Shafter, California
City of Shafter | |
|---|---|
| City of Shafter sign off Lerdo Highway City of Shafter sign off Lerdo Highway | |
 Location in Kern County and the state of California | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  California |
| County | Kern |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Cathy Prout |
| • Senate | Dean Florez (D) |
| • Assembly | Danny Gilmore (R) |
| • U. S. Congress | Jim Costa (D) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 27.945 sq mi (72.376 km2) |
| • Land | 27.945 sq mi (72.376 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0 km2) 0% |
| Elevation | 348 ft (106 m) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 16,988 |
| • Density | 610/sq mi (230/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (PST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP code | 93263 |
| Area code | 661 |
| FIPS code | 06-71106 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1661428 |
| Website | shafter.com |
Shafter is a city in Kern County, California, United States. It is located 18 miles (29 km) west-northwest of Bakersfield.[3] The population was 16,988 at the 2010 census, up from 12,736 at the 2000 census. Wired telephone numbers in Shafter follow the format (661) 746-xxxx and the ZIP Code is 93263.
The city is located along State Route 43. Suburbs of Shafter include areas or communities named:
History
The city of Shafter began as a loading dock along the Santa Fe Railroad right-of-way. The community was named for General William Rufus Shafter who commanded US Forces in Cuba during the Spanish-American War.[3] Property was sold beginning in 1914 and the city incorporated in 1938.
The first post office opened in 1898, moved in 1902, closed in 1905.[3] A new postal service started in 1914.[3]
Also of historical note, Shafter is home to Minter Field, which began operations in June 1941 and saw heavy use during World War II. Approximately 7,000 troops were stationed at the airstrip which hosted up to 600 prisoners of war as well. Today it is publicly owned and administered by the Minter Field Airport District and serves as an industrial center and airport for crop dusters and private aircraft. The Minter Field Museum is maintained on location as well.
The Shafter Historical Society also maintains two other museums. The Green Hotel and the Shafter Depot Museum emphasize various aspects of the daily lives of Shafter residents in years past; both structures are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Economy
Much of Shafter's economy is based on agriculture and ag-related industry. Local crops include cotton, almonds, pistachios and alfalfa as well as some carrots, potatoes and other vegetables. Cotton and potatoes have a special historical significance for the town of Shafter as leading industries in different periods of the town's development.
Aside from agriculture, Shafter is host to a variety of different industries and business. Elk Corporation Roofing company maintains a manufacturing plant in Shafter and Target maintains a 700-acre (2.8 km2) distribution center set upon 1,700,000 sq ft (160,000 m2) of concrete.[4] Shafter is also home to the International Trade and Transportation Center (ITTC), built to facilitate easier Central Valley access to ports in Long Beach and Los Angeles via the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railway.[5]
In 2009, a Shafter High School senior, Anna Jelmini, received the key to the city for placing in the Junior Olympics. She also fell just short of meeting the standards for the 2008 Olympics.
Education
Shafter is home to the Richland School District which oversees operation of four schools: Golden Oak Elementary School (K-6), Redwood Elementary School (K-6), Sequoia Elementary School (K-6) and Richland Junior High School. The district operates under the leadership of superintendent Dr. Ken Bergevin. Class sizes in grades K-3 average 20 students, grades 4-8 average 30 students, but may have as many as 33. The district boast four libraries as well as a strong marching band program and other special programs for its students. As with many districts in the region, one of the biggest challenges facing the district is to meet state and national testing standards with large segments of migrant and English-learning populations among its student body.[6]
Shafter is also home to Shafter High School, a member of the Kern High School District. Built by architects Edwin J. Symmes and Clarence Cullimore[7] in the late 1920s. Officially founded in 1928, Shafter High School has a history as old as the town itself. Today, it is administered by Principal John Davis. The school has undergone many recent renovations including the construction of a new cafeteria and new classroom space to meet the needs of a growing student body. The school is also home to the historical Fred L. Starrh Performing Arts Center, a large theater building with a fully functional fly system.
Shafter is also home to Kern Adventist Elementary. Kern Adventist Elementary is a small, one teacher Christian school. It has been in operation for over 92 years.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 27.9 square miles (72.3 km2), all of it land.
Climate
| Climate data for Shafter, California | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 81 (27) |
86 (30) |
93 (34) |
101 (38) |
109 (43) |
113 (45) |
115 (46) |
113 (45) |
111 (44) |
105 (41) |
92 (33) |
81 (27) |
115 (46) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 57 (14) |
65 (18) |
70 (21) |
78 (26) |
87 (31) |
94 (34) |
99 (37) |
98 (37) |
92 (33) |
82 (28) |
67 (19) |
57 (14) |
99 (37) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 37 (3) |
40 (4) |
43 (6) |
47 (8) |
53 (12) |
59 (15) |
63 (17) |
62 (17) |
58 (14) |
49 (9) |
40 (4) |
34 (1) |
34 (1) |
| Record low °F (°C) | 19 (−7) |
22 (−6) |
26 (−3) |
31 (−1) |
39 (4) |
43 (6) |
49 (9) |
46 (8) |
41 (5) |
29 (−2) |
21 (−6) |
14 (−10) |
14 (−10) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 1.34 (34) |
1.37 (35) |
1.60 (41) |
0.58 (15) |
0.24 (6.1) |
0.13 (3.3) |
0.01 (0.25) |
0.03 (0.76) |
0.18 (4.6) |
0.34 (8.6) |
0.64 (16) |
0.88 (22) |
7.34 (186.61) |
| Source: The Weather Channel "Monthly Averages for Shafter, CA". The Weather Channel Interactive, Inc. 2011. Retrieved 2011-01-12. | |||||||||||||
Demographics
2010
The 2010 United States Census[8] reported that Shafter had a population of 16,988. The population density was 607.9 people per square mile (234.7/km²). The racial makeup of Shafter was 8,150 (48.0%) White, 219 (1.3%) African American, 198 (1.2%) Native American, 111 (0.7%) Asian, 19 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 7,645 (45.0%) from other races, and 646 (3.8%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13,634 persons (80.3%).
The Census reported that 16,323 people (96.1% of the population) lived in households, 148 (0.9%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 517 (3.0%) were institutionalized.
There were 4,230 households, out of which 2,583 (61.1%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 2,562 (60.6%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 720 (17.0%) had a female householder with no husband present, 365 (8.6%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 345 (8.2%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 34 (0.8%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 446 households (10.5%) were made up of individuals and 203 (4.8%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.86. There were 3,647 families (86.2% of all households); the average family size was 4.11.
The population was spread out with 6,121 people (36.0%) under the age of 18, 2,126 people (12.5%) aged 18 to 24, 4,666 people (27.5%) aged 25 to 44, 2,951 people (17.4%) aged 45 to 64, and 1,124 people (6.6%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 25.9 years. For every 100 females there were 105.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.5 males.
There were 4,521 housing units at an average density of 161.8 per square mile (62.5/km²), of which 2,471 (58.4%) were owner-occupied, and 1,759 (41.6%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.2%; the rental vacancy rate was 6.9%. 9,552 people (56.2% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 6,771 people (39.9%) lived in rental housing units.
2000
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 12,736 people, 3,293 households, and 2,759 families residing in the city. The population density was 708.4 people per square mile (273.5/km²). There were 3,624 housing units at an average density of 201.6 per square mile (77.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 29.0% White, 2.0% Black or African American, 2.0% Native American, 0.75% Asian, 0.75% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races, and 0.25% from two or more races. 65.0% of the population is Hispanic or Latino of any race.[9]
There were 3,293 households out of which 52.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.7% were married couples living together, 15.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.2% were non-families. 13.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.67 and the average family size was 3.98.
In the city the population was spread out with 36.6% under the age of 18, 11.7% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 15.0% from 45 to 64, and 8.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 26 years. For every 100 females there were 104.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 106.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,515, and the median income for a family was $31,457. Males had a median income of $31,605 versus $21,603 for females. The per capita income for the city was $10,961. About 22.5% of families and 29.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 36.8% of those under age 18 and 11.0% of those age 65 or over.
Notable residents
- Anna Jelmini - Track and field athlete
- Larsen Jensen - Olympic medalist - Swimming
- Dean Florez - CA state senator, candidate Lt. Governor
References
- ^ U.S. Census
- ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Shafter, California
- ^ a b c d Durham, David L. (1998). California's Geographic Names: A Gazetteer of Historic and Modern Names of the State. Clovis, Calif.: Word Dancer Press. p. 1104. ISBN 1-884995-14-4.
- ^ "Target adds distribution capacity - in Shafter, California - Brief Article". DSN Retailing Today. 2001.
- ^ http://www.shafter.com/index.asp?NID=21
- ^ http://www.richland.k12.ca.us/index.cfm?fuseaction=menu&menu_id=1
- ^ http://www.kcmuseum.org/stories/storyReader$1213
- ^ Template:USCensus-2010CA
- ^ "City-data - Shafter-California". analyzed data from numerous sources. Retrieved 2009-03-17.
