Rosamond, California
Encyclopedia
Rosamond is a census-designated place
(CDP) in Kern County
, California
, USA
, 20 miles (32.2 km) north of Palmdale
, in the Antelope Valley
, the westernmost desert valley of the Mojave Desert
. Rosamond is also 13 miles (21 km) south of Mojave
, , and 11 miles (18 km) north of Lancaster
at an elevation of 2342 feet (714 m). According to 2000 United States
census data, the town population was 14,349.
The Postal Service shows portions of Rosamond as having the names Tropico Village, California, named after a mine, and Willow Springs
.
Rosamond Skypark Airport
, Federal Aviation Administration identifier L00 (with two zeroes), is located at 34°52′15"N 118°12′32"W and features a paved 3600 feet (1,097.3 m) runway.
Wired telephone numbers in Rosamond follow the format (661
) 256-xxxx and the entire city is included in ZIP Code 93560.
and was named 'Rosamond' after the daughter of one of the railroad officials. The first local industries were mining and cattle
. During the 1890s, gold
was discovered and Miners quickly traveled to the area and populated it in order to strike it rich; however, the industry waned for many years, yet later had some success with a small boom during the 1930s. In 1933 Muroc Army Air Field was established, which has since been renamed Edwards Air Force Base
in honor of fallen test pilot Glenn Edwards.
The Rosamond post office opened in 1885, closed in 1887, and re-opened in 1888.
es, the California Poppy
, Fiddleneck
s, purple owl's clover, California Goldfields, Creamcups, and Coreopsis. In summer, the Common Side-blotched Lizard
is active on rocks, fences, and canyon walls. Summer nights are cool and the Pacific Tree Frog
or Barn Owl
can be heard. Winter rarely brings snow, though the low temperature averages 29°F.
, which comprises the westernmost valley of the Mojave Desert
. Because the elevation is in the range of 2000 to 3000 feet (914.4 m) above sea level, the area, like the other parts of the Mojave Desert region, is alternatively referred to as the High Desert. Some cities and communities within the trading area of Rosamond include Lancaster
, Palmdale
, Lake Los Angeles
, Quartz Hill
, Ridgecrest
, and Santa Clarita
. Residents of these desert cities and unincorporated communities share Sierra Highway
, Angeles Forest Highway, Angeles Crest Highway (State Route 2), and the Antelope Valley Freeway (State Route 14) for commutes to the San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles Basin in order to get to work.
Willow Springs lies west of central Rosamond and was a watering hole for stagecoach travelers for generations. Due to the water now not available at the surface as it once was, the age-old springs are but a memory. Today Willow Springs Raceway is nearby, which hosts a variety of motor racing events - and attracting people from all over Southern California and beyond.
Rosamond is located at 34°51′51"N 118°09′48"W.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the CDP has a total area of 52.3 square miles (135.5 km²), of which, 52.1 square miles (134.9 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) of it (0.41%) is water.
was 346.8 people per square mile (133.9/km²). The racial makeup of Rosamond was 11,294 (62.2%) White, 1,476 (8.1%) African American, 221 (1.2%) Native American, 658 (3.6%) Asian, 66 (0.4%) Pacific Islander, 3,258 (18.0%) from other races
, and 1,177 (6.5%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6,230 persons (34.3%).
The Census reported that 18,145 people (100% of the population) lived in households, 5 (0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.
There were 6,197 households, out of which 2,603 (42.0%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 3,254 (52.5%) were opposite-sex married couples
living together, 843 (13.6%) had a female householder with no husband present, 390 (6.3%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 432 (7.0%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships
, and 40 (0.6%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 1,317 households (21.3%) were made up of individuals and 342 (5.5%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.93. There were 4,487 families
(72.4% of all households); the average family size was 3.43.
The population was spread out with 5,290 people (29.1%) under the age of 18, 1,956 people (10.8%) aged 18 to 24, 4,708 people (25.9%) aged 25 to 44, 4,716 people (26.0%) aged 45 to 64, and 1,480 people (8.2%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32.0 years. For every 100 females there were 100.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.2 males.
There were 6,968 housing units at an average density of 133.1 per square mile (51.4/km²), of which 4,202 (67.8%) were owner-occupied, and 1,995 (32.2%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 4.5%; the rental vacancy rate was 12.7%. 12,388 people (68.3% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 5,757 people (31.7%) lived in rental housing units.
of 2000, there were 14,349 people, 4,988 households, and 3,626 families residing in the CDP. The population density
was 274.7 people per square mile (106.1/km²). There were 5,597 housing units at an average density of 107.2 per square mile (41.4/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 72.01% White
, 6.62% Black
or African American
, 1.32% Native American
, 3.01% Asian
, 0.23% Pacific Islander
, 11.65% from other races
, and 5.16% from two or more races. 25.67% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 4,988 households out of which 41.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.7% were married couples
living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.3% were non-families. 21.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.2% 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 3.38.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 32.9% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 32.0% from 25 to 44, 19.3% from 45 to 64, and 7.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 102.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.5 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $42,307, and the median income for a family was $46,918. Males had a median income of $42,484 versus $26,745 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $17,440. About 11.6% of families and 14.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.2%
of those under age 18 and 12.0% of those age 65 or over.
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
(CDP) in Kern County
Kern County, California
Spreading across the southern end of the California Central Valley, Kern County is the fifth-largest county by population in California. Its economy is heavily linked to agriculture and to petroleum extraction, and there is a strong aviation and space presence. Politically, it has generally...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, 20 miles (32.2 km) north of Palmdale
Palmdale, California
Palmdale is a city located in the center of northern Los Angeles County, California, United States.Palmdale was the first community within the Antelope Valley to incorporate as a city on August 24, 1962; 47 years later, voters approved creating a charter city in November, 2009. Palmdale is...
, in the Antelope Valley
Antelope Valley
The Antelope Valley in California, United States, is located in northern Los Angeles County and the southeastern portion of Kern County, California, and constitutes the western tip of the Mojave Desert...
, the westernmost desert valley of the Mojave Desert
Mojave Desert
The Mojave Desert occupies a significant portion of southeastern California and smaller parts of central California, southern Nevada, southwestern Utah and northwestern Arizona, in the United States...
. Rosamond is also 13 miles (21 km) south of Mojave
Mojave, California
Mojave is a census-designated place in Kern County, California, United States. Mojave is located east of Bakersfield, at an elevation of 2762 feet...
, , and 11 miles (18 km) north of Lancaster
Lancaster, California
Lancaster is a charter city in northern Los Angeles County, in the high desert, near the Kern County line. Lancaster currently ranks as the 30th largest city in California, and the 148th largest city in the United States. Lancaster is the principal city within the Antelope Valley...
at an elevation of 2342 feet (714 m). According to 2000 United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
census data, the town population was 14,349.
The Postal Service shows portions of Rosamond as having the names Tropico Village, California, named after a mine, and Willow Springs
Willow Springs, Kern County, California
Willow Springs is an unincorporated community in Kern County, California, United States. It is located west of Rosamond, at an elevation of 2523 feet .Willow Springs is the site of the Willow Springs International Motorsports Park....
.
Rosamond Skypark Airport
Rosamond Skypark Airport
Rosamond Skypark Airport is a public-use airport in Rosamond, California.- Facilities and aircraft :Rosamond Skypark Airport covers an area of at an elevation of 2,415 feet above mean sea level...
, Federal Aviation Administration identifier L00 (with two zeroes), is located at 34°52′15"N 118°12′32"W and features a paved 3600 feet (1,097.3 m) runway.
Wired telephone numbers in Rosamond follow the format (661
Area code 661
North American area code 661 covers the majority of California's Kern County, as well as part of Los Angeles County, Santa Barbara County, and Tulare County...
) 256-xxxx and the entire city is included in ZIP Code 93560.
History
Rosamond was originally established in 1877 as a townsite which was owned by the Southern Pacific RailroadSouthern Pacific Railroad
The Southern Pacific Transportation Company , earlier Southern Pacific Railroad and Southern Pacific Company, and usually simply called the Southern Pacific or Espee, was an American railroad....
and was named 'Rosamond' after the daughter of one of the railroad officials. The first local industries were mining and cattle
Cattle
Cattle are the most common type of large domesticated ungulates. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae, are the most widespread species of the genus Bos, and are most commonly classified collectively as Bos primigenius...
. During the 1890s, gold
Gold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...
was discovered and Miners quickly traveled to the area and populated it in order to strike it rich; however, the industry waned for many years, yet later had some success with a small boom during the 1930s. In 1933 Muroc Army Air Field was established, which has since been renamed Edwards Air Force Base
Edwards Air Force Base
Edwards Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located on the border of Kern County, Los Angeles County, and San Bernardino County, California, in the Antelope Valley. It is southwest of the central business district of North Edwards, California and due east of Rosamond.It is named in...
in honor of fallen test pilot Glenn Edwards.
The Rosamond post office opened in 1885, closed in 1887, and re-opened in 1888.
Seasonal Change
There is a mild frost throughout March, and temperatures rapidly climb in April. Spring wildflowers include LupinLupin
Lupinus, commonly known as Lupins or lupines , is a genus in the legume family . The genus comprises about 280 species , with major centers of diversity in South and western North America , and the Andes and secondary centers in the Mediterranean region and Africa Lupinus, commonly known as Lupins...
es, the California Poppy
California poppy
The California poppy is a perennial and annual plant, native to the United States, and the official state flower of California.- Description :...
, Fiddleneck
Fiddleneck
A fiddleneck is a flowering plant in the genus Amsinckia. The name derives from the flower stems, bearing many small flowers, which curl over at the top in a manner reminiscent of the head of a fiddle...
s, purple owl's clover, California Goldfields, Creamcups, and Coreopsis. In summer, the Common Side-blotched Lizard
Common side-blotched lizard
The common side-blotched lizard is a species of side-blotched lizard common on the Pacific coast of North America, from Washington to western Texas and NW Mexico...
is active on rocks, fences, and canyon walls. Summer nights are cool and the Pacific Tree Frog
Pacific Tree Frog
The Pacific Tree Frog has a range from the West Coast of the United States to British Columbia, in Canada. They live from sea level to more than 10,000 feet in many types of habitats, reproducing in aquatic settings. They are the only frogs that go "ribbit"...
or Barn Owl
Barn Owl
The Barn Owl is the most widely distributed species of owl, and one of the most widespread of all birds. It is also referred to as Common Barn Owl, to distinguish it from other species in the barn-owl family Tytonidae. These form one of two main lineages of living owls, the other being the typical...
can be heard. Winter rarely brings snow, though the low temperature averages 29°F.
Geography
Rosamond is situated on the northern end of the expansive Antelope ValleyAntelope Valley
The Antelope Valley in California, United States, is located in northern Los Angeles County and the southeastern portion of Kern County, California, and constitutes the western tip of the Mojave Desert...
, which comprises the westernmost valley of the Mojave Desert
Mojave Desert
The Mojave Desert occupies a significant portion of southeastern California and smaller parts of central California, southern Nevada, southwestern Utah and northwestern Arizona, in the United States...
. Because the elevation is in the range of 2000 to 3000 feet (914.4 m) above sea level, the area, like the other parts of the Mojave Desert region, is alternatively referred to as the High Desert. Some cities and communities within the trading area of Rosamond include Lancaster
Lancaster, California
Lancaster is a charter city in northern Los Angeles County, in the high desert, near the Kern County line. Lancaster currently ranks as the 30th largest city in California, and the 148th largest city in the United States. Lancaster is the principal city within the Antelope Valley...
, Palmdale
Palmdale, California
Palmdale is a city located in the center of northern Los Angeles County, California, United States.Palmdale was the first community within the Antelope Valley to incorporate as a city on August 24, 1962; 47 years later, voters approved creating a charter city in November, 2009. Palmdale is...
, Lake Los Angeles
Lake Los Angeles, California
Lake Los Angeles is a census-designated place in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 12,328 at the 2010 census, up from 11,523 at the 2000 census...
, Quartz Hill
Quartz Hill, California
Quartz Hill is a census-designated place in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 10,912 at the 2010 census, up from 9,890 at the 2000 census. The name is also shared with the neighboring district areas of its border cities, Palmdale, and Lancaster...
, Ridgecrest
Ridgecrest, California
Ridgecrest, formerly known as Crumville, was incorporated as a city in 1913. It is located in the Indian Wells Valley in northeastern Kern County, California, adjacent to the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake . Ridgecrest is the only incorporated city along US 395 in Kern County...
, and Santa Clarita
Santa Clarita, California
Santa Clarita is the fourth largest city in Los Angeles County, California, United States and the twenty-fourth largest city in the state of California. The 2010 US Census reported the city's population grew 16.7% from the year 2000 to 176,320 residents. It is located about northwest of downtown...
. Residents of these desert cities and unincorporated communities share Sierra Highway
Sierra Highway
Sierra Highway or El Camino Sierra is a road in Southern California, United States. El Camino Sierra refers to the full length of a trail formed in the 19th century, rebuilt as highways in the early 20th century, that ran from Los Angeles to Lake Tahoe following parts of modern State Route 14, U.S....
, Angeles Forest Highway, Angeles Crest Highway (State Route 2), and the Antelope Valley Freeway (State Route 14) for commutes to the San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles Basin in order to get to work.
Willow Springs lies west of central Rosamond and was a watering hole for stagecoach travelers for generations. Due to the water now not available at the surface as it once was, the age-old springs are but a memory. Today Willow Springs Raceway is nearby, which hosts a variety of motor racing events - and attracting people from all over Southern California and beyond.
Rosamond is located at 34°51′51"N 118°09′48"W.
According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the CDP has a total area of 52.3 square miles (135.5 km²), of which, 52.1 square miles (134.9 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) of it (0.41%) is water.
2010
The 2010 United States Census reported that Rosamond had a population of 18,150. The population densityPopulation density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 346.8 people per square mile (133.9/km²). The racial makeup of Rosamond was 11,294 (62.2%) White, 1,476 (8.1%) African American, 221 (1.2%) Native American, 658 (3.6%) Asian, 66 (0.4%) Pacific Islander, 3,258 (18.0%) from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1,177 (6.5%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6,230 persons (34.3%).
The Census reported that 18,145 people (100% of the population) lived in households, 5 (0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.
There were 6,197 households, out of which 2,603 (42.0%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 3,254 (52.5%) were opposite-sex married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 843 (13.6%) had a female householder with no husband present, 390 (6.3%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 432 (7.0%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships
POSSLQ
POSSLQ is an abbreviation for "Persons of Opposite Sex Sharing Living Quarters," a term coined in the late 1970s by the United States Census Bureau as part of an effort to more accurately gauge the prevalence of cohabitation in American households....
, and 40 (0.6%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 1,317 households (21.3%) were made up of individuals and 342 (5.5%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.93. There were 4,487 families
Family (U.S. Census)
A family or family household is defined by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes as "a householder and one or more other people related to the householder by birth, marriage, or adoption. They do not include same-sex married couples even if the marriage was performed in a state...
(72.4% of all households); the average family size was 3.43.
The population was spread out with 5,290 people (29.1%) under the age of 18, 1,956 people (10.8%) aged 18 to 24, 4,708 people (25.9%) aged 25 to 44, 4,716 people (26.0%) aged 45 to 64, and 1,480 people (8.2%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32.0 years. For every 100 females there were 100.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.2 males.
There were 6,968 housing units at an average density of 133.1 per square mile (51.4/km²), of which 4,202 (67.8%) were owner-occupied, and 1,995 (32.2%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 4.5%; the rental vacancy rate was 12.7%. 12,388 people (68.3% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 5,757 people (31.7%) lived in rental housing units.
2000
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 14,349 people, 4,988 households, and 3,626 families residing in the CDP. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 274.7 people per square mile (106.1/km²). There were 5,597 housing units at an average density of 107.2 per square mile (41.4/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 72.01% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 6.62% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 1.32% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 3.01% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.23% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 11.65% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 5.16% from two or more races. 25.67% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
There were 4,988 households out of which 41.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.7% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.3% were non-families. 21.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.2% 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 3.38.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 32.9% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 32.0% from 25 to 44, 19.3% from 45 to 64, and 7.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 102.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.5 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $42,307, and the median income for a family was $46,918. Males had a median income of $42,484 versus $26,745 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the CDP was $17,440. About 11.6% of families and 14.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.2%
of those under age 18 and 12.0% of those age 65 or over.