Valley Center, California - Wikipedia

Census-designated place in California, United States

Valley Center
census-designated place
Valley Center
Location in San Diego County and the state of California
Valley CenterLocation in the United States
Coordinates: 33°14′26″N 117°0′51″W / 33.24056°N 117.01417°W / 33.24056; -117.01417
Country	United States
State	California
County	San Diego
Area[1]
• Total	27.445 sq mi (71.083 km2)
• Land	27.445 sq mi (71.083 km2)
• Water	0 sq mi (0 km2)  0%
Elevation[2]	1,300 ft (400 m)
Population (2020)[3]
• Total	10,087
• Density	367.53/sq mi (141.90/km2)
Time zone	UTC-8 (PST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP code	92082
Area codes	442/760
FIPS code	06-81736
GNIS feature IDs	1661616, 2409396

Valley Center is a census-designated place (CDP) in San Diego County, California, United States. The population was 10,087 at the 2020 census, up from 9,277 at the 2010 census.

History

[edit]

In the late 1860s, the area now known as Valley Center was referred to as Bear Valley, and was the habitat of the now-extinct California grizzly bear, pictured on the flag of California. In 1866, the largest grizzly ever recorded in California was shot and killed in Valley Center.[4]

Geography

[edit]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 27.4 square miles (71 km2), all land.[1]

Climate

[edit]

According to the Köppen climate classification system, Valley Center has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate abbreviated "Csa" on climate maps. On March 30, 2023, a tornado warning was issued by the National Weather Service which is extremely rare for this part of the US.[5]

Demographics

[edit] Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1980	1,242	—
1990	1,711	37.8%
2000	7,323	328.0%
2010	9,277	26.7%
2020	10,087	8.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[6] 1860–1870[7][8] 1880-1890[9] 1900[10] 1910[11] 1920[12] 1930[13] 1940[14] 1950[15] 1960[16][17] 1970[18] 1980[19] 1990[20] 2000[21] 2010[22] 2020[23]

Valley Center was first listed as a census designated place in the 1980 U.S. census.[19]

2020

[edit] Valley Center CDP, California – Racial and ethnic compositionNote: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.

Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)	Pop 2000[24]	Pop 2010[25]	Pop 2020[23]	% 2000	% 2010	% 2020
White alone (NH)	5,664	5,933	5,560	77.35%	63.95%	55.12%
Black or African American alone (NH)	37	82	100	0.51%	0.88%	0.99%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)	171	130	185	2.34%	1.40%	1.83%
Asian alone (NH)	96	281	357	1.31%	3.03%	3.54%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH)	14	16	17	0.19%	0.17%	0.17%
Other race alone (NH)	16	22	71	0.22%	0.24%	0.70%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)	119	232	444	1.63%	2.50%	4.40%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	1,206	2,581	3,353	16.47%	27.82%	33.24%
Total	7,323	9,277	10,087	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%

The 2020 United States census reported that Valley Center had a population of 10,087. The population density was 367.5 inhabitants per square mile (141.9/km2). The racial makeup of Valley Center was 59.6% White, 1.1% African American, 3.0% Native American, 3.7% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 16.7% from other races, and 15.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 33.2% of the population.[26]

The census reported that 99.8% of the population lived in households, 0.2% lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0.0% were institutionalized.[26]

There were 3,152 households, out of which 31.8% included children under the age of 18, 65.4% were married-couple households, 4.7% were cohabiting couple households, 15.8% had a female householder with no partner present, and 14.1% had a male householder with no partner present. 14.8% of households were one person, and 8.1% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 3.19.[26] There were 2,525 families (80.1% of all households).[27]

The age distribution was 21.5% under the age of 18, 8.2% aged 18 to 24, 21.6% aged 25 to 44, 28.3% aged 45 to 64, and 20.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.2 males.[26]

There were 3,327 housing units at an average density of 121.2 units per square mile (46.8 units/km2), of which 3,152 (94.7%) were occupied. Of these, 82.6% were owner-occupied, and 17.4% were occupied by renters.[26]

2023 estimates

[edit]

In 2023, the US Census Bureau estimated that 19.8% of the population were foreign-born. Of all people aged 5 or older, 71.0% spoke only English at home, 26.7% spoke Spanish, 0.4% spoke other Indo-European languages, and 1.9% spoke Asian or Pacific Islander languages. Of those aged 25 or older, 86.4% were high school graduates and 35.6% had a bachelor's degree.[28]

The median household income was $116,620, and the per capita income was $46,664. About 9.1% of families and 12.4% of the population were below the poverty line.[29]

Arts and culture

[edit]

Museums

[edit]

Valley Center History Museum was founded in 2003. Exhibits include a stagecoach which served as a Civil War ambulance, provided local transportation, and was featured in a number of Western motion pictures; a preserved California Grizzly Bear; and memorabilia.[30][31]

Events

[edit]

On Memorial Day weekend, the town remembers fallen veterans at the Valley Center Stampede Rodeo and Festival.[32]

Every year, the town celebrates their western heritage with the Valley Center Western Days Parade and Country Fair.[33]

Valley Center

Government

[edit]

In the California State Legislature, Valley Center is in the 40th senatorial district, represented by Republican Brian Jones, and in the 75th Assembly district, represented by Republican Carl DeMaio.[34]

In the United States House of Representatives, Valley Center is in California's 48th congressional district, represented by Republican Darrell Issa.[35]

Valley Center also serves as the seat of the tribal governments of the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians and the San Pasqual Band of Diegueno Mission Indians reservations, east of the CDP area.[36][37]

Education

[edit]

Almost all of it is in the Valley Center-Pauma Unified School District. A small section of the CDP extends into the Escondido Union School District and the Escondido Union High School District.[38]

Notable people

[edit]

• June Allyson, actress[39]
• Fred Astaire, actor/dancer[39]
• Glen Bell, founded Taco Bell chain
• Fred Biletnikoff, former Oakland Raiders wide receiver
• Louis Bromfield, Author
• Daniel Brunskill, NFL offensive tackle
• J.J. Cale, musician[40][41]
• Gary Cooper, actor[39]
• Kevin Craft, former UCLA quarterback
• Billy Cundiff, NFL kicker
• John DeLorean, auto tycoon
• Gary Garrison, former San Diego Chargers football player
• Kirby Grant, actor and rancher[39]
• Jack Haley, actor, the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz[39]
• Charles Hatfield, rainmaker
• Mike Leake, MLB pitcher
• Katie Leclerc, actress[39]
• Denise Mueller-Korenek, cyclist, world speed record holder
• Merle Oberon, actress[39]
• Dick Powell, actor[39]
• Steve Reeves, Hercules actor
• Trevor Reilly, former NFL linebacker, defensive lineman
• Irene Ryan, actress, Granny on The Beverly Hillbillies
• Sean Salisbury, former NFL quarterback, television sports analyst
• Randolph Scott, actor[39]
• John Wayne, actor[39]
• Lawrence Welk, American accordionist, bandleader, and television impresario
• Mae West, actress
• Carol Williams, international concert organist and San Diego civic organist since 2001
• Sam Zimbalist, movie producer

References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
2. ^ "Valley Center". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
3. ^ "US Census Bureau". www.census.gov. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
4. ^ Valley Center: A piece of Bear Valley history is no more
5. ^ Climate Summary for Valley Center, California
6. ^ "Decennial Census by Decade". United States Census Bureau.
7. ^ "1870 Census of Population - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties - California - Almeda County to Sutter County" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 26, 2025 – via Wayback Machine.
8. ^ "1870 Census of Population - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties - California - Tehama County to Yuba County" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 2, 2025 – via Wayback Machine.
9. ^ "1890 Census of Population - Population of California by Minor Civil Divisions" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 11, 2025 – via Wayback Machine.
10. ^ "1900 Census of Population - Population of California by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2025 – via Wayback Machine.
11. ^ "1910 Census of Population - Supplement for California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 4, 2025. Retrieved February 4, 2025 – via Wayback Machine.
12. ^ "1920 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 28, 2025 – via Wayback Machine.
13. ^ "1930 Census of Population - Number and Distribution of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 17, 2025 – via Wayback Machine.
14. ^ "1940 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 26, 2025 – via Wayback Machine.
15. ^ "1950 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 19, 2025 – via Wayback Machine.
16. ^ "1960 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 22, 2025 – via Wayback Machine.
17. ^ "1960 Census of Population - General population Characteristics - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 22, 2025 – via Wayback Machine.
18. ^ "1970 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 26, 2025 – via Wayback Machine.
19. ^ a b "1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 26, 2025 – via Wayback Machine.
20. ^ "1990 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 26, 2025 – via Wayback Machine.
21. ^ "2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 22, 2025 – via Wayback Machine.
22. ^ "2010 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 28, 2025 – via Wayback Machine.
23. ^ a b "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Valley Center CDP, California". United States Census Bureau.
24. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Valley Center CDP, California". United States Census Bureau.
25. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Valley Center CDP, California". United States Census Bureau.
26. ^ a b c d e "Valley Center CDP, California; DP1: Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics - 2020 Census of Population and Housing". US Census Bureau. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
27. ^ "Valley Center CDP, California; P16: Household Type - 2020 Census of Population and Housing". US Census Bureau. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
28. ^ "Valley Center CDP, California; CP02: Comparative Social Characteristics in the United States - 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates Comparison Profiles". US Census Bureau. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
29. ^ "Valley Center CDP, California; DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics - 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates Comparison Profiles". US Census Bureau. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
30. ^ Jones, Harry J. (30 July 2015). "Valley Center history museum closes". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
31. ^ Jones, Harry J. (2 December 2015). "Valley Center history museum to reopen". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
32. ^ VC's Annual Western Heritage Celebration Unifies as "Valley Center Stampede"
33. ^ "Valley Center Western Days Country Fair & Parade". San Diego Tourism Authority. April 2, 2020. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
34. ^ "Find Your California Representatives". Retrieved May 16, 2025.
35. ^ "California's 48th Congressional District - Representatives & District Map". Civic Impulse, LLC.
36. ^ "Rincon Tribal Council". The Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians. April 30, 2019. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
37. ^ "Contact Us". www.sanpasqualbandofmissionindians.org. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
38. ^ "2020 census - school district reference map: San Diego County, CA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. p. 2 (PDF p. 3/7). Retrieved December 21, 2024. - Text list
39. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Sky King' star landed in Valley Center". Union Tribune. Retrieved April 24, 2014.
40. ^ Varga, George (September 4, 2005). "Who's happy now?". The San Diego Union-Tribune. A key beneficiary has been J.J. Cale, the Valley Center-based musician who wrote two songs that were later popularized by Clapton, 'After Midnight' and 'Cocaine.'
41. ^ JJ Cale (June 2, 2009). "JJ Cale Has a Passion for Music, Not the Spotlight". These Days (Interview: Transcript). Interviewed by Maureen Cavanaugh; Hank Crook; Kurt Kohnen. San Diego, California: KPBS-FM. Retrieved July 31, 2010. CAVANAUGH: And – and do you have a home studio up in Valley Center now? CALE: Yes, I do. Yeah.

External links

[edit]

• Valley Center Chamber of Commerce

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