Monte Sereno, California
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Monte Sereno is a city located in Santa Clara County, California. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 3,483. The city is located in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains, about 10 miles southwest of San Jose and is immediately northwest of Los Gatos. The city is named for 2249 ft. El Sereno mountain upon whose slopes the southern portion of the city is built. The community is almost entirely residential, with no commercial zoning and very little multi-family housing and is an upscale Silicon Valley bedroom community. Monte Sereno shares a ZIP Code and school district with Los Gatos. Many municipal services are provided under contract by the city of Los Gatos.
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History
The Monte Sereno area was part of the 1839 Alta California land grant of Rancho Rinconada de Los Gatos. The city incorporated in 1957 to protect its semi-rural atmosphere.
John Steinbeck wrote The Grapes of Wrath and Of Mice and Men in a wooded home at 16250 Greenwood Lane in what is now Monte Sereno.
Geography
CAMap-doton-Monte_Sereno.png
Location of Monte Sereno, California
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.2 km² (1.6 mi²). 4.2 km² (1.6 mi²) of it is land and none of it is covered by water.
The El Sereno Open Space Preserve is immediately south of the city and covers the top and portions of the flanks of El Sereno mountain.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 3,483 people, 1,211 households, and 1,024 families residing in the city. The population density is 835.3/km² (2,158.7/mi²). There are 1,237 housing units at an average density of 296.7/km² (766.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 83.61% White, 0.17% African American, 0.06% Native American, 12.29% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.06% from other races, and 2.78% from two or more races. 3.59% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 1,211 households out of which 39.1% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 78.0% are married couples living together, 4.0% have a female householder with no husband present, and 15.4% are non-families. 12.6% of all households are made up of individuals and 5.9% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.88 and the average family size is 3.13.
In the city the population is spread out with 27.8% under the age of 18, 3.7% from 18 to 24, 21.8% from 25 to 44, 32.2% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 43 years. For every 100 females there are 99.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 96.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $154,268, and the median income for a family is $156,706. Males have a median income of $100,000+ versus $41,875 for females. The per capita income for the city is $76,577. 4.2% of the population and 3.1% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 3.9% of those under the age of 18 and 4.8% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Notable Events
A dispute between two neighbors over extravagant Christmas decorations gained Monte Sereno attention in national news. Alan and Bonnie Aerts of Monte Sereno had for years showcased elaborate holiday displays, costing as much as $150,000, on their front yard. The displays attracted large masses of visitors, resulting in great noise and traffic around the normally quiet cul-de-sac of four houses. Neighbors Le and Susan Nguyen protested, and, in late 2003, the city council passed an ordinance regarding "regulation of special events" [1] (http://www.montesereno.org/details.php?type=agendas&id=88), [2] (http://www.montesereno.org/details.php?type=agendas&id=90) which would require permits for such displays. The next Christmas (in 2004), the Aertses declined to apply for a permit. Instead, they erected an huge, 10-foot-tall Grinch on their lawn, who swayed from side while singing "You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch" . The Grinch's outsretched arm pointed conspicuously at the home of the Nguyens. [3] (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6590930/)
The spectacle gained mention from the Associated Press and NPR. [4] (http://www.community-newspapers.com/archives/lgwt/20041208/lgnews1.shtml)
External links
- City of Monte Sereno Official Web Site (http://www.montesereno.org/)
- Map of El Sereno Open Space Preserve (http://www.openspace.org/preserves/maps/El%20Sereno%205-05.pdf)
- Photos from El Sereno Open Space Preserve (http://www.bahiker.com/slideshows/elserenopics.html)