San Clemente is a city located in Orange County, California. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 49,936. San Clemente is the southernmost city in the county, six miles south of San Juan Capistrano. Its location makes it the only city in Orange County closer to San Diego than to Los Angeles.
Prior to the arrival of the Spanish, the area was inhabited by what came to be known as the Juaneo Indians. After the founding of the Mission San Juan Capistrano, the local natives were conscripted to work for the mission.
The city of San Clemente was founded in 1925 by real estate developer Ole Hanson who named it for San Clemente Island and envisioned it as a Spanish-style coastal resort. In an unprecedented move, he had a clause added to the deeds requiring all building plans to be submitted to an architectural review board. It was incorporated in 1928 with a council-manager government.
In 1968 President Richard Nixon bought one of the original homes, which had been built by one of Hanson's partners. Nixon called it "Casa Pacifica", but it was nicknamed "The Western White House." During his tenure it was visited by both world leaders and cronies, including Soviet Premier Leonid Brezhnev, Mexican President Gustavo Daz Ordaz, Japanese Prime Minister Eisaku Sato, Henry Kissinger, and Bebe Rebozo. Following his resignation, Nixon retired to San Clemente to write his memoirs. He later sold the home and moved to New Jersey.
San Clemente is located at 33°26'16" North, 117°37'13" West (33.437828, -117.620397).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 47.6 km2 (18.4 mi2). 45.6 km2 (17.6 mi2) of it is land and 1.9 km2 (0.7 mi2) of it is water. The total area is 4.03% water.
San Clemente is a premier surfing destination, catching swells all year long. Going from South to North, they include Trestles (technically just south of the city line), State Beach, Rivieras, T-Street, The Pier, 204s, North Beach, and Poche. San Clemente High School has won 6 out of 7 most recent NSSA National Titles, and the city has a large concentration of surf board shapers and manufactures. The son of Surf legend, Hobie L. Alter, Hobert P. Alter, resides in the city (as of 2005).
Interstate 5 runs through San Clemente. The Foothill Transportation Corridor is planned to connect Mission Viejo to the Orange/San Diego county line and will run along the east side of San Clemente on its way to I-5.
Such notable individuals that reside in San Clemente include local celebrity Brett Schorr.
Poche beach is located on the north side of San Clemente, California. Known for its stinky tunnel that provides beach access, the wave is not very popular unless there is a large swell with a low tide. It is also one of the best kitesurfing spots in South Orange County due to the propensity for side/onshore wind (spots such as Sunset Beach on the north side of Orange County has stronger and more reliable winds than South Orange County). Original kitesurfers at this spot include Richard West and Wayne Cook way back in 2002. The Shorecliffs Beach Club (Private) has a very attractive building, parking lot, and play area/paddle board court at the beach. Life guards are provided in the summer season.
After the attacks on September 11, 2001 on the World Trade Center in New York, someone placed an American Flag on a beached tree stump. The flag moved deep emotion in the area and local artists painted pictures of the scene. It was featured on the cover of an Orange County Magazine.
As of the census of 2000, there are 49,936 people, 19,395 households, and 13,014 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,094.2/km2 (2,833.4/mi2). There are 20,653 housing units at an average density of 452.6/km2 (1,171.8/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 87.92% White, 0.77% African American, 0.61% Native American, 2.64% Asian, 0.14% Pacific Islander, 5.11% from other races, and 2.81% from two or more races. 15.89% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 19,395 households out of which 30.9% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.6% are married couples living together, 7.8% have a female householder with no husband present, and 32.9% are non-families. 23.4% of all households are made up of individuals and 7.8% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.56 and the average family size is 3.05.
In the city the population is spread out with 24.1% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 31.5% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.1% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 102.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 100.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $63,507, and the median income for a family is $76,261. Males have a median income of $51,551 versus $36,528 for females. The per capita income for the city is $34,169. 7.6% of the population and 4.6% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 10.6% of those under the age of 18 and 3.2% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Source:
SanClementeCA.com
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