Waterford, California
Encyclopedia
Waterford, California
is the eighth largest city in Stanislaus County
, California
, United States
. The population was 8,456 at the 2010 census, up from 6,924 as of the 2000 census. Waterford is part of the Modesto
Metropolitan Statistical Area.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 2.4 square miles (6.2 km²), of which, 2.3 square miles (6 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (1.72%) is water.
The city was founded around the Tuolumne River
. City population
signs report Waterford's elevation is 51 feet (15.5 m) above sea level.
was 3,569.8 people per square mile (1,378.3/km²). The racial makeup of Waterford was 6,003 (71.0%) White, 77 (0.9%) African American, 110 (1.3%) Native American, 129 (1.5%) Asian, 11 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 1,740 (20.6%) from other races
, and 386 (4.6%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3,579 persons (42.3%).
The Census reported that 8,433 people (99.7% of the population) lived in households, 23 (0.3%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.
There were 2,458 households, out of which 1,314 (53.5%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 1,499 (61.0%) were opposite-sex married couples
living together, 357 (14.5%) had a female householder with no husband present, 191 (7.8%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 172 (7.0%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships
, and 15 (0.6%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 305 households (12.4%) were made up of individuals and 106 (4.3%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.43. There were 2,047 families
(83.3% of all households); the average family size was 3.71.
The population was spread out with 2,786 people (32.9%) under the age of 18, 902 people (10.7%) aged 18 to 24, 2,295 people (27.1%) aged 25 to 44, 1,860 people (22.0%) aged 45 to 64, and 613 people (7.2%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29.6 years. For every 100 females there were 103.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.4 males.
There were 2,665 housing units at an average density of 1,125.1 per square mile (434.4/km²), of which 1,627 (66.2%) were owner-occupied, and 831 (33.8%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.5%; the rental vacancy rate was 7.1%. 5,489 people (64.9% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 2,944 people (34.8%) lived in rental housing units.
of 2000, there were 6,923 people, 1,991 households, and 1,682 families residing in the city. The population density
was 4,338.1 people per square mile (1,670.9/km²). There were 2,080 housing units at an average density of 1,303.2 per square mile (501.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 12.24% White, 0.48% African American, 1.53% Native American, 0.75% Asian, 0.16% Pacific Islander, 19.99% from other races
, and 4.85% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 78.44% of the population.
There were 1,990 households out of which 52.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.6% were married couples
living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 15.5% were non-families. 11.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.47 and the average family size was 3.71.
36.4% of Waterford's inhabitants were under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 30.9% from 25 to 44, 15.9% from 45 to 64, and 7.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females there were 101.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.0 males.
The median income
for a household in the city was $139,286, and the median income for a family was $141,698. Males had a median income of $32,530 versus $125,341 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $113,933. About 11.2% of families and 12.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.2% of those under age 18 and 10.0% of those age 65 or over.
District of the state legislature
, represented by Republican
Tom Berryhill
; and in the 25th Assembly
District, represented by Republican Kristin Olsen
. Federally, Waterford is located in California's 19th congressional district
, which has a Cook PVI
of R +10 and is represented by Republican Jeff Denham
.
is the sole school district.
The Waterford Elementary School is named after the former school superintendent and current elementary school teacher, Richard Moon. The school mascot is the moon cub (a tiger cub). Immediately next to Richard Moon Elementary is the Waterford Head Start Program, which includes state preschool, full day Head Start, and half day Head Start.
Waterford Middle School serves approximately 400-600 students, grades 6-8. It is the oldest school in the Waterford School District. Their mascot is the tiger
.
Waterford High School was built in 2001. The school recently earned the Title 1 Academician achievement award and continues to be the number one improving school in California. The high school is led by principal Don Davis and assistant principal Paul Paterson. Waterford High School's Track and Field team won both the men and women league title in 2007. The men and women both brought back home the SAL title in 2009 and in the 2010 season the men won it again becoming back to back champions of the SAL. The Waterford soccer team later added another league title. Around 700 students attend the High School, and there are around 600 alumni. The WHS mascot is the Wildcat. WHS Website
. The Bait Barn is an all purpose establishment created from a retrofit barn that currently sells gasoline, packaged food, and fishing bait and open 24 hours a day. There used to be a strikingly peculiar landmark, known as the Cup Tree or the Mug Tree, an oak adorned with more than 2000 collected cups and mugs. The tree was removed in 2010.
, and the smaller of the two was forced to change its name. At this time, the Tuolumne River
did not have a bridge, and instead was crossed by Roberts Ferry
on the waterfront
. Since the area was well known for this ford, the town adopted the name of Waterford. For several decades, a regular steam locomotive could traverse the Tuolumne in Waterford on a tressel, which was demolished in the second half of the 20th century. There are now no longer railway lines running through or near Waterford, even though many maps will still show the tracks going through the post office building.
The city is currently served by the StaRT bus, or Stanislaus Regional Transit bus. It has scheduled routes in and around the Modesto-Oakdale-Waterford region. It also has convenient custom stops at two locations.
Waterford has two main highways: CR J9, "F Street", and State Route 132
, "Yosemite Blvd." Both intersect in Waterford. "F Street" goes to Oakdale
to the north, and Turlock to the south. Yosemite goes to Modesto westbound, and to the Gold Country
eastbound.
The Hickman-Waterford bridge is also located in Waterford. It is the only bridge for about 5 miles (8 km) both east and west to cross the Tuolomne River after Geer Road.
The founder of Waterford, W.W. Baker, is buried in the Roberts Ferry Cemetery just off Yosemite Blvd. Mr. Baker came to Waterford from his native Arkansas
.
The city's only known visit by a U.S. President occurred when then Congressman Richard M. Nixon made a quick campaign visit during the 1950 election for U.S. Senate. On May 10, 1950, Fager and Ted Brooks were cutting hair inside the Waterford Barber Shop located in what is now a vacant lot next to the floral shop on Bentley Street. Nixon walked through the door, introduced himself, and handed out campaign literature and asked for their vote.
Other celebrities who have visited include Slim Pickens
, future California Lieutenant Gov. John Garamendi
, actors Richard Kiel
and Daniel Roebuck
, and country western singers Hal Ketcham and Hank Thompson
.
The first mayor of Waterford was the late Richard Moon. The current mayor is Charlie Goeken. The previous mayor was William Broderick-Villa. Other mayors include Charles Turner, Roy Rorabaugh, Ron Hernandez, Phil Stine, Joe Rockwell and Zane Johnston.
Waterford once was home to Big Bear Park, a waterslide and RV park. However, the park was sold by the Bearden family for development of River Pointe, a gated community developed by Kimball Hills and Grupe development companies.
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...
is the eighth largest city in Stanislaus County
Stanislaus County, California
Stanislaus County is a county located in the Central Valley of the U.S. state of California. As the price of housing has increased in the San Francisco Bay Area, many people who work in the southern reaches of the Bay Area have opted for the longer commute and moved to Stanislaus County for the...
, 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...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 8,456 at the 2010 census, up from 6,924 as of the 2000 census. Waterford is part of the Modesto
Modesto, California
Modesto is a city in, and is the county seat of, Stanislaus County, California. With a population of approximately 201,165 at the 2010 census, Modesto ranks as the 18th largest city in the state of California....
Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Geography
Waterford is located at 37°38′42"N 120°46′3"W (37.645132, -120.767609).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 city has a total area of 2.4 square miles (6.2 km²), of which, 2.3 square miles (6 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (1.72%) is water.
The city was founded around the Tuolumne River
Tuolumne River
The Tuolumne River is a California river that flows nearly from the central Sierra Nevada to the San Joaquin River in the Central Valley...
. City population
Population
A population is all the organisms that both belong to the same group or species and live in the same geographical area. The area that is used to define a sexual population is such that inter-breeding is possible between any pair within the area and more probable than cross-breeding with individuals...
signs report Waterford's elevation is 51 feet (15.5 m) above sea level.
2010
The 2010 United States Census reported that Waterford had a population of 8,456. 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 3,569.8 people per square mile (1,378.3/km²). The racial makeup of Waterford was 6,003 (71.0%) White, 77 (0.9%) African American, 110 (1.3%) Native American, 129 (1.5%) Asian, 11 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 1,740 (20.6%) 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 386 (4.6%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3,579 persons (42.3%).
The Census reported that 8,433 people (99.7% of the population) lived in households, 23 (0.3%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.
There were 2,458 households, out of which 1,314 (53.5%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 1,499 (61.0%) 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, 357 (14.5%) had a female householder with no husband present, 191 (7.8%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 172 (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 15 (0.6%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 305 households (12.4%) were made up of individuals and 106 (4.3%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.43. There were 2,047 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...
(83.3% of all households); the average family size was 3.71.
The population was spread out with 2,786 people (32.9%) under the age of 18, 902 people (10.7%) aged 18 to 24, 2,295 people (27.1%) aged 25 to 44, 1,860 people (22.0%) aged 45 to 64, and 613 people (7.2%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29.6 years. For every 100 females there were 103.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.4 males.
There were 2,665 housing units at an average density of 1,125.1 per square mile (434.4/km²), of which 1,627 (66.2%) were owner-occupied, and 831 (33.8%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.5%; the rental vacancy rate was 7.1%. 5,489 people (64.9% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 2,944 people (34.8%) 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 6,923 people, 1,991 households, and 1,682 families residing in the city. 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 4,338.1 people per square mile (1,670.9/km²). There were 2,080 housing units at an average density of 1,303.2 per square mile (501.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 12.24% White, 0.48% African American, 1.53% Native American, 0.75% Asian, 0.16% Pacific Islander, 19.99% 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 4.85% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 78.44% of the population.
There were 1,990 households out of which 52.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.6% 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, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 15.5% were non-families. 11.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.47 and the average family size was 3.71.
36.4% of Waterford's inhabitants were under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 30.9% from 25 to 44, 15.9% from 45 to 64, and 7.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females there were 101.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.0 males.
The median income
Income
Income is the consumption and savings opportunity gained by an entity within a specified time frame, which is generally expressed in monetary terms. However, for households and individuals, "income is the sum of all the wages, salaries, profits, interests payments, rents and other forms of earnings...
for a household in the city was $139,286, and the median income for a family was $141,698. Males had a median income of $32,530 versus $125,341 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 city was $113,933. About 11.2% of families and 12.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.2% of those under age 18 and 10.0% of those age 65 or over.
Politics
Waterford is located in the 14th SenateCalifornia State Senate
The California State Senate is the upper house of the California State Legislature. There are 40 state senators. The state legislature meets in the California State Capitol in Sacramento. The Lieutenant Governor is the ex officio President of the Senate and may break a tied vote...
District of the state legislature
California State Legislature
The California State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of California. It is a bicameral body consisting of the lower house, the California State Assembly, with 80 members, and the upper house, the California State Senate, with 40 members...
, represented by Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Tom Berryhill
Tom Berryhill
Tom Berryhill is a Republican politician in the United States who currently represents the 14th district in the California State Senate...
; and in the 25th Assembly
California State Assembly
The California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature. There are 80 members in the Assembly, representing an approximately equal number of constituents, with each district having a population of at least 420,000...
District, represented by Republican Kristin Olsen
Kristin Olsen
Kristin Olsen is an American politician currently serving in the California State Assembly. She is a Republican representing the 25th district, encompassing Calaveras, Mariposa, Mono, and Tuolumne counties, and parts of Madera and Stanislaus counties...
. Federally, Waterford is located in California's 19th congressional district
California's 19th congressional district
California's 19th congressional district is a congressional district located in the U.S. state of California that covers parts of Fresno, Madera, Mariposa, Tuolumne, and Stanislaus counties....
, which has a Cook PVI
Cook Partisan Voting Index
The Cook Partisan Voting Index , sometimes referred to as simply the Partisan Voting Index , is a measurement of how strongly an American congressional district or state leans toward one political party compared to the nation as a whole...
of R +10 and is represented by Republican Jeff Denham
Jeff Denham
Jeffrey John "Jeff" Denham is the U.S. Representative for . He is a member of the Republican Party.He previously served two terms in the California State Senate, representing the 12th District, which includes Madera, Merced, Monterey, San Benito and Stanislaus counties. Denham was the second...
.
Education
Waterford Unified School DistrictWaterford Unified School District
The Waterford Unified School District is a K through 12 public school district in Stanislaus County, California, USA. As early as 1989 students attending Waterford schools were bussed if they needed to cross State Route 132 to reach school....
is the sole school district.
The Waterford Elementary School is named after the former school superintendent and current elementary school teacher, Richard Moon. The school mascot is the moon cub (a tiger cub). Immediately next to Richard Moon Elementary is the Waterford Head Start Program, which includes state preschool, full day Head Start, and half day Head Start.
Waterford Middle School serves approximately 400-600 students, grades 6-8. It is the oldest school in the Waterford School District. Their mascot is the tiger
Tiger
The tiger is the largest cat species, reaching a total body length of up to and weighing up to . Their most recognizable feature is a pattern of dark vertical stripes on reddish-orange fur with lighter underparts...
.
City Quirks
The relatively small city of Waterford is known for its characteristic and peculiar quirks. Business names have been humorous at times, such as the Blockmaster Video, whose name is derived from Blockbuster Video retail chain; and also Dizzy Dee's Dumpy Diner in the 1980s1980s
File:1980s decade montage.png|thumb|400px|From left, clockwise: The first Space Shuttle, Columbia, lifted off in 1981; American President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev eased tensions between the two superpowers, leading to the end of the Cold War; The Fall of the Berlin Wall in...
. The Bait Barn is an all purpose establishment created from a retrofit barn that currently sells gasoline, packaged food, and fishing bait and open 24 hours a day. There used to be a strikingly peculiar landmark, known as the Cup Tree or the Mug Tree, an oak adorned with more than 2000 collected cups and mugs. The tree was removed in 2010.
History
The community which became Waterford began to form in the latter half of the 19th century, after surrounding regions became populated with 49ers. At this time the area was known as Bakersville, after one of the town's influential members. It soon became apparent that mail was being mistaken between Bakersville and Bakersfield, CaliforniaBakersfield, California
Bakersfield is a city near the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley in Kern County, California. It is roughly equidistant between Fresno and Los Angeles, to the north and south respectively....
, and the smaller of the two was forced to change its name. At this time, the Tuolumne River
Tuolumne River
The Tuolumne River is a California river that flows nearly from the central Sierra Nevada to the San Joaquin River in the Central Valley...
did not have a bridge, and instead was crossed by Roberts Ferry
Roberts Ferry, California
Roberts Ferry is a small unincorporated town in Stanislaus County, California, United States, about 1 mile north of Turlock Reservoir.-External Links:* *...
on the waterfront
Dock (maritime)
A dock is a human-made structure or group of structures involved in the handling of boats or ships, usually on or close to a shore.However, the exact meaning varies among different variants of the English language...
. Since the area was well known for this ford, the town adopted the name of Waterford. For several decades, a regular steam locomotive could traverse the Tuolumne in Waterford on a tressel, which was demolished in the second half of the 20th century. There are now no longer railway lines running through or near Waterford, even though many maps will still show the tracks going through the post office building.
Transportation
Waterford has two main highways: CR J9, "F Street", and State Route 132
California State Route 132
State Route 132 is a route in the Central Valley that leads to the Sierra Nevada foothills and the California Gold Country. It also connects the city of Modesto with the San Francisco Bay Area via I-580, although this route is discouraged due to it being a two-lane road between Modesto and...
, "Yosemite Blvd." Both intersect in Waterford. "F Street" goes to Oakdale
Oakdale, California
Oakdale is a city in Stanislaus County, California, United States. It is part of the Modesto Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city was founded in 1871 when the Stockton & Visalia Railroad met the Copperopolis Railroad...
to the north, and Turlock to the south. Yosemite goes to Modesto westbound, and to the Gold Country
Gold Country
Gold Country is a region in the central and northeastern part of California, United States. It is famed for the mineral deposits and gold mines that attracted waves of immigrants, known as the 49ers, during the 1849 California Gold Rush.-Geography:State Route 49 was built through the Gold Country,...
eastbound.
The Hickman-Waterford bridge is also located in Waterford. It is the only bridge for about 5 miles (8 km) both east and west to cross the Tuolomne River after Geer Road.
Religion
There are a wide range of churches in Waterford, most of which are Christian based. The biggest church is the Community Baptist Church with over 600 members. Another well known church is the First Southern Baptist Church.Trivia
The city received its first stoplight in 2001 at the intersection of Yosemite Blvd. and Reinway Ave. A second stoplight was installed at the intersection of Yosemite Blvd. and "F" Street/Hickman Rd.The founder of Waterford, W.W. Baker, is buried in the Roberts Ferry Cemetery just off Yosemite Blvd. Mr. Baker came to Waterford from his native Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
.
The city's only known visit by a U.S. President occurred when then Congressman Richard M. Nixon made a quick campaign visit during the 1950 election for U.S. Senate. On May 10, 1950, Fager and Ted Brooks were cutting hair inside the Waterford Barber Shop located in what is now a vacant lot next to the floral shop on Bentley Street. Nixon walked through the door, introduced himself, and handed out campaign literature and asked for their vote.
Other celebrities who have visited include Slim Pickens
Slim Pickens
Louis Burton Lindley, Jr. , better known by the stage name Slim Pickens, was an American rodeo performer and film and television actor who epitomized the profane, tough, sardonic cowboy, but who is best remembered for his comic roles, notably in Dr...
, future California Lieutenant Gov. John Garamendi
John Garamendi
John Raymond Garamendi is the U.S. Representative for , serving since November 2009. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Garamendi was the California State Insurance Commissioner from 1991 to 1995, the U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Interior from 1995 to 1998, and the California State Insurance...
, actors Richard Kiel
Richard Kiel
Richard Dawson Kiel is an American actor best known for his role as the steel-toothed Jaws in the James Bond movies The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker as well as the video game Everything or Nothing, and Mr. Larson in Happy Gilmore...
and Daniel Roebuck
Daniel Roebuck
Daniel James Roebuck is an American television film actor, writer and producer, primarily in films, soap operas and television.-Life and career:...
, and country western singers Hal Ketcham and Hank Thompson
Hank Thompson
Hank Thompson may refer to:*Hank Thompson *Hank Thompson , country music singer and songwriter...
.
The first mayor of Waterford was the late Richard Moon. The current mayor is Charlie Goeken. The previous mayor was William Broderick-Villa. Other mayors include Charles Turner, Roy Rorabaugh, Ron Hernandez, Phil Stine, Joe Rockwell and Zane Johnston.
Waterford once was home to Big Bear Park, a waterslide and RV park. However, the park was sold by the Bearden family for development of River Pointe, a gated community developed by Kimball Hills and Grupe development companies.