Delano, California

Delano, California
City
City of Delano
Main Street in downtown Delano
Seal
Location of Delano, California
Coordinates: 35°46′08″N 119°14′49″W / 35.76889°N 119.24694°W / 35.76889; -119.24694Coordinates: 35°46′08″N 119°14′49″W / 35.76889°N 119.24694°W / 35.76889; -119.24694[1]
Country	United States of America
State	California
County	Kern
Founded	1873
Incorporated	13 April 1915[2]
Government
• City Council	Mayor Joe Aguirre Mayor Pro Tem Ricardo Chavez Rueben Pascual Grace Vallejo Liz Morris[3]
• State Senator	Tom Berryhill (R)[4]
• State Assembly	Rudy Salas (D)[5]
• U. S. Congress	David Valadao (R)[6]
Area[7]
• Total	14.355 sq mi (37.180 km2)
• Land	14.303 sq mi (37.044 km2)
• Water	0.052 sq mi (0.135 km2)  0.36%
Elevation[1]	315 ft (96 m)
Population (2011)
• Total	53,819
• Density	3,700/sq mi (1,400/km2)
Time zone	PST (UTC-8)
• Summer (DST)	PDT (UTC-7)
ZIP codes	93215, 93216
Area code(s)	661
FIPS code	06-18394
GNIS feature IDs	1652697, 2410317
Website	www.cityofdelano.org

Delano (/dəˈleɪnoʊ/ də-LAY-noh) is a city in Kern County, California, United States. Delano is located 31 miles (50 km) north-northwest of Bakersfield^[8] at an elevation of 315 feet (96 m).^[1] The population was 53,819 in 2011, up from 38,824 at the 2000 census. It is Kern County's second largest city after Bakersfield.

Agriculture is Delano's major industry. The area is particularly well known as a center for the growing of table grapes.^[9] Delano is also home to two California state prisons, North Kern State Prison and Kern Valley State Prison. The Voice of America once operated its largest, most powerful shortwave broadcast facility outside Delano at 35°45′15″N 119°17′7″W / 35.75417°N 119.28528°W / 35.75417; -119.28528. However, the Voice of America ceased broadcasts in October 2007, citing a changing political mission, reduced budgets, and changes in technology.^[10]

Delano's two school districts currently operate eight elementary schools, three middle schools, three comprehensive high schools and two alternative high schools. The city has its own police department and contracts with the Kern County Fire Department for fire services, EMS services are privately provided by local company, Delano Ambulance Service.

History

Delano was founded on July 14, 1869 as a railroad town. The name was officially given by the Southern Pacific Railroad in honor of Columbus Delano,^[11] at the time the Secretary of the Interior for the United States. The first post office opened in 1874.^[8] Delano incorporated in 1913.^[8]

César Chávez at a United Farmworkers rally in Delano, 1974

Delano was a major hub of farmworker organization efforts and Chicano movement politics. Filipino immigrants Philip Vera Cruz and Larry Dulay Itliong were instrumental in shaping the direction of farm worker organizing in the 1950s.^[12] On September 8, 1965, Larry Itliong and other Filipino leaders led the predominantly Filipino Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee (AWOC) in a "walk off" from table grape farms, now known as the Delano grape strike. The strikers' goal was to improve farmworkers' wages and working conditions. The National Farm Workers' Association (NFWA), a largely Hispanic union led by Cesar Chavez, joined the strike within a week. During the strike, the two groups joined forces and formed the United Farm Workers of America (UFW). By 1970, the UFW won a contract with major grape growers across California. Delano is also known as "Crow Town" because of the many crows that roam there.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 14.4 square miles (37 km²); over 99% of which is land.

Climate

Delano's climate is characteristic of the San Joaquin Valley. The weather is hot and dry during the summer and cool and damp in winter.^[13] Frequent ground fog known regionally as "tule fog" can obscure vision. Record temperatures range between 115°F (2006) and 14°F (1990). Delano is located within a semidesert climatic zone, receiving 5.72 inches of rainfall annually.^[14]

Demographics

2010

The 2010 United States Census^[18] reported that Delano had a population of 53,041. The population density was 3,694.9 people per square mile (1,426.6/km²). The racial makeup of Delano was 19,304 (36.4%) White, 4,191 (7.9%) African American, 501 (0.9%) Native American, 6,757 (12.7%) Asian, 30 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 20,307 (38.3%) from other races, and 1,951 (3.7%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 37,913 persons (71.5%).

The Census reported that 42,144 people (79.5% of the population) lived in households, 178 (0.3%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 10,719 (20.2%) were institutionalized.

There were 10,260 households, out of which 6,535 (63.7%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 5,968 (58.2%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 2,089 (20.4%) had a female householder with no husband present, 894 (8.7%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 833 (8.1%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 61 (0.6%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 990 households (9.6%) were made up of individuals and 424 (4.1%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.11. There were 8,951 families (87.2% of all households); the average family size was 4.31.

The population was spread out with 15,089 people (28.4%) under the age of 18, 7,813 people (14.7%) aged 18 to 24, 17,248 people (32.5%) aged 25 to 44, 9,644 people (18.2%) aged 45 to 64, and 3,247 people (6.1%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28.5 years. For every 100 females there were 149.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 172.3 males.

There were 10,713 housing units at an average density of 746.3 per square mile (288.1/km²), of which 5,764 (56.2%) were owner-occupied, and 4,496 (43.8%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.6%; the rental vacancy rate was 3.5%. 24,363 people (45.9% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 17,781 people (33.5%) lived in rental housing units.

2000

As of the census^[19] of 2000, there were 38,824 people, 8,409 households, and 7,248 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,842.1 inhabitants per square mile (1,484.2/km²). There were 8,830 housing units at an average density of 873.8 per square mile (337.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 26.16% White, 5.45% Black or African American, 0.91% Native American, 15.88% Asian (primarily Filipino), 0.06% Pacific Islander, 47.07% from other races, and 4.47% from two or more races. 68.47% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 8,409 households out of which 56.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.3% were married couples living together, 18.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 13.8% were non-families. 10.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.02 and the average family size was 4.27.

In the city the population was spread out with 32.5% under the age of 18, 12.4% from 18 to 24, 32.7% from 25 to 44, 14.9% from 45 to 64, and 7.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females there were 129.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 143.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,143, and the median income for a family was $29,026. Males had a median income of $38,511 versus $21,509 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,068. About 25.7% of families and 28.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 35.3% of those under age 18 and 20.7% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

The Forty Acres complex in Delano was made a National Landmark in 2008.

• Larry Itliong, activist
• Leamon King, Olympic runner
• Lon Spurrier, Olympic runner
• Luis Valdez
• Benita Valente (Soprano)

Events

Delano is home to an active and substantial Filipino American community, and the Annual Philippine Weekend fair takes place in Delano every July.^[20]

Sister cities

Delano maintains a sister city relationship with the town of Arida, Wakayama, Japan. Delano is also associated with a lot of [Mexican culture]

References

v t e Municipalities and communities of Kern County, California, United States County seat: Bakersfield Cities Arvin Bakersfield California City Delano Maricopa McFarland Ridgecrest Shafter Taft Tehachapi Wasco CDPs Bear Valley Springs Bodfish Boron Buttonwillow Cherokee Strip China Lake Acres Derby Acres Dustin Acres Edmundson Acres Edwards Air Force Base Fellows Ford City Frazier Park Fuller Acres Golden Hills Greenacres Greenfield Inyokern Johannesburg Keene Kernville Lake Isabella Lake of the Woods Lamont Lebec Lost Hills McKittrick Mettler Mexican Colony Mojave Mountain Mesa North Edwards Oildale Onyx Pine Mountain Club Randsburg Rosamond Rosedale Smith Corner South Taft Squirrel Mountain Valley Stallion Springs Taft Heights Tupman Valley Acres Weedpatch Weldon Wofford Heights Unincorporated communities Actis Aerial Acres Alameda Algoso Alta Sierra Annette Ansel Armistead Baker Bannister Bealville Bena Bissell Blackwells Corner Bowerbank Bradys Brown Burton Mill Cable Calders Corner Calico Caliente Cameron Camp Owens Canebrake Cantil Cawelo Ceneda Chaffee China Lake Cinco Claraville Conner Crome Cuddy Canyon Cuddy Valley Desert Lake Di Giorgio Dow East Bakersfield Edison Edwards El Rita Elmo Famoso Fig Orchard Five Points Fleta Fruitvale Glennville Goler Heights Gosford Grapevine Gulf Gypsite Halfway House Harpertown Harts Place Havilah Hazelton Hights Corner Hollis Ilmon Indian Wells Jasmin Jastro Kayandee Kecks Corner Kern Lake Kernell Keyesville Kilowatt Lackey Place Lakeview Landco Lerdo Lokern Lonsmith Loraine Magunden Maltha Marcel Mayfair Meridian Midoil Millersville Millux Minter Village Miracle Hot Springs Missouri Triangle Mitchells Corner Monolith Moreland Mill Myricks Corner Neufeld North Belridge North Shafter Oil City Oil Junction Old Garlock Old River Old Town Palmo Panama Patch Pentland Pettit Place Pinon Pines Estates Pond Prospero Pumpkin Center Quality Rancho Seco Rand Reward Ribier Ricardo Rich Rio Bravo Riverkern Rowen Saco Sageland Saltdale San Emidio Sanborn Sand Canyon Searles Seguro Semitropic Shirley Meadows Silt Slater South Lake Spellacy Spicer City Stevens Summit Thomas Lane Twin Lakes Twin Oaks Una Venola Vinland Walker Basin Wallace Center Walong Wheeler Ridge Wible Orchard Willow Springs Woodford Woody Zentner Former settlements 18 Mile House Allard Amalie Artwell Asphalto Barnes Settlement Benita Big Blue Mill Borel Burkeville Cabernet Cambio Canebrake Canfield Chanz Clarkson Code Craft Cuttens Desert Spring Domino Eaires Eric Fluhr Fram Freeman Junction Gamba Garlock Girard Glenburn Gold Town Greenwich Gyle Hatfields Camp Indian Springs Inmans Isabella Joe Walker Town Joyfull Kern River Slough Kernvale Kernville Kyan La Rose Langdon Lavers' Crossing Leliter Leonards Levee Levee Spur Little Dixie Martendale Midway Miramonte Monterio Moseman Mountain House Muroc Nadeau Neil Neuralia Nome North Muroc Olig Packwood Page Paloma Parsons Petersburg Petro Pine Piute Proctor Progress Pylema Quartzburg Redrock Reefer City Reservoir Rio Bravo Riverview Rock Springs Rogersville Sage San Miguel de los Noches Sand Cut Scovern Hot Springs Sedwell Shady Rest Shale Shamrock Smyrna Solon Sorrell's Strader Strand Sullivan Summers Sunset Teagle Tehichipa Tejon Terese Terese Siding Toolwass Trescape Treves Una Siding Unadilla Vaccaro Vaughn Vernette Warren (Fellows) Warren (Mojave) Water Station West Baker Whiskey Flat Williamsburg Winter Garden