Freedom, California

Freedom
census-designated place

Location in Santa Cruz County and the state of California
Coordinates: 36°56′26″N 121°47′22″W / 36.94056°N 121.78944°WCoordinates: 36°56′26″N 121°47′22″W / 36.94056°N 121.78944°W
Country  United States
State  California
County Santa Cruz
Area[1]
 • Total 1.104 sq mi (2.859 km2)
 • Land 1.104 sq mi (2.859 km2)
 • Water 0 sq mi (0 km2)  0%
Elevation[2] 125 ft (38 m)
Population (2010)
 • Total 3,070
 • Density 2,800/sq mi (1,100/km2)
Time zone PST (UTC-8)
 • Summer (DST) PDT (UTC-7)
ZIP code 95019
Area code(s) 831
FIPS code 06-25576
GNIS feature ID 1658576

Freedom is a census-designated place (CDP) in Santa Cruz County, California, United States. The population was 3,070 at the 2010 census.

Freedom Post Office.

Geography

Freedom is located at 36°56′26″N 121°47′22″W / 36.94056°N 121.78944°W (36.940452, -121.789376).[3] According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 1.1 square miles (2.8 km2), all of it land. It is adjacent to and blends with the incorporated city of Watsonville.

History

The village was originally called Whiskey Hill: "It sprang into existence at the juncture of the Santa Cruz Road (Freedom Boulevard) and the trail up to Green Valley (Green Valley Road) at about the same time that Watsonville began to grow on the banks of the Pajaro River. By 1852, it was already a motley collection of a dozen rude shanties scattered along the road, each one containing a cantina which catered to the vaqueros of the San Andreas and Los Corralitos Ranchos. They featured, not only whiskey and "aguardiente" of the more volatile brew, but also gaming tables and hordes of randy women. The saloons and brothels of Whiskey Hill were said to be among the most wicked and wild in the state. In June 1877 the citizens decided to change the name of the village to Freedom perhaps in the hope that by adopting a more placid appellation there would be a corresponding change in reputation. If indeed that was a part of their thinking it proved to be singularly unsuccessful, as the fighting, drinking, and sinning continued on into the 20th century."

Demographics

2010

The 2010 United States Census[4] reported that Freedom had a population of 3,070. The population density was 2,780.8 people per square mile (1,073.7/km²). The racial makeup of Freedom was 1,452 (47.3%) White, 44 (1.4%) African American, 31 (1.0%) Native American, 100 (3.3%) Asian, 1,285 (41.9%) from other races, and 158 (5.1%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2,170 persons (70.7%).

The Census reported that 99.8% of the population lived in households and 0.2% were institutionalized.

There were 776 households, out of which 394 (50.8%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 445 (57.3%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 124 (16.0%) had a female householder with no husband present, 73 (9.4%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 63 (8.1%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 11 (1.4%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 102 households (13.1%) were made up of individuals and 44 (5.7%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.95. There were 642 families (82.7% of all households); the average family size was 4.12.

The population was spread out with 904 people (29.4%) under the age of 18, 347 people (11.3%) aged 18 to 24, 891 people (29.0%) aged 25 to 44, 655 people (21.3%) aged 45 to 64, and 273 people (8.9%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30.2 years. For every 100 females there were 103.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.7 males.

There were 806 housing units at an average density of 730.1 per square mile (281.9/km²), of which 65.6% were owner-occupied and 34.4% were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.4%; the rental vacancy rate was 2.2%. 60.9% of the population lived in owner-occupied housing units and 38.9% lived in rental housing units.

2000

As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 6,000 people, 1,596 households, and 1,182 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 4,480.0 people per square mile (1,728.8/km²). There were 1,619 housing units at an average density of 1,208.9 per square mile (466.5/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 44.42% White, 0.48% African American, 1.87% Native American, 3.35% Asian, 0.22% Pacific Islander, 43.72% from other races, and 5.95% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 69.42% of the population.

There were 1,596 households out of which 41.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.8% were married couples living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.9% were non-families. 21.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.75 and the average family size was 4.23.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 30.8% under the age of 18, 11.5% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 17.1% from 45 to 64, and 10.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 102.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.3 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $40,600, and the median income for a family was $43,056. Males had a median income of $27,083 versus $23,056 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $13,690. About 12.9% of families and 17.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.3% of those under age 18 and 8.2% of those age 65 or over.

Government

In the California State Legislature, Freedom is in the 17th Senate District, represented by Democrat Bill Monning, and in the 30th Assembly District, represented by Democrat Luis Alejo.[6]

In the United States House of Representatives, Freedom is in California's 20th congressional district, represented by Democrat Sam Farr.[7]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "2010 Census U.S. Gazetteer Files – Places – California". United States Census Bureau.
  2. ↑ "Freedom". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved October 13, 2014.
  3. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  4. ↑ "2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Freedom CDP". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  5. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  6. ↑ "Statewide Database". UC Regents. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  7. ↑ "California's 20th Congressional District - Representatives & District Map". Civic Impulse, LLC.

External links