Corona, California

Corona, California
City
Seal
Nickname(s):  The Circle City, Crown Town
Country	United States
State	California
County	Riverside
Government
• Mayor	Jeff Miller (Corona)
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	UTC-8 (PST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP codes	92877-92883
Area code	909/951
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; a 2004 special census put the fast-growing city's population at 144,274. 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. It is served by the Corona, Chino Valley, and Riverside freeways, as well as the 91 Line of the Metrolink commuter rail system. "I love the city of Corona" said the mayor. On January 20th , 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 planes crashes around Corona.

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.

Corona Municipal Airport (FAA designator: AJO) serves the city and has a 3,200-foot (980 m) runway. Corona Regional Medical Center is a General Acute Care Hospital with Basic Emergency Services as of 2005.

History

Corona was founded at the height of the Southern California citrus boom in 1886, 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. It 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. 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 cheap 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 changed from a working-class bedroom community for Orange County and the larger cities of the Inland Empire to a full-fledged edge city in its own right, with industrial parks opening near Norco and luxury housing developments rising in the foothills of the Santa Anas. 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 and later mainly Latino city has experienced an influx of Asian American residents who commute to Asian-oriented businesses in cities such as Alhambra and Diamond Bar.

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.

Geography and Climate

Corona is located at 33°52′31″N 117°33′56″W (33.869998, -117.567783)Template:GR.

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 \ gap such that traffic is limited to the railway, the 91 Freeway, and a single bikepath.

Economy

Some of the most important businesses in Corona:

• [Happy Taxi][1], based in Corona, serving Riverside and Orange counties since 2000
• 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.
• Golden Cheese Company of California, the biggest cheese manufacturer in the US.
• Corona Regional Medical Center
• 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
• 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
• Myers Power Products, a manufacturer of electrical components
• Hexis USA, subsidiary of the French vinyl manufacturer Hexis S.A.
• Troy Lee Designs, founded by Troy Lee, specializing in custom paint jobs on helmets worn by professional racecar drivers and motorcycle riders.

Recently West Coast Customs, Barry's Speed Shop, Eibach Springs and numerous other automobile related companies have relocated to Corona.

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 124,966 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 62.03% 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. 35.66% 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. 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.

Politics

In the state legislature Corona is located in the 37th Senate District, represented by Republican Jim Battin, and in the 71st Assembly District, represented by Republican Todd Spitzer. Federally, Corona is located in California's 44th congressional district, which has a Cook PVI of R +6 and is represented by Republican Ken Calvert.

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, Buena Vista, Centennial, Orange Grove, and Santiago High School 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, Vicentia, Washington, Wilson, Riverview, Sierra Vista, Jefferson, and Todd.

Religion

Several religions are practiced in Corona. Crossroads Christian Church is one of the largest in the nation. The Islamic Society of Corona / Norco has its mosque as well. It serves hundreds of local families with religious services. IS has plans to build a hall and elementary school. The Jewish congregation has also purchased land and construction will begin soon. The area from Corona, though 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.

Notable

Corona is home to:

• Bad Cat Tube Amplifiers headquarters
• The Golden Cheese Company of California, one of the largest cheese factories in the world
• The Fender custom guitar factory. The Fender Museum is located on Main Street in Corona and has the Kids Rock Free program.
• 17 time capsules buried in the 1930s, that have been lost and can't currently be found.
• JT USA and Worr Game Products, makers of renowned paintball products
• SC Village, the world-famous paintball park opened in 1986 and the first park dedicated to paintball
• Happy Taxi, founded in 2000 and based in Corona.
• Showcase Theatre, one of the oldest and most successful all-age venues in the Inland Empire, located on Main Street.
• The original 1953 release of the film The War of the Worlds was partially filmed in Corona.
• Hip-hop artist Thief Sicario.
• Monster Energy's (Hansen's) main factory
• West Coast Customs, the original Pimp My Ride
• The U.S. headquarters for Eibach Springs
• Desi Arnaz' Corona Breeding Farm, a horse ranch owned by Desi Arnaz after his divorce with Lucille Ball, located near the present site of the Golden Cheese Company factory off of Lincoln Avenue
• Vans, the shoe manufacturer, founded in Corona in 1966.
• Famous Stars and Straps, the clothing and accessory line, founded in Corona in 1999.
• Travis Barker, the drummer for Blink 182, lived in Corona for a few years.
• Neil Sutherland, professional volleyball player, and motocross rider, lived here until he moved away to Cal Poly SLO in 2007.
• Tyler Hoechlin, an actor and baseball player lives in Corona.
• Lonie Paxton, an NFL player for the New England Patriots used to attend highschool and lived in Corona through his youth, but now resides in Riverside, CA
• Ricky Nolasco, this MLB pitcher was born in Corona.
• Famous fast food chain, Miguel Jr's, was founded in Corona.
• Kyle O'Campo, Texas Ranger's Pitcher/Baseball player lives in Corona.
• D.J. Strawberry, Phoenix Suns Basketball player lives in Corona.
• Corona was the location of a fatal in-flight collision between two small passenger planes on January 21, 2008. The event made national headlines, and raised questions about the safety of Corona Municipal Airport.
• James Stewart, professional motorcyclist also known as "Bubba" has a house in Corona, but he is originally from Florida.
• Retired professional motocross rider Mike LaRocco, although originally from Indiana, now lives in Corona.

References

West Side Story[2], the indie-hard rock band, was formed in Corona, CA.

External links

• City of Corona
• City Website
• Corona Public Library
• Corona.PE.com
• Corona, CA detailed profile