Solana Beach, California

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.3 km² (3.6 mi²). 9.1 km² (3.5 mi²) of it is land and 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (2.22%) is water.

[edit] History

The area now known as Solana Beach was called Lockwood Mesa prior to 1923, when the original subdivision plan for the community was developed. The community grew slowly, but steadily throughout the rest of the century, with particular booms occurring in the decade after World War II and a real estate boom in the last quarter of the 20th century. In 1986 the community officially incorporated as the city of Solana Beach. While still a relatively tranquil coastal town, the city received national news in 2003 upon becoming the first city in the Continental United States to enact a smoking ban on its public beaches, a trend which has continued as many other coastal Californian towns have followed suit in banning smoking on their beaches.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 12,979 people, 5,754 households, and 3,279 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,419.6/km² (3,678.7/mi²). There were 6,456 housing units at an average density of 706.1/km² (1,829.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 87.01% White, 0.50% African American, 0.42% Native American, 3.46% Asian, 0.14% Pacific Islander, 5.59% from other races, and 2.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.81% of the population.

There were 5,754 households out of which 20.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.3% were married couples living together, 6.8% had a broad with no husband present, and 43.0% were non-families. 31.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.83.

In the city the population was spread out with 17.9% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 30.9% from 25 to 44, 27.4% from 45 to 64, and 17.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 97.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $71,774, and the median income for a family was $96,652. Males had a median income of $72,028 versus $41,186 for females. The per capita income for the city was $48,547. About 3.4% of families and 6.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.5% of those under age 18 and 5.2% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Current estimates

According to estimates by the San Diego Association of Governments, the median household income of Solana Beach in 2005 was $101,122 (not adjusted for inflation). When adjusted for inflation (1999 dollars; comparable to Census data above), the median household income was $82,114.

[edit] Education

Solana Beach is served by the Solana Beach Elementary School District and the San Dieguito Union High School District.

The elementary schools in Solana Beach are:

Solana Vista Elementary School
Skyline Elementary School
Solana Santa Fe Elementary School
Solana Pacific Elementary School
Carmel Creek Elementary School
Solana Highlands Elementary School

Earl Warren Middle School serves Solana Beach.

Torrey Pines High School and San Dieguito Academy, and the more new Canyon Crest Academy are San Dieguito Union High School District high schools that serve Solana Beach.