Los Alamos, California
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For other places named Los Alamos, see Los Alamos, New Mexico and Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Los Alamos is a census-designated place (CDP) in Santa Barbara County, California, United States. Although located in the Los Alamos Valley, the town of Los Alamos is usually considered to be a part of the Santa Ynez Valley community. The population was 1,372 at the 2000 census.
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[edit] Geography
Los Alamos is located at (34.741984, -120.275397)GR1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 6.1 km² (2.3 mi²), all land.
Los Alamos is located near the Santa Ynez Valley, along U.S. Route 101. It is a small, unincorporated town surrounded primarily with ranches, vegetable farms (broccoli, lettuce, and strawberries), and wine grape vineyards.
Los Alamos is relatively isolated. It is about 10 miles to Buellton, California and Los Olivos, California to the Southeast, and Santa Maria, California to the Northwest along Highway 101. Lompoc, California and Vandenberg Air Force Base are to the Southwest.
[edit] Demographics
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 1,372 people, 471 households, and 349 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 225.4/km² (582.8/mi²). There were 488 housing units at an average density of 80.2/km² (207.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 76.90% White, 0.22% African American, 1.82% Native American, 0.73% Asian, 0.51% Pacific Islander, 15.09% from other races, and 4.74% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 34.69% of the population.
There were 471 households out of which 44.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.0% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.9% were non-families. 20.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.91 and the average family size was 3.36.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 31.9% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 34.2% from 25 to 44, 19.3% from 45 to 64, and 7.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 102.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.0 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $47,321, and the median income for a family was $49,125. Males had a median income of $32,206 versus $30,714 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $18,013. About 10.3% of families and 13.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.2% of those under age 18 and 2.2% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Community
U.S. Route 101 used to pass right through town on Bell Street before the highway was realigned in the 1950s. This realignment was both a blessing and a curse for Los Alamos. There were a number of deaths due to cars versus pedestrians in Los Alamos when Highway 101 went through town. However, when the highway was moved just North of town, there was far less traffic to patronize the local businesses, and Los Alamos declined economically.
At the end of September of each year, Los Alamos hosts a town festival called "Old Days." Food and craft vendors line Bell Street and there is music and other forms of entertainment. Old Days has been held for more than 55 years.
The Los Alamos Ranch House is an adobe building dating from the Mexican era, and is a National Historic Landmark.
[edit] External links
- 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
