Adelanto, California facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Adelanto, California
City
Flag Seal
Motto(s):  The City with Unlimited Possibilities
Location within county and state
Adelanto, California Location in southern California Show map of southern California Adelanto, California Location in California Show map of California Adelanto, California Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	California
County	San Bernardino
Incorporated	December 22, 1970
Named for	Spanish for "advance" or "progress"
Area
• Total	52.88 sq mi (136.97 km2)
• Land	52.87 sq mi (136.92 km2)
• Water	0.02 sq mi (0.04 km2)  0.03%
Elevation	2,868 ft (874 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	38,046
• Density	719.65/sq mi (277.86/km2)
Time zone	UTC-8 (PST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP code	92301
Area codes	442/760
FIPS code	06-00296
GNIS feature ID	2409663

Adelanto is a city in San Bernardino County, California, United States. Its name means "advance" or "progress" in Spanish. It is about 9 miles (14 km) northwest of Victorville. Adelanto is located in the Victor Valley area of the Mojave Desert. In 2020, the city had a population of 38,046 people.

Exploring Adelanto's Past: A Brief History

The land where Adelanto now stands was first home to the Serrano people, a Native American tribe.

How Adelanto Was Founded

Adelanto was founded in 1915 by E. H. Richardson. He was the inventor of the Hotpoint electric iron. Richardson sold his invention's patent and bought land for $75,000. He hoped to build one of the first planned communities in Southern California.

The name Adelanto was first given to the local post office in 1917. It means 'progress' or 'advance' in Spanish.

From Fruit Orchards to Air Force Base

Years ago, many fruit trees grew in Adelanto. The city was known for its fresh fruit and cider. These fruit farms did very well until the Great Depression. After that, many farms changed to raising chickens.

In 1941, during wartime, the Victorville Army Air Field was built nearby. In 1950, it was renamed George Air Force Base. This base was an important part of the area for many years.

Becoming a City and Growing Over Time

Adelanto was a "community services district" until 1970. That year, it officially became a city. It was the smallest city in San Bernardino County at that time. In November 1992, Adelanto became a charter city.

During the 2000s, many new housing areas were built in Adelanto. However, the city faced challenges when real estate values dropped. More recently, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, many people and businesses are looking for more affordable places to live and work. This has led to new growth in Adelanto and the surrounding Victor Valley.

Adelanto's Location and Climate

Adelanto is located in the Victor Valley. This area is in the south-central part of the Mojave Desert. It is north of the Cajon Pass and the San Bernardino Valley.

How Big Is Adelanto?

The city covers a total area of about 56 square miles (145 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a very small amount of water. The city's average height above sea level is about 3,400 feet (1,036 meters).

What's the Weather Like?

Adelanto has a Tropical and Subtropical Steppe Climate. This means it is generally dry with hot summers and mild winters.

Who Lives in Adelanto?

Adelanto has grown quite a bit over the years. Here's a look at how the population has changed:

Population in 2010

In 2010, Adelanto had a population of 31,765 people. About 94.5% of the people lived in homes. The average household had about 3.84 people. Many households (63.5%) had children under 18 living in them.

The population included many young people, with 37.2% under the age of 18. The median age in the city was 25.3 years old. This means half the people were younger than 25.3 and half were older.

Population in 2000

In 2000, the city's population was 18,130. The average household size was 3.5 people. About 56.7% of households had children under 18. The median age was 27 years.

Adelanto's Economy: How People Make a Living

In the past, Adelanto was known for growing fruit. Before 1992, a lot of the local economy depended on the George Air Force Base. After the base closed, the city faced economic challenges.

The Role of Prisons in the Economy

Starting in 1991, several prisons opened in the area. The city government also approved the building of two private prisons. These prisons bring some money to the city each year. However, they have not created as many local jobs or as much growth as some had hoped.

Adelanto has a few stores and restaurants. The city has worked to improve its finances.

Federal Prisons Nearby

There are also federal prisons run by the Federal Bureau of Prisons near Adelanto:

• United States Penitentiary, Victorville
• Federal Correctional Institution, Victorville

Arts and Culture in Adelanto

Adelanto Branch Library

The Adelanto Library started in 1921. It was part of the San Bernardino County's library system. It first opened in a fruit company's office.

El Mirage Dry Lake, which is west of Adelanto, is a popular spot for filming. Movies and TV commercials have been filmed there. One famous example is the start of later episodes of the TV show Sky King.

Sports in Adelanto

Adelanto Stadium

From 1991 to 2016, Adelanto was home to the High Desert Mavericks. This was a Minor League Baseball team that played in the California League.

After the Mavericks left, another team, the High Desert Yardbirds, played at Adelanto Stadium. They were part of the Pecos League from 2017 to 2019.

Learning in Adelanto: Schools and Education

Most of Adelanto is part of the Adelanto Elementary School District (AESD). This district serves students from preschool through middle school. A small part of the city is in the Oro Grande Elementary School District.

For high school, students attend schools in the Victor Valley Union High School District (VVUSD). This includes Adelanto High School, which is the first high school within Adelanto city limits. Some students might also go to schools in the nearby Snowline Joint Unified School District.

There are also some Charter schools in Adelanto:

• Taylion Academy
• Mojave River Academy
• Desert Trails Preparatory Academy (This school was formed in 2013 by parents.)

City Services: How Adelanto Works

Adelanto gets its police services from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. The Adelanto Substation is located on US Highway 395. It provides law enforcement for Adelanto and nearby areas.

Fire protection is provided by the San Bernardino County Fire Department. There is one fire station in the city. It offers paramedic services, as well as fire and rescue help. Ambulance services are provided by American Medical Response.

See also

In Spanish: Adelanto para niños