El Cajon

City of El Cajon
—  City  —
Location in San Diego County and the state of California
Coordinates: 32°47′54″N 116°57′36″W / 32.79833°N 116.96°W / 32.79833; -116.96Coordinates: 32°47′54″N 116°57′36″W / 32.79833°N 116.96°W / 32.79833; -116.96
Country	United States
State	California
County	San Diego
Area[1]
• Total	14.433 sq mi (37.381 km2)
• Land	14.433 sq mi (37.381 km2)
• Water	0 sq mi (0 km2)  0%
Elevation	436 ft (133 m)
Population (2010)
• Total	99,478
• Estimate (2011)	100,116
• Density	6,892.40/sq mi (2,661.19/km2)
Time zone	PST (UTC-8)
• Summer (DST)	PDT (UTC-7)
ZIP codes	92019-92022, 92090
Area code(s)	619
FIPS code	06-21712
GNIS feature ID	1652701
Website	http://www.ci.el-cajon.ca.us/

El Cajon ( /ɛlkəˈhoʊn/; Spanish: [elkaˈxon]) is a city in San Diego County, California. The population was 99,478 at the 2010 census and grew to 100,116 in 2011^[2]. Nestled in a valley surrounded by mountains, the city has acquired the nickname of "The Big Box".^[3] Its name originated similarly, from the Spanish phrase "el cajón", which means "the big box" or "the drawer".

Geography and climate

El Cajon is located at 32°47′54″N 116°57′36″W / 32.79833°N 116.96°W / 32.79833; -116.96 (32.798300, -116.960055).^[4] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 14.4 square miles (37 km²), all land. It is bordered by San Diego and La Mesa on the west, Spring Valley on the south, Santee on the north, and unincorporated San Diego County on the east. It includes the neighborhoods of Fletcher Hills, Bostonia, and Rancho San Diego.

Under the Köppen climate classification system, El Cajon straddles areas of Mediterranean climate (CSa) and Semi-arid climate (BSh). As a result, its often described as "arid Mediterranean" and "Semi-arid Steppe". Like most of inland areas in Southern California, the climate varies dramatically within a short distance, known as microclimate. El Cajon's climate has greater extremes compared to coastal San Diego. The farther east from the coast, the more arid the climate gets, until one reaches the mountains, where precipitation increases due to orographic uplift.^[5]

El Cajon's climate is warm during summer with mean temperatures averaging 70.1 °F (21.2 °C) or higher and cool during winter with mean temperatures averaging 55.4 °F (13.0 °C) or higher.

The warmest month of the year is August with an average maximum temperature of 88.1 °F (31.2 °C), while the coldest month of the year is December with an average minimum temperature of 40.3 °F (4.6 °C).

Temperature variations between night and day tend to be moderate with an average difference of 24°F (13°C) during the summer, and an average difference of 26°F (14°C) during the winter.

The annual average precipitation at El Cajon is 11.96 inches (30.4 cm). Rainfall is fairly evenly distributed throughout the winter months, but rare in summer. The wettest month of the year is March with an average rainfall of 2.66 inches (6.8 cm).

The record high temperature was 113 °F (45 °C) on June 14, 1917; September 1, 1955; July 22, 2006; and September 27, 2010. The record low temperature was 19 °F (−7 °C) on January 8, 1913. The wettest year was 1941 with 28.14 inches (71.5 cm) and the dryest year was 1989 with 1.51 inches (3.8 cm). The most rainfall in one month was 11.43 inches (29.0 cm) in January 1993. The most rainfall in 24 hours was 5.60 inches (14.2 cm) on January 27, 1916. A rare snowfall in November 1992 totaled 0.3 inches (0.76 cm).^[6] 3 inches of snow covered the ground in January 1882.

History

El Cajon is located on the Rancho El Cajon Mexican land grant made in 1845 to María Antonia Estudillo, wife of Miguel Pedrorena. In 1876, Amaziah Lord Knox (1833-1918), a New Englander who had recently moved to California, established a hotel there to serve the growing number of people traveling between San Diego and Julian, where gold had been discovered in 1869. Room and board for a guest and horse cost $1 a night. The area became known as Knox's Corners and was later renamed.^[8][9]

El Cajon was incorporated as a city in 1912.^[10] A portion of the western boundary of the city follows the eastern boundary of a similar land grant, made under Spanish law (prior to Mexican independence) to the Mission San Diego de Alcala.

Demographics

2010

The 2010 United States Census reported that El Cajon had a population of 99,478. The racial makeup of El Cajon was 68,897 (69.3%) White, 6,306 (6.3%) African American, 835 (0.8%) Native American, 3,561 (3.6%) Asian (1.7% Filipino, 0.5% Chinese, 0.4% Vietnamese, 0.2% Japanese, 0.1% Indian, 0.1% Korean, 0.6% Other), 495 (0.5%) Pacific Islander, 12,552 (12.6%) from other races, and 6,832 (6.9%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 28,036 persons (28.2%).^[11]

2000

As of the census^[12] of 2000, there were 94,869 people, 34,199 households, and 23,152 families residing in the city. The population density was 6,510.6 inhabitants per square mile (2,514.0/km²). There were 35,190 housing units at an average density of 2,415.0 per square mile (932.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 74.0% White, 5.4% African American, 1.0% Native American, 2.8% Asian, 0.4% Pacific Islander, 10.5% from other races, and 6.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 22.5% of the population.

There were 34,199 households out of which 37.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.0% were married couples living together, 16.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.3% were non-families. 24.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.21.

In the city the population was spread out with 27.9% under the age of 18, 11.2% from 18 to 24, 31.3% from 25 to 44, 18.3% from 45 to 64, and 11.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 95.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $35,566, and the median income for a family was $40,045. Males had a median income of $32,498 versus $25,320 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,698. About 13.5% of families and 16.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.1% of those under age 18 and 9.0% of those age 65 or over.

Current estimates

According to estimates by the San Diego Association of Governments, the median household income of El Cajon in 2005 was $47,885 (not adjusted for inflation). When adjusted for inflation (1999 dollars; comparable to Census data above), the median household income was $38,884.

Politics

In the state legislature, El Cajon is located in the 36th Senate District, represented by Republican Joel Anderson, and in the 77th Assembly District, represented by Republican Brian Jones. Federally, El Cajon is located in California's 52nd congressional district, which has a Cook PVI of R +9^[13] and is represented by Republican Duncan D. Hunter.

Economy

Westfield Parkway is located in El Cajon.

Top employers

According to the City's 2010 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,^[14] the top employers in the city are:

Schools

Elementary schools

• Anza Elementary
• Avocado Elementary
• Ballantyne (John) Elementary ( closed down in 2004)
• Blossom valley Elementary
• Bostonia Elementary
• Chase Avenue Elementary
• Crest Elementary
• Cuyamaca Elementary
• Fletcher Hills Elementary
• Flying Hills Elementary
• Fuerte Elementary
• Jamacha Elementary
• Johnson Elementary
• Lexington Elementary
• Literacy First Charter School
• Madison Elementary
• Magnolia Elementary
• Meridian Elementary
• Naranca Elementary [2]
• Pepper Dr. Elementary
• W.D. Hall Elementary
• Rios Elementary
• Vista Grande Elementary
• Rancho San Diego Elementary
• Literacy First Charter School
• Northmont Elementary

Middle schools

• Cajon Valley Middle School
• Emerald Middle School
• Greenfield Middle School
• Hillsdale Middle School
• Los Coches Creek Middle School
• Montgomery Middle School

High schools

• Chaparral High School
• Christian High School
• El Cajon Valley High School
• Granite Hills High School
• Valhalla High School
• Grossmont High School
• Steele Canyon High School

Colleges

• Grossmont College
• Cuyamaca College
• San Diego Christian College

Places of interest

Companies

• Taylor Guitars
• Solid Gold
• Catholic Answers

Airports

• Gillespie Field

Famous residents

• Lester Bangs, Rolling Stone rock critic^[15]
• William Bengen, Certified Financial Planner who proposed the 4 percent draw-down rule in retirement planning
• Kurt Bevacqua, Former Major League Baseball Player
• Aaron Boone, Current Major League Baseball Player
• Bob Boone, Former Major League Baseball Player
• Bret Boone, Former Major League Baseball Player
• Tony Clark, Former Major League Baseball Player
• Kevin Correia, Current Major League Baseball Player
• William John Cox (Billy Jack Cox), public interest attorney, author and political activist lived and served as a police officer in El Cajon between 1962 and 1968.
• Dave Dravecky, Former Major League Baseball Player
• Amy Finley, "The Gourmet Next Door" Host On The Food Network Channel
• Geoff Geary, Former Major League Baseball Player
• Brian Giles, Former Major League Baseball Player
• Marcus Giles, Fomer Major League Baseball Player
• Broc Glover, Professional Motocross Racer
• Brian Graham, Former Minor League Baseball Player
• Ryan Hansen, Actor
• Mike Hartley, Former Major League Baseball Player
• David Jeremiah, Christian minister
• Jimmie Johnson, Five-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion
• Rick Johnson, Motocross racer
• Joe Kennedy, Former Major League Baseball Player
• David Lee Volleyball Olympic Gold Medalist
• Greg Louganis, Olympic Diver
• Mark Malone, Former NFL Football Player and Sportscaster
• Glen Morgan, Film director
• Swen Nater, Former NBA Basketball Player
• Grant Roberts, Former Major League Baseball Player
• Brant Rustich, Current Major League Baseball Player
• Julia Schultz, Former Model & Playmate For Playboy Magazine
• Brian Sipe, Former NFL Football Player
• Shane Spencer, Former Major League Baseball Player
• Tommy Vardell, Former NFL Football Player
• Brandon Whitt, Current NASCAR Driver
• Katie Wilkins, Team USA Olympic Volleyball Player
• James Wong, Television producer
• Barry Zito, Current Major League Baseball Player
• Jolene Blalock, Model, Actress
• Ron Lechien, Professional Motocross Racer

External links

San Diego County portal

• City of El Cajon Website
• Downtown El Cajon

References

v d e Municipalities and communities of San Diego County, California, United States County seat: San Diego Cities Carlsbad Chula Vista Coronado Del Mar El Cajon Encinitas Escondido Imperial Beach La Mesa Lemon Grove National City Oceanside Poway San Diego San Marcos Santee Solana Beach Vista CDPs Alpine Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Bostonia Boulevard Campo Camp Pendleton North Camp Pendleton South Casa de Oro-Mount Helix Crest Descanso Eucalyptus Hills Fairbanks Ranch Fallbrook Granite Hills Harbison Canyon Hidden Meadows Jacumba Jamul Julian La Presa Lake San Marcos Lakeside Mount Laguna Pine Valley Potrero Rainbow Ramona Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe San Diego Country Estates Spring Valley Valley Center Winter Gardens Unincorporated communities 4S Ranch Ballena Banner De Luz De Luz Heights Dulzura Elfin Forest Four Corners Guatay Hellhole Palms Jesmond Dene Lincoln Acres Ocotillo Wells Olivenhain Pala Pauma Valley Pine Hills Ranchita Rincon San Luis Rey Santa Ysabel Shelter Valley Tecate Warner Springs Indian reservations Barona Reservation Campo Indian Reservation Capitan Grande Reservation Ewiiaapaayp Indian Reservation Inaja and Cosmit Reservation Jamul Indian Village La Posta Reservation Manzanita Reservation Mesa Grande Reservation Pala Indian Reservation San Pasqual Reservation Santa Ysabel Reservation Sycuan Band Reservation Viejas Reservation

v d e San Diego metropolitan area Counties San Diego Global city 1.2 million San Diego Large cities 100k - 250k Chula Vista Oceanside Escondido Carlsbad Cities and towns 20k - 99k El Cajon Vista San Marcos Encinitas La Mesa Santee National City Poway La Presa Imperial Beach Spring Valley Lemon Grove Coronado Fallbrook Rancho San Diego Bodies of water Chollas Creek Mission Bay Otay River San Diego Bay San Diego River San Luis Rey River Santa Margarita River San Mateo Creek (Southern California) Sweetwater River Tijuana River Regions Anza Borrego Cuyamaca East County Mountain Empire North County San Diego South Bay