San Dimas, California

San Dimas is a city located in Los Angeles County, California. As of the 2004 census, the city had a total population of 36,200.

Famous Citizens

San Dimas's most famous fictional citizens are Bill S. Preston, Esq. (Alex Winter) and Ted "Theodore" Logan (Keanu Reeves), from the movie Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure. San Dimas was featured prominently in the movie, and was referred to as "the center of the Universe," although many of the location shots were of various Phoenix, Arizona locales.

Lela Lee, an actress and cartoonist, grew up in San Dimas.

Geography

San Dimas is located at 34°6'10" North, 117°48'58" West (34.102908, -117.816249).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 40.5 km² (15.6 mi²). 40.2 km² (15.5 mi²) of it is land and 0.3 km² (0.1 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.77% water.2005

San Dimas is a suburb of Los Angeles about 45 miles east/northeast of the city and of the Pacific Ocean. The Foothill Freeway (I-210) connects it to the San Fernando Valley, and the San Bernardino Freeway (I-10) connects it to downtown Los Angeles.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 34,980 people, 12,163 households, and 8,988 families residing in the city. The population density was 870.8/km² (2,255.7/mi²). There were 12,503 housing units at an average density of 311.2/km² (806.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 74.66% White, 3.30% African American, 0.69% Native American, 9.39% Asian, 0.21% Pacific Islander, 7.34% from other races, and 4.39% from two or more races. 23.34% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 12,163 households out of which 35.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.7% are married couples living together, 11.6% have a female householder with no husband present, and 26.1% are non-families. 21.0% of all households are made up of individuals and 8.7% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.78 and the average family size is 3.23.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.5% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 25.5% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 37 years. For every 100 females there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $62,885, and the median income for a family was $72,124. Males had a median income of $53,009 versus $36,057 for females. The per capita income for the city was $28,321. 6.3% of the population and 3.6% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 5.9% of those under the age of 18 and 11.5% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

High School Football

Contrary to the quote from Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure that "San Dimas High School football rules", San Dimas High School's football program is not among the most successful in Los Angeles County.

San Dimas High School is one of two comprehensive high schools in the Bonita Unified School District. Their football team, the Saints, plays in the Valle Vista league, which they were the champions of in the 2004 season. The only other championship for the football team was back in 1976.

Saint Dismas

Don Palomares received a 15000 acre land grant from Governor Alvarado in 1837, which included the land of present day cities Pomona, Claremont, La Verne, Glendora, and San Dimas. This holding was called Rancho San Jose. The northern part of the Rancho was cut through with wild canyons, and while they were of little use for vinyards, beans, and corn, they were an ideal place to house Don Palomares's prize cattle and horses during harsh winters. Due to their distance from the Hacienda, these corrals were often raided by horse thieves and cattle rustlers. Frustrated by the loss of his cattle, Don Palomares began referring to the area as "San Dismas", in hopes that the thieves would turn to Saint Dismas (the patron saint of reformed thieves) and repent of their crimes. In time, the name caught on, and the area was called San Dismas. Eventually, the first 's' was dropped (in error) and the area became known as San Dimas.

Raging Waters

San Dimas is home to Raging Waters theme park, one of the largest water parks in California.

External links

Cities in Los Angeles County | Communities on U.S. Route 66

San Dimas | San Dimas