Fountain Valley, California

It was incorporated in 1957, before which it was known as Talbert (also as Gospel Swamp). The name of Fountain Valley refers to the very high water table in the area -- at the time the name was chosen, it was said that one could merely poke a stick in the ground and a fountain would come up.

[edit] Geography

Fountain Valley is located at 33°42′31″N, 117°57′23″W (33.708618, -117.956295)^GR1.

It is located southwest and northeast of the San Diego Freeway (405), which diagonally bisects the city, and is surrounded by Huntington Beach, Westminster, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, and Costa Mesa. Its eastern border is the Santa Ana River.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 23.1 km² (8.9 mi²). 23.1 km² (8.9 mi²) of it is land and 0.11% is water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 54,978 people, 18,162 households, and 14,220 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,382.4/km² (6,167.8/mi²). There were 18,473 housing units at an average density of 800.5/km² (2,072.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 64.02% White, 1.11% Black or African American, 0.46% American Indian or Alaskan Native, 25.76% Asian, 0.40% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, 3.95% from other races, and 4.30% from two or more races. 10.68% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 18,162 households out of which 34.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.4% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.7% were non-families. 16.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.00 and the average family size was 3.35.

In the city the population was spread out with 23.5% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 27.2% from 45 to 64, and 11.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 95.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $69,734, and the median income for a family was $74,502. Males had a median income of $50,399 versus $36,089 for females. The per capita income for the city was $26,521. About 3.0% of families and 4.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.7% of those under age 18 and 6.0% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Community amenities

A classic bedroom community, Fountain Valley is a safe, middle-class, residential area.

It is home to Mile Square Regional Park, a 640 acre (2.6 km²) park containing two lakes, three 18-hole golf courses, playing fields, picnic shelters, and a twenty acre urban nature area planted with California native plants, a 55 acre (223,000 m²) recreation center with tennis courts, basketball courts, racquetball courts, a gymnasium, and the Kingston Boys & Girls Club; also a community center and a new senior center that opened in June, 2005.

The city contains a police department, two fire stations, two hospitals, and a medical center.

There are eight elementary schools, one K-8 school (Moiola), four middle schools, and two high schools.

The city also has 18 churches, one Reform synagogue, and a public library.

[edit] Emergency services

Fire protection and emergency medical services are provided by the Fountain Valley Fire Department. Law enforcement is provided Fountain Valley Police Department. Ambulance service is provided by Care Ambulance Service.

[edit] Business

Fountain Valley has blooming commercial innovations but little industrial production of its own. The limited agricultural production consists of several fields of strawberries.

Fountain Valley is home to the national headquarters of Hyundai Motor Company and the global headquarters of memory chip manufacturer Kingston Technologies.

Fountain Valley has two fully accredited major medical centers: the Fountain Valley Regional Hospital with 400 beds available, and Orange Coast Memorial Hospital with 230 beds and a medical clinic.