Modesto, California
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| City of Modesto, California | |
 | |
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| State | California |
| County | Stanislaus |
| Mayor | Jim Ridenour |
| Area | |
| - City | 93.1 km² |
| - Land | 92.7 km² |
| - Water | 0.4 km² |
| Population | |
| - City (2000) | 188,856 |
| - Density | 2,037.4/km² |
| Time zone | PST (UTC-8) |
| - Summer (DST) | PDT (UTC-7) |
| Website: http://www.ci.modesto.ca.us/ | |
Modesto is the county seat of Stanislaus County in the U.S. state of California. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 188,856. Current census estimates place the population at 206,300. According to the California State Department of Finance 1/6/06 estimate, 514,370 people live in the Modesto Metropolitan Statistical Area. Roughly 110 miles from Yosemite National Park, 80 miles from Sacramento, California's capital city, and about 90 miles from both San Jose and San Francisco, Modesto is less than 2 hours from many prime locations in California. This proximity to major business centers has turned the agriculturally based city into a bedroom community. Over twenty percent of the workforce travels outside of the county to their place of employment. The area is plagued by some of the worst air quality in the nation, on occasion surpassing even that of Los Angeles. It is also reported to have the highest car theft per capita rate in the United States for at least two years.
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[edit] Geography
Modesto is located at (37.661479, -120.994543)GR1. Modesto is located on the Tuolumne River and is bordered by the Stanislaus and San Joaquin rivers.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 93.1 km² (36.0 mi²). 92.7 km² (35.8 mi²) of it is land and 0.4 km² (0.2 mi²) of it (0.47%) is water.
Modesto's climate consists of hot, dry summers, cool to mild winters, and temperate spring and fall seasons. Precipitation is greatest from November to March, a period that is also characteristic of dense fog. The all-time record high temperature is 113°F (45°C) set recently on July 23, 2006. The all-time record low temperature is 18°F (-8°C) set on December 13, 1932.
Modesto's international character can also be seen in its five officially recognized sister cities. They are Kurume, Japan; Vernon, Canada; Vijayawada, India; Aquascalientes, Mexico; and Khmelnytskyi, Ukraine.
[edit] History
Modesto, originally a stop on the railroad connecting Sacramento to Los Angeles, was founded in 1870 and was to be named for William Ralston, its founder and the financier of many projects in early California. However, he declined the suggestion and a Spanish-speaking railroad worker at the naming ceremony said that Ralston was "Muy modesto" or very modest. Instead, the town was named Modesto.
Modesto's official slogan is "Water Wealth Contentment Health," which is emblazoned on a large arch uptown that has been immortalized in many photographs. A contest was run in 1911 to determine the slogan. The original winning slogan was: "Nobody's got Modesto's goat". The second place entry was the final winner.
[edit] Transportation
Modesto is served by one of the busiest rail corridors in the country. The Amtrak San Joaquins make six daily stops on the route between Oakland and Bakersfield, and two stops daily on the route between Sacramento and Bakersfield. Air service is provided to San Francisco International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport by Skywest Airlines, under an agreement with United Airlines. Modesto is also served by California State Route 99, and Both California State Route 132, and California State Route 108, a seasonal highway (opening usually in May or June, closing with the first major snow) which is the main route into Stanislaus National Forest and Inyo National Forest.
The Modesto Airport lies next to the Tuolumne River. Between the airport and the river lies Veterans' Park.
The MAX (Modesto Area Express) buses are part of the city's public transportation system. MAX buses connect to the ACE (Altamont Commuter Express) train station in Lathrop, the BART station in Pleasanton/Dublin, and the Amtrak station in Modesto. They also provide a paratransit "dial-a-ride" service which specifically caters to seniors and the disabled. It is open to the general public only during certain times [1].
The large industrial region south and east of the city is served by the Modesto and Empire Traction Railroad, a 5 mile long shortline with a web of industry tracks and many customers.
At one time, the city was the operational center of the Tidewater Southern Railway, which had its mainline down the center of Ninth Street, a major north-south road. A law passed by the city kept electric wire over this section of street running long after the railroad converted to steam power. In 2000, the last trains ran down Ninth Street and now the railroad (owned by the Union Pacific Railroad since 1983) is severed through Modesto.
[edit] Industry
Modesto's industries are mainly food processing and related industries; E & J Gallo Winery, Del Monte Foods, Foster Farms, Frito Lay, Blue Diamond Growers, Hershey's and Con-Agra are nationally recognized food companies with large operations in the area. However, with its maturing infrastructure, the service industry is expanding.
[edit] Planning and environmental
In the late 1980s Modesto embarked on an update to the city's General Plan pursuant to requirements of the State of California. The result was a comprehensive evaluation of alternative population and land use projections along with associated environmental impact analysis. Some of the environmental factors assessed were air quality, water quality, environmental noise, soil contamination and visual impacts.
Much of the soils in Modesto are classified as part of the Hanford series: (HbpA) fine sandy loam, moderately deep over silt. These soils are well-drained, moderately coarse textured soils derived from alluvium from granitic rock. The Hanford soils are important for the production of a wide variety of irrigated orchard, field, and truck crops.
[edit] Activism
In recent years, Modesto has seen a growing number of activist movements. Groups working on homeless issues, have lead to the creation of an emergency homeless shelter [2]. The Environmentalists, and anti-environmental racism work of Green Action, has centered around opposing various companies like the Modesto Tallow Plant, and the Covanta Energy Corporation. Various individuals and groups have also worked on counter military recruitment in schools, a product of the No Child Left Behind Act, several Animal Rights demonstrations, and various other events/movements. Some of these are supported and organized by the Direct Action Anti-Authoritarians Collective, a local community organizing group. This anarchist collective has also engaged in many organizing drives, including Critical Mass, Food Not Bombs, Really Really Free Market, Copwatch, strike support, and other projects. These projects are often firsts for Modesto, in terms of organizing.
On May 1st, 2006 (May Day), close to 10,000 (a Modesto Police Department estimate [3]) people, marched up Crow's Landing Road, made several turns, and wound up at City Hall, in an unpermitted march, to show support for immigrant rights. The march coincided with others across the country, one of many immigration reform protests, and the Great American Boycott.
[edit] Demographics
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 188,856 people, 64,959 households, and 46,640 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,037.4/km² (5,277.3/mi²). There were 67,179 housing units at an average density of 724.7/km² (1,877.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 69.58% White, 3.97% African American, 1.24% Native American, 6.03% Asian, 0.50% Pacific Islander, 12.74% from other races, and 5.93% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 25.58% of the population.
There were 64,959 households out of which 38.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.5% were married couples living together, 14.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.2% were non-families. 22.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.86 and the average family size was 3.36.
In the city the population was spread out with 30.1% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 94.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $40,394, and the median income for a family was $45,681. Males had a median income of $38,595 versus $26,989 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,797. About 12.2% of families and 15.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.9% of those under age 18 and 7.4% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Crime Problem
Modesto and New York Comparative Crime Ratios per 100,000 People
| Crime | Modesto, CA | New York, NY | National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Murder: | 9.1 | 7 | 5.5 |
| Forcible Rape: | 32.02 | 17.63 | 32.2 |
| Robbery: | 188.8 | 300.9 | 136.7 |
| Aggravated Assault: | 387.1 | 361.9 | 291.1 |
| Burglary: | 887.4 | 322.2 | 729.9 |
| Larceny Theft: | 4598.6 | 1530.8 | 2365.9 |
| Vehicle Theft: | 1382 | 260.1 | 421.3 |
| Modesto, CA | New York, NY | |
|---|---|---|
| Population: | 209,258 | 8,101,321 |
| Murder: | 19 | 570 |
| Forcible Rape: | 67 | 1428 |
| Robbery: | 395 | 24373 |
| Aggravated Assault: | 810 | 29317 |
| Burglary: | 1857 | 26100 |
| Larceny Theft: | 9623 | 124016 |
| Vehicle Theft: | 2892 | 21072 |
Notes:
Formula used for chart: ((Crimes Reported) / (Population)) X 100,000) Chart shown is a statistical comparison of the crime rates per 100,000 people. A blank value in the above data means there is no available data for that crime. Based on the final 2004 FBI Crime Statistics. National arson statistics is not available. Therefore, no arson statistics are used in a comparative manner. Crime rate results are tabulated using the crime collection area population of each city. Crime collection population may not match US Census data. Population is based on the agencies participating in the reporting. 2005 crime stats will be available October 2006.
[edit] Famous/Infamous People From Modesto
- Scott Mitchell - Famous attorney known for his shrewd and aggressive arguments in court
- Cliff Barrows - lifelong assistant and director to Christian evangelist Billy Graham
- Chidi Ahanotu - NFL defensive end
- Carter Williams - K1 (kickboxing) World Champion
- Gary Condit - Former Congressman
- Tony Graziani - Arena Football League quarterback
- George Lucas - Writer, Producer, Director
- Ann Veneman - UNICEF Executive Director/Former US Secretary of Agriculture
- James Marsters - Actor (Best known as "Spike" From the hit television show, Buffy The Vampire Slayer)
- Chuck Hayes - NBA Basketball player
- Timothy Olyphant - Actor (Deadwood, The Girl Next Door - Attended Fred C. Beyer High School)
- Mark Spitz - 1972 Olympic Champion in Swimming
- Kenny Roberts - Three times 500cc motorcycle world champion
- Mike Allsup - Guitarist from Three Dog Night
- Mike Matarazzo - Former IFBB professional bodybuilder
- Sonny Barger - founding member of the original Oakland, California, chapter of Hells Angels
- Harve Presnell - American Actor
- Kirby J. Hensley - Founder of Universal Life Church
- Carol Channing - American Broadway and Film Actress
- Cyrus "Cy" Young - 1952 Olympic Champion in Javelin
- Wilbur "Moose" Thompson - 1948 Olympic Champion in Shot Put
- Ray Lankford - Former Major League Baseball Outfielder First 1,000 yard rusher for Modesto Junior College
- Gino Marchetti - Former Defensive End for Baltimore Colts, NFL Hall of Fame Member
- Jason Lytle - Lead singer and founder of the critically acclaimed band Grandaddy
- Scott Peterson - Convicted murderer of his wife Laci Peterson, whose trial garnered national attention
- Tisha Venturini - former member of U.S. Women's National Soccer team and a founder of WUSA.
- Joe Rudi - Former Major League Baseball Outfielder and World Series Champion.
- Alexis Stone Lopez - American Idol first season semi-finalist and Wildcard contender 2002.
- Butch Walts - former tennis player, won 4 ATP titles
- Roger Maltbie - Professional golfer / NBC Sports analyst
- CARLOS vega - baddest nigga on tha planet
[edit] Interesting Facts
Modesto is the setting for the movie American Graffiti created by George Lucas, who was born in the city (the actual location of the set was Petaluma, California). Many of the characters and scenes from the movie are based on actual events that happened in Modesto during the time that Lucas went to high school there.
Modesto and the greater Modesto area have recently been associated with high profile murders, including Chandra Levy and Laci Peterson. It was also the district of former congressman Gary Condit. Although Scott Peterson has been convicted and sentenced to die for the killing of his wife, the method of administering death in California is now in judicial suspension.
Modesto is Home to the Modesto Nuts of the High-A California League (Colorado Rockies minor league team); the Nuts play their home games at John Thurman Field. Modesto is also the home of the critically acclaimed musical group Grandaddy, the E & J Gallo Winery, and the McHenry Mansion.
The Universal Life Church headquarters are based in Modesto, California.
[edit] See also
McHenry Mansion A Historic Landmark
[edit] External links
- The Modesto Bee, Daily Newspaper for Stanislaus County
- Official Modesto site for business
- MAX bus transit
- Official Modesto website
- Official Modesto Police website
- Historic Modesto
- the Modesto Arch
- Maps and aerial photos
- Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local
- Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia
- Topographic map from TopoZone
- Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
Incorporated places
Modesto (County seat) • Ceres • Hughson • Newman • Oakdale • Patterson • Riverbank • Turlock • Waterford
Census-designated places
Bret Harte • Bystrom • Del Rio • Denair • East Oakdale • Empire • Grayson • Hickman • Keyes • Riverdale Park • Salida • Shackelford • West Modesto • Westley
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