Lompoc, California
| City of Lompoc | |
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| — City — | |
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| Coordinates: 34°38′46″N 120°27′37″W / 34.64611°N 120.46028°WCoordinates: 34°38′46″N 120°27′37″W / 34.64611°N 120.46028°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Santa Barbara |
| Named for | (Chumash: Lompo', "Stagnant Water" [1]) |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | John Linn |
| • Senate | Tom McClintock (R) |
| • Assembly | Katcho Achadjian (R) |
| • U. S. Congress | Elton Gallegly (R) |
| Area[2] | |
| • Total | 11.675 sq mi (30.237 km2) |
| • Land | 11.597 sq mi (30.037 km2) |
| • Water | 0.078 sq mi (0.201 km2) 0.66% |
| Elevation | 105 ft (32 m) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 42,434 |
| • Density | 3,600/sq mi (1,400/km2) |
| Demonym | Lompocan |
| Time zone | PST (UTC-8) |
| • Summer (DST) | PDT (UTC-7) |
| ZIP codes | 93436-93438 |
| Area code(s) | 805 |
| FIPS code | 06-42524 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1652745 |
| Website | www.cityoflompoc.com |
Lompoc /ˈlɒmpoʊk/ LOM-pohk is a city in Santa Barbara County, California, United States. The city was incorporated in 1888. The population was 42,434 at the 2010 census, up from 41,103 at the 2000 census.
Prior to the European settlements, the area around Lompoc was inhabited by the Chumash. The name of the city is derived from a Chumash word "Lum Poc" that means "stagnant waters" or "lagoon." The Spanish called it "lumpoco." In 1837, the Mexican government granted the land around Lompoc as the Rancho Lompoc land grant. After the United States gained control of California in the Mexican-American War, the valley was acquired by Thomas Dibblee, Albert Dibblee and William Welles Hollister, the latter of whom sold his portion to the Lompoc Valley Land Company. It is from that portion that the present-day Lompoc was established as a temperance colony. The town was originally intended to be called New Vineland, modeled after the temperance colony in New Jersey. Lompoc then became a military town with the completion of nearby Vandenberg Air Force Base.[citation needed] The city is known as the flower seed capital of the world.
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History [edit]
Prior to the Spanish conquest, the area around Lompoc was inhabited by the Chumash tribe. Mission La Purísima Concepción was established in 1787, near what is now the Southern edge of the city of Lompoc. During the mission period, the Chumash spoke the Purisimeño language.[3] After an earthquake destroyed the mission in 1812, it was relocated to its present location 1 mile (1.6 km) northeast of the present city. In 1821, Mexico became independent from Spain, and subsequently secularized the California missions in 1833. Mission La Purísima gradually fell into ruins.
In 1837, the Mexican government granted the land around Lompoc as the Rancho Lompoc land grant. The United States gained control of California in the Mexican-American War, 1846-1848. The valley was acquired by Thomas Dibblee, Albert Dibblee and William Welles Hollister, the latter of whom sold his portion in 1874 to the Lompoc Valley Land Company. It is from that portion that the present-day Lompoc was established as a temperance colony. The city was incorporated in 1888 and the town was originally intended to be called New Vineland, modeled after the temperance colony in New Jersey. In 2010, Playboy magazine named Jasper's, a local Lompoc bar, as one of the top 10 dive bars in the country.[4]
The coastal branch of the Southern Pacific Railroad replaced ship transportation around 1900.The Dicolite Mine was a large employer in the early 1900s. Its remnants can still be seen at the northeast end of town. In 1909, the Sybil Marston, at the time, the largest steam schooner built on the west coast sank nearby carrying 1,100,000 board feet (2,600 m3) of lumber. Many of the older Lompoc homes are built with the strewn lumber from the shipwreck. Its remnants can still be seen south of Surf Beach.[5] A paved road linked Lompoc to Buellton, and the rest of California, around 1920. In 1923, the Honda Point Disaster, the largest U.S. peacetime naval accident occurred just off the coast, in which nine U.S. destroyers ran aground, with the loss of 23 lives. During the Great Depression, Mission La Purisima Concepcion was restored by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The W.C. Fields movie The Bank Dick (1940), was set in Lompoc (although the name was mis-pronounced as Lom' poc). During World War II, the coast west of Lompoc was the site of Camp Cooke, a U.S. Army training camp where large units could practice maneuvers.
Lompoc grew slowly until 1958, when the U.S. Air Force announced that the former Camp Cooke would be a test site for the Thor intermediate-range ballistic missile, and the first operational base for the Atlas intercontinental-range ballistic missile. Lompoc then began to grow rapidly to provide housing for thousands of civilian and contractor workers employed at what was soon named Vandenberg Air Force Base. Vandenberg Air Force Base was the first missile base of the United States Air Force. The Space Shuttle program was slated to begin launches in the late 1980s. The city experienced a boom in restaurant and hotel construction in the mid-1980s, due to the anticipated influx of tourists coming to see shuttle launches. However, when the Challenger exploded during take-off from Cape Canaveral in 1986, the West Coast Shuttle Program was terminated, leaving Lompoc in a severe recession.
Located close to Vandenberg Air Force Base is the Federal Correctional Institution. This is a low security facility for male inmates.
Today, the city of Lompoc is dubbed "The City of Arts and Flowers" and is also becoming known for its local wines after the movie Sideways was filmed in Lompoc (bowling alley scene), and east of Lompoc in the Santa Ynez Valley, Solvang and Buellton.
Geography [edit]
Lompoc is located at 34°38′46″N 120°27′37″W / 34.64611°N 120.46028°W (34.646182, -120.460316).[6] Most of the city is in the valley of the Santa Ynez River at an elevation of about 80–100 feet (25–30 meters); recent expansion has been to the north, on higher ground known as Vandenberg Village, with elevations of 150–300 feet (50–100 meters). Like most rivers in Southern California, the Santa Ynez River does not have a surface flow for most of the year. Underground flow in the sandy river bed recharges the aquifer beneath the city, from which 9 wells, with a tenth one planned, supply the city with water. Unlike many other cities in Southern California, Lompoc is not connected to the State Water Project.
The city was long known as the flower seed capital of the world. Flower fields have diminished in recent years, so it's debatable whether that title still stands. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.7 square miles (30 km2), 99.34% of it land and 0.66% of it water.
The Federal Correctional Complex located between Lompoc and Vandenberg AFB includes both a medium and low security Federal Correctional Institution, and two minimum security camps. A Satellite Prison Camp and a Residential Drug Treatment Camp.[7]
Climate [edit]
Lompoc has a cool Mediterranean climate (Köppen climate classification Csb) typical of coastal California.The climate is mostly sunny refreshed by the ocean breeze. Fog is common. Snow is virtually unknown. The highest recorded temperature was 110°F in 1987. The lowest recorded temperature was 20°F in 1990.
| Climate data for Lompoc, California | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average high °F (°C) | 64 (18) |
64 (18) |
66 (19) |
67 (19) |
68 (20) |
70 (21) |
72 (22) |
73 (23) |
74 (23) |
73 (23) |
68 (20) |
63 (17) |
68.5 (20.3) |
| Average low °F (°C) | 42 (6) |
44 (7) |
46 (8) |
47 (8) |
50 (10) |
53 (12) |
56 (13) |
56 (13) |
55 (13) |
51 (11) |
46 (8) |
42 (6) |
49 (9) |
| Rainfall inches (mm) | 3.33 (84.6) |
3.71 (94.2) |
2.88 (73.2) |
1.01 (25.7) |
0.29 (7.4) |
0.04 (1) |
0.01 (0.3) |
0.03 (0.8) |
0.1 (3) |
0.74 (18.8) |
1.41 (35.8) |
2.56 (65) |
16.11 (409.2) |
| Source: Weather Channel [8] | |||||||||||||
Demographics [edit]
2010 [edit]
The 2010 United States Census[9] reported that Lompoc had a population of 42,434. The population density was 3,634.7 people per square mile (1,403.4/km²). The racial makeup of Lompoc was 25,950 (61.2%) White, 2,432 (5.7%) African American, 750 (1.8%) Native American, 1,615 (3.8%) Asian, 186 (0.4%) Pacific Islander, 9,020 (21.3%) from other races, and 2,481 (5.8%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 21,557 persons (50.8%).
The Census reported that 38,778 people (91.4% of the population) lived in households, 99 (0.2%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 3,557 (8.4%) were institutionalized.
There were 13,355 households, out of which 5,481 (41.0%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 6,323 (47.3%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 2,061 (15.4%) had a female householder with no husband present, 913 (6.8%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 949 (7.1%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 75 (0.6%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 3,304 households (24.7%) were made up of individuals and 1,187 (8.9%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.90. There were 9,297 families (69.6% of all households); the average family size was 3.48.
The population was spread out with 11,188 people (26.4%) under the age of 18, 4,452 people (10.5%) aged 18 to 24, 12,233 people (28.8%) aged 25 to 44, 10,338 people (24.4%) aged 45 to 64, and 4,223 people (10.0%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33.9 years. For every 100 females there were 114.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 118.7 males.
There were 14,416 housing units at an average density of 1,234.8 per square mile (476.8/km²), of which 6,493 (48.6%) were owner-occupied, and 6,862 (51.4%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.2%; the rental vacancy rate was 7.1%. 18,534 people (43.7% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 20,244 people (47.7%) lived in rental housing units.
2000 [edit]
As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 43,284 people, 13,059 households, and 9,311 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,532.2 people per square mile (1,363.4/km²). There were 13,621 housing units at an average density of 1,170.5 per square mile (451.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 65.81% White, 7.34% African American, 1.58% Native American, 3.90% Asian, 0.32% Pacific Islander, 15.68% from other races, and 5.35% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 37.31% of the population.
There were 13,059 households out of which 41.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.0% were married couples living together, 14.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.7% were non-families. 23.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.88 and the average family size was 3.42.
In the city the population was spread out with 29.9% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 33.3% from 25 to 44, 18.5% from 45 to 64, and 9.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 113.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 116.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $47,587, and the median income for a family was $62,199. Males had a median income of $35,074 versus $26,824 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,509. About 12.6% of families and 15.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.8% of those under age 18 and 6.7% of those age 65 or over.
Education [edit]
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This article contains a list of works that does not follow the Manual of Style for lists of works (often, though not always, due to being in reverse-chronological order) and may need cleanup. (December 2011) |
Schools [edit]
Community College [edit]
High schools [edit]
Junior high/middle schools [edit]
- Children's Montessori School
- La Purisima Concepcion Catholic School
- Lompoc Valley Middle School
- Vandenberg Middle School
Elementary schools [edit]
- Buena Vista
- Children's Montessori School
- Clarence Ruth
- Crestview
- Fillmore
- Hapgood
- La Cañada
- La Honda
- Los Berros
- Miguelito
Local economy [edit]
 |
This section does not cite any references or sources. (August 2010) |
Vandenberg Air Force Base dominates the economy, directly employing a large percentage of Lompoc's residents, and contributes $1.7 billion to the regional economy. Other mainstays of the economy include the Federal Correctional Institution, a diatomaceous earth mine, the Lompoc Oil Field and associated oil processing facilities north of town, and agriculture (especially seed flowers and vegetables). Since the end of the Cold War, many workers employed in Santa Barbara have moved to Lompoc to take advantage of lower housing costs, effectively making Lompoc a 'bedroom community' of Santa Barbara. The character of the town has changed considerably with the growth associated with this demographic shift; in addition, new housing developments are spreading into the adjacent hills on the north side of town.
Wine production and wine tourism comprise the rapidly expanding value-added agricultural sector of the Lompoc economy. Lompoc Valley is the gateway to the Sta. Rita Hills AVA wine appellation, internationally recognized for premium pinot noir and chardonnay. Thirty premium boutique wine labels are produced in Lompoc at wineries in the affectionately termed "Lompoc wine ghetto" industrial park and other locations across town. Numerous other wineries are located along California State Route 246, linking Lompoc with Buellton, and on Santa Rosa Road. Lompoc hosts the Santa Barbara County Vintners' Festival held at River Park in the spring. Wine tasting rooms are located in the "Wine Ghetto" and other locations in Lompoc.
Culture [edit]
For the final week of June, Lompoc is home to the Lompoc Valley Flower Festival, which features a parade, carnival and a craft show.[11]
Notable people [edit]
 |
This section needs additional citations for verification. (October 2012) |
- Jeff Bettendorf, professional baseball player (Oakland Athletics)[12]
- Mike Bratz, former professional basketball player (San Antonio Spurs, Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls, Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns) [13]
- Casey Candaele, former professional baseball player (Montreal Expos, Houston Astros, and Cleveland Indians)[14]
- Ryan Church, former professional baseball player (Washington Nationals, New York Mets, Atlanta Braves, Pittsburg Pirates, and Arizona Diamondbacks)[15]
- Jeffrey Combs, American actor[citation needed]
- Jacqueline Gadsden, 1920s film actress[citation needed]
- Brian Givens, former professional baseball player Milwaukee Brewers[16]
- Johnnie Gray, former professional football player (Green Bay Packers)[17]
- Mark Herrier, American actor[citation needed]
- Winifred Hervey, executive producer and writer, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and The Steve Harvey Show
- Roy Howell, former professional baseball player (Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays, and Milwaukee Brewers)[18]
- Bill Howerton, former professional baseball player (St. Louis Cardinals, Pittsburgh Pirates, and New York Giants)[19]
- Napoleon Kaufman, former professional football player (Oakland Raiders)[20]
- Gabe Lopez, singer/songwriter[citation needed]
- George Perry, Alzheimer's disease researcher and dean and professor of biology at the University of Texas at San Antonio[citation needed]
- Duane Solomon, 800m Olympian[citation needed]
- Tommy Thompson, former professional football player (San Francisco 49ers)[21]
- Dorien Wilson, actor, The Parkers and Dream On[citation needed]
- Danny Duffy, professional baseball player for the Kansas City Royals[22]
Sister cities [edit]
The City of Lompoc has five sister cities:[23]
Cheyenne, Wyoming
Inca, Spain- Lake Placid, Florida
Locarno, Switzerland
Namwon, Republic of Korea (South Korea)
Tourist attractions [edit]
References [edit]
- ^ McCall, Lynne; Perry, Rosalind (2002). California’s Chumash Indians : a project of the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Education Center (Revised edition ed.). San Luis Obispo, Calif: EZ Nature Books. ISBN 0936784156.
- ^ U.S. Census
- ^ "Purisimeño". Survey of California and Other Indian Languages. Retrieved 2012-07-22.
- ^ Glenn Wallace (2010-07-24). "Jasper’s makes list of top ‘dive bars’". The Lompoc Record. Retrieved 2010-07-25.
- ^ Nisperos, Neil (2010). "Merchant steamer ship visible at Surf Beach". Lompoc Record. Unknown parameter
|posted=ignored (help) - ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
- ^ BOP: FCC Lompoc
- ^ "Average Weather for Lompoc/Vandenberg AFB, CA - Temperature and Precipitation". The Weather Channel. Feb 2012. Retrieved 2012-02-23.
- ^ All data are derived from the United States Census Bureau reports from the 2010 United States Census, and are accessible on-line here. The data on unmarried partnerships and same-sex married couples are from the Census report DEC_10_SF1_PCT15. All other housing and population data are from Census report DEC_10_DP_DPDP1. Both reports are viewable online or downloadable in a zip file containing a comma-delimited data file. The area data, from which densities are calculated, are available on-line here. Percentage totals may not add to 100% due to rounding. The Census Bureau defines families as a household containing one or more people related to the householder by birth, opposite-sex marriage, or adoption. People living in group quarters are tabulated by the Census Bureau as neither owners nor renters. For further details, see the text files accompanying the data files containing the Census reports mentioned above.
- ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ Fodor's (21 December 2010). Fodor's Northern California 2011: With Napa, Sonoma, Yosemite, San Francisco & Lake Tahoe. Random House Digital, Inc. p. 70. ISBN 978-1-4000-0503-1. Retrieved 25 December 2011.
- ^ "Jeff Bettendorf Stats". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
- ^ "Michael Louis Bratz (Mike)". databaseBasketball.com. Retrieved December 27, 2012.
- ^ "Casey Candaele Stats". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
- ^ "Ryan Church Stats". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
- ^ "Brian Givens Stats". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
- ^ "Johnnie Lee Gray". databaseFootball.com. Retrieved December 27, 2012.
- ^ "Roy Howell Stats". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
- ^ "Bill Howerton Stats". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
- ^ "Napoleon Kaufman". databaseFootball.com. Retrieved December 27, 2012.
- ^ Tommy Thompson at CNN/Sports Illustrated online
- ^ "Danny Duffy Stats". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved December 27, 2012.
- ^ "Our Sister Cities...". City of Lompoc. Retrieved 2010-03-24.
External links [edit]
- City of Lompoc
- Lompoc Wiki
- Lompoc Valley Historical Society
- Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau
- Lompoc Unified School District
- Lompoc Flower Festival Association
- The Lompoc Record daily newspaper
- The Lompoc Vision monthly newspaper
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