Arvin, California

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Arvin, California
City
City of Arvin
"Welcome to Arvin" sign
"Welcome to Arvin" sign
Motto: "A Garden in the Sun", "The Best Place on Earth"
Location of Arvin, California
Location of Arvin, California
Arvin is located in USA
Arvin
Arvin
Location in the United States
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Country  United States
State  California
County Kern
Incorporated 21 December 1960[1]
Government
 • Mayor Jose Flores[2]
 • State senator Andy Vidak (R)[3]
 • Assemblymember Rudy Salas (D)[4]
 • U. S. rep. David Valadao (R)[5]
Area[6]
 • Total 4.819 sq mi (12.482 km2)
 • Land 4.819 sq mi (12.482 km2)
 • Water 0 sq mi (0 km2)  0%
Elevation[7] 449 ft (137 m)
Population (2010)
 • Total 19,304
Time zone Pacific (UTC-8)
 • Summer (DST) PDT (UTC-7)
ZIP code 93203
Area code 661
FIPS code 06-02924
GNIS feature IDs 1652666, 2409738
Website www.arvin.org

Arvin is a city in Kern County, California. Arvin is located 15 miles (24 km) southeast of Bakersfield,[8] at an elevation of 449 feet (137 m).[7] As of the 2010 census, the population was 19,304, up from 12,956 at the 2000 census.

In 2007, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) listed Arvin as having the highest levels of smog of any community in the United States. The city's level of ozone, smog's primary component, exceeded the EPA's acceptable limits an average of 73 days per year between 2004 and 2006.[9]

Wired telephone numbers in Arvin follow the format (661) 854-xxxx or (661) 855-xxxx and the ZIP Code is 93203.

History

Property sales of lots in present-day Arvin began in 1907. The Arvin Post Office was established in 1914 and the community incorporated as a city in 1960.[8] The city was named after Arvin Richardson, who was the son of one of the original settling families from San Bernardino. Birdie Heard petitioned for the addition of the post office in 1914 and submitted proposed names including Bear Mountain, Walnut, and Arvin. Officials in Washington D.C. chose Arvin as it was the only proposed name which was not already in use in California. Birdie was the city's first postmaster. She set up the post office in her living room originally, but it was later moved to the general store owned by the Staples family. The in-store post office was also the area's first informal library until an official branch of the Kern County Library system was established in 1927.

The Mountain View Oil Field, which underlies the town and much of the surrounding area, was discovered in 1933 and developed extensively in the 1930s. Many oil wells still surround the town; some are slant-drilled to reach formations directly underneath inhabited areas.[10]

The Arvin Tiller started publication in 1939 and Arvin High School was built in 1949. The city was nearly destroyed on July 21, 1952, when the White Wolf Fault ruptured, causing a magnitude 7.3 earthquake. Arvin suffered further damage on December 20, 1977, when a massive duststorm hit the area.

The Arvin Migratory Labor Camp was the first federally operated farm labor camp opened by the Farm Security Administration in 1937, one of many New Deal programs created during the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt to respond to the Great Depression. This agricultural camp was considered a model, and was built by the Resettlement Administration.[11]

Entrance of the Arvin Farm Labor Camp, 1940

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.9 square miles (13 km2), all of it land.

Climate

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Arvin has a semi-arid climate, abbreviated "BSk" on climate maps.[12]

Economy

The economy of Arvin is primarily based on agriculture, and as such the employment statistics show seasonal variation. In March 2011, 41.9 percent of Arvin's residents were out of work, the highest of any city in Kern County.[13]

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1940 4,042
1950 5,007 23.9%
1970 5,199
1980 6,863 32.0%
1990 9,286 35.3%
2000 12,956 39.5%
2010 19,304 49.0%
Est. 2013 20,298 [14] 5.1%
US Census[15][16]

2010

The 2010 United States Census[17] reported that Arvin had a population of 19,304. The population density was 4,005.5 people per square mile (1,546.5/km²). The racial makeup of Arvin was 10,247 (53.1%) White, 192 (1.0%) African American, 240 (1.2%) Native American, 155 (0.8%) Asian, 6 (0.0%) Pacific Islander, 7,655 (39.7%) from other races, and 809 (4.2%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 17,892 persons (92.7%).

The Census reported that 18,955 people (98.2% of the population) lived in households, 281 (1.5%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 68 (0.4%) were institutionalized.

There were 4,228 households, out of which 3,024 (71.5%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 2,803 (66.3%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 646 (15.3%) had a female householder with no husband present, 355 (8.4%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 291 (6.9%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 24 (0.6%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 303 households (7.2%) were made up of individuals and 125 (3.0%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.48. There were 3,804 families (90.0% of all households); the average family size was 4.59.

The population was spread out with 7,422 people (38.4%) under the age of 18, 2,539 people (13.2%) aged 18 to 24, 5,399 people (28.0%) aged 25 to 44, 2,958 people (15.3%) aged 45 to 64, and 986 people (5.1%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24.0 years. For every 100 females there were 108.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 109.5 males.

There were 4,476 housing units at an average density of 928.8 per square mile (358.6/km²), of which 2,261 (53.5%) were owner-occupied, and 1,967 (46.5%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.5%; the rental vacancy rate was 4.8%. 10,487 people (54.3% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 8,468 people (43.9%) lived in rental housing units.

2000

As of the census of 2000,[18] there were 12,956 people, 3,010 households, and 2,645 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,695.9 people per square mile (1,040.0/km²). There were 3,145 housing units at an average density of 654.4 per square mile (252.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 45.04% White, 1.08% Black or African American, 1.46% Native American, 1.10% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 46.55% from other races, and 4.65% from two or more races. 87.53% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,010 households out of which 63.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.7% were married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 12.1% were non-families. 9.5% 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 4.28 and the average family size was 4.51.

In the city the population was spread out with 40.0% under the age of 18, 12.8% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 12.5% from 45 to 64, and 5.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 23 years. For every 100 females there were 111.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 108.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $23,674, and the median income for a family was $24,816. Males had a median income of $20,506 versus $17,684 for females. The per capita income for the city was $7,408. About 30.9% of families and 32.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 37.6% of those under age 18 and 23.1% of those age 65 or over.

Education

2009 Wildflower Festival


The city of Arvin is served by the Arvin Union School District and the Kern High School District. Other nearby districts include Di Giorgio School District, Vineland School District, and the Lamont School District.

The Arvin Union School District consists of nothing. The land for the Haven Drive campus was acquired in 1943. Sierra Vista and Haven Drve are the two oldest schools in Arvin. Haven Drives band is directed by Mr Sidney.The district serves preschool to eighth grade students. The Arvin Union School District also serves the community with the Arvin Family Resource Center.

Arvin's newest addition to elementary education is that of Grimmway Academy. GA is a K-6 charter school founded by the Grimm Family Education Foundation, a corporation run by Grimmway Farm's CEO Barbara-Grimm Marshall. Grimm-Marshall is currently serving as the school's interim principal. GA features a unique approach to elementary education in Arvin. The school features a block schedule format, including classes in ELA, Humanities, and Math. The school also features a Learning Lab with computer-based programs and a library. Out of the Learning Lab, students rotate between their Music class, PE, and the Edible Schoolyard (Garden and Kitchen). Grimmway Academy offers a tuition-free and unique educational experience for the students of the rural town of Arvin.

The Kern High School District serves grades 9-12 in Arvin. It operates Arvin High School.

Public safety

Arvin Police hybrid Cruiser

The city of Arvin has its own police department. In January 2008 the city purchased six hybrid police vehicles with a grant by the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District.[19] The city also purchased six hybrid SUV's on Dec. 2008 with a grant by the San Joaquin Valley Air Quality District.[20] Station 54 of the Kern County Fire Department is responsible for fire prevention services.

Crime statistics

2010[21]

Full-time law enforcement employees

2010[22]

  • Population: 15,410
  • Total law enforcement employees: 27
  • Total Officers: 18
  • Total Civilians: 9

Sources

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  8. 8.0 8.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. Thanawala, Sudhin. "Calif. Town Is Nation's Smoggiest", Associated Press. [1]
  10. John F. Matthews, Jr. Arvin and Vaccaro Areas of Mountain View Oil Field: California Division of Oil and Gas, Summary of Operations. 1961. Vol. 47 No. 1. 5-6
  11. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. Climate Summary for Arvin, California
  13. Unemployment rates in Kern County Cities: March 2012
  14. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. Population Totals by Township and Place for California Counties: 1860 to 1950. California Department of Finance. Accessed: 03-12-2012.
  16. Historical Census Populations of Counties and Incorporated Cities in California, 1850–2010. California Department of Finance. Accessed: 03-12-2012.
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  19. Bakersfield Californian report
  20. KERO 23 news report
  21. [2]
  22. [3]

Further reading

  • Bailey, Richard C., Kern County Place Names, (Bakersfield, California: Merchant's Printing and Lithography Co., 1967).

External links