Corona, California

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Corona, California
Official seal of Corona, California
Seal
Nickname(s): The Circle City, Crown Town
Location of Corona, California
Location of Corona, California
Coordinates: 33°52′33″N 117°34′03″W / 33.87583°N 117.5675°W / 33.87583; -117.5675
Country United States
State California
County Riverside
Government
 - Mayor Steve Nolan
Area
 - Total 35.2 sq mi (91.1 km2)
 - Land 35.2 sq mi (91.0 km2)
 - Water 0.04 sq mi (0.1 km2)
Elevation 678 ft (206 m)
Population (2000)
 - Total 124,966
 - Density 3,555.5/sq mi (1,372.7/km2)
Time zone PST (UTC-8)
 - Summer (DST) PDT (UTC-7)
ZIP codes 92877-92883
Area code(s) 951
FIPS code 06-16350
GNIS feature ID 1652691
Website http://www.ci.corona.ca.us

Corona is a city in Riverside County, California, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 124,966. The city of Norco lies to the northeast, Chino Hills and Yorba Linda to the west, and the Cleveland National Forest to the southwest; unincorporated areas of Riverside County line all of its other borders.

The city of Corona does not include the community of Eastvale due north of the city. Eastvale is an unincorporated community associated with the county of Riverside, although the Corona post office services Eastvale, giving residents Corona addresses.

Contents

[edit] History

Corona, founded at the height of the Southern California citrus boom in 1886, is advantageously situated at the upper end of the Santa Ana River Canyon, the only significant pass through the Santa Ana Mountains. The town of Corona once laid claim to the title "Lemon Capital of the World." A museum there presents the lemon's former role in the local economy. The city derived its name (and its nickname, The Circle City) from the curious layout of its streets, with a standard grid enclosed by the circular Grand Boulevard. The street layout was designed by Henry Clay Kellogg, a civil engineer from Anaheim who was an influential figure in the early development of Orange County. Also, the renowned circular Grand Boulevard is where three international road racing events took place in 1913, 1914 and 1916. Corona was also home to the Corona road race, a Grand Prix race in the early 20th century.

In more recent years it has been known as the Gateway to the Inland Empire. Prior to the 1980s, Corona was a largely agricultural community, dominated by citrus orchards, ranches, and dairy farms. Sky-high real estate prices in Los Angeles and Orange counties made the area's land desirable to developers and industrialists, and by the late 1990s it was considered a major suburb of Los Angeles.

In recent years, Corona has become a bedroom community for Orange County and the larger cities of the Inland Empire. The development of commerce and industry in the city has been accelerated by congestion on the Riverside Freeway, with many firms leaving northern Orange County to be closer to their employees' homes in Corona and Riverside.

The construction of the Chino Valley Freeway nearby has also linked Corona to the Pomona and San Gabriel valleys, with the result that the once largely white city has experienced an influx of Asian American residents who commute to Asian-oriented businesses in cities such as Alhambra and Diamond Bar.

[edit] Corona County proposal

In 2002 the city government considered an initiative to secede from Riverside County and form an autonomous Corona County because the city government and some residents were dissatisfied with how services were handled in nearby areas. The effort was also considered by areas in other cities in the western part of the county including Murrieta. Whether nearby cities such as Norco, California would have been included in the new county are unknown. The proposed county would have been bordered by San Bernardino County to the northwest and by Orange County to the west.[1]

[edit] 2008 Freeway Complex Fire

The city was the first to be affected by the Freeway Complex Fire, but was in the Yorba Linda/Corona Line.

[edit] Geography and climate

Corona is located at 33°52′31″N 117°33′56″W / 33.87528°N 117.56556°W / 33.87528; -117.56556 (33.869998, -117.567783)[2].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 35.2 square miles (91.1 km²), of which, 35.2 square miles (91.0 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (0.06%) is water.

Corona has mild winters and hot summers. Most of the rainfall (as in all of Southern California) occurs during winter and early spring. The winter low temperatures can get cold enough for frost, with rare snowfall seen on the local foothills. Winter days are pleasant, with the mercury staying around 65 degrees Fahrenheit (occasionally warming into the 70s). Summertime is hot, with highs averaging in the low 90s. During the hottest months, daytime temperatures in Corona often exceed 100 degrees.[3]

While less than a mile separates the eastern extent of Yorba Linda of Orange County and Corona, the Santa Ana River canyon canalizes overland communication through this gap such that traffic is limited to the railway, the 91 Freeway, and a single bikepath.

In recent years, there are talks to construct a proposed 10-mile automobile and fast-speed train tunnel under Santiago Peak to connect Interstate 15 in Corona with Interstate 5 and the 55 Freeway of Orange County, to cut down on commuter traffic on the already crowded or high-traffic 91 Freeway.

[edit] Economy

Some of the most important businesses in Corona:

  • Aircraft Spruce & Specialty Co., the world's largest supplier for general aviation parts.
  • Fender Musical Instruments Corporation produces the U.S.-made models in the company's storied line. It also contains Fender's guitar and amplification custom shops, and the Fender Center for Music Education—more commonly known as the Fender Museum.
  • Bad Cat - A handmade Guitar Amplifier company, specializing in hand wired and wound components.
  • Corona Regional Medical Center
  • Team Too Termite & Pest Control Corporate Offices - A third generation family owned and operated business known for being the first and currently only company in the nation to hold the designations of QualityPro, QualityPro Green, and Ecowise Certified.
  • Vineyard Bank
  • Watson Pharmaceuticals, the 5th largest pharmaceutical company in the United States based on number of prescriptions dispensed.
  • Famous Stars and Straps, a clothing company
  • Lexani, wheels and other automotive accessories.
  • Monster Beverage Company, a soft drinks manufacturer.
  • Vans, a manufacturer of sneakers, skate shoes and other specialist shoe types.
  • Eibach Springs, a manufacturer of automotive components
  • Hexis USA, subsidiary of the French vinyl manufacturer Hexis S.A.
  • Recently West Coast Customs, Barry's Speed Shop, Eibach Springs and numerous other automobile related companies have relocated to Corona.
  • Happy Taxi, with over 30 cabs, is based in Corona
  • Keystone Automotive Operations, Inc.
  • Defy Board Shop, extremely popular in the town

[edit] Demographics

Historical populations
Census Pop.  %±
1900 1,434
1910 3,540 146.9%
1920 4,129 16.6%
1930 7,018 70.0%
1940 8,764 24.9%
1950 10,223 16.6%
1960 13,336 30.5%
1970 27,519 106.4%
1980 37,791 37.3%
1990 76,095 101.4%
2000 124,966 64.2%
Est. 2007 150,308 20.3%

As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 124,996 people, 37,839 households, and 30,384 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,555.5 people per square mile (1,372.7/km²). There were 39,271 housing units at an average density of 1,117.3/sq mi (431.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 65.0% White, 6.43% Black or African American, 0.87% Native American, 7.54% Asian, 0.31% Pacific Islander, 17.52% from other races, and 5.30% from two or more races. 35.5% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 37,839 households out of which 49.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.8% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.7% were non-families. 14.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.29 and the average family size was 3.64.

In the city the population was spread out with 33.4% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 35.1% from 25 to 44, 16.8% from 45 to 64, and 5.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 98.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $59,615, and the median income for a family was $63,505 (these figures had risen to $78,620 and $85,450 respectively as of a 2007 estimate[5]). Males had a median income of $44,752 versus $31,884 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,001. About 6.0% of families and 8.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.1% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Politics

In the state legislature Corona is located in the 37th Senate District, represented by Republican John J. Benoit, and in the 71st Assembly District, represented by Republican Jeff Miller. Federally, Corona is located in California's 44th congressional district, which has a Cook PVI of R +6[6] and is represented by Republican Ken Calvert.

Place that inspired California's "Kaitlyn's Law" - The Unattended Child in Motor Vehicle Act (2002). Senate Bill 255. California Vehicle Code 15620. Named for Kaitlyn Russell, a six-month old who died after being left by a babysitter in a parked car for more than two hours.

[edit] Infrastructure

[edit] Transportation

The city is served by the Corona(SR 71), Chino Valley(SR 71), Ontario(I-15), and Riverside(SR 91) freeways, as well as the 91 Line of the Metrolink commuter rail system.

Corona Municipal Airport (FAA designator: AJO) serves the city and has a 3,200-foot (980 m) runway. On January 20, 2008, two small passenger aircraft collided over Corona, killing all four men aboard the planes and another man on the ground. In the past ten years, there have been five fatal plane crashes around Corona.

[edit] Healthcare

Corona Regional Medical Center is a General Acute Care Hospital with Basic Emergency Services as of 2005.[7]

[edit] Education

The city of Corona is a part of the Corona-Norco Unified School District. There are eight high schools in the district including Corona High School, Centennial, Lee V. Pollard (formerly Buena Vista), Orange Grove, and Santiago High School[8] which are located in Corona and Norco. Norco,J.F.K, Kennedy and Roosevelt High School are located outside of the city. There are seven middle schools; Auburndale, Citrus Hills, Corona Fundamental, Raney, River Heights, Norco, and El Cerrito. There are also Thirty elementary schools in the area; Adams, Anthony, Barton, Chavez, Corona Ranch, Coronita, Eastvale, Eisenhower, Foothill, Franklin, Garretson, Harada, Highlands, Home Gardens, Lincoln Alternative, McKinley, Norco, Orange, Parkridge, Parks, Prado View, Promenade, Stallings, Susan B. Anthony, Temescal Valley, Vandermolen, Vicentia, Washington, Wilson, Riverview, Sierra Vista, Jefferson, and Todd.

[edit] Religion

Several religions are practiced in Corona. Crossroads Christian Church is one of the largest churches in the nation with several services on weekends. There are several Roman Catholic churches, including St. Edwards Catholic Church, Corpus Cristi, and St. Matthews Church. The Islamic Society of Corona / Norco has its mosque as well located at 465 Santana Way. The Jewish congregation has also purchased land and construction will begin soon. The area from Corona, through Temescal Valley, to Temecula is known as a "Little Bible Belt". The LDS community is very strong in Corona, with many churches throughout town. The influx of Asian-Americans has brought in an increase of people in eastern religions: Buddhism, Confucianism, Hinduism, Shintoism, and Taoism.

[edit] Notable

Corona is home to or known for:

[edit] References

[edit] External links

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