Aptos, California
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Aptos is a census-designated place (CDP) in Santa Cruz County, California, United States. The population was 9,396 at the 2000 census. The name is Ohlone, meaning "the meeting of two creeks". "Aptos" is pronounced "app-toss", however many from the valley incorrectly pronounce it as "app-tose", which is considered vaguely offensisive to residents. Teenagers tend to refer to the town simply as the "A-P-T" also the term, "Peace up, A-Town Down" is commonly used among the youth.
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[edit] Culture
Aptos is a spot for surfing and bodyboarding. It is also a hot spot for street skateboarding, with various bowls and mini ramps throughout the town as well as well known skate spots such as "The Ditch", The "Platforms" as well as the Ranhco Del Mar stairs. Huge efforts have gone towards attempting to build a skate park in Aptos as Aptos is one a key area without a Skate park in Santa Cruz County, however Aptos' conservative population has often clashed with that's youth about isues like this and it appears unlikely after many huge fundrasing efforts, petitions, and meetings. Aptos is also known to have a music scene with acts such as the Lost Boys, The Crazy Sardines(Dufunct), Phat Boy, and various other punk, rock, and metal bands. Gangs also exist in Aptos, a teenage gang commonly reffered to as "Aptos Mafia" has been blamed as a source of crime. While crime in Aptos is not high, its is most present with the teenage population. Common crimes include vandalism, shoplifting for tobacco and alcolhol products, drug dealing and consumption, and underage drinking. Beaches sites such as the "cove", "Trusells", "beer can beach" and "the tracks" are known as party hot spots.
[edit] Geography
Aptos is located at (36.981500, -121.907432)GR1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 18.2 km² (7.0 mi²), all land.
Aptos lies on San Andreas Fault, and was the epicenter of 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.
[edit] Demographics
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 9,396 people, 4,055 households, and 2,428 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 517.5/km² (1,339.6/mi²). There were 4,486 housing units at an average density of 247.1/km² (639.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 90.38% White, 0.56% African American, 0.65% Native American, 2.39% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 2.49% from other races, and 3.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.97% of the population.
There were 4,055 households out of which 25.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.1% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.1% were non-families. 27.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.78.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 19.3% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 30.9% from 25 to 44, 29.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 94.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.0 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $61,843, and the median income for a family was $73,515. Males had a median income of $51,848 versus $40,050 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $33,210. About 2.5% of families and 7.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.4% of those under age 18 and 6.2% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Notable residents
- Lou Harrison, composer
- John J. Montgomery, aviation pioneer
- Trent Dilfer, NFL Quarterback
- Ennammasht, nihilistic poet
[edit] Notes
Aptos is an unincorporated area of Santa Cruz county, consisting of several small communities. Seacliff, northwest of Hwy 1, west of Spreckels drive. Rio Del Mar, south of Hwy 1, east of Spreckels, down to near Seascape Blvd. Seascape, south west of Hwy 1. And La Selva Beach, furthest southeast, also west of Hwy 1. Generally speaking, Aptos main community is on the northwest side of Hwy 1, stretching from Park Ave to Freedom Blvd. This is also where the main business and commerce centers are located.
Aptos is home to Seacliff State Beach and Nisene Marks State Park, Cabrillo College, and Aptos High School.
The Aptos High Mariners had a scrappy and successful boys basketball program from 1972 to 1987, reaching the state finals in 1986 and the NorCal Championship in 1987. The Aptos High Mariners football team won the 2003 CCS Div II title. Its first football CCS title. The Aptos little league baseball team made it to the World series in 2002, and were the subject of a widely seen documentary film on PBS. Small Ball: A Little League Story.
It is also home to the annual Fourth of July "World's Shortest Parade".
NFL quarterback Trent Dilfer attended Aptos High School.
[edit] External links
- Aptos High School webpage
- Santa Cruz County Conference & Visitors Council - Aptos Visitor Information
- Valencia Elemenary School (formerly Aptos School)
- Maps and aerial photos
- Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local
- Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia
- Topographic map from TopoZone
- Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
