Kettleman City, California

Coordinates: 36°00′30″N 119°57′42″W / 36.00833°N 119.96167°W / 36.00833; -119.96167
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Kettleman City
FIPS code
06-38394
GNIS feature ID1652733

Kettleman City is a

Interstate 5
, Kettleman City (at Exit 309) is near the halfway point, and is thus a major stopping point for food and lodging.

Geography

Kettleman City is located on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley at the base of the Kettleman Hills, near the historic shoreline of what used to be Tulare Lake. Its coordinates are 36°00′30″N 119°57′42″W / 36.00833°N 119.96167°W / 36.00833; -119.96167.[5]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 0.2 square miles (0.52 km2), all of it land.

Kettleman City is divided into two areas. The commercial zone of gas, food and lodging businesses is at Kettleman Junction, where

Interstate 5 and State Route 41 meet. The residential area together with some retail businesses and county government buildings is located about 1.2 mi (1.9 km) north on State Route 41. The California Aqueduct crosses State Route 41 between these two areas.[citation needed][6]

Climate

Kettleman City has a semi-arid climate (Köppen: BSk/BSh) typical of that of the San Joaquin Valley, with hot, dry summers and cool winters characterized by dense tule fog. The average annual precipitation is 7.50 in (191 mm), falling mainly from November through April.[7] It is located in hardiness zone 9a.[8]

Climate data for Kettleman City, California, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1955–present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 79
(26) 		84
(29) 		92
(33) 		99
(37) 		106
(41) 		116
(47) 		115
(46) 		114
(46) 		116
(47) 		102
(39) 		91
(33) 		79
(26) 		116
(47)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 68.2
(20.1) 		73.9
(23.3) 		82.9
(28.3) 		91.7
(33.2) 		99.5
(37.5) 		105.6
(40.9) 		108.3
(42.4) 		106.5
(41.4) 		102.9
(39.4) 		93.9
(34.4) 		81.3
(27.4) 		69.5
(20.8) 		108.3
(42.4)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 56.6
(13.7) 		63.3
(17.4) 		69.5
(20.8) 		75.5
(24.2) 		84.4
(29.1) 		92.4
(33.6) 		98.7
(37.1) 		97.5
(36.4) 		92.2
(33.4) 		81.4
(27.4) 		67.3
(19.6) 		57.5
(14.2) 		78.0
(25.6)
Daily mean °F (°C) 46.3
(7.9) 		51.5
(10.8) 		56.4
(13.6) 		61.7
(16.5) 		69.9
(21.1) 		77.1
(25.1) 		83.1
(28.4) 		81.8
(27.7) 		76.4
(24.7) 		66.4
(19.1) 		54.2
(12.3) 		46.5
(8.1) 		64.3
(17.9)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 36.0
(2.2) 		39.6
(4.2) 		43.4
(6.3) 		48.0
(8.9) 		55.4
(13.0) 		61.7
(16.5) 		67.5
(19.7) 		66.2
(19.0) 		60.6
(15.9) 		51.4
(10.8) 		41.2
(5.1) 		35.6
(2.0) 		50.6
(10.3)
Mean minimum °F (°C) 27.0
(−2.8) 		29.8
(−1.2) 		33.4
(0.8) 		37.7
(3.2) 		44.4
(6.9) 		50.7
(10.4) 		56.4
(13.6) 		58.8
(14.9) 		50.8
(10.4) 		40.0
(4.4) 		30.9
(−0.6) 		25.2
(−3.8) 		23.0
(−5.0)
Record low °F (°C) 15
(−9) 		22
(−6) 		26
(−3) 		31
(−1) 		35
(2) 		39
(4) 		48
(9) 		50
(10) 		46
(8) 		25
(−4) 		23
(−5) 		17
(−8) 		15
(−9)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 1.39
(35) 		1.47
(37) 		1.46
(37) 		0.59
(15) 		0.37
(9.4) 		0.04
(1.0) 		0.13
(3.3) 		0.02
(0.51) 		0.06
(1.5) 		0.16
(4.1) 		0.57
(14) 		1.24
(31) 		7.50
(191)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 6.0 6.0 5.9 3.7 1.4 0.5 0.2 0.3 0.5 1.3 3.6 6.6 36.0
Source: NOAA[7][9]

Cityscape

Kettleman City has a number of fast food restaurants at its freeway exit. The community has no grocery stores other than convenience markets. Kettleman City has no street lights and almost no sidewalks.[6]

History

Bravoland in Kettleman City

The Kettleman Hills were named after Dave Kettelman (with a change in spelling), a pioneer sheep-raiser and cattleman who grazed his animals there in the 1860s.[10] Kettleman Hills in the early 1900s was a crossing for people who would travel from Lemoore to Kettleman City by ferry.[citation needed] As the Tulare Lake receded in the late 1920s, this stretch between the two cities became State Route 41.[citation needed]

Oil was discovered in the Kettleman Hills in 1928, at the Kettleman North Dome Oil Field, which became one of the most productive oil fields in the United States in the early 1930s. Reportedly, thousands of spectators came to see the gusher that spouted almost pure gasoline for weeks.[10]

A. Manford Brown, a real estate developer, founded the town of Kettleman City in 1929. He donated land for a school and for the community church. The main street (State Route 41) was called Brown Street after him. The first post office opened in 1929.[4] A branch library was established in 1930. By 1940, Kettleman City had a population of about 600.[11]

The early 1970s saw two substantial projects that had significant impacts on the community: the completion of the California Aqueduct and the opening of Interstate 5. The facility operated by Waste Management, Inc. opened in the late 1970s.[12]

Despite the name, Kettleman City is not an incorporated city and remains a census-designated place.

Transportation

Major highways

Public transportation

Kings Area Regional Transit's (KART) Hanford-Avenal route serves Kettleman City.[13] KART also provides vanpool service for commuters and Dial-A-Ride (demand response) services throughout Kings County as well as to Fresno.[14]

Avenal
.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
19801,051—
19901,41134.3%
20001,4996.2%
20101,439−4.0%
20201,242−13.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[17]
2020 Census[3]

2020 census

As of the census of 2020, there were 1,242 people.

2010 census

As of the

Latino
of any race were 1,383 persons (96.1%).

The Census reported that 1,439 people (100% of the population) lived in households, 0 (0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.

There were 350 households, out of which 232 (66.3%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 177 (50.6%) were

families
(85.7% of all households); the average family size was 4.34.

The population was spread out, with 553 people (38.4%) under the age of 18, 157 people (10.9%) aged 18 to 24, 415 people (28.8%) aged 25 to 44, 235 people (16.3%) aged 45 to 64, and 79 people (5.5%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 25.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 105.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 106.0 males.

There were 367 housing units at an average density of 1,739.3 per square mile (671.5/km2), of which 135 (38.6%) were owner-occupied, and 215 (61.4%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.7%; the rental vacancy rate was 1.4%. 564 people (39.2% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 875 people (60.8%) lived in rental housing units.

2000 census

As of the

Latino
of any race.

Kettleman City is predominantly a Spanish-speaking community. At the time of the 2000 census, 93.5% of residents spoke Spanish at home, and 41.0% of this group spoke English "well" or "very well." 6.5% of residents spoke only English at home, and 55.1% spoke English "not well" or "not at all."

There were 320 households, out of which 63.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.2% were married couples living together, 15.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 9.4% were non-families. 1.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 0.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.68 and the average family size was 4.59.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 36.3% under the age of 18, 15.6% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 14.8% from 45 to 64, and 4.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24 years. For every 100 females, there were 123.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 125.2 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $22,409, and the median income for a family was $21,955. Males had a median income of $16,619 versus $10,179 for females. The

poverty line
, including 52.7% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

Politics

In the state legislature, Kettleman City is located in the 14th Senate District, which is represented by Democrat Melissa Hurtado, and in the 32nd Assembly District, represented by Democrat Rudy Salas. Federally, Kettleman City is located in California's 21st District and is represented by Republican David Valadao. Kettleman City is represented on the Kings County Board of Supervisors by Richard Valle of Corcoran.

Economy

The junction of Interstate 5 and State Route 41 is surrounded by commercial development that primarily serves through travelers on the highways. Kettleman City is one of the most popular rest stops between the

solar array roof and an indoor lounge. It initially had 40 chargers—the most of any in Tesla's network—when it opened in 2017.[19]

Many local residents are employed in agriculture, which experienced significant growth on the west side of the

2008–2012 global recession as well as drought and restrictions on pumping from the Sacramento River delta to protect endangered species. The estimated unemployment rate was 9.7% in November 2016.[20]

Water

The community's water system is supplied by two wells operated by the Kettleman City Community Services District. The water is treated to remove benzene.

The water contains naturally occurring

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
. The federal standard is 10 micrograms of arsenic per liter of water. In a public notice issued to residents on January 29, 2010, the District reported that the average arsenic concentration from these wells during the 4th Quarter of 2009 ranged from 12.7 to 16.1 micrograms per liter. For several years, the Kings County government has been working with the District to secure funding to construct a water treatment plant that would be supplied by the California Aqueduct.

Hazardous waste facility

Main article: Kettleman Hills Hazardous Waste Facility

The

Waste Management, Inc. The 1,500-acre (610 ha) site is situated 35°57′45″N 120°00′37″W / 35.9624°N 120.0102°W / 35.9624; -120.0102 (Kettleman Hills Hazardous Waste Facility), 3.5 mi (5.6 km) southwest of Kettleman City on State Route 41
.

In 2007 and 2008, the

PCB waste could increase the incidence of infant maladies.[21]

Chemical Waste Inc., contends that it has passed its standards inspections, and the requirements for inspection. It also contends that there has been no established link between the facility and the defects, and that it is a large economic factor and employer in the community of Kettleman City as well as Kings County.[22] On July 2, 2013, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control released a draft decision on a permit modification that would allow Waste Management. Inc. to increase the capacity of the hazardous waste landfill.[23] On May 21, 2014, that agency issued a final permit approving the company's planned expansion to allow an additional 5.2 million metric tons of capacity.[24][25][26] Two appeals of the permit issuance were filed by Greenaction and other groups opposing the expansion. On October 14, 2014, the Department of Toxic Substances Control denied both appeals. Bradley Angel of Greenaction was quoted as saying that his group would continue to challenge the permit with a lawsuit and by filing administrative civil rights complaints in the courts.[27]

Education

Reef-Sunset Unified School District operates the Kettleman City Elementary School.

References

  1. ^ "2021 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  2. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Kettleman City, California
  3. ^ a b c "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  4. ^
    ISBN 1-884995-14-4
    .
  5. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  6. ^ a b "Central Valley Disconnect: Rich Land, Poor Nutrition." NPR. July 10, 2009. Retrieved on March 12, 2011.
  7. ^ a b "NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  8. ^ PlantMaps: Kettleman City hardiness zone
  9. ^ "Summary of Monthly Normals 1991-2020". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  10. ^ a b Brown, Robert R. and Richmond, J.E., History of Kings County, p.123, A.H. Cawston, Hanford, CA, 1940
  11. ^ Brown, Robert R. and Richmond, J.E., History of Kings County, pp.317-318, A.H. Cawston, Hanford, CA, 1940
  12. ^ "Kettleman Hills Facts". www.kettlemanhillsfacts.com. Retrieved January 23, 2010.[title missing]
  13. ^ Hanford – Avenal
  14. ^ "Karta Its". www.kartaits.com. Retrieved June 22, 2008.[title missing]
  15. ^ "Amtrak". www.amtrak.com. Retrieved June 22, 2008.[title missing]
  16. ^ Orange Belt Stages
  17. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  18. ^ Pridgen, Andrew (May 12, 2024). "Why I-5's most popular stop is now a ghost town". SFGATE. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  19. ^ Baker, David R. (December 30, 2017). "Tesla's fancy new I-5 rest stop is part gas station, part airport lounge". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  20. ^ "EDD Labor Market Information Division - Home Page". www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov. Retrieved January 2, 2017.
  21. ^ "Stop Toxic Waste Dumping & Pollution in Kettleman City!". Greenaction. Archived from the original on May 25, 2014. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
  22. ^ "Facility Expansion". Waste Management Inc. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
  23. ^ "California Department of Toxic Substances Control" (PDF). www.dtsc.ca.gov. Retrieved July 27, 2013.[title missing]
  24. ^ "California Department of Toxic Substances Control" (PDF). www.dtsc.ca.gov. Retrieved May 22, 2014.[title missing]
  25. ^ "The Fresno Bee". www.fresnobee.com. Archived from the original on May 23, 2014.
  26. ^ "FULL STORY: Kettleman hazmat expansion gets OK from state".
  27. ^ Fresno Bee”, October 15, 2014

External links

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