Westmorland, California

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Westmorland, California
Location in Imperial County and the state of California
Location in Imperial County and the state of California
Coordinates: 33°2′17″N 115°37′20″W / 33.03806, -115.62222
Country United States
State California
County Imperial
Area
 - Total 0.4 sq mi (1 km²)
 - Land 0.4 sq mi (1 km²)
 - Water 0 sq mi (0 km²)
Elevation -161 ft (-49 m)
Population (2000)
 - Total 2,131
 - Density 5,327.5/sq mi (2,131/km²)
Time zone Pacific (PST) (UTC-8)
 - Summer (DST) PDT (UTC-7)
ZIP code 92281
Area code(s) 760
FIPS code 06-84606
GNIS feature ID 1652812

Westmorland is a city in Imperial County, California, United States. The population was 2,131 at the 2000 census. It is part of the 'El Centro, California Metropolitan Statistical Area'. The city got its name from the phrase 'in the West is More Land'.

Westmorland is on State Route 86 which is upgraded to a new six-lane highway to reduce its' infamous auto accident and fatality risk, while it connects with Brawley, El Centro and Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico.

In the 1920s to the 1950s Westmorland was the site of illegal gaming establishments, many whorehouses and brothels, but these were later destroyed in an attempt to try to improve the town's image.

Westmorland has dealt with the image of high poverty rates and prior to the 1990s North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) economic boom, a nearly dead farm food shipping industry.

Contents

[edit] Geography

Westmorland is located at 33°2′17″N, 115°37′20″W (33.037923, -115.622292)[1].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.4 square miles (1.0 km²), all of it land.

Westmorland is below sea level, sits behind a number of active earthquake faults and experienced seismic activity in the past century (the 1907, 1916, 1925, 1940, 1948, 1965 and 1979 tremors). The 1987 Superstition Hills event caused serious damage in Westmorland and the Imperial valley.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 2,131 people, 625 households, and 501 families residing in the city. The population density was 5,263.6 people per square mile (2,057.0/km²). There were 667 housing units at an average density of 1,647.5/sq mi (643.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 55.75% White, 1.03% Black or African American, 0.70% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 39.42% from other races, and 2.72% from two or more races. 82.21% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 625 households out of which 47.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.0% were married couples living together, 19.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.7% were non-families. 17.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.41 and the average family size was 3.87.

In the city the population was spread out with 35.8% under the age of 18, 10.5% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 17.7% from 45 to 64, and 9.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females there were 94.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $23,365, and the median income for a family was $26,667. Males had a median income of $27,500 versus $19,107 for females. The per capita income for the city was $8,941. About 27.3% of families and 27.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 37.9% of those under age 18 and 14.6% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Politics

In the state legislature Westmorland is located in the 40th Senate District, represented by Democrat Denise Moreno Ducheny, and in the 80th Assembly District, represented by Republican Bonnie Garcia. Federally, Westmorland is located in California's 51st congressional district, which has a Cook PVI of D +7[3] and is represented by Democrat Bob Filner.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

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