North Fair Oaks, California

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North Fair Oaks, California
Location in San Mateo County and the state of California
Location in San Mateo County and the state of California
Coordinates: 37°28′31″N 122°12′13″W / 37.47528, -122.20361
Country United States
State California
County San Mateo
Area
 - Total 1.2 sq mi (3 km²)
 - Land 1.2 sq mi (3 km²)
 - Water 0 sq mi (0 km²)
Elevation 26 ft (8 m)
Population (2000)
 - Total 15,440
 - Density 12,866.7/sq mi (5,146.7/km²)
Time zone PST (UTC-8)
 - Summer (DST) PDT (UTC-7)
ZIP code 94025
Area code(s) 650
FIPS code 06-51840
GNIS feature ID 1786241

North Fair Oaks is a census-designated place and district for the purposes of the United States census in an unincorporated area of San Mateo County adjacent to Redwood City, Atherton, and Menlo Park. As of the 2000 census the area had a total population of 15,440. Because of the large number of residents from one Mexican state the area is also known as Little Michoacan. The larger area including North Fair Oaks and adjacent parts of Redwood City has a large Latino population and is known locally as Little Mexico. It is one of the most distinctive cities on the entire Peninsula, as it is one out of only two cities (the other being East Palo Alto) that have a substantial Hispanic population (the parts of Redwood City adjoining North Fair Oaks have more in common with North Fair Oaks than the rest of Redwood City). At the same time, North Fair Oaks offers a glimpse into the future of many middle-class Bay Area cities, which are expected to exhibit the same characteristics of North Fair Oaks by 2010.

Contents

[edit] History

Fair Oaks was a residential area to the north of Menlo Park. Menlo Park attempted to incorporate the area Atherton incorporated first, leaving North Fair Oaks unincorporated. See Atherton for details and history.

One of the two Hetch Hetchy aqueduct utility corridors on the San Francisco Peninsula was installed going through the area at an angle diagonal to the street grid which was already in place.

[edit] Geography and climate

North Fair Oaks is located at 37°28′31″N, 122°12′13″W (37.475170, -122.203506)[1].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the area has a total area of 1.2 square miles (3.0 km²), all of it land.

Proximity to mountains by the Pacific coast and the San Francisco Bay creates a microclimate that makes the area frequently sunny and warm with temperatures moderated by ocean and bay breezes. Similar conditions are found on the Canary Islands and the Mediterranean Coast of North Africa. This local microclimate is centered on nearby Redwood City which claims the slogan "climate best by government test".

[edit] Law and government

Essential services are provided through San Mateo County by the Board of Supervisors using input from the North Fair Oaks Community Council.

Children attend elementary school in the Redwood City Elementary School District [1] but then attend Menlo-Atherton High School within the Sequoia Union School District [2].

[edit] Demographics

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 15,440 people, 3,997 households, and 2,937 families residing in the area. The population density was 13,221.9 people per square mile (5,095.2/km²). There were 4,059 housing units at an average density of 3,475.9/sq mi (1,339.5/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 50.60% White, 1.92% African American, 0.84% Native American, 3.03% Asian, 1.31% Pacific Islander, 37.94% from other races, and 4.35% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 69.57% of the population.

There were 3,997 households out of which 45.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.0% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.5% were non-families. 18.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.81 and the average family size was 4.20.

In the area the population was spread out with 30.3% under the age of 18, 12.4% from 18 to 24, 35.8% from 25 to 44, 15.9% from 45 to 64, and 5.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females there were 115.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 117.9 males.

The median income for a household in the area was $55,603, and the median income for a family was $54,678. Males had a median income of $32,169 versus $27,578 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $18,331. About 11.7% of families and 15.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.1% of those under age 18 and 6.8% of those age 65 or over. Although this median income is nearly $13,500 above the national average, North Fair Oaks is still classified as a low-income, minority-majority community. Due to the extremely high cost of living (considering that the community borders Atherton and other wealthy communities), wage inflation occurs, where many working-class families earn over $50,000 a year performing the same jobs that in other parts in the country (such as in the restaurant industry) would only pay $25,000 a year. Because of the high cost of living, however, the amount of disposable income remains the same.

[edit] Politics

In the state legislature North Fair Oaks is located in the 11th Senate District, represented by Democrat Joe Simitian, and in the 21st Assembly District, represented by Democrat Ira Ruskin. Federally, North Fair Oaks is located in California's 14th congressional district, which has a Cook PVI of D +18[3] and is represented by Democrat Anna Eshoo.

[edit] Community

The Fair Oaks Beautification Association is an active element of the North Fair Oaks community. FOBA is a not-for-profit 501c3 organization that has raised funds to plant trees and install traffic-calming devices throughout the neighborhood. Its primary activity is to maintain the neighborhood park at Edison Way and Fair Oaks Avenue. This park is built over the Hetch Hetchy aqueduct and was installed with permission of the SFPUC. Construction and maintenance are made possible by grants and community contributions, with substantial volunteer effort provided by members of the community.

[edit] References

[edit] External links