads, and police protection. At the same time, the Bear Valley Springs Property Owners Association was formed to administer the amenity package. These groups acted to insure the upkeep of the facilities of Bear Valley Springs. Many projects in California have taken on one of the other. Bear Valley Springs has taken on both entities to protect the stability of the project.

The original concept was a second home destination resort where families could come to spend a weekend or longer and have a complete amenities package. As the uniqueness of Bear Valley Springs became apparent, many families moved here permanently, some retired and some to raise their families. The concept slowly changed from second homes to full time residents, approximately 1,700 homes. In these changing, clamorous times, the historic legacy of the Fickert family lives on.