About 67 miles east of Bakersfield and around 109 miles north of Los Angeles is the small city of California City, CA. It is located near bordering cities like Mojave, Aerial Acres, and Atolia as well as Edwards Air Force Base.
The land that now covers this area was once owned by a man named Nathan “Nat” K. Mendelsohn. He bought the area and began the master-planned community in 1961 with the hopes to one day develop it into a huge, thriving city that would be similar to Los Angeles. The area was incorporated in December 1965 and has since fallen well short of Mendelsohn’s goal with only a few thousand people moving to California City since then.
Although it has a small population, California City is also the third-largest incorporated city by land area in the state of California. And while it may not be a huge development, California City is still known for its nice PGA golf course and a nearby municipal airport.
1. People of California City, CA – Population & Demographics
The population in California City is 13,826 with a median age of 35 years old. Only about 11,000 newcomers have moved to California City since the mid-1980s.
Looking at California City demographics, the local population is made up of a diverse community including 37% Caucasian, 31% Hispanic or Latino, 24% Black or African American, and 3% Asian. The gender ratio in California leans heavily in favor of men with about 59% of the population being male and the other 41% being female. The median household income in California City is $48,238.
2. Things to Do in California City
With many fun attractions across the area, one of the best things to do in California City is visiting Borax Bill Park & Station. Especially popular for people with dirtbikes and ATVs, the park offers open areas where you can go riding. Also with picnic areas and other amenities readily available, there are plenty of activities to enjoy here.
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Borax Bill Park & Station, 16363 20 Mule Team Pkwy, California City, CA 93505 (760) 349-0102
Another fun location in California City is the local Central Park, which provides access to fishing, a playground, and a swimming pool. Among the many exciting things to do in California City, the park also has a pleasant desert garden to walk through.
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Central Park, 10400 Heather Ave, California City, CA 93505 (760) 373-3530
Additional California City Attractions
- Desert Tortoise Natural Area, California City, CA 93505
- Air Force Flight Test Museum, 405 Rosamond Blvd, Edwards AFB, CA 93524
- Fremont Valley, California City, CA
3. California City Restaurants
One of the top restaurants in California City is Gloria’s Mexican Restaurant, a popular spot for many locals around town. Head over this nice space offering delicious chips and salsa, enchiladas, fajitas, and many other great dishes. Make sure you pair your meal with one of their refreshing margaritas or other drinks.
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Gloria’s Mexican Restaurant, 7027 California City Blvd, California City, CA 93505 (760) 373-8804
At Foxy’s Landing & Restaurant, visitors will love the family-friendly atmosphere and amazing food. Grab an omelet or other breakfast grub earlier in the day or feast on pizza, burgers, soups, salads, and more for lunch or dinner. It is easily another one of the best places to eat in California City.
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Foxy’s Landing & Restaurant, 22636 Airport Way #10, California City, CA 93505 (760) 373-1555
4. Cost of Living in California City, CA
Among the most affordable places to live across the state, the cost of living in California City is almost 55% lower than the California average. Residing in California City is also about 5% less expensive than the United States average as well. Locals tend to pay more than the state average for home utilities but less for groceries, healthcare, housing, and transportation.
The homeownership rate in California City is 50.9%, making it a fairly even split of people who own or rent their living space. When looking at buying California City, CA homes for sale, the average down payment requirement is 1.4% with median days on the market of 18. The average price of a home in California City is $202,000, equaling out to a median sale price of $133 per square foot.
With the remaining half of residents living in California City leasing their homes or apartments, there are a handful of places available around town. The average price of rent in California City is $1,171 per month with a two-bedroom apartment going for about $1,100 per month.
5. California City Neighborhoods
Is California City a safe place to live? On average, the crime rate in California City is about 2% higher than the national average though the property crime rate is 7% lower than the nation. The possibility of becoming a victim of violent or property crimes in California City is around 1 in 32, based on the population.
As the third-largest city in California by area, local neighborhoods in California City span a massive area of 203.7 square miles. The best California City communities can be found around crossroads like Neuralia Road and California City Boulevard as well as Cadillac Boulevard and Columbia Road.
California City is located along the eastern edge of Kern County. The main zip codes in California City are 93501 and 93505. The two California City area codes are 442 and 760.
You’ll find plenty of convenient places to shop in California City such as the Aspen Mall Shopping Center, Family Dollar, Rite Aid, AutoZone, local grocery stores, and more.
6. California City Schools
With a population of about 3,467 kids under the age of 18 years old living in California City, local children make up about 25% of the residency. Most of these young students attend educational programs within the Mojave Unified School District.
The local schools in California City include:
- Hacienda Elementary School
- California City Middle School
- California City High School
The University of Antelope Valley as well as Antelope Valley College are the closest secondary schools to California City, both of which are located about 40 miles away in Lancaster, CA.
7. Jobs in California City
California City is not known for being a bedroom community due to its distance from larger cities like Bakersfield and Los Angeles. But there are still a good amount of California City jobs available for people relocating to the area. The average salary in California City is $72,000.
Local employers offering jobs in California City include:
- NASA Neil A. Armstrong Flight Research Center
- Edwards Air Force Base
- California City Correctional Facility
- California City Police Department
8. California City, CA Weather
Located more than 100 miles from the Pacific coast, California City has a dry, desert climate. The area rarely gets more than an average of 6 inches of rain per year.
The weather in California City has summers that see temperatures between the upper 70s and highs that can get above 100°F. During winter, these temps can dip significantly to lows averaging 40°F and highs in the mid-50s.
Living in California City Pros & Cons
- Pro: Good place to live for people who like to keep their distance from major cities.
- Pro: One of the most affordable cities to live in throughout the state of California.
- Con: May have a small job market, leaving fewer opportunities for specific industries.
Moving to California City, CA
If relocating to California City is clearly the right decision for you, then we would love to handle your move. The efficient California City movers here at Mentor Moving are prepared to take on the job and make it a success. Give us a call today at (661) 215-6023 or fill out the Request a Quote form on this page for a free moving estimate!
