Stockton, California
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| City nickname: "California's Sunshine Seaport" | |||||
| Image:CAMap-doton-Stockton.png | |||||
| County: | San Joaquin | ||||
| Area code: | 209 | ||||
| ZIP code: | 952xx | ||||
| Area: - Total - Water | 144.9 km² (56.0 mi²) 3.2 km² (1.2 mi²) 2.22% | ||||
| Population: |
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| Time zone: | Pacific: UTC-8 | ||||
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37°58' N | |||||
| Mayor: | Edward Chavez | ||||
| City of Stockton Official Website | |||||
Stockton is a city in California and the seat of San Joaquin County (the 5th largest agricultural county in the United States). According to 2005 estimates by the California Department of Finance, Stockton has a population of 279,800 and is the 13th largest city in California. Stockton is also the fourth largest inland city in California, behind Fresno, Sacramento, and Bakersfield.
Stockton was founded in 1849 and incorporated on July 23, 1850. The area now known as Weber Point is the same spot where Captain Charles Maria Weber built the first permanent residence in the San Joaquin Valley after aquiring 49,000 acres through a Spanish land grant. Soon, he established this spot as a stop for 49ers on their way to the Sierra Nevada. It didn't take long for this stop to grow and flourish.
Encompassing Interstate 5, State Route 99 and State Route 4, Stockton is strategically located about 60 miles east of the San Francisco Bay Area and 45 miles south of Sacramento, the capital of California. Stockton is surrounded by the rich and fertile lands of the California Central Valley and is home to the largest inland seaport in California. In and around Stockton are thousands of waterways, canals, and rivers that comprise the California Delta.
Recently, Stockton and the nearby communities of Tracy and Manteca have experienced a population boom. This is largely due to thousands of people settling in the area to escape the relatively high cost of living of the San Francisco Bay Area. This influx of new residents, however, resulted in a sharp increase in the cost of living of Stockton, although it is still significantly lower than any Bay Area city of comparable size.
In the midst of a massive, city-wide redevelopment project (still in progress), Stockton was twice named an All-America City, in 1999 & 2004.
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Geography
Stockton is located at 37°58' North, 121°18' West; its land area is 52.57 square miles (136 km²); its water area is 0.95 square miles (2.5 km²). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 144.9 km² (56.0 mi²). 141.7 km² (54.7 mi²) of it is land and 3.2 km² (1.2 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 2.22% water. It is a valley.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 243,771 people, 78,556 households, and 56,167 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,720.4/km² (4,455.7/mi²). There were 82,042 housing units at an average density of 579.0/km² (1,499.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 43.26% White, 11.25% African American, 1.12% Native American, 19.90% Asian, 0.40% Pacific Islander, 17.31% from other races, and 6.76% from two or more races. 32.50% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 78,556 households out of which 40.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.1% were married couples living together, 17.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.5% were non-families. 22.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.04 and the average family size was 3.59.
In the city the population was spread out with 32.4% under the age of 18, 11.0% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 18.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 95.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $35,453, and the median income for a family was $40,434. Males had a median income of $35,181 versus $26,602 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,405. 23.9% of the population and 18.9% of families were below the poverty line. 32.8% of those under the age of 18 and 11.9% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Government
Edward J. Chavez was elected mayor of Stockton in 2004 and officially began his term on January 1, 2005. Chavez succeeded Gary Podesto to the mayorship. His term expires December 31, 2008.
Chavez joined the Stockton Police Department in August 1973 as a Patrol Officer. Working his way up, he was appointed Chief of Police in August 1993 and served until his retirement in 2003.
Mark Lewis was appointed City Manager by the City Council in April 2001. Lewis, best known for his economic and developmental policies, successfully served the cities of Monterey Park, Colton, Union City and South San Francisco, California in the same capacity.
Lewis was dismissed by the City Council on January 17, 2006 by a vote of 6-1, with Vice Mayor Gary Giovanetti dissenting.
The Stockton City Council is comprised of six councilmembers, each elected by their respective districts:
- Steve J. Bestolarides
- Dan J. Chapman
- Leslie B. Martin
- Clem Lee
- Gary S. Giovanetti (Vice Mayor)
- Rebecca G. Nabors
Industry
Although historically an agriculturally based community, Stockton's economy has diversified into all sectors of industry. Several top-tier companies have chosen to base their operations in Stockton, some of which include:
- Golden State Lumber
- Pac-West Telecommunications
- Zacky Farms
- Duraflame
- Diamond of California
- Kellogs
- Dollar Tree
- Washington Mutual Financial Services
In addition, due to readily available land and office space in Stockton, several corporations have either shifted their regional headquarters to the city or are in negotiations with city officials to do so.
Sister cities
Stockton has six sister cities worldwide:
- Template:Flagicon - Shizuoka, Japan
- Template:Flagicon - Iloilo City, Philippines
- Template:Flagicon - Empalme, Mexico
- Template:Flagicon - Foshan, China
- Template:Flagicon - Parma, Italy
- Template:Flagicon - Battambang, Cambodia
Transportation
Stockton has access to several different modes of transportation:
Land
Due to its location at the 'crossroads' of the Central Valley and a relatively extensive highway system, Stockton is easily accessible from virtually anywhere in California. Interstate 5 and State Route 99, California's major north-south thoroughfares, pass through city limits. Also, Stockton is just minutes away from Interstates 205 and 580.
Stockton is also connected to the rest of the nation through an extensive network of railways. Amtrak and Altamont Commuter Express (ACE) both make stops in Stockton, with Amtrak providing passenger access to the rest of the nation. Moreover, Southern Pacific and Union Pacific meet the cargo rail needs of the city. Recently, BNSF Railway opened a much needed $150 million intermodal freight transport facility in southeast Stockton, which satisfies long-haul transportation needs.
Air
Stockton is served by Stockton Metropolitan Airport, located on county land just south of city limits. The airport has been designated a Foreign Trade Zone and is mainly used by manufacturing and agricultural companies for shipping purposes. San Joaquin County officials are currently considering plans to upgrade the facility to provide domestic flight service. Domestic carriers such as America West had provided air service to the city as recently as 2003. In 2006, Aeromexico will begin to provide round-trips to Guadalajara, Mexico.
Water
The Port of Stockton is a large inland port set on the San Joaquin River, which provides a direct route to the Pacific Ocean and other port cities around the world. The Port of Stockton is the third largest landholder seaport in California and has also been designated a Foreign Trade Zone. The Port operates a 2,100 acre (8.5 km²) transportation center with berthing space for 14 vessels. In addition, 6.5 million square feet (600,000 m²) of warehouse storage space is available. The Port is currently competing with HSMPS for the rights to dock the USS Iowa (BB-61) as a permanent museum and memorial.
Higher education
Stockton is home to several institutions of higher education. These include San Joaquin Delta College, Humphreys College and School of Law, and the University of the Pacific (UOP).
University of the Pacific is a famous institution and has been used to film several Hollywood films, partly due to its aesthetic likeness to East Coast Ivy League universities. Its most famous such appearance is probably in Steven Spielberg's Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Stockton used to be the site of a California State Hospital, the oldest in the state system, founded only a few years after statehood. Stockton State Hospital was closed in 1996 and has since been converted into the Stockton campus of California State University, Stanislaus.
The Stockton Massacre
On January 17, 1989, Patrick Purdy, a mentally ill Stockton man, opened fire on the Cleveland Elementary School playground in Stockton, California with a semi-automatic rifle, killing five children and wounding twenty-nine others and a teacher, before taking his own life. This event received national news coverage and is sometimes referred to as the Stockton Massacre. The shooting helped spark statewide and national efforts to ban semi-automatic weapons.
Professional sports
Although Stockton lacks a major league sports team, it is home to several minor league franchises:
- Stockton Ports - (High-A California League baseball team; affiliate of the Oakland Athletics)
- California Cougars - (MISL soccer team)
- Stockton Thunder - (ECHL ice hockey team)
- Stockton Lightning - (af2 arena football team)
The Stockton Ports play their home games at Banner Island Ballpark, a new 5,000 seat facility built for the team in downtown Stockton. A new 10,000 seat arena, the Stockton Arena, has recently been completed in downtown Stockton, which houses the California Cougars, Stockton Thunder and Stockton Lightning.
Famous Stocktonians
- Ace Andres - Singer/Songwriter/Lead Guitarist
- Warren Atherton - Lawmaker/Presidential Advisor
- Dave Brubeck - Jazz Musician
- James H. Budd - Governor of California (1895-1899)
- Carol Corrigan - Jurist
- Nick Diaz - Mixed Martial Arts Fighter and UFC Welterweight Fighter
- Leonard Gardner - Author of the novel Fat City, which was later made into a film directed by John Huston.
- Daniel Goleman - Psychologist
- Benjamin Holt - Inventor
- Chris Isaak - Singer/Songwriter
- Maxine Hong Kingston - Author
- Janet Leigh - Actress (Psycho, Touch of Evil)
- Pavement - 1990s indie rock band
- Grant-Lee Phillips - Singer/Songwriter; member of alternative rock band Grant Lee Buffalo
- Alex Spanos - Billionaire Real Estate Developer; Owner of the San Diego Chargers
- Amos Alonzo Stagg - Football Coach
- Leo T. Fong - Martial Artist/Creator of Wei Kuen Do and Chi Fung; Movie Producer/Director and Actor; Scriptwriter; Minister
Interesting facts
- Prior to its incorporation in 1850, Stockton had several names, including 'Tuleburg', 'Gas City' and 'Mudville' (the Stockton Ports played for two seasons under the name 'Mudville 9').
- Captain Charles M. Weber chose to honor Commodore Robert F. Stockton by naming the city in honor of Stockton, who was instrumental in the capture of California during the Mexican-American War.
- Stockton was twice named an All-America City (1999 & 2004).
- The historic Bob Hope Theatre (formerly Fox California Theatre) in downtown Stockton is one of several 'movie palaces' in the Central Valley.
- With over 100,000 trees, Stockton was thrice named 'Best Tree City' in the western United States by Sunset magazine.
- Stockton was the first community in California to have a name not of Spanish or Native American origin.
- Several high-profile people have visited Stockton, including President George W. Bush, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, comedian Jerry Seinfeld, musician Bob Dylan, and former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani.
- The Port of Stockton is the easternmost inland port in California and the largest.
- George W. Bush Elementary School, located in north Stockton, is the first public school in the nation to be named for a sitting president.
- In 2005, Forbes magazine listed it as having 6,570 crimes per 100,000 residents — the highest listed crime rate [1].
- In 2005, Stockton, CA is rated #1 on the National Literacy Council's top five most illiterate cities. [2]
- An article written in 1856 by the Stockton Directory (a paper long since disbanded) told about Stockton's major advantages over all inland California cities:
- "The City of Stockton is situated on a beautiful prarie at the head of the Stockton Slough, a wide and deep arm of the San Joaquin River, which extends eastward some three miles from the river into the plain. As a harbor, in point of capacity, Stockton possesses advantadges over all inland cities of California [in that] there is sufficiant depth and breadth of water, at all seasons of the year, for all purposes of moorage and navigation."
- Cult Filmmaker Russ Meyer is buried at the Stockton Rural Cemetery.
- The Haggin Museum, Stockton's art and history museum, has been referred to by Sunset magazine as “one of the undersung gems of California.”
Culture
Stockton has a wide variety of culture within city limits. Downtown Stockton, which has had a major face-lift aince the 1990's, is now home to a bustling city center. Attractions like the Stockton Arena, Banner Island Ballpark, Bob Hope Theatre, and the City Centre Cineplex 16 is a small example of Stockton's will to revitilize and preserve downtown as Stockton's core. Around downtown, you'll find a beautiful neighborhood known as the Magnolia Historic District, a district that contains many buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Benjamin Holt House. Further north is Stockton's main shopping district. Sherwood Mall and Weberstown Mall are side-by-side, the Miracle Mile is close to UOP, and Park West Place is further north.
Stockton is home to many 'firsts' and 'onlys' in Northern California. Example: Stockton has the only Dillards in Northern Cal. Stockton is home to the first Wal-Mart Supercenter in California. Weber Point downtown was the sight of the first permanent residence in the San Joaquin Valley. Stockton is home to two newspapers, The Record, and the Spanish paper, Vida en la Valle. Historic downtown Stockton has many old and historic buildings within it's boundaries. The Robert J. Cabral Station, the Bob Hope Theatre, the Hotel Stockton, the Stockton Ironworks, the Waterfront Warehouse, and the civic center (city hall and Stockton Memorial Civic Audotorium). The city is also home to museums, art galleries, and other amenities.
Places of Interest
- The Haggin Museum
- Children's Museum of Stockton
- Weber Point Events Center
- Pollardville Ghost Town
- Stockton Events Center
- Magnolia Historic District
- Bob Hope Theatre
- University of the Pacific
- Stockton Miracle Mile
- San Joaquin Delta
External links
- City of Stockton
- CyberStockton - Stockton Events Website
- Stockton Official Visitor & Tourist Information
- Stockton Sister Cities Association
- Stockton Crossing Cultural Bridges
- The Haggin Museum
Template:Cities of San Joaquin County, California
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