Greenfield, California
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Greenfield California | ||
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FIPS code 06-30994 | | |
GNIS feature IDs | 1660698, 2410657 | |
Website | ci |
Greenfield is a city in Monterey County, California, United States.[6] Formerly Clarke Colony, it lies in the Salinas Valley, 33 miles (53 km) southeast of Salinas,[8] at an elevation of 289 feet (88 m).[6] As of the 2020 census, the population was 18,937,[7] up from 16,330 in the 2010 census. Its most well-known public event is the annual Harvest Festival. Greenfield is a member of the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments.
History
In 1902, the California Home Extension Association, founded by John S. Clark, purchased 4,000 acres (1,600 ha) of land that had been part of Rancho Arroyo Seco, a Mexican land grant deeded to Joaquín de la Torre in 1840. The land was put up for sale at a public drawing in Los Angeles in 1905. Buyers could purchase an acre with water rights for about $37.50. A purchase of 2.5 acres (1.0 ha) came with an added benefit — a lot in town.
In addition to the acreage, Clark got the water rights to the land. He formed the Clark Colony Water Company, which became the organization for water distribution and filled the city with water from the nearby Arroyo Seco. The organized water canal system and ideal growing conditions attracted people of Danish, Swiss and other nationalities from surrounding areas to settle in this new colony. Originally, the town was going to be named "Clark City", but that was nixed by the U.S. Postal Service which informed the city there were too many "Clark Cities" in the state. Instead, the community named the town after one of its early founders and president of the Association, Edward Greenfield.
In the 1930, wells were dug to supplement water being drawn from the river, which created a year-round water supply.
The Clark Colony Water Company still holds 1916 Prior Rights guaranteeing delivery to its members a certain amount of water from the Arroyo Seco before any other agencies. The early canals are still viable and visible throughout the original land acreage.
Greenfield was recognized as a municipality by the state legislature and incorporated on January 7, 1947. Greenfield's first mayor was Tom Rogers. Greenfield’s first directly elected mayor and first Hispanic/ Latino mayor was Elias de Leon, Jr. in 1986.
Geography and climate
The city of Greenfield is located in the heart of the Salinas Valley, between the Gabilan Range to the east and the Santa Lucia Range to the west. Greenfield is approximately 145 miles (233 km) by highway south of San Francisco, 95 miles (153 km) south of San Jose and 65 miles (105 km) north of Paso Robles. U.S. Route 101 passes through the city, with access from four exits.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.95 square miles (7.64 km2), of which 0.04 square miles (0.10 km2), or 1.29%, are water.[5]
Due to its location near California's Central Coast, the area is filled with rich soil and desirable climate, ideal for many agricultural and wine companies. Some of the vineyards and wineries located nearby are Chalone, Scheid Vineyards, Paraiso Vineyards, Pisoni Vineyards, Hahn Estates Smith & Hook, San Saba, J.Lohr, Kendall-Jackson, Ventana, Hess Select, Estancia, the Michaud Vineyard, and Graff Family Vineyard.
The climate for Greenfield is moderate with average temperatures around 40 °F (4 °C) in winter and about 80 °F (27 °C) in summer. High temperatures may reach the low 90s °F (32-33 °C) during mid-summer. Most rain falls between October and March; there are 14-20 inches (35.6 – 51 cm) of rain annually.
Demographics
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1950 | 1,309 | — | |
1960 | 1,680 | 28.3% | |
1970 | 2,608 | 55.2% | |
1980 | 4,181 | 60.3% | |
1990 | 7,464 | 78.5% | |
2000 | 12,583 | 68.6% | |
2010 | 16,330 | 29.8% | |
2020 | 18,937 | 16.0% | |
U.S. Decennial Census[9] |
2010
At the
The census reported that 16,301 people (99.8% of the population) lived in households, 29 (0.2%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and no one was institutionalized.
There were 3,460 households, 2,358 (68.2%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 2,273 (65.7%) were
The age distribution was 5,843 people (35.8%) under the age of 18, 2,159 people (13.2%) aged 18 to 24, 5,023 people (30.8%) aged 25 to 44, 2,530 people (15.5%) aged 45 to 64, and 775 people (4.7%) who were 65 or older. The median age was 25.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 109.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 110.9 males.
There were 3,752 housing units at an average density of 1,757.2 per square mile, of the occupied units 1,829 (52.9%) were owner-occupied and 1,631 (47.1%) were rented. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.4%; the rental vacancy rate was 5.9%. 7,874 people (48.2% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 8,427 people (51.6%) lived in rental housing units.
2006
Greenfield is the second most populous city in the
Of the 2,643 households 65.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.5% were married couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 10.7% were non-families. 7.8% of households were one person and 3.7% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 4.75 and the average family size was 4.83. The age distribution was 38.3% under the age of 18, 13.4% from 18 to 24, 30.7% from 25 to 44, 12.5% from 45 to 64, and 5.0% 65 or older. The median age was 24 years. For every 100 females, there were 108.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 112.5 males.
The median household income was $37,602 and the median family income was $35,520. Males had a median income of $25,759 versus $23,848 for females. The per capita income for the city was $9,226. About 17.1% of families and 21.6% of the population were below the
Immigration
In recent years, the town has seen an influx of immigrants from the Mexican state of Oaxaca. Many Oaxacans speak indigenous languages not related to English or Spanish. Probably the largest single bloc of such immigrants are speakers of the Copala Triqui language, who have fled from poverty and long-standing armed conflict in their native region.
Media
Local radio stations include
Economy
The city of Greenfield is centered in one of the most productive agricultural areas in the world. About 60 percent of the leaf lettuce grown in the United States is grown in the Salinas Valley.[11] The area has often been coined as the "Salad Bowl of the World." More than $3 billion (US) worth of fruits, vegetables and nuts are produced and shipped annually across the U.S. and abroad. (2018 crop report).[12] As a result, many major vegetable producers are headquartered in the nearby city of Salinas. Local tourism is increasing as more people are attracted to the area, which is also known as the center of "Steinbeck Country" because of famed author John Steinbeck. The area is also known as a premier wine grape growing region due to the rich soil and desirable climate. Vineyards, wineries and wine tasting rooms continue to expand throughout the region.
Education
The Greenfield Union School District(GUSD) has four elementary schools and one middle school. The district serves around 2,500 students grades K-8. The city does have a high school but does not belong to GUSD. Greenfield High School (GHS) belongs to South Monterrey County Joint Union High School District (SMCJUHSD). Greenfield High School serves around 974 students. On February 27, 2008, Greenfield Elementary was placed under no help due to the school's achievement in raising their
- Cesar Chavez Elementary
- Mary Chapa Academy
- Oak Avenue Elementary
- Vista Verde Middle School
- Arroyo Seco Academy
- Greenfield High School (SMCJUHSD)
Arts and culture
Greenfield holds an annual harvest festival each third Sunday of October.
A northern campus for the
Greenfield is constructing the Tom Rogers Community Museum. Named after the first mayor of Greenfield, it will showcase the history of the city as far back as 1905.[15]
First Night Monterey with the Arts Council of Monterey County has opened, in conjunction with the City of Greenfield, the Greenfield Cultural Arts Center located at 215 El Camino Real.
Sister cities
- King City, California
- Soledad, California
- Gonzales, California
- Chualar, California
- Chupicuaro, GTO, MX[16]
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 August 25, 2014.
- ^ "City Council". Greenfield, CA. Retrieved November 9, 2014.
- ^ a b "Statewide Database". UC Regents. Archived from the original on February 1, 2015. Retrieved November 9, 2014.
- ^ "California's 18th Congressional District - Representatives & District Map". Civic Impulse, LLC. Retrieved September 24, 2014.
- ^ a b "2022 U.S. Gazetteer Files: California". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
- ^ a b c "Greenfield". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
- ^ a b "P1. Race – Greenfield city, California: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
- ISBN 1-884995-14-4.
- ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- ^ "2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Greenfield city". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
- ^ "Produce Blue Book".
- ^ "Monterey County Crop Report".
- ^ "Governor Schwarzenegger Announces Framework to Bring Accountability to Challenged Schools". Office of the Governor of the State of California. February 27, 2008. Archived from the original on October 27, 2008. Retrieved May 18, 2008.
- ^ "Our Plans for the Future". The Yanks Air Museum. Archived from the original on January 8, 2007. Retrieved July 23, 2008.
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(help) - ^ "Buy A Brick". Greenfield News. September 12, 2007.
- ^ Johnson, Avery (December 30, 2019). "Greenfield and Chupicuaro, Mexico to become Sister Cities". KION546. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
External links