Reedley, California

Reedley
—  City  —
Location in Fresno County and the state of California
Coordinates:
Country  United States
State  California
County Fresno
Government
 • Mayor Mary Fast
 • Mayor Pro Tem Pete Chavez
 • City Council
Anita Betancourt, Robert Beck, Ray Soleno
 • State Leg. Sen. Tom Berryhill (R)
Asm. Henry Perea (D)
 • U. S. Congress Devin Nunes (R)
Area[1]
 • Total 5.156 sq mi (13.352 km2)
 • Land 5.084 sq mi (13.166 km2)
 • Water 0.072 sq mi (0.185 km2)  1.39%
Elevation 348 ft (106 m)
Population (2010)
 • Total 24,194
 • Density 4,692.4/sq mi (1,812/km2)
Time zone PST (UTC-8)
 • Summer (DST) PDT (UTC-7)
ZIP code 93654
Area code(s) 559
FIPS code 06-60242
GNIS feature ID 1659495
Website http://www.reedley.com

Reedley is a city in Fresno County, California, United States. Reedley is located 22 miles (35 km) east-southeast of Fresno,[2] at an elevation of 348 feet (106 m).[3] The population at the 2010 census was 24,194. Its chief economic source is agriculture, particularly fruit and vegetable cultivation. The city is dubbed as "The World's Fruit Basket". Reedley holds many festivals year round. The city of Reedley hosts the annual Reedley Fiesta in October, the Reedley Electrical Christmas Parade in December, the Reedley Street Faire in May, the Reedley Certified Farmers Market (Wednesday evening, in the summer), the Reedley Taste of the Town in September, and many other festivities to keep the residents and visitors busy and entertained. Reedley is situated along the Kings River and in the summer, many local residents and visitors drive to Cricket Hollow Park and Reedley Beach.

Contents

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.2 square miles (13 km2), of which, 5.1 square miles (13 km2) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2) of it (1.39%) is water.

Demographics

2010

The 2010 United States Census[4] reported that Reedley had a population of 24,194. The population density was 4,693.2 people per square mile (1,812.0/km²). The racial makeup of Reedley was 14,105 (58.3%) White, 169 (0.7%) African American, 267 (1.1%) Native American, 797 (3.3%) Asian, 8 (0.0%) Pacific Islander, 7,850 (32.4%) from other races, and 998 (4.1%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 18,455 persons (76.3%).

The Census reported that 23,945 people (99.0% of the population) lived in households, 119 (0.5%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 130 (0.5%) were institutionalized.

There were 6,569 households, out of which 3,544 (54.0%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 3,988 (60.7%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 946 (14.4%) had a female householder with no husband present, 521 (7.9%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 440 (6.7%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 39 (0.6%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 886 households (13.5%) were made up of individuals and 471 (7.2%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.65. There were 5,455 families (83.0% of all households); the average family size was 3.94.

The population was spread out with 7,869 people (32.5%) under the age of 18, 2,797 people (11.6%) aged 18 to 24, 6,594 people (27.3%) aged 25 to 44, 4,627 people (19.1%) aged 45 to 64, and 2,307 people (9.5%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29.1 years. For every 100 females there were 104.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.7 males.

There were 6,867 housing units at an average density of 1,332.1 per square mile (514.3/km²), of which 3,881 (59.1%) were owner-occupied, and 2,688 (40.9%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.8%; the rental vacancy rate was 3.7%. 13,704 people (56.6% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 10,241 people (42.3%) lived in rental housing units.

2000

As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 20,756 people, 5,761 households, and 4,643 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,700.1 people per square mile (1,813.1/km²). There were 5,972 housing units at an average density of 1,352.3 per square mile (521.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 51.76% White, 1.73% Black or African American, 1.21% Native American, 8.83% Asian, 37.72% from other races, and 4.44% from two or more races. 57.59% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 5,761 households out of which 46.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.5% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.4% were non-families. 15.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.53 and the average family size was 3.87.

In the city the population was spread out with 32.1% under the age of 18, 12.2% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 15.2% from 45 to 64, and 11.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females there were 105.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $34,682, and the median income for a family was $37,027. Males had a median income of $30,048 versus $25,495 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,096. About 18.5% of families and 21.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.6% of those under age 18 and 10.4% of those age 65 or over.

History

American Civil War hero Thomas Law Reed settled here to provide wheat for Gold Rush miners in the mid 1800s. His donation of land for a railroad station site established the town as the center of the Valley's booming wheat business. Railroad officials commemorated his vision by naming the fledgling City in his honor. When mining fever began to fade, wheat demand slackened. Kings River water was diverted for crop irrigation, and the region began its over 100-year tradition of bountiful field, tree, and vine fruit harvests. With water and railroad services in place, farming families of European immigrants were recruited, and the settlement was incorporated in 1913, with Ordinance No. 1 adopting and prescribing the style of a Common Seal on February 25, 1913. An important element in the early town was a colony of German Mennonites, whose strong traditions and values still shape Reedley's culture. The population today is diverse and multicultural and Reedley boasts a current population equal to 20,500. Each of the town's major ethnic groups has shown strong civic leadership, a desire to retain cultural and religious traditions, and the ability to work successfully together for Reedley's betterment. Among the community's 25 churches are Anglican, Catholic, Christian, Armenian, Baptist, Buddhist, Mennonite, and many other congregations. The area's 41 organizations and 12 civic clubs include Filipino community organizations, a Finnish organization, and American Lebanese Women's Club, several Hispanic and Latin American organizations, and a Japanese organization among the many sports, cultural, conservation, charitable, and civic associations. In 1988 Reedley celebrated the first 100 years of its multicultural heritage, and the 75th anniversary of incorporation.

Downtown Reedley

Downtown Reedley offers various specialty shops that many visitors and locals enjoy. From dining to shopping, people can view art galleries around downtown and can taste exquisite cuisines from Armenian to Italian and Mexican to Asian. Downtown Reedley houses companies such as highly popularized photography studios like Shinn Photography, and the Blossom Trail Photo Studio. Music schools such as the Reedley School of Music, the Reedley Ballet Studio, and the Premier Dance Studio. Cafes and popular hang out spots such as Kelly's Beach Resort, The Pub, Hotel Burgess Cafe, Mainstreet Cafe, Jadoon's, and Coffee & Candy Co. Reedley's downtown is also the home of Traffic Magazine, and also Reedley's local newspaper The Reedley Exponent Downtown Reedley offers many interesting things for locals and visitors alike. People can dine and be entertained at local bars or even watch a musical at The Reedley Opera House. The Reedley Museum also offers rich facts of history about Reedley and Central California. There are abundant things to do in downtown Reedley.

Opera House

The building that houses the Opera House Theater was built in 1903, after a fire destroyed two blocks of downtown Reedley. The small theater languished, until being restored in 1986. This historic building currently houses the Reedley's River City Theatre Company. The City of Reedley acquired the building in 2002 by donation. River City Theatre currently leases the space and produces musicals and stage plays year-round. 2009 marks River City's sixth season in the Opera House. They have performed such shows as Big River, The People VS. Mona, Pump Boys & Dinettes, The Odd Couple, Sunshine Boys, The Nerd, The Music Man, Oliver!, Steel Magnolias, Little Shop of Horrors and some local original works written and directed by founder of the company Mark Norwood. Original shows include: Blossoms Up!, Blossoms Up!: Fiona's Revenge, Babes In Toyland: Barnabe's Story, Best Wishes, and Fanny's Up. Outside talent is brought in occasionally: LA Improv and Jeremy "Elvis" Pearce. River City Theatre Company is a non-profit theatre company dedicated to the performing arts and its community.

Education

The city of Reedley boasts various types of educational institutions to offer the community. Kings Canyon Unified School District is headquartered in the city, but also has schools located in the nearby towns of Orange Cove, Dunlap, Miramonte, and the mountain communities. Reedley also offers private educational institutions such as St. La Salle School (Roman Catholic Private K-8) and Immanuel Schools (Christian K-12). Reedley College offers associates degrees and also certificates. The public two-year institution boasts excellent degree programs as well as competitive athletics where many athletes transfer to NCAA Division I, II, and NAIA universities. Wellsprings Academy is the flagship boarding school for overweight adolescents in America which has gained national attention for the immense progress that students have had during their stay at the school.

Educational Institutions in Reedley:

Elementary

K-8 School

Middle School

High School

Alternative Education

College

Notable residents

References

  1. ^ U.S. Census
  2. ^ Durham, David L. (1998). California's Geographic Names: A Gazetteer of Historic and Modern Names of the State. Quill Driver Books. p. 1096. ISBN 9781884995149. 
  3. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Reedley, California
  4. ^ All data are derived from the United States Census Bureau reports from the 2010 United States Census, and are accessible on-line here. The data on unmarried partnerships and same-sex married couples are from the Census report DEC_10_SF1_PCT15. All other housing and population data are from Census report DEC_10_DP_DPDP1. Both reports are viewable online or downloadable in a zip file containing a comma-delimited data file. The area data, from which densities are calculated, are available on-line here. Percentage totals may not add to 100% due to rounding. The Census Bureau defines families as a household containing one or more people related to the householder by birth, opposite-sex marriage, or adoption. People living in group quarters are tabulated by the Census Bureau as neither owners nor renters. For further details, see the text files accompanying the data files containing the Census reports mentioned above.
  5. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 

External links