Redding, California
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| City of Redding | |
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| Nickname: Jewel of Northern California | |
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Shasta |
| Settled | 1873 |
| Incorporated | October 4, 1887 |
| Founder | Pierson B. Reading |
| Government | |
| - Mayor | Mary Stegall |
| - City Council | Dick Dickerson Patrick H. Jones |
| - City Manager | Kurt Starman |
| Area | |
| - City | 59.6 sq mi (154.4 km²) |
| - Land | 58.4 sq mi (151.4 km²) |
| - Water | 1.2 sq mi (3.1 km²) |
| Elevation | 495 ft (151 m) |
| Population (2007 City estimate/2005 ZCTA) | |
| - City | 90,045 |
| - Density | 1,363.8/sq mi (534.3/km²) |
| - Urban | 119,302 |
| - Metro | 181,401 |
| - Demonym | Reddingite |
| Time zone | PST (UTC-8) |
| - Summer (DST) | PDT (UTC-7) |
| ZIP Code | 96001, 96002, 96003, 96049, 96099 |
| Area code(s) | 530 |
| FIPS code | 06-59920 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0277582 |
| Website: http://ci.redding.ca.us | |
Redding (pop. 104,295) is the county seat of Shasta County, California, USA, located on the Sacramento River and on Interstate 5 south of Shasta Lake. It is the state's largest city north of Sacramento, as well as the northernmost designated metropolitan area and city with over 100,000 people in California. It is the largest city in the Sacramento Valley and the northernmost in the Great Central Valley. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 80,865. As of the most recent annexations, the population is approximately 104,295.
[edit] Geography and geology
Redding is located at (40.576606, -122.370325)[1]. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 59.6 square miles (154.4 km²). 58.4 square miles (151.4 km²) of it is land and 1.2 square miles (3.1 km²) of it (2.01%) is beneath water.
Redding is nestled at the very northwestern end of the Central Valley, which transitions into the Cascade foothills. The city is surrounded by mountains to the north, east, and west; and fertile farm land to the south. Outermost parts of the city are actually part of the Cascade foothills, whereas southern and central areas are in the Sacramento Valley.
Elevation can vary greatly in different parts of Redding, because the city is extremely spread out. Downtown Redding is 495 feet on average, whereas anywhere to the north, east, or west of downtown ranges between 550-800 feet. Southern portions range between 400 and 500 feet. This is why outermost fringes have a better chance of snow in the winter than right in the central area.
The Shasta Dam on the Sacramento River provides a considerable level of flood protection for Redding. The dam is capable of controlling flows up to 79,000 cubic feet (7,300 cubic meter) per second. However, flows larger than 79,000 cubic feet (7,300 cubic meter) per second occurred in both 1970 and 1974, exceeding the capacity of Shasta Dam.[2]
Soils in and around Redding are mostly of loam or gravelly loam texture, well drained, with red or brown mineral horizons. They are slightly or moderately acidic in their natural state.[3]
[edit] Climate
Winters in Redding tend to be fairly wet. Summers in Redding are extremely hot, and dry almost every year (but heavy rain and floods can occur in any month). The average daily maximum temperature in July stays near 100 degrees Fahrenheit. While the official high temperature in July is listed at 118 degrees, it is not uncommon for it to reach 120 degrees in some areas of Redding.[citation needed]
| Monthly Normal and Record High and Low Temperatures | ||||||||||||
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rec High °F | 77 | 83 | 88 | 95 | 104 | 111 | 118 | 115 | 116 | 105 | 88 | 78 |
| Norm High °F | 55.4 | 60.1 | 63.9 | 70.6 | 80.7 | 90.7 | 98.5 | 96.9 | 90.2 | 78.4 | 62.4 | 55.6 |
| Norm Low °F | 35.5 | 38.1 | 41.1 | 44.9 | 51.6 | 59.6 | 64.1 | 60.8 | 56.5 | 48 | 39.8 | 35 |
| Rec Low °F | 19 | 21 | 28 | 28 | 34 | 42 | 53 | 51 | 40 | 33 | 23 | 17 |
| Precip (in) | 6.5 | 5.49 | 5.15 | 2.4 | 1.66 | 0.69 | 0.05 | 0.22 | 0.48 | 2.18 | 4.03 | 4.67 |
| Source: USTravelWeather.com [1] | ||||||||||||
Redding holds the record for the warmest average daily temperatures North of 40oN latitude anywhere in the world.[citation needed] Death Valley, California holds the record for the warmest average daily temperatures North of 35oN latitude anywhere in the world.[citation needed] Abadan, Iran holds the record for the warmest average daily temperatures North of 30oN latitude anywhere in the world.[citation needed]
[edit] Ecology
There are several rare and endangered species in Redding and its immediate vicinity. The Redding Redevelopment Plan EIR notes the California State listed endangered species, slender Orcutt grass (Orcuttia tenuis), occurs in eastern Redding near the municipal airport, where vernal pools are known to exist. This endemic grass is a Federal Candidate for listing and is endangered throughout its range, confined to several populations, and seriously threatened by agriculture, overgrazing, and residential development. Vernal pools provide the preferred habitat for this plant, which the California Native Plant Society considers as a rare and endangered species. An ecology park at Turtle Bay in Redding has been created to allow study of native flora and fauna of the local area.[4]
[edit] Demographics
As of the most recent annexations, the city has a total population of 104,295 (according to city estimates). Redding is the 21st largest Metropolitan Statistical area in California and the 237th largest in the United States with a metro population of 181,401.
Special Population Note: Although the Census Bureau states the 2000 population as 80,865, a large portion of the Redding urban area is unincorporated territory. Additionally, the local growth rate in Redding (and the surrounding area) in recent years has been close to 2.5%, increasing the population steadily. As of January 2007, the city government estimates the population of the city to be 104,295 and the population of the urban area (including adjacent unincorporated areas) to be 119,302.
As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 80,865 people, 32,103 households, and 20,995 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,383.8 people per square mile (534.3/km²). There were 33,802 housing units at an average density of 578.4/sq mi (223.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 88.70% White, 1.05% African American, 2.23% Native American, 2.95% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 1.64% from other races, and 3.32% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.43% of the population.
There were 32,103 households out of which 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.1% were married couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.6% were non-families. 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.4% had someone living alone who was above age 64. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.1% under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 92.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $34,194, and the median income for a family was $41,164. Males had a median income of $35,985 versus $24,652 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,207. 15.6% of the population and 11.3% of families were below the poverty line. 21.2% of those under the age of 18, and 7.5% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
According to the 2000 census, there were 114,424 people in both the city and unincorporated areas of Redding's 3 ZIP codes. There were 31,585 people in 96001, 4,254 live west of the city limits or in nearby Keswick. In 96002, there were 30,333 people, 2,361 of which lived in Churn Creek Bottom. In 96003, there were 41,463 people, 10,543 of which lived in either unincorporated areas of Redding or Shasta Lake City, northern and western portions of Bella Vista, including all of Jones Valley. and don't have a P.O. box. Of the entire population, 86,223 lived in the city or urban areas and 17,145 lived in the country.
The California Department of Finance lists the 2007 population at 90,045 within the current 2000 census boundaries, while the US census lists the 2006 population at 90,033 not including recent annexations. The City of Redding lists somewhere over 100,000 because of recent annexations. Some areas of north and west Redding have recently been annexed.
[edit] Politics
In the state legislature Redding is located in the 4th Senate District, represented by Republican Sam Aanestad, and in the 2nd Assembly District, represented by Republican Doug LaMalfa. Federally, Redding is located in California's 2nd congressional district, which has a Cook PVI of R +13[6] and is represented by Republican Wally Herger.
[edit] City government
- Mayor Mary Leas Stegall
- Vice Mayor Rick Bosetti
- Richard "Dick" Dickerson
- Ken Murray (realtor and radio host)
- Patrick H. Jones
[edit] History
Situated along the Siskiyou Trail, an ancient trade and travel route connecting California's Central Valley and the Pacific Northwest, the site of Redding was occupied by Native Americans of the Wintu tribe from about the year 1000. During the early 1800s, Hudson's Bay Company trappers and members of the United States Exploring Expedition passed through the site of Redding, while traveling along the Siskiyou Trail.
The first non-native settler in the area was Pierson B. Reading, an early California pioneer. Reading was an admirer of John Sutter, and in 1844, Reading received a Mexican land grant for the area occupied by today's Redding and Cottonwood, California, along the Sacramento River. At the time it was (by over 100 miles) the northernmost non-native settlement in California.
Later, when the Southern Pacific Railroad built its rail line through the Sacramento Valley, it decided that the cost of making a small westerly detour to reach the pre-existing mining town of Shasta was not in its interest. Instead the railroad routed the tracks through an area with the inauspicious name of Poverty Flats and what was to become the town of Redding was born. Named by the Southern Pacific for railroad man Benjamin B. Redding, the town was rechristened "Reading" in 1874, to honor local pioneer Pierson B. Reading. However, the railroad would not recognize the change, and the original name, Redding, was restored in 1880.
Redding incorporated in 1887 with 600 people. By 1910, Redding had a population of 3,572 supported by a significant mineral extraction industry, principally copper and iron. However, with the decline of these industries, which also produced significant amounts of pollution damaging to local agriculture, the population dropped to 2,962 in 1920. By 1930 the population had recovered to 4,188 and then boomed during the 1930s with the construction of nearby Shasta Dam. The building of the dam, which was completed in 1945, caused the population to nearly double to 8,109 by 1940 and spurred the development of the bedroom towns of Central Valley (now Shasta Lake City) and Project City - together named after the Central Valley Project.
In the 1950s the city continued to grow with the expansion of the lumber industry, the building of Whiskeytown and Keswick Dams, and the completion of Interstate 5 in the late 1960s. By 1970, Redding had grown to 16,659 people. In the 1970s, the area of Enterprise on the eastern bank of the Sacramento River was annexed into Redding immediately increasing the city to around 35,000, and bringing the total population to 41,995 by the time of the 1980 census. A major reason the residents of Enterprise supported this annexation was the cheaper power provided by the city's municipal utility which receives power from the dam. However, the 1970s also saw difficult times for the lumber industry as housing construction plummeted during the 1973-75 recession. Unemployment in Shasta County during that time peaked at over 20%. With the increase in environmental regulations the logging industry never fully recovered and the city had to shift economic gears once again.
The city grew to 66,462 in 1990, 80,865 in 2000, 89,641 in 2005, and reached 100,000 in 2007. By 2010, it will reach 108,000, and it will be a city of over a half million by 2050.
In recent decades an influx of retirees from the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles seeking lower cost housing and a slower pace of life has caused a shift in the city's economic base towards the service sectors of medical, legal, retail and tourism. However, the unemployment rate is still consistently above the state average, and with few industrial jobs, wages tend to be low.
[edit] Culture
Key Cultural Establishments, Institutions, and Events:
-Turtle Bay Exploration Park
-Sundial Bridge
-Cascade Theater
-Riverfront Playhouse
-Marketfest (Viva Downtown)
-Old City Hall (Shasta County Arts Council)
-Shasta College Art Gallery & Theater
-Blues by the River
-North Valley Art League
-Redding Convention Center
-Redding Library
-Lake Redding Park
-Pilgrim Congregational Church
-Big League Dreams
-Ducky Derby
One high point is 'Kool April Nites', April 18-22, an event that draws hot rod fans from all over the west coast showcasing classic hot rods and roadsters.
Another cultural event in Redding is the annual Redding Rodeo, in May. During the week of the rodeo on Friday morning at 6:00 AM a large pancake breakfast is hosted by men wearing comedic over sized Styrofoam cowboy hats (known as the asphalt cowboys). This attraction brings in tens of thousands of patrons.
[edit] Places of interest
In 2004, the Sundial Bridge at Turtle Bay was completed. The dramatic pedestrian span was designed by noted Spanish architect-engineer-artist Santiago Calatrava and links the north and south campuses of the 300 acre (809,000 m²) Turtle Bay Exploration Park. The pylon holds up the bridge support cables and also acts as a sundial (accurate only on the summer solstice - June 21 or 22) .
Turtle Bay Exploration Park, located along the banks of the Sacramento River, contains a museum and 20-acre gardens. The campus features permanent and changing exhibitions hilighting art, history, horticulture, forestry and natural science.
The historic Cascade Theatre [2] which opened in 1935 has been restored and now operates as a multi-use performance venue. The theatre is a shining example of Art Deco architecture of the period. It was listed on the California Register of Historic Resources on November 5, 1999 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places on January 17, 2002. The Cascade Theatre was also the recipient of Art Deco Society of California Preservation Award on March 18, 2000.
Redding is the largest city in the northern Sacramento Valley as well as the largest city proper on the 470-mile (756 km) stretch of Interstate 5 between Sacramento, California and Eugene, Oregon. Both Redding and its neighbor to the south, Red Bluff, are popular with tourists who use the cities as bases to explore Lassen Volcanic National Park, Lake Shasta, and other natural attractions.
Redding is served by the Redding Municipal Airport and has two major hospitals.
Library Park, in downtown Redding is the spot where the old Carnegie library once stood. Built in 1903, it was torn down in 1962 to make room for a park that is now used for 'MarketFest'.
[edit] Future growth
The city of Redding is slowly revitalizing the Downtown, Parkview, and Garden tract districts. Because the city's population density is low, more high-density apartments and townhouses will spring up in the downtown area. When all the roads are fixed, the city would be capable of holding 223,000 residents. In fact, the population of just over 104,000 are just permanent residents. The city has a summer population of about 170,000 and a much lower winter population. The population figure of 104,295 is a spring estimate. By 2030, Redding will have a permanent population of 220,000.
[edit] Education
There are 6 middle schools, 46 elementary schools, 4 charter schools, and 30 private schools in Redding. Redding has three major high schools including:
Other high schools in this area include:
- Central Valley High School
- Pioneer High School
- Freedom High School
- North State Independence School
- Redding Christian High School
- Liberty Christian High School
- Redding Adventist Academy
Redding also has five colleges and universities:
- National University, a four year, private university
- Shasta College, a public community college
- CSU Chico at Shasta College University Center, a subsidiary of Chico State serving the Redding area
- Simpson University, a four-year Christian college,
- Shasta Bible College and Graduate School, a four-year Christian college,
[edit] Media
[edit] Newspapers
The Redding Record Searchlight, is the main newspaper circulated daily throughout Shasta County.
[edit] Television
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[edit] Transportation
[edit] Major Highways
Interstate 5 runs through the east central portion of town.
State Route 299 runs through the western, central, and northeastern parts of the city.
State Route 44 runs through the middle and eastern part of town. It is on surface streets for much of its route through Redding
State Route 273, formerly 
U.S. Route 99, runs directly through town.
[edit] Rail transportation
Amtrak, the national passenger rail system, provides service to Redding, operating its Coast Starlight daily in both directions between Seattle, Washington and Los Angeles, California.
Redding provides a city bus transportation system called RABA (Redding Area Bus Authority). RABA provides routes throughout the city of Redding and also provides transportation throughout Redding's suburbs.
[edit] Air Transportation
Air Transportation for the Redding area is provided by two general aviation airports. Redding Municipal Airport, located south of Redding, has scheduled regional airline service. Benton Airpark is located on the west side of Redding.
[edit] Trivia
The town of Redding is featured in the RPG Fallout 2.
The city is mentioned as being the site of a large earthquake in the 2004 television miniseries 10.5.
MythBusters chose The Redding Drag Strip as their test site in episode 87 "Myth Evolution", where they made several attempts to beat a speed camera.
[edit] City Districts/Neighborhoods
- Buckeye Terrace
- Redwood Estates
- Downtown
- Girvan
- Westwood Manor
- Buckeye
- Shasta View Gardens
- Bonnyview
- Enterprise
- Churn Creek Bottom (unincorporated, pop. 2,361)
- Oasis
- Mt. Shasta Mall (Dana Dr/Hilltop)
- West Ridge
- Mary Lake
- Western Ranches (a.k.a Greenbelt)
- Bluffs
- Stanford Hills
- Gold Hills
- Miracle Mile
- MLK
- Parkview
- Park Marina
- Garden Tract
- College Highlands
- Hacienda Heights
- Quartz Hill
- Boulder Creek
- Spring Hill
- Tierra Oaks (Redding/Shasta Lake City)
- Lake Redding Estates
[edit] Notable Reddingites
Notable people who were born in or lived in Redding include:
- Professional baseball player Chris Woodward used to live in Redding.
- Theater composer and actor David de Berry came from Redding.
- Movie producer Kathleen Kennedy was raised in Redding.
- Former NFL defensive star Jason Sehorn attended Shasta College in Redding before going on to play at USC.
- Country Music star Merle Haggard currently lives in the Redding area.
- Clint Eastwood lives part time in the Redding area.
- Buck Martinez, former professional baseball player and manager of the United States team in the 2006 World Baseball Classic.
- Ashley Parker Angel, former member of the now defunct musical group O-town, is from the Redding area.
- John Gibson, Fox News Channel commentator went to Sequoia Middle School and Shasta High School.
- Karan English, former Arizona Congresswoman went to Enterprise High School.
- Rick Bosetti, former professional baseball player for the Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays and the Oakland Athletics.
- Former President Richard M. Nixon owned a summer home on Shasta Lake.
- Ryan O'Callaghan, starting right tackle for the New England Patriots, is from Redding.
- Rich Eisen, ESPN and NFL Network broadcaster, lived in the Redding area.
- Raymond Jacobs, claimed to be in photo of first flag raised on Iwo Jima
- Kevin Sharp, Country musician most famous for his R&B cover "Nobody knows it but me" and big Make A Wish Foundation donor.
[edit] Surrounding towns
- Anderson (12 mi South, 15 min drive) (pop. 11,000)
- Shasta Lake (8 mi North, 14 min drive) (pop. 10,300)
- Palo Cedro (9 mi East, 19 minute drive) (pop. 4,000)
- Shingletown (29 mi East, 52 min drive) (pop. 2,222)
- Round Mountain (31 mi Northeast, 45 min drive) (pop. 350)
- Bella Vista (10 mi Northeast, 16 min drive) (pop. 1,218)
- Oak Run (23 mi Northeast, 56 min) (pop. 820)
- Olinda-Happy Valley (11 mi Southwest, 28 min drive) (pop. 1,200)
- Millville (13 mi East, 24 min drive) (pop. 810)
- Shasta (6 mi West, 9 min drive) (pop. 750)
- French Gulch (18 mi West, 31 min drive) (pop. 100)
- Whitmore (32 mi East, 1 hr 20 min drive) (pop. 593)
- Lakehead (26 mi North, 30 min drive) (pop. 1,228)
- Cottonwood (17 mi South, 22 min drive) (pop. 3,000)
- Igo (11 mi West, 23 min drive)
- Platina (39 mi Southwest, 1 hr 23 min drive)
- Burney (53 miles Northeast, 1 hr 19 min drive)
- Red Bluff (31 mi South, 34 min drive)
[edit] References
- ^ US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ Environmental Impact Report for the Redding Redevelopment Plan, Earth Metrics, City of Redding and California State Clearinghouse Report (1990)
- ^ http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/WebSoilSurvey.aspx Web Soil Survey -- select Shasta County, California
- ^ Kim A. O'Connell, Ecology Park at Turtle Bay, Architecture Week, September, 2002
- ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ Will Gerrymandered Districts Stem the Wave of Voter Unrest?. Campaign Legal Center Blog. Retrieved on 2007-10-20.
[edit] External links
- City of Redding Official Website
- Redding Wiki
- The Web site for the Record Searchlight, Redding's daily newspaper.
- Redding, California is at coordinates Coordinates:
- Redding and Shasta County Climate, Air Quality,Transportation, and Retail Trade Area Statistics.
- California Department of Finance Report, May 2006
- Turtle Bay Exploration Park
- Museum of the Siskiyou Trail
- Redding area golf courses
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- [5]
- [6]
- Shasta Historical Society
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