Wasco, California

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Wasco, California
Location in Kern County and the state of California
Location in Kern County and the state of California
Coordinates: 35°35′37″N 119°20′35″W / 35.59361, -119.34306
Country United States
State California
County Kern
Government
 - Mayor
 - Senate Dean Florez (D)
 - Assembly Nicole Parra (D)
 - U. S. Congress Jim Costa (D)
Area
 - Total 7.6 sq mi (19.7 km²)
 - Land 7.6 sq mi (19.7 km²)
 - Water 0 sq mi (0 km²)
Elevation 328 ft (100 m)
Population (2000)
 - Total 21,263
 - Density 2,797.8/sq mi (1,079.3/km²)
Time zone PST (UTC-8)
 - Summer (DST) PDT (UTC-7)
ZIP code 93280
Area code(s) 661
FIPS code 06-83542
GNIS feature ID 1661652

Wasco is a city in Kern County, California, United States. The population was 21,263 at the 2000 census.

Contents

[edit] Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.6 square miles (19.7 km²), all of it land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 21,263 people, 3,971 households, and 3,403 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,795.7 people per square mile (1,078.8/km²). There were 4,256 housing units at an average density of 559.6/sq mi (215.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 34.64% White, 10.27% Black or African American, 1.02% Native American, 0.67% Asian, 0.15% Pacific Islander, 50.46% from other races, and 2.78% from two or more races. 66.72% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,971 households out of which 55.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.3% were married couples living together, 16.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 14.3% were non-families. 11.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.79 and the average family size was 4.07.

In the city the population was spread out with 27.4% under the age of 18, 13.9% from 18 to 24, 39.4% from 25 to 44, 13.8% from 45 to 64, and 5.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females there were 183.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 230.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,997, and the median income for a family was $30,506. Males had a median income of $48,105 versus $18,697 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,228. About 24.3% of families and 27.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 35.3% of those under age 18 and 10.1% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] History

Once named "Dewey" and also "Deweyville", the City was renamed to "Wasco" in 1900. The proposal to rename the city came from a settler, William Bonham, from Wasco County, Oregon, who recognized that the name "Deweyville" was already in use.

[edit] Agriculture

One of Wasco's major economic centers is its agriculture, specifically in the growing of roses. 55% of all roses grown in the United States are grown in or around Wasco.[1]

[edit] Public Safety

The Kern County Sheriff's and Fire Departments now provides law enforcement and fire protection services to the City of Wasco. The Wasco State Prison is located approximately 1 mile west of the city limits.

[edit] References

  1. ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.

[edit] External links

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Municipalities and communities of
Kern County, California
County seat: Bakersfield
Cities
Kern County map
CDPs
Unincorporated communities