Clovis, California
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Clovis is a city located in Fresno County, California. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 68,468.
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History
Clovis became incorporated on February 27, 1912. City limits were bounded by Minnewawa, Barstow, Sunnyside, and Sierra Avenues, one square mile. This section of the city is known today as "Old Town Clovis".
The town was named after Clovis Marshall Cole, the largest grain grower and cattle rancher in the area, nicknamed "Wheat King of the Nation." In 1891, newcomer and developer Marcus Pollasky persuaded Cole to donate more than a thousand acres (4 km²) of right-of-way from his 50,000 acre (200 km²) holdings for his proposed San Joaquin Valley Railroad which he promised would cross the Sierra Nevada mountains and bring profitable trade with the East Coast. In exchange, Pollasky agreed to construct a three room depot at Cole's proposed town site located at what is now the corner of Clovis and 4th Streets. While the railroad never made it as far as the Sierra Nevada mountains, a 26-mile route from Clovis to Friant was completed. After Pollasky's railroad venture went bankrupt, it was absorbed by the Southern Pacific Railroad Company in 1893, and Pollasky skipped town.
Clovis has a long history as a "western town." For many years, the Clovis Rodeo has been held on the last weekend in April, with a parade on Saturday morning, and the rodeo that afternoon and all day Sunday. In recent years, the main street of downtown Clovis has been renovated, the core reborn as "Old Town Clovis". The entire downtown core has been given a fresh look, with the storefronts on Clovis Avenue, the main street which runs through the town, having been given new fronts to give the downtown block the look of an old west town. Clovis was a small town, a 15-minute drive from Fresno, which was looked on as the "big city." The two towns have grown toward each other until the city limits now touch.
Geography
CAMap-doton-Clovis.png
Location of Clovis, California
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 44.3 km² (17.1 mi²). 44.3 km² (17.1 mi²) of it is land and none of it is covered by water.
Clovis is situated midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, bordering Fresno, in the agriculturally rich San Joaquin Valley. Lying at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, which includes Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia National Parks, Clovis has been known as "Gateway to the Sierras" since its incorporation in 1912.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 68,468 people, 24,347 households, and 17,675 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,544.1/km² (4,000.2/mi²). There are 25,250 housing units at an average density of 569.5/km² (1,475.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 75.82% White, 1.90% Black or African American, 1.50% Native American, 6.49% Asian, 0.16% Pacific Islander, 9.50% from other races, and 4.64% from two or more races. 20.27% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 24,347 households out of which 41.7% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.4% are married couples living together, 13.2% have a female householder with no husband present, and 27.4% are non-families. 22.3% of all households are made up of individuals and 8.1% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.79 and the average family size is 3.29.
In the city the population is spread out with 30.7% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 30.4% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 9.4% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 33 years. For every 100 females there are 92.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 88.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $42,283, and the median income for a family is $50,859. Males have a median income of $39,630 versus $28,072 for females. The per capita income for the city is $18,690. 10.6% of the population and 7.6% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 13.1% of those under the age of 18 and 7.1% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Clovis Unified School District
- Elementary schools
- Middle schools
- Alta Sierra Intermediate is a 7th and 8th grade middle school.
- High schools
- Buchanan High School (http://www.clovisusd.k12.ca.us/bhs/) was founded in 1991 and has grades are 9-12. Currently, about 3,000 students attend BHS. Their mascot is the Bears. The school was named after Dr. Floyd Buchanan, who donated money to many charitable foundations in the Clovis area.
External links
- City of Clovis official website (http://www.ci.clovis.ca.us)
- Clovis Independent (http://www.clovisindependent.com)
- Clovis Rodeo Association (http://www.clovisrodeo.com)
- Webcam of Clovis (http://www.clovisnews.com/citycam.html)