Lemon Grove, California
Lemon Grove, California | |
|---|---|
   | |
| Motto: Best Climate on Earth | |
 Location of Lemon Grove in San Diego County, California. | |
  Lemon Grove, California Location in the United States | |
| Coordinates:32°44′29″N117°01′54″W/ 32.74139°N 117.03167°W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  California |
| County |  San Diego |
| Incorporated | July 1, 1977[1] |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council–manager |
| •Mayor | Racquel Vasquez[2] |
| •City manager | Lydia Romero[3] |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.88 sq mi (10.05 km2) |
| • Land | 3.88 sq mi (10.05 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) 0% |
| Elevation | 446 ft (136 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 27,627 |
| • Estimate (2021) | 27,413 |
| • Density | 7,100/sq mi (2,700/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8(Pacific) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7(PDT) |
| ZIP code | 91945 |
| Area code | 619 |
| FIPScode | 06-41124 |
| GNISfeature IDs | 1660902,2410818 |
| Website | www |
Lemon Groveis a city inSan Diego County,California,United States. The population was 27,627 at the2020 census,up from 25,320 at the2010 census.[6]
History[edit]
The area that eventually became Lemon Grove was part ofMission San Diego de Alcalá,one of theSpanish missions in California.AfterMexico became independent from Spain,theCalifornios(residents ofAlta California) ranched on variousland grants.The area that now includes Lemon Grove was granted toSantiago Argüello,who received more than 59,000 acres.[7]
The first proprietor of Lemon Grove, Robert Allison, arrived in the region in 1850, coming fromSacramento.He purchased thousands of acres from Santiago Argüello's heirs; this land eventually became Lemon Grove,La Mesa,Encanto,and part ofSpring Valley.Allison became a director and stockholder of the San Diego and Cuyamaca Railroad in 1886 and built the Allison Flume.[7]Allison's son Joseph filed subdivision maps for "Lemon Grove" in 1892. The name is attributed to Joseph's mother, Tempa Waterman Allison. The climate was suitable for the cultivation ofsubtropical fruitsand vegetables, and farmers from the East and Midwest flocked to the region.[7]The Lemon Grove Fruit Growers Association was formed in 1893; in 1894, theSan Diego Unionnewspaper referred to Lemon Grove as "a sea of lemon trees."[7]
Joseph and Anton Sonka,immigrants from Bohemia,moved to Lemon Grove after stints in Seguin, Texas, and San Diego. The brothers opened a well-knowngeneral store,A. Sonka and Son. In 2023, the historical building that was once Sonka's general store becameLemon Grove Bistro.
Anthony "Tony" F. Sonka, the eldest son of Anton Sonka and hisGerman Americanwife Anna Klein Sonka, was also a local notable. He was a key supporter of the huge lemon that became the town's symbol and landmark.[7]Sonka and a committee of local ranchers hired local architect Alberto Treganza to build the huge lemon to "make the ultimate statement about the town's purpose, prosperity, and optimism."[7]
In theLemon Grove Incidentin 1931,Mexican Americanparents in Lemon Grove pursued a successful judicial challenge against the decision of the local school board to build a separate school for Mexican American pupils. The decision of theSuperior Courtfor San Diego County inAlvarez v. Lemon Grovewas the first successful lawsuit againstschool segregation.[8][9]
ByWorld War II,most of the citrus groves had disappeared andsuburbanizationhad begun.[7]There had been four elections onincorporationfrom the 1950s to the 1970s; the issue caused heated debate in the town. The city was finally incorporated on July 1, 1977, becoming California's 414th city.[7]Lemon Grove was incorporated as a general-law city;[10]however, it continues to receive law enforcement services, via contract, from theSan Diego County Sheriff's Department.[11]
Geography[edit]
Lemon Grove is located at32°44′0″N117°2′1″W/ 32.73333°N 117.03361°W(32.733451, −117.033702).[12]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau,the city has a total area of 3.9 square miles (10 km2), all land.
Transportation[edit]
The city is served by California State Routes94and125.It is also served by theSan Diego Trolley'sOrange Line,atLemon Grove Depotas well as atMassachusetts Avenue Station.
Demographics[edit]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 19,348 | — | |
| 1970 | 19,690 | 1.8% | |
| 1980 | 20,780 | 5.5% | |
| 1990 | 23,984 | 15.4% | |
| 2000 | 24,918 | 3.9% | |
| 2010 | 25,320 | 1.6% | |
| 2020 | 27,627 | 9.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[13] | |||
2010[edit]
At the2010 censusLemon Grove had a population of 25,320. The population density was 6,525.3 inhabitants per square mile (2,519.4/km2). The racial makeup of Lemon Grove was 8,545 (33.3%) White, 3,495 (13.8%) African American, 225 (0.9%) Native American, 1,628 (6.3%) Asian, 275 (1.1%) Pacific Islander, 4,828 (19.1%) from other races, and 1,801 (7.1%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11,635 persons (45.2%).[14]
The census reported that 24,974 people (98.6% of the population) lived in households, 200 (0.8%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 146 (0.6%) were institutionalized.
There were 8,434 households, 3,295 (39.1%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 3,863 (45.8%) wereopposite-sex married couplesliving together, 1,419 (16.8%) had a female householder with no husband present, 601 (7.1%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 516 (6.1%)unmarried opposite-sex partnerships,and 94 (1.1%)same-sex married couples or partnerships.1,928 households (22.9%) were one person and 734 (8.7%) had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.96. There were 5,883 families (69.8% of households); the average family size was 3.51.
The age distribution was 6,458 people (25.5%) under the age of 18, 2,583 people (10.2%) aged 18 to 24, 6,900 people (27.3%) aged 25 to 44, 6,550 people (25.9%) aged 45 to 64, and 2,829 people (11.2%) who were 65 or older. The median age was 35.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.6 males.
There were 8,868 housing units at an average density of 2,285.4 per square mile, of the occupied units 4,609 (54.6%) were owner-occupied and 3,825 (45.4%) were rented. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.0%; the rental vacancy rate was 5.0%. 13,984 people (55.2% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 10,990 people (43.4%) lived in rental housing units.
2000[edit]
At the2000 censusthere were 24,918 people in 8,488 households, including 5,958 families, in the city. The population density was 6,557.3 inhabitants per square mile (2,531.8/km2). There were 8,722 housing units at an average density of 2,295.2 units per square mile (886.2 units/km2). Theracial makeupof the city was 33.7% White, 13.9% African American, 0.4% Native American, 6.7% Asian, 0.8% Pacific Islander, 13.5% from other races, and 7.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 45.3%.[15]
Of the 8,488 households 36.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.0% were married couples living together, 15.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.8% were non-families. 22.4% of households were one person and 8.9% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.87 and the average family size was 3.36.
The age distribution was 27.6% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 30.9% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 12.0% 65 or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.0 males.
The median household income was $39,823 and the median family income was $45,844. Males had a median income of $35,042 versus $28,509 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,002. About 9.2% of families and 13.7% of the population were below thepoverty line,including 18.0% of those under age 18 and 5.9% of those age 65 or over.
Current estimates[edit]
According to estimates by theSan Diego Association of Governments,themedian household incomeof Lemon Grove in 2005 was $55,436 (not adjusted forinflation). When adjusted forinflation(1999 dollars; comparable toCensusdata above), the median household income was $45,016.
Government[edit]
The City Council includes Mayor Racquel Vasquez, and Council members George Gastil, Alysson Snow, Liana LeBaron and Jennifer Mendoza.[16]The City Manager is Lydia Romero.[17]
In theCalifornia State Legislature,Lemon Grove is inthe 39th Senate District,represented byDemocratToni Atkins,and in the 79th Assembly district, represented byDemocratAkilah Weber.[18]
In theUnited States House of Representatives,Lemon Grove is inCalifornia's 51st congressional district,represented byDemocratSara Jacobs.[19]
Notable people[edit]
- Rob Crow,American musician
- Rob $tone,Rapper
- John Forester,cycling activist, author and cycling transportation engineer[20]
- ActorDennis Hopper,around age 13.[21]
- Mary Moore(1922–1962), All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player, a native of Lemon Grove
- Bobby Sones,American singer-songwriter and social media personality
- Abdussattar Shaikh,[22]Cofounder of San Diego's Islamic Center
- "Shotgun Tom" Kelly,radio personality[23]
- Lalo Alcaraz,cartoonist[24]
- Boyd Rice,American musician, artist, photographer and author
- Mark Williamson,former pitcher for theBaltimore Orioles.
- Rodrigo Toscano,poet
"The World's Biggest Lemon"[edit]
Weighing some 3000 pounds, and approximately 10 feet long and six feet wide, the lemon sculpture—affectionately known as the World's Biggest Lemon—sits on a concrete base at the corner of Broadway and Lemon Grove Avenue, adjacent to 3361 Main Street. It lies before a small lemon grove beside theOrange LineTrolleytracks near the local trolley station and downtown bus stop. Written across the base of this monument are the words "Best Climate On Earth". Designed by Lemon Grove architectAlberto O Treganza,the lemon was originally built as a parade float for the 1928 Fourth of July Fiesta de San Diego parade, carrying the town's first Miss Lemon Grove, Amorita Treganza, Alberto's 16-year-old daughter. In 1930, the float was plastered to create a permanent sculpture and displayed near its current location.
Education[edit]
Public primary education in the city is provided by theLemon Grove School District.Grossmont Union High School Districtprovides secondary and adult education.
High schools[edit]
Eligible students are sent outside the town for secondary education.
Middle schools[edit]
- Lemon Grove Academy Middle School
K-8 schools[edit]
- Vista La Mesa Academy
- Mount Vernon School
Elementary schools[edit]
- Lemon Grove Academy Elementary School
- Monterey Heights Elementary School
- San Altos Elementary School
- San Miguel Elementary School
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^"California Cities by Incorporation Date".California Association ofLocal Agency Formation Commissions.Archived fromthe original(Word)on February 21, 2013.RetrievedAugust 25,2014.
- ^"Mayor & Council".City of Lemon Grove.RetrievedFebruary 24,2015.
- ^"City Manager".City of Lemon Grove.RetrievedFebruary 24,2015.
- ^"2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedJuly 1,2020.
- ^"Lemon Grove".Geographic Names Information System.United States Geological Survey,United States Department of the Interior.RetrievedFebruary 24,2015.
- ^"U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Lemon Grove city, California; United States".census.gov.RetrievedMay 6,2022.
- ^abcdefghHelen M. Ofield & Pete Smith,Images of America: Lemon Grove, Lemon Grove Historical Society(Arcadia: 2010).
- ^Matt S. Meier & Margo Gutiérrez,The Mexican American Experience: An Encyclopedia(Greenwood, 2003), p. 215.
- ^Mike Madrid, "The Lemon Grove Desegregation Case: A Matter of Neglected History" inLatino Civil Rights in Education: La Lucha Sigue(Routledge, 2016: eds. Anaida Colón-Muñiz & Magaly Lavadenz), pp. 52–57.
- ^"General law" means under the provisions established by the legislature, as opposed to a charter city which would have more local-government options.UCB Institute for Governmental StudiesArchivedJune 12, 2008, at theWayback Machine
- ^San Diego County Sheriff's Lemon Grove Station
- ^"US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990".United States Census Bureau.February 12, 2011.RetrievedApril 23,2011.
- ^"Census of Population and Housing".Census.gov.RetrievedMay 15,2023.
- ^"2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Lemon Grove city".U.S. Census Bureau. Archived fromthe originalon July 15, 2014.RetrievedJuly 12,2014.
- ^"U.S. Census website".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedJanuary 31,2008.
- ^"Mayor and City Council | City of Lemon Grove, CA".lemongrove.ca.gov.RetrievedAugust 10,2022.
- ^"Staff Directory List | City of Lemon Grove, CA".lemongrove.ca.gov.RetrievedMarch 14,2023.
- ^"Statewide Database".UC Regents. Archived fromthe originalon February 1, 2015.RetrievedNovember 24,2014.
- ^"California's 53rd Congressional District - Representatives & District Map".Civic Impulse, LLC.
- ^John Forester's website with Lemon Grove address
- ^San Diego Reader, July 5, 2001
- ^ABDUSSATTAR SHAIKH
- ^Pearlman, Karen."Shotgun Tom remembers his East County roots".sandiegouniontribune.RetrievedOctober 28,2018.
- ^Hamblin, Abby (October 3, 2019). "Cartoonist Lalo Alcaraz's journey from Lemon Grove to Hollywood to improve Latino representation".San Diego Union.
External links[edit]
- Official website
- City Data
- Lemon Grove Historical Society- Official Website
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