Coalinga, California
Coalinga, California | ||
---|---|---|
City of Coalinga | ||
FIPS code 06-14274 | | |
GNIS feature IDs | 1652687, 2409495 | |
Website | www |
Coalinga (/ˌkoʊ.əˈlɪŋɡə/ or /kəˈlɪŋɡə/) is a city in Fresno County and the western San Joaquin Valley, in central California about 80 miles (128 km) southeast of Salinas.
It was formerly known as Coaling Station A, Coalingo,[8] and Coalinga Station.[7]
The population was 13,380 as of the 2010 census, up from 11,668 at the 2000 census. It is the site of both Pleasant Valley State Prison and Coalinga State Hospital.
History
19th century
Legendary bandit Joaquin Murrieta was killed in 1853 at his headquarters, Arroyo de Cantua, north of Coalinga. California Historical Landmark #344 marks the approximate site of where he was slain, near the junction of present-day State Route 33 and Route 198.
Before 20th-century
The first post office was established in 1899.[8] The city was incorporated in 1906.[8]
20th century
The town is mostly surrounded by the Coalinga oil field whose principal operator, Chevron, is a major employer in the area.
1983 earthquake
On May 2, 1983, Coalinga was struck by an earthquake with a moment magnitude of 6.5, which nearly destroyed more than 300 homes and apartment buildings; another 691 buildings suffered major damage, and hundreds more had minor damage. Damage was severe in downtown Coalinga; the eight-block commercial district was almost totally destroyed. The shock was felt as far away as Los Angeles and western Nevada, and was followed by a series of aftershocks that caused additional minor damage and some injuries. Only one death was reported: a man who succumbed to a heart attack.[10]
2022 water shortage
In 2022, the city struggled to confront an acute water shortage. The city’s only water source is an aqueduct that is managed by the federal government. Officials estimated that the water was going to run dry before the end of 2022.[11][12][13]Due to statewide floods that winter, though, the prediction was no longer valid.
Geography
Coalinga is located 52 miles (84 km) southwest of Fresno,[8] at an elevation of 673 feet (205 m).[7] The topography is generally level, suitable for a number of field crops which do not require large amounts of water. It is located near the eastern foothills of the Diablo Range.
Geology
Underlying rock formations include the occurrence of
The city is located near a particularly active portion of the San Andreas Fault, and earthquakes are frequent.
Climate
Coalinga has a
Climate data for Coalinga, California, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1942–2022 | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °F (°C) | 80 (27) |
87 (31) |
93 (34) |
101 (38) |
110 (43) |
114 (46) |
118 (48) |
114 (46) |
115 (46) |
103 (39) |
91 (33) |
79 (26) |
118 (48) |
Mean maximum °F (°C) | 70.9 (21.6) |
76.6 (24.8) |
84.6 (29.2) |
91.8 (33.2) |
100.5 (38.1) |
107.1 (41.7) |
109.0 (42.8) |
108.3 (42.4) |
105.0 (40.6) |
95.6 (35.3) |
81.6 (27.6) |
71.5 (21.9) |
110.5 (43.6) |
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 59.7 (15.4) |
65.2 (18.4) |
71.5 (21.9) |
77.5 (25.3) |
86.5 (30.3) |
94.8 (34.9) |
100.8 (38.2) |
100.3 (37.9) |
94.7 (34.8) |
83.3 (28.5) |
69.6 (20.9) |
60.2 (15.7) |
80.3 (26.8) |
Daily mean °F (°C) | 49.0 (9.4) |
52.8 (11.6) |
58.0 (14.4) |
63.1 (17.3) |
71.1 (21.7) |
78.6 (25.9) |
84.8 (29.3) |
83.5 (28.6) |
77.9 (25.5) |
67.6 (19.8) |
55.9 (13.3) |
48.8 (9.3) |
65.9 (18.8) |
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 38.2 (3.4) |
40.5 (4.7) |
44.6 (7.0) |
48.7 (9.3) |
55.7 (13.2) |
62.5 (16.9) |
68.8 (20.4) |
66.8 (19.3) |
61.1 (16.2) |
52.0 (11.1) |
42.2 (5.7) |
37.3 (2.9) |
51.5 (10.8) |
Mean minimum °F (°C) | 28.0 (−2.2) |
30.7 (−0.7) |
34.6 (1.4) |
38.5 (3.6) |
45.3 (7.4) |
51.6 (10.9) |
59.8 (15.4) |
58.7 (14.8) |
51.1 (10.6) |
41.3 (5.2) |
31.9 (−0.1) |
27.3 (−2.6) |
25.5 (−3.6) |
Record low °F (°C) | 17 (−8) |
21 (−6) |
24 (−4) |
30 (−1) |
35 (2) |
38 (3) |
44 (7) |
47 (8) |
41 (5) |
29 (−2) |
24 (−4) |
11 (−12) |
11 (−12) |
Average precipitation inches (mm) | 1.95 (50) |
1.76 (45) |
1.53 (39) |
0.37 (9.4) |
0.32 (8.1) |
0.11 (2.8) |
0.02 (0.51) |
0.01 (0.25) |
0.06 (1.5) |
0.33 (8.4) |
0.50 (13) |
1.22 (31) |
8.18 (208.96) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 7.1 | 7.7 | 5.1 | 3.2 | 1.7 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 1.9 | 2.6 | 6.2 | 36.5 |
Source 1: NOAA[15] | |||||||||||||
Source 2: National Weather Service[16] |
Economy
The city's main industries are
In 2016 Coalinga was one of the first cities to pass an ordinance allowing for the cultivation, manufacturing and distribution of cannabis. The City sold its old Claremont Custody Center (jail) to Ocean Grown Extracts for $4.1 million, to help the city get out of a financial crisis and to supply jobs to local residents.[17][18]
Education
Coalinga is the site of
Its children are served by the Coalinga-Huron Joint Unified School District, of which Coalinga High School is a part.
Demographics
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1910 | 4,199 | — | |
1920 | 2,934 | −30.1% | |
1930 | 2,851 | −2.8% | |
1940 | 5,026 | 76.3% | |
1950 | 5,539 | 10.2% | |
1960 | 5,965 | 7.7% | |
1970 | 6,161 | 3.3% | |
1980 | 6,593 | 7.0% | |
1990 | 8,212 | 24.6% | |
2000 | 11,668 | 42.1% | |
2010 | 13,380 | 14.7% | |
2020 | 17,590 | 31.5% | |
U.S. Decennial Census[19] |
2010
The
The Census reported that 11,752 people (87.8% of the population) lived in households, 130 (1.0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 1,498 (11.2%) were institutionalized.
There were 3,896 households, out of which 1,809 (46.4%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 1,913 (49.1%) were
The population was spread out, with 3,763 people (28.1%) under the age of 18, 1,610 people (12.0%) aged 18 to 24, 3,646 people (27.2%) aged 25 to 44, 3,308 people (24.7%) aged 45 to 64, and 1,053 people (7.9%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31.9 years. For every 100 females, there were 123.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 132.1 males.
There were 4,344 housing units at an average density of 706.4 per square mile (272.7/km2), of which 3,896 were occupied, of which 1,996 (51.2%) were owner-occupied, and 1,900 (48.8%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.8%; the rental vacancy rate was 8.4%. 6,192 people (46.3% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 5,560 people (41.6%) lived in rental housing units.
2000
At the census of 2000, there were 11,668 people, 3,515 households, and 2,632 families residing in the city. These included 805 people who were living in group homes.[21]
The racial makeup of Coalinga under those circumstances was 57.3 percent white, 2.4 percent African American, 1.5 percent
The median age in 2000 was 28.6 years, younger than the 33.3 figure for California and the 35.3 figure for the United States as a whole.
The median income for a family was $41,208, about $11,000 less than for other families in California or the country at large.
The Coalinga Chamber of Commerce Web site in 2007 estimated a population of 18,061 for the city.
2000 figures | Coalinga | California | United States |
---|---|---|---|
Median age | 28.6 | 33.3 | 35.3 |
White | 57.3% | 59.5% | 75.1% |
African-American | 2.4% | 6.7% | 12.3% |
Hispanic/Latino | 49.8% | 32.4% | 12.5% |
Family income | $41,208 | $53,025 | $50,046 |
Poverty families | 16.4% | 10.6% | 9.2% |
Med. home value | $86,900 | $211,500 | $119,600 |
High school diploma | 65.0% | 76.8% | 80.4% |
College degree | 11.8% | 28.6% | 24.4% |
Notes: "Family income" is median family income in 1999 dollars. "Med. home value" is the median value of single-family houses. "Poverty families" is the percentage of families with incomes below the poverty level. "High school diploma" is the percentage of people 25 years and over who had graduated from high school.
Attractions
The Horned Toad Derby is held in Coalinga in late May over the Memorial Day weekend annually.[22] The three-day event is similar to the more famous Jumping Frog Jubilee held in Calaveras County, California, but utilizes locally caught horned toads (lizards) rather than frogs. The tradition began in 1935.[23]
The WHAMOBASS Balloon Rally is hosted by Coalinga annually on the November weekend closest to
The R.C. Baker Memorial Museum is housed in the former Baker Oil Tools machine shop in town.[25] The museum displays local fossils, models of prehistoric fauna, Native American artifacts, and items from pioneer settlers.[25] A restored 1934 Richfield gas station is also on the museum's property.[25] The museum continues to collect historical items donated to the collection.
The Coalinga Rifle Club, whose 25 point, 1000 yard range facility is west of town, is host to various California State Rifle Championships. These include: California State Long Range, Mid Range, Palma Rifle, Fullbore, Service Rifle and High Power Championships. In the past, the Navy SEALs have trained at the rifle club. It is also the home of the California Grizzlies, Junior National Champions for the last four years. They have recreational facilities for rifle, pistol, shotgun and a 500-meter Metallic Silhouette Range.[26]
The New Coalinga Municipal Airport is host to the annual Northern California Aerobatic contest.[27] This early June event is typically the largest of five annual California regional aerobatic contests sanctioned by the International Aerobatic Club. It relocated to Coalinga from Paso Robles in 2013.[28] Visitors to the airport can view upwards of 45 pilots flying a wide variety of competitive aircraft in five categories of competition over a two-day period.
The Harris Ranch is a cattle ranch that features a hotel, several restaurants, and a gift shop for travelers. It is located on Interstate 5 about 13 miles northeast of Coalinga. The Harris Ranch Airport is nearby.
Transportation
Coalinga is located at the junction of California State Route 198 and California State Route 33.
Fresno County Rural Transit Agency provides Monday through Saturday bus service between Coalinga and Fresno, including stops at Fresno Amtrak and Fresno International Airport.[29] FlixBus stops twice daily at the ARCO station, en route to Los Angeles and the Bay Area.
The city owns the New Coalinga Municipal Airport, located east of town.
Notable people
- Jeffrey L. Bannister, U.S. Army major general, born in Coalinga[30]
- Stanley George "Frenchy" Bordagaray, baseball player
- proof-of-work system that was instrumental in the development of bitcoin
- John McCollum, operatic tenor[31]
- Daryl Patterson, baseball pitcher
- Sirhan Sirhan, convicted of murdering Robert F. Kennedy, was housed in the Pleasant Valley State Prison[32]
- Jo Stafford, singer, television personality, Grammy Award winner[33]
- Pat and Lolly Vegas, musicians and vocalists of the Native American/Chicano rock band Redbone. They were inducted into the Native American Music Hall of Fame in 2008.[34]
See also
References
- ^ "California Cities by Incorporation Date". California Association of Local Agency Formation Commissions. Archived from the original (Word) on November 3, 2014. Retrieved April 5, 2013.
- ^ "City Of Coalinga City Council". Retrieved April 5, 2013.
- ^ "Senators". State of California. Retrieved April 5, 2013.
- ^ "Members Assembly". State of California. Retrieved April 5, 2013.
- ^ "California's 21st Congressional District - Representatives & District Map". Civic Impulse, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2013.
- ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
- ^ a b c "Coalinga". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
- ^ ISBN 1-884995-14-4.
- ^ William Bright, 2004, California Place Names: The Origin and Etymology of Current Geographical Names
- United States Government Printing Office, pp. 96, 171–175
- ^ "This California City Is Rapidly Running Out of Water". Gizmodo. October 10, 2022. Retrieved October 21, 2022.
- OCLC 1330888409.
- ^ Rodriguez, Rich (August 15, 2022). "Coalinga only a month away from running out of water". KMPH. Retrieved October 21, 2022.
- ^ PlantMaps: Hardiness Zone for Coalinga
- ^ a b "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Coalinga, CA". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Hanford". National Weather Service. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- Fresno Bee. Retrieved March 16, 2018.
- Fresno Bee. Retrieved March 16, 2018.
- ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- ^ "2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA – Coalinga city". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
- ^ "U.S. Census figures". Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved March 1, 2009.
- ^ "KFSN ABC TV – Horned Toad Derby". Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
- ^ Bakersfield.com – Horned toad derby of 1935 Archived 2009-07-29 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ WHAMOBASS Hot Air Balloon Festival
- ^ a b c Roadsideamerica.com: R. C. Baker Memorial Museum, review and directions.
- ^ "Coalinga Rifle Club website". Archived from the original on September 7, 2013. Retrieved November 9, 2012.
- ^ http://www.usnationalaerobatics.org/iacdb/ContestDetail.asp?hScheduledContestID=365 | Northern California Aerobatic Contest
- ^ http://iac.org | International Aerobatic Club
- ^ https://www.ruraltransit.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/DOC063021-003.pdf [bare URL PDF]
- ^ "Obituary, Maj Gen Jeffrey Bannister". Cunningham Turch Funeral Home. Alexandria, VA. June 4, 2018. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
- ^ John McCollum[circular reference]
- ^ "Sirhan Sirhan denied parole in 1968 Robert F. Kennedy killing - NY Daily News". New York Daily News. March 3, 2011.
- ^ "Jo Stafford of CBS 'Club 15'". The Sherbrooke Telegram. February 23, 1950. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
- ^ "Redbone | Encyclopedia.com".