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Davis, California

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City of Davis
City
Downtown Davis
Downtown Davis
Official logo of City of Davis
Motto: 
Most bicycle friendly town in the world
Location in Yolo County and the state of California
Location in Yolo County and the state of California
Country United States
State California
CountyYolo
Settled1868
IncorporatedMarch 28, 1917
Government
 • MayorJoe Krovoza[1]
 • SenateLois Wolk (D)
 • AssemblyMariko Yamada (D)
 • U. S. CongressMike Thompson (D)
Area
[2]
 • Total
25.690 km2 (9.919 sq mi)
 • Land25.608 km2 (9.887 sq mi)
 • Water0.082 km2 (0.032 sq mi)  0.32%
Elevation
16 m (52 ft)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total
65,622
 • Density2,600/km2 (6,600/sq mi)
 US Census
Time zoneUTC−8 (PST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−7 (PDT)
ZIP codes
95616-95618
Area code530
FIPS code06-18100
GNIS feature ID0277498
Websitecityofdavis.org/

Davis is a city in Yolo County, California, United States. It is part of the Sacramento–Arden-Arcade–Roseville Metropolitan Statistical Area. According to estimates published by the US Census Bureau, the city had a total population of 65,622 in 2010[3] (60,308 in 2000),[4] neither of which includes the on-campus population of UC Davis, which was 5,786 people according to the 2010 United States Census [3] while the "total student enrollment" is listed as 32,290 by the UC Davis website. It is the largest city in Yolo County, and the 122nd largest in the state, by population.[5] Davis is known for its liberal politics, for having many bicycles and bike paths, and for the campus of the University of California, Davis. In 2006, Davis was ranked as the second most educated city (in terms of the percentage of residents with graduate degrees) in the US by CNN Money Magazine, after Arlington, Virginia.[6]

History

Davis grew around a Southern Pacific Railroad depot built in 1868. It was then known as "Davisville," named for Jerome C. Davis, a prominent local farmer. However, the post office at Davisville shortened the town name simply to "Davis" in 1907. The name stuck, and the city of Davis was incorporated on March 28, 1917.[7]

From its inception as a farming community, Davis has been known for its contributions to agriculture along with veterinary care and animal husbandry. Following the passage of the University Farm Bill in 1905 by the California State Legislature, Governor George Pardee selected Davis out of 50 other sites as the future home to the University of California's University Farm, officially opening to students in 1908.[8] The farm, later renamed the Northern Branch of the College of Agriculture in 1922, was upgraded into the seventh UC general campus, the University of California, Davis, in 1959. Contemporary Davis is also known for its contributions in the areas of biotechnology, medicine, and other life sciences.

Geography and environment

Location

Davis is located in Yolo County, California, 18 km (11 mi) west of Sacramento, 113 km (72 mi) northeast of San Francisco, 619 km (385 mi) north of Los Angeles, at the intersection of Interstate 80 and State Route 113. Neighboring towns include Dixon, Winters, and Woodland.

Davis lies in the Sacramento Valley, the northern portion of the Central Valley, in Northern California, at an elevation of about 16 m (52 ft) above sea level.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.5 square miles (27 km2). 10.4 square miles (27 km2) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km2) of it (0.19%) is water.

The topography is flat, which has helped Davis to become known as a haven for bicyclists.

Climate

The Davis climate resembles that of nearby Sacramento and is typical of California's Central Valley. The dry, hot summers and cool, rainy, winters are those of a Mediterranean climate. It is classified as a Köppen Csa climate. Thick ground fog named "Tule Fog" settles into Davis during late fall and winter. The characteristics of the fog are dense with visibility to less than 500 feet. Some accidents occurring in the winter season of Davis are due to the Tule Fog.

Climate data for Davis
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 77
(25) 		78
(26) 		80
(27) 		98
(37) 		106
(41) 		115
(46) 		116
(47) 		114
(46) 		112
(44) 		104
(40) 		91
(33) 		76
(24) 		116
(47)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 53
(12) 		60
(16) 		65
(18) 		72
(22) 		80
(27) 		88
(31) 		93
(34) 		92
(33) 		88
(31) 		79
(26) 		64
(18) 		54
(12) 		74
(23)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 37
(3) 		40
(4) 		42
(6) 		45
(7) 		50
(10) 		55
(13) 		56
(13) 		55
(13) 		53
(12) 		48
(9) 		41
(5) 		36
(2) 		47
(8)
Record low °F (°C) 18
(−8) 		4
(−16) 		26
(−3) 		26
(−3) 		33
(1) 		36
(2) 		43
(6) 		40
(4) 		36
(2) 		26
(−3) 		23
(−5) 		12
(−11) 		4
(−16)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 4.04
(103) 		3.76
(96) 		3.03
(77) 		0.97
(25) 		0.55
(14) 		0.18
(4.6) 		0.03
(0.76) 		0.04
(1.0) 		0.30
(7.6) 		0.90
(23) 		2.44
(62) 		2.81
(71) 		19.05
(484)
Source: [9]

Neighborhoods

Davis is internally divided by two freeways (Interstate 80 and State Route 113), a north-south railroad (California Northern), an east-west mainline (Union Pacific) and several major streets. The city is unofficially divided into six main districts made up of smaller neighborhoods:

Part of the UC Davis Arboretum.
  • Central Davis, north of Fifth Street and Russell Boulevard, south of Covell Blvd., east of SR 113, and west of the railroad tracks running along G Street.
  • Downtown Davis, roughly the numbered-and-lettered grid north of I-80, south of Fifth Street, east of A Street, and west of the railroad tracks.
  • East Davis, north of I-80, south of Covell Blvd., and east of the railroad tracks, and includes Mace Ranch and Lake Alhambra Estates.
  • North Davis, north of Covell Blvd.
  • South Davis, south of I-80, and includes Willowbank. El Macero, California, although outside the city limits, is sometimes considered part of South Davis; El Macero is part of the Davis Joint Unified School District, and El Macero children who attend public schools attend Davis' public schools.
  • West Davis, north of I-80 and west of SR 113. West Davis includes Westwood, Evergreen, Aspen, Stonegate (west of Lake Boulevard and including Stonegate Lake and the Stonegate Country Club) and the eco-friendly Village Homes development, known for its solar-powered houses.

The University of California, Davis is located south of Russell Boulevard and west of A Street and then south of 1st Street. The land occupied by the university is not incorporated within the boundaries of the city of Davis and lies within both Yolo and Solano Counties.

Environment

On November 14, 1984, the Davis City Council declared the city to be a nuclear free zone.[10]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1870500—
1880441−11.8%
189054724.0%
190070028.0%
191080014.3%
192093917.4%
19301,24332.4%
19401,67234.5%
19503,554112.6%
19608,910150.7%
197023,488163.6%
198036,64056.0%
199046,20926.1%
200060,30830.5%
201065,6228.8%

2010

The 2010 United States Census[11] reported that Davis had a population of 65,622. The population density was 6,615.8 people per square mile (2,554.4/km²). The racial makeup of Davis was 42,571 (64.9%) White, 1,528 (2.3%) African American, 339 (0.5%) Native American, 14,355 (21.9%) Asian, 136 (0.2%) Pacific Islander, 3,121 (4.8%) from other races, and 3,572 (5.4%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8,172 persons (12.5%).

Davis' Asian population of 14,355 was apportioned among 1,631 Indian Americans, 6,395 Chinese Americans, 1,033 Filipino Americans, 953 Japanese Americans, 1,560 Korean Americans, 1,185 Vietnamese Americans, and 1,598 other Asian Americans.[12]

Davis' Hispanic and Latino population of 8,172 was apportioned among 5,618 Mexican American, 221 Puerto Rican American, 80 Cuban American, and 2,253 other Hispanic and Latino.[12]

Davis, California population reported at 2010 United States Census[13][14]
Race
Total
Population
Not
Hispanic
or Latino
Hispanic
or Latino
White
 42,571 38,641 3,930
African
American
 1,528 1,415 113
Native
American
 339 166 173
Asian
 14,355 14,213 142
Pacific
Islander
 136 120 16
other
races
 3,121 181 2,940
two or
more races
 3,572 2,714 858

The Census reported that 63,522 people (96.8% of the population) lived in households, 1,823 (2.8%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 277 (0.4%) were institutionalized.

There were 24,873 households, of which 6,119 (24.6%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 9,343 (37.6%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 1,880 (7.6%) had a female householder with no husband present, and 702 (2.8%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 1,295 (5.2%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 210 (0.8%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 5,952 households (23.9%) were made up of individuals and 1,665 (6.7%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55. There were 11,925 families (47.9% of all households); the average family size was 2.97.

The population age and sex distribution was 10,760 people (16.4%) under the age of 18, 21,757 people (33.2%) aged 18 to 24, 14,823 people (22.6%) aged 25 to 44, 12,685 people (19.3%) aged 45 to 64, and 5,597 people (8.5%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 25.2 years. For every 100 females there were 90.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.0 males.

There were 25,869 housing units with an average density of 2,608.0 per square mile (1,007.0/km²), of which 10,699 (43.0%) were owner-occupied, and 14,174 (57.0%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.9%; the rental vacancy rate was 3.5%. 27,594 people (42.0% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 35,928 people (54.7%) lived in rental housing units.

2000

As of the United States 2000 Census,Template:GR there were 60,308 people, 22,948 households, and 11,290 families residing in the city. The population density was 5,769.2 inhabitants per square mile (2,228.2/km2). There were 23,617 housing units at an average density of 2,259.3 per square mile (872.6/km2). The racial composition of the city was 70.07% White, 2.35% Black or African American, 0.67% Native American, 17.5% Asian, 0.24% Pacific Islander, 4.26% from other races, and 4.87% from two or more races. 9.61% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[15]

There were 22,948 households of which 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.3% were married couples living together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 50.8% were non-families. 25.0% of all households were composed of individuals and 5.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the city the population age distribution was 18.6% under the age of 18, 30.9% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 16.7% from 45 to 64, and 6.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 25 years. For every 100 females there were 91.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $42,454, and the median income for a family was $74,051. Males had a median income of $51,189 versus $36,082 for females. The per capita income for the city was $22,937. About 5.4% of families and 24.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.8% of those under age 18 and 2.8% of those age 65 or over.

This city of approximately 62,000 people abuts a university campus of 32,000 students. Although the university's land is not incorporated within the city, many students live off-campus in the city.

Economy

The California Northern Railroad is based in Davis.

Top employers

According to the City's 2011 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,[16] the top employers in the city are:

# Employer # of Employees
1 University of California, Davis 28,411
2 Davis Joint Unified School District 972
3 City of Davis 492
4 Sutter Davis Hospital 396
5 Safeway 200
6 United States Department of Agriculture 200
7 Pacific Gas & Electric 200
8 Target 191
9 Nugget Markets 166
10 Davis Food Co-op 133

Bicycling

Bikes in front of the Davis Amtrak station.

Bicycling has been a popular mode of transportation in Davis for decades, particularly among UC Davis students. In 2010, Davis became the new home of the United States Bicycling Hall of Fame.

Davis racks

Bicycle infrastructure became a political issue in the 1960s, culminating in the election of a pro-bicycle majority to the City Council in 1966.[17] By the early 1970s, Davis became a pioneer in the implementation of cycling facilities. As the city expands, new facilities are usually mandated. As a result, Davis residents today enjoy an extensive network of bike lanes, bike paths, and grade-separated bicycle crossings.[18][19][20] The flat terrain and temperate climate are also conducive to bicycling.

Bicycle crossing over Covell Blvd.

In 2005 the Bicycle-Friendly Community program of the League of American Bicyclists recognized Davis as the first Platinum Level city in the US[21][22] In March 2006, Bicycling Magazine named Davis the best small town for cycling in its compilation of "America's Best Biking Cities."[23] Bicycling appears to be declining among Davis residents: from 1990 to 2000, the US Census Bureau reported a decline in the fraction of commuters traveling by bicycle, from 22 percent to 15 percent.[24] This resulted in the reestablishment of the city's Bicycle Advisory Commission and creation of advocate groups such as "Davis Bicycles!".

In 1996, 2001, 2006, and 2009 the UC Davis "Cal Aggie Cycling" Team won the national road cycling competition.[25] The team also competes off-road and on the track, and has competed in the national competitions of these disciplines. In 2007, UC Davis also organized a record breaking bicycle parade numbering 822 bicycles.[26]

The iOS application Davis Routes was released in 2010, and was designed for bicycle riders who travel within Davis. It gives a layout of the city, complete with bicycle shops, pumps, routes, and sites within the city.[27]

Sights and culture

Whole Earth Festival

A continuous stream of bands, speakers and various workshops occurs throughout Mother's Day weekend on each of Whole Earth Festival's (WEF) three stages and other specialty areas. The majority of the festival is solar powered. WEF is organized primarily by UC Davis students, in association with the Associated Students of UC Davis, Experimental College, and the university.

Picnic Day

Main article: Picnic Day (UC Davis)

Picnic Day is an annual event at the University of California, Davis and is always held on the third Saturday in April. It is the largest student-run event in the US. Picnic Day starts off with a parade, which features the UC Davis California Aggie Marching Band-uh!, and runs through campus and around downtown Davis and ends with the Battle of the Bands, which lasts until the last band stops playing (sometimes until 2 am). There are over 150 free events and over 50,000 attend every year. Other highlights include: the Dachshund races, aka the Doxie Derby, held in the Pavilion; the Davis Rock Challenge, the Chemistry Magic Show, and the sheep dog trials. Many departments have exhibits and demonstrations, such as the Cole Facility, which until recently showed a fistulated cow (a cow that has been fitted with a plastic portal (a "fistula") into its digestive system to observe digestion processes). Its name was "Hole-y Cow".

Mondavi Center

Main article: Mondavi Center

The Mondavi Center, located on the UC Davis campus, is one of the biggest non-seasonal attractions to Davis. The Mondavi Center is a theater which hosts many world-class touring acts, including star performers such as Yo-Yo Ma and Cecilia Bartoli, and draws a large audience from Sacramento.

UC Davis Arboretum

Main article: University of California, Davis, Arboretum

The UC Davis Arboretum is an arboretum and botanical garden. Plants from all over the world grow in different sections of the park. There are notable oak and native plant collections and a small redwood grove. A small waterway spans the arboretum along the bed of the old North Fork of Putah Creek. Occasionally herons, kingfishers, and cormorants can be seen around the waterways, as well as the ever present ducks. Tours of the arboretum led by volunteer naturalists are often held for grade-school children.

Farmers market

The Davis Farmers Market is held every Wednesday evening and Saturday morning. Participants sell a range of fruits and vegetables, baked goods, dairy and meat products (often from certified organic farms), crafts, and plants and flowers. From April to October, the market hosts Picnic in the Park, with musical events and food sold from restaurant stands.[28] The Davis Farmers Market won first place in the 2009, and second place in the 2010 America’s Favorite Farmers Markets held by the American Farmland Trust under the large Farmers market classification.[29][30]

Media

Davis has one daily newspaper, The Davis Enterprise,[31] founded in 1897. UC Davis also has a daily newspaper called The California Aggie which covers campus, local and national news. Davis Media Access, a community media center, is the umbrella organization of television station DCTV.[32] There are also numerous commercial stations broadcasting from nearby Sacramento. Davis has two community radio stations: KDVS 90.3 FM, on the University of California campus, and KDRT 95.7 FM, a subsidiary of Davis Media Access and one of the first low-power FM radio stations in the United States. Davis has the world's largest English-language local wiki, DavisWiki.

Toad Tunnel

Entrance to the Toad Tunnel in front of the Post Office

Davis' Toad Tunnel is a wildlife crossing that was constructed in 1995 and has drawn much attention over the years, including a mention on The Daily Show. Because of the building of an overpass, animal lovers worried about toads being killed by cars commuting from South Davis to North Davis, since the toads hopped from one side of a dirt lot (which the overpass replaced) to the reservoir at the other end. After much controversy, a decision was made to build a toad tunnel, which runs beneath the Pole Line Road overpass which crosses Interstate 80. The project cost $14,000. The tunnel is 21 inches (53 cm) wide and 18 inches (46 cm) high.

The tunnel has created problems of its own. The toads originally refused to use the tunnel and so the tunnel was lit to encourage its use. The toads then died from the heat of the lamps inside the tunnel. Once through the tunnel, the toads also had to contend with birds who grew wise to the toad-producing hole in the ground.[citation needed] The exit to the toad tunnel has been decorated by the Postmaster to resemble a toad town.

Education

University of California

Main article: University of California, Davis

The University of California, Davis, or UC Davis, a campus of the University of California, had an 2009 Fall enrollment of 32,153 students.[33][34] UC Davis has a dominant influence on the social and cultural life of the town.

D-Q University

Main article: D-Q University
Entrance and mural at D-Q University.

Also known as Deganawidah-Quetzalcoatl University and much smaller than UC Davis, D-Q University was a two-year institution located on Road 31 in Yolo County 6.7 miles (11 km) west of State Route 113. This is just west of Davis near the Yolo County Airport. About four miles (6 km) to the west, the Road 31 exit from Interstate 505 is marked with cryptic signage, "DQU." The site is about 100 feet (30 m) above mean sea level (AMSL). NAD83 coordinates for the campus are 38°34′02″N 121°53′12″W / 38.56722°N 121.88667°W / 38.56722; -121.88667

The college closed in 2005. The curriculum was said to include heritage and traditional American Indian ceremonies. The 643 acres (2.60 km2) and 5 buildings were formerly a military reservation according to a National Park Service publication, Five Views. The full name of the school is included here so that readers can accurately identify the topic. According to some tribal members, use of the spelled-out name of the university can be offensive. People who want to be culturally respectful refer to the institution as D-Q University. Tribal members in appropriate circumstances may use the full name.

Other colleges

An off-campus branch of Sacramento City College is located in Davis.

Public schools

Davis' public school system is administrated by the Davis Joint Unified School District.

The city has nine public elementary schools (North Davis, Birch Lane, Pioneer Elementary, Patwin, Cesar Chavez, Robert E. Willett, Marguerite Montgomery, Fred T. Korematsu at Mace Ranch, and Fairfield Elementary (which is outside the city limits but opened in 1866 and is Davis Joint Unified School District's oldest public school)). Davis has one school for independent study (Davis School for Independent Study), three public junior high schools (Ralph Waldo Emerson, Oliver Wendell Holmes, and Frances Harper), one main high school (Davis Senior High School), an alternative high school (Martin Luther King High School), and a small technology-based high school (Leonardo da Vinci High School). Cesar Chavez is a Spanish immersion school, with no English integration until the third grade. The junior high schools contain grades 7 through 9. Due to a decline in the school-age population in Davis, several of the elementary schools may be closed. Valley Oak was closed after the 2007–08 school year, and their campus was granted to Da Vinci High (which had formerly been located in the back of Davis Senior High's campus) and a special-ed preschool.

At one time, Chavez and Willett were incorporated together to provide elementary education K–6 to both English-speaking and Spanish immersion students in West Davis. Cesar Chavez served grades K–3 and was called West Davis Elementary, and Robert E. Willett (named for a long-time teacher at the school, now deceased) served grades 4–6 and was known as West Davis Intermediate. Willett now serves K–6 English-speaking students, and Chavez supports the Spanish immersion program for K–6.

Private schools

Notable natives and residents

See also: List of University of California, Davis faculty

These are some notable Davis residents, other than UC Davis faculty.

Sister cities

Davis has 7 sister cities[36]

References

  1. ^ Davis City Website
  2. ^ http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt US Census Bureau
  3. ^ a b http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_PL_GCTPL1.ST13&prodType=table
  4. ^ "Davis, California Population Finder". US Census Bureau. Retrieved December 8, 2008.
  5. ^ http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_PL_GCTPL1.ST13&prodType=table 2010 Census Report
  6. ^ MONEY magazine: Best places to live 2006: Top 25 Most Educated
  7. ^ Jerome C. Davis
  8. ^ Davis: Historical Overview University of California History Retrieved on 02-17-08
  9. ^ "The WeatherChannel".
  10. ^ Nuclear Free Zone – Davis Wiki
  11. ^ Template:USCensus-2010CA
  12. ^ a b "Census 2010: Table 3 — Total Population by Race, including Detailed Asian Race" (Excel). California Department of Finance. Retrieved May 31, 2010.
  13. ^ http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_PL_GCTPL1.ST13&prodType=table US Census Bureau
  14. ^ "Census 2010: Table 3A — Total Population by Race (Hispanic exclusive) and Hispanic or Latino: 2010" (Excel). California Department of Finance. Retrieved May 31, 2010.
  15. ^ Factfinder.census.gov Retrieved on May 15, 2007
  16. ^ City of Davis Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2011 Retrieved February 25, 2011
  17. ^ http://www.ci.davis.ca.us/pw/pdfs/2006_BikePlan_withMaps.pdf Ci.davis.ca.us Retrieved on May 15, 2007
  18. ^ Bike lanes
  19. ^ Bike paths
  20. ^ Bicycle crossing
  21. ^ http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/bicyclefriendlyamerica/communities/bfc_davis.php Bikeleague.org Retrieved on September 27, 2010
  22. ^ Bike League press release, citing Davis as first platinum community
  23. ^ http://www.davisenterprise.com/articles/2006/01/29/news/339new5.txt Davisenterprise.com Retrieved on May 15, 2007
  24. ^ http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/DatasetMainPageServlet?_program=DEC&_submenuId=datasets_0&_lang=en Factfinder.census.gov Retrieved on May 15, 2007
  25. ^ Cal Aggie Cycling
  26. ^ World's Largest Bicycle parade
  27. ^ http://daviswiki.org/Davis_Routes
  28. ^ Picnic in the Park
  29. ^ http://action.farmland.org/site/PageNavigator/Americas-Favorite-Farmers-Markets/best_local_farmers_market_vote
  30. ^ http://action.farmland.org/site/PageNavigator/Americas-Favorite-Farmers-Markets/top_farmers_markets
  31. ^ The Davis Enterprise
  32. ^ Davis Community Television
  33. ^ UC Davis News & Information:: UC Davis Facts: Student Population Headcount, Fall 1997–2007
  34. ^ UC Davis Student Population
  35. ^ Isaac Skinner Chiles
  36. ^ "Sister Cities – City of Davis". City of Davis. Retrieved July 14, 2010.
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