Armona, California
Armona, California | |
|---|---|
 Armona, California | |
 Location in Kings County and the state of California | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  California |
| County | Kings |
| Area | |
• Total | 1.904 sq mi (4.932 km2) |
| • Land | 1.904 sq mi (4.932 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0 km2) 0% |
| Elevation | 239 ft (73 m) |
| Population (2010) | |
• Total | 4,156 |
| • Density | 2,200/sq mi (840/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP code | 93202 |
| Area code | 559 |
| FIPS code | 06-02700 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1652665 |
Armona is a census-designated place (CDP) in Kings County, California, United States. Armona is located 3.5 miles (6 km) west-southwest of Hanford,[3] at an elevation of 239 feet (73 m).[2] It is part of the Hanford–Corcoran Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 4,156 at the 2010 census. Armona's motto is "Small But Proud".
Geography
Armona is located at 36°18′57″N 119°42′30″W / 36.31583°N 119.70833°W.[2]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 1.9 square miles (4.9 km2), all of it land.
History
The name "Armona" was applied to a railroad station in the 1880s. It was subsequently transferred to the present location on the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1891. Reportedly, the name was coined by transposing the first two letters of the name "Ramona".[4]
The first school in the Armona vicinity was the Giddings School built in 1880. The Giddings School District was renamed Armona in 1907. A new brick school house was constructed in the early 1920s. As that structure did not comply with California's earthquake standards (the Field Act), it was replaced in 1953 with what is now the Armona Elementary School.[5]
The Armona post office was established in 1887.[3]
Demographics
2010
The 2010 United States Census[6] reported that Armona had a population of 4,156. The population density was 2,182.5 people per square mile (842.7/km²). The racial makeup of Armona was 2,058 (49.5%) White, 99 (2.4%) African American, 64 (1.5%) Native American, 85 (2.0%) Asian, 13 (0.3%) Pacific Islander, 1,597 (38.4%) from other races, and 240 (5.8%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2,784 persons (67.0%).
The Census reported that 4,156 people (100% of the population) lived in households, 0 (0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.
There were 1,152 households, out of which 640 (55.6%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 641 (55.6%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 214 (18.6%) had a female householder with no husband present, 106 (9.2%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 105 (9.1%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 5 (0.4%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 147 households (12.8%) were made up of individuals and 51 (4.4%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.61. There were 961 families (83.4% of all households); the average family size was 3.88.
The population was spread out with 1,421 people (34.2%) under the age of 18, 438 people (10.5%) aged 18 to 24, 1,089 people (26.2%) aged 25 to 44, 902 people (21.7%) aged 45 to 64, and 306 people (7.4%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28.7 years. For every 100 females there were 92.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.4 males.
There were 1,202 housing units at an average density of 631.2 per square mile (243.7/km²), of which 728 (63.2%) were owner-occupied, and 424 (36.8%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.1%; the rental vacancy rate was 4.1%. 2,645 people (63.6% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 1,511 people (36.4%) lived in rental housing units.
2000
As of the census[7] of 2000, there were 3,239 people, 961 households, and 786 families residing in the CDP. The population density] was 1,688.3 people per square mile (651.3/km²). There were 1,012 housing units at an average density of 527.5 per square mile (203.5/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 56.25% White, 4.29% Black or African American, 2.41% Native American, 1.33% Asian, 0.25% Pacific Islander, 29.98% from other races, and 5.50% from two or more races. 48.60% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 961 households out of which 47.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.5% were married couples living together, 16.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.2% were non-families. 13.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.37 and the average family size was 3.68.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 35.4% under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 18.6% 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 94.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.6 males.
Economy
At the time of the 2000 census, the median income for a household in the CDP was $32,790, and the median income for a family was $32,232. Males had a median income of $26,905 versus $22,981 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $11,850. About 24.2% of families and 26.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 37.8% of those under age 18 and 8.9% of those age 65 or over. The unemployment rate was 19.2% in March 2014.[8]
Transportation
Bus
Kings Area Rural Transit (KART) operates regularly scheduled fixed route bus service, vanpool service for commuters and Dial-A-Ride (demand response) services throughout Kings County as well as to Fresno [1].
Major highway
Rail
Amtrak provides passenger service to Hanford, which is 3.5 miles (5.6 km) east of Armona. Freight service is available from the San Joaquin Valley Railroad, which passes through Armona.
Education
Public schools in the community are operated by the Armona Union Elementary School District. They include:
- Armona Elementary School
- Parkview Middle School
The District also sponsors the Crossroads Charter Academy, a K-12 independent study charter school.
There is one K-12 private school, Armona Union Academy, which is operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Armona is in the Hanford Joint Union High School District.
Nearby community colleges include the Hanford campus of College of the Sequoias and the Lemoore campus of West Hills College.
Politics
In the state legislature, Armona is located in the 16th Senate District, represented by Republican Andy Vidak, and in the 32nd Assembly District, represented by Democrat Rudy Salas. Federally, Armona is located in California's 21st congressional district, which is represented by Republican David Valadao.
Armona is represented on the Kings County Board of Supervisors by Tony Barba of Hanford.
Notable people
Lyn Lary (Lynford Hobart Lary) was born on January 28, 1906 in Armona. He died January 9, 1973 in Downey, California. He played shortstop for six different teams in his twelve-year career in Major League Baseball, beginning his rookie year on May 11, 1929 with the New York Yankees. His final game was on August 7, 1940 with the St. Louis Browns. He played in the 1932 World Series with the Yankees alongside Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Murderers' Row. Lary finished MVP in voting twice in 1935 as 24th and in 1937 as 19th.
Lance George Brown born October 10, 1980 in Hanford, Ca. Grew up in Armona attending both Armona Elementry & Parkview Middle School, and attended Lemoore High School. He was a Journey Man Offensive Lineman & Defensive Lineman playing Minor League Football Nationally, Professional Indoor Arena Football, and in the European Federation of American Football. In 2008 he left playing and began his career as a Professional Indoor Arena Football Coach. During the winter of 2008 he would be Inducted into Minor League Football News Hall of Fame as a Player.
Teams Coached: 2014 Green Bay Blizzard- IFL - Offensive Coordinator 2012 West Hills College Lemoore- Assistant Coach, Under California Wrestling Hall of Fame Head Coach Kent Olson 2011 Tennessee Gamblers- IFL - General Manager/ Head Coach- (Team Closed Operations before 2012 Season) 2010-2011 Eastern KY Drillers- UIFL - Head Coach/Dir. of Football Operations 2009-2010 Yakima Valley Warriors- AIFA - Head Coach/ Dir. of Football Operations 2008-2009 New Mexico Wildcats- AIFA - Asst. GM/ Head Coach 2007-2008 Arizona Adrenaline- AIFA - Line Coach/ Dir. Player Personnel
Accomplishments, Awards & Honors: 2008 Minor League Football News Hall of Fame 2008 Team USA vs. Boregos Cem in Mexico City Mexico, Starting Right Tackle 2007 Team USA vs. Team Canada in San Diego California, Starting Center 2006 USA Bowl Orange Bowl Miami Florida, Central MN Thunderbirds starting Left Guard. Last Game to Ever Play in The Orange Bowl. 2004 NAFL & GSAFL All-Star, Defensive End 2003 Minor League Football News All American, as Defensive End, Tied for Most Sacks (19) Nationally 2003 NAFL, WCFA, GSAFL All-Star as Defensive End 2004 NAFL & GSAFL All-Star
Notable sites
Raven's Deli, located on 14th Avenue and operated by Bill Raven and his family, produces various meats and foodstuffs. Raven's Brand jerky is sold throughout the region and easily recognized by its distinctive taste and black raven on a bright yellow background on the otherwise clear bag. Raven's also markets its own line of meat seasonings that is sold at local grocery stores.
The United Methodist Church was constructed in 1910.
References
- ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer File - Places - California". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
- ^ a b c U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Armona, California
- ^ a b Durham, David L. (1998). California's Geographic Names: A Gazetteer of Historic and Modern Names of the State. Clovis, Calif.: Word Dancer Press. p. 994. ISBN 1-884995-14-4.
- ^ Durham, David L. (2001). Place-Names of Central California. Clovis, CA: Word Dancer Press. p. 6. ISBN 1-884995-33-0.
- ^ Gibson, Harold (2001). History of Kings County Public Schools. Hanford, CA: George Watson, Copy Connection.
- ^ "2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Armona CDP". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
- ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ http://www.calmis.ca.gov/htmlfile/county/kings.htm accessed April 27, 2014
External links
Municipalities and communities of Kings County, California, United States | ||
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| Cities |  | |
| CDPs | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Ghost towns | ||