California, Pennsylvania
Borough
Downtown California
Downtown California
Etymology: U.S. state of California
Location of California in Washington County, Pennsylvania.
Location of California in Washington County, Pennsylvania.
California, Pennsylvania is located in Pennsylvania
California, Pennsylvania
California, Pennsylvania
Location of California in Pennsylvania
Coordinates: 40°3′55″N 79°53′50″W / 40.06528°N 79.89722°W / 40.06528; -79.89722
CountryUnited States
StatePennsylvania
CountyWashington
Established1849
Government
 • MayorFrank Stetar
Area
[1]
 • Total11.23 sq mi (29.09 km2)
 • Land11.01 sq mi (28.52 km2)
 • Water0.22 sq mi (0.57 km2)
Population
 (2020)[2]
 • Total5,362
 • Density486.97/sq mi (188.02/km2)
Time zoneUTC-4 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (EDT)
ZIP code
15419[3]
Area code724
Websitewww.californiapa15419.com

California is a borough on the Monongahela River in Washington County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 5,479 as of the 2020 census.[4] It is part of the Pittsburgh metropolitan area.[5]

Founded in 1849, the borough was named for the territory of California following the Gold Rush.[6] California is the home of PennWest California, a part of Pennsylvania Western University. The borough has had two notably young mayors—Democrat Peter Daley, who was 22 at his election,[7] and Republican Casey Durdines, who was 20 at his election.[8]

History

Near the university, many large early-twentieth century houses have been converted into student apartments.

When founded in 1849, the town was named California, though Columbia and Sagamore were names that were also suggested for the new town. The town's founding coincided with the California Gold Rush and the town was named after the state to symbolize growth and prosperity.[9] Before there were mayors in California, there were burgesses, the first of whom was Solomon Sibbitt.

East Pike Run Township merged with California Borough in 1953. The former Vigilant Mine in California once produced the largest single lump of coal in the world. California was once home to the largest soft coal mine in the world when Vesta # 4 opened in 1893. The unincorporated town of Philipsburg used to sit on land that is now occupied by Pennsylvania Western University (formerly known as California University of Pennsylvania before July 2022). This includes the Philipsburg Cemetery, which is still in use and includes a number of graves of Civil War soldiers. The first house built in California is next to the California Post Office on Second Street.[6]

The Molly Fleming House, Jennings-Gallagher House, Malden Inn, Old Main, California State College and former Pennsylvania Railroad Passenger Station are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[10] The California Boatyards played an important role in building steamboats for western expansion.[11]

Geography

California is located at 40°3′55″N 79°53′50″W / 40.06528°N 79.89722°W / 40.06528; -79.89722 (40.065313, -79.897120).[12]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 11.2 square miles (29 km2), of which 11.0 square miles (28 km2) is land and 0.2 square miles (0.52 km2) (1.78%) is water.

Surrounding and adjacent neighborhoods

California has seven land borders, including Fallowfield Township to the north, Long Branch and Elco to the northeast, Coal Center to the mideast, West Brownsville to the southeast, Centerville from the south to the west-southwest, and West Pike Run Township to the west. Across the Monongahela River in Fayette County, California runs adjacent with Newell and Jefferson Township.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1860476—
187065938.4%
18801,00953.1%
18901,0241.5%
19002,00996.2%
19102,23011.0%
19202,48011.2%
19302,362−4.8%
19402,61410.7%
19502,8318.3%
19605,978111.2%
19706,63511.0%
19805,703−14.0%
19905,7480.8%
20005,274−8.2%
20106,79528.8%
20205,479−19.4%
2021 (est.)5,453[4][13]−0.5%
[2]

As of the census[14] of 2000, there were 5,274 people, 1,891 households, and 867 families residing in the borough. The population density was 478.2 people per square mile (184.6 people/km2). There were 2,092 housing units at an average density of 189.7 per square mile (73.2/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 93.93% White, 4.13% African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.74% Asian, 0.13% from other races, and 0.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.49% of the population.

There were 1,891 households, out of which 16.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.8% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 54.1% were non-families. 36.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.85.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 10.7% under the age of 18, 42.2% from 18 to 24, 17.3% from 25 to 44, 15.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.3 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $24,628, and the median income for a family was $43,168. Males had a median income of $35,833 versus $24,537 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $14,412. About 7.3% of families and 22.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.7% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over.

Education

A converted train station serves as the California Public Library.

The borough is served by the public California Area School District, which includes California Area Elementary School for grades K-6 and California Area High School/Middle School for grades 7–12. PennWest California, a campus of Pennsylvania Western University, is a public university in the borough. It has an enrollment of about 6,500 student.[15] The school was formerly known as California University of Pennsylvania prior to July 2022, and earlier as California State College.

Notable people

References

  1. ↑ "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  2. 1 2 "Census Population API". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  3. ↑ "California PA ZIP Code". zipdatamaps.com. 2023. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  4. 1 2 Bureau, US Census. "City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2021". Census.gov. US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  5. ↑ "STANDARD METROPOLITAN AREAS (SMAs) AND COMPONENTS, 1950, WITH FIPS CODES". October 13, 1950. Archived from the original on January 13, 2016. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
  6. 1 2 "About California, PA". Borough of California, Pennsylvania. Retrieved December 21, 2009.
  7. ↑ ""California kid prevails" in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review". Archived from the original on October 26, 2009.
  8. ↑ ""Young mayor ready for office" By KAYLA GATALICA of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review".
  9. ↑ CalBoro. "About California, PA – California, Pennsylvania". Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  10. ↑ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  11. ↑ "California Boatyards - PHMC Historical Markers". Historical Marker Database. Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission. Archived from the original (Database search) on December 7, 2013. Retrieved January 5, 2013.
  12. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  13. ↑ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  14. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  15. ↑ Pennsylvania Western University. "Campus Life - PennWest". pennwest.edu. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
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