Kingsburg, California
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Kingsburg is a city located in Fresno County, California. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 9,199.
The fields aroung Kingsburg are mostly grape vineyards which plant mainly raisin and table grapes. Kingsburg headquarters the Sun Maid Growers of California, a producer of dried fruits.
Kingsburg is known as the "Swedish Village". With its Swedish architecture and village atmosphere, Swedish banners fluttering from lampposts and brightly painted Dala Horses, the Swedish heritage of the community is preserved. Kingsburg is home to the world's largest box of raisins [1] (http://www.wlra.us/wl/wlboxofraisins.htm), built by students at California State University, Fresno.
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History
The history of Kingsburg is unique with its single ethnic origin. In the early 1870s, news of good farming, warm climate and free government land prompted two Swedish natives to settle in a Central Pacific Railroad (now Union Pacific) town called "Kings River Switch". In 1874 the present town site was drawn up and the name was changed to "Kingsbury". Two years later it became "Kingsburgh" and in 1894 took on its present spelling, "Kingsburg".
Before widespread irrigation, huge wheat farms were the source of Valley wealth and problems. Transient workers with no ties to any community spent their wages in the saloons of whatever town they found themselves. Overindulgence often resulted in gunshot-punctuated exuberance that often spilled into the streets. Kingsburg was no different. By 1886 there were four hotels and several saloons causing consternation to a growing town population. Alarmed community leaders, hoping to incorporate their city, led the fight to clean up the town. The fight was between "drys" who wanted all saloons within the city limits closed, and "wets" who wanted to maintain status quo. On May 11, 1908, "drys" won the day. Kingsburg was incorporated and all but two saloons were closed.
In 1921, ninety-four percent of the population within a three-mile radius of Kingsburg was Swedish-American, giving the community the nickname of "Little Sweden."
Geography
CAMap-doton-Kingsburg.png
Location of Kingsburg, California
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.1 km² (2.3 mi²). 6.1 km² (2.3 mi²) of it is land and none of it is covered by water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 9,199 people, 3,226 households, and 2,458 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,517.8/km² (3,933.4/mi²). There are 3,358 housing units at an average density of 554.1/km² (1,435.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 71.93% White, 0.45% Black or African American, 0.67% Native American, 2.74% Asian, 0.14% Pacific Islander, 19.61% from other races, and 4.46% from two or more races. 34.42% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 3,226 households out of which 40.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.4% are married couples living together, 11.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 23.8% are non-families. 21.3% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.8% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.82 and the average family size is 3.29.
In the city the population is spread out with 30.0% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 19.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.2% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 34 years. For every 100 females there are 91.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 87.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $40,490, and the median income for a family is $44,737. Males have a median income of $35,452 versus $23,409 for females. The per capita income for the city is $16,137. 11.5% of the population and 10.4% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 16.6% of those under the age of 18 and 6.8% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
External links
- City of Kingsburg homepage (http://www.cityofkingsburg-ca.gov/)