Anaheim, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Anaheim, California
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| Etymology: "Ana", from the Santa Ana River, and from German Heim, meaning 'home' | |||
| Country | United States | ||
| State | California | ||
| County | Orange | ||
| Founded | 1857 | ||
| Incorporated | March 18, 1876 | ||
| Named for | Santa Ana River | ||
| Government | |||
| • Type | Council–manager | ||
| • Body | Anaheim City Council | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 50.88 sq mi (131.78 km2) | ||
| • Land | 50.27 sq mi (130.20 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.61 sq mi (1.58 km2) | ||
| Elevation | 157 ft (48 m) | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 346,824 | ||
| • Rank | 57th in the United States 10th in California |
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| • Density | 6,899.22/sq mi (2,663.78/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC−08:00 (PST) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−07:00 (PDT) | ||
| ZIP codes |
92801–92809, 92812, 92814–92817, 92825, 92850, 92899
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| Area codes | 657/714 | ||
| FIPS code | 06-02000 | ||
| GNIS feature IDs | 1652663, 2409704 | ||
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Anaheim is a large city in Orange County, California, located in the United States. It is part of the Greater Los Angeles area. As of the 2020 census, about 346,824 people lived there, making it the biggest city in Orange County and the tenth-biggest in California.
Anaheim is famous around the world as the home of the Disneyland Resort, a major theme park destination. The city also hosts large events at the Anaheim Convention Center. Sports fans know Anaheim for its two professional teams: the Los Angeles Angels (Major League Baseball) and the Anaheim Ducks (National Hockey League).
The city was founded in 1857 by German families who wanted to grow grapes and make wine. For many years, it was a farming community filled with orange groves. Everything changed in 1955 when Disneyland opened. Hotels and neighborhoods were built quickly to welcome tourists and new residents. Today, Anaheim is a busy city with many businesses, parks, and diverse neighborhoods.
Contents
History of Anaheim
The First People
Long before the city was built, the Tongva people lived in this region of Southern California. They had a village called Hutuknga in the area that is now Anaheim. The Tongva people used native plants like oak trees and sage for food and medicine. They also hunted animals like rabbits and deer. Their village was an important place for trade with other groups living near the coast and inland.
Founding the City
In 1857, fifty German-American families from San Francisco bought land to start a new community. They purchased 1,165 acres for $2 per acre. They named their new home Anaheim. The name is a combination of "Ana" (from the nearby Santa Ana River) and "heim" (a German word meaning "home").
The settlers originally wanted to grow grapes for wine. Although many of them were carpenters and craftsmen rather than farmers, they worked hard to build their town. They set aside land for a town center and built a school first. For about 25 years, Anaheim was the biggest wine producer in California. However, in the 1880s, a disease destroyed the grapevines. The farmers switched to growing walnuts, lemons, and oranges, which became very successful crops.
Growing into a Modern City
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For the first half of the 20th century, Anaheim was a quiet rural town full of orange groves. In 1954, construction began on Disneyland. When the theme park opened on July 17, 1955, it changed the city forever. Millions of visitors came to see the park. To accommodate them, many hotels, restaurants, and shops were built. The orange groves were replaced by buildings and streets.
In the following decades, the city continued to grow. It became a home for major sports teams. The California Angels baseball team moved to Anaheim in 1966. Later, in 1993, the Anaheim Ducks hockey team was founded. The area around Disneyland was improved in the 1990s and became known as the Anaheim Resort district.
Geography and Climate
Location and Neighborhoods
Anaheim is located about 25 miles southeast of Downtown Los Angeles. The city is long and narrow, stretching from the west to the east across Orange County.
- West Anaheim: This area has many homes built in the 1950s.
- Anaheim Resort: This is where Disneyland and the Convention Center are located.
- Platinum Triangle: An area around Angel Stadium with many new apartments and businesses.
- Anaheim Hills: The eastern part of the city, which has scenic hills and open land.
Weather Patterns
| Weather chart for Anaheim, California | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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3.3
71
49
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3.5
71
49
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1.9
74
51
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0.8
77
53
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0.5
78
58
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0.2
82
62
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0.1
87
66
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0.1
89
66
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0.1
88
64
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0.7
83
59
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1
77
53
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2
71
48
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| temperatures in °F precipitation totals in inches |
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Metric conversion
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Anaheim has a warm climate with lots of sunshine. Summers are hot and dry, while winters are mild with some rain. The hottest temperature ever recorded was 115 °F (46 °C) in 2018. It rarely freezes in Anaheim.
People and Culture
Population Facts
Anaheim is a very diverse city. People from many different backgrounds live there. According to the 2020 census, the population was 346,824.
- About 54% of the residents are Hispanic or Latino.
- About 23% are White (non-Hispanic).
- About 17% are Asian.
- Smaller groups include African Americans, Native Americans, and Pacific Islanders.
Many languages are spoken in Anaheim. While English is common, many families speak Spanish, Vietnamese, or other languages at home.
Economy and Jobs
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Tourism and Business
Tourism is the most important part of Anaheim's economy. The Disneyland Resort is the largest employer in the city, providing thousands of jobs. Millions of tourists visit every year, spending money at hotels, restaurants, and shops. The Anaheim Convention Center also brings many business travelers to the city for large meetings and events.
Besides tourism, Anaheim has a large industrial area called Anaheim Canyon. Many companies there make electronics, aircraft parts, and other products. Some well-known companies with offices in Anaheim include AT&T, Panasonic, and Kaiser Permanente.
Sports and Recreation
Professional Teams
Anaheim is one of the few cities with two major professional sports teams:
- Los Angeles Angels: A Major League Baseball (MLB) team. They won the World Series championship in 2002. They play at Angel Stadium.
- Anaheim Ducks: A National Hockey League (NHL) team. They were founded by The Walt Disney Company and named after the movie The Mighty Ducks. They won the Stanley Cup championship in 2007. They play at the Honda Center.
In the past, the Los Angeles Rams football team also played in Anaheim from 1980 to 1994.
Places to Visit
- Disneyland Resort: Includes two theme parks, Disneyland and Disney California Adventure.
- Anaheim Convention Center: The largest convention center on the West Coast.
- Honda Center: An indoor arena for hockey games and concerts.
- Angel Stadium: A large baseball stadium.
- Anaheim GardenWalk: An outdoor center with shops and restaurants.
- Oak Canyon Nature Center: A park in Anaheim Hills with hiking trails.
Government and Services
City Leaders
The city is run by a Mayor and a City Council. There are seven members on the council, including the mayor. They are elected by the people of Anaheim to make decisions and laws for the city. The current mayor is Ashleigh Aitken.
Safety and Hospitals
The Anaheim Police Department keeps the city safe. Fire protection is provided by the Anaheim Fire Department. The city also has its own public utility company that provides water and electricity to residents. There are several hospitals in the city, such as the Anaheim Regional Medical Center and Kaiser Permanente.
Schools and Libraries
Anaheim has many schools for children. There are seven different public school districts serving the city. The largest high school district is the Anaheim Union High School District. There are also private schools and colleges. The city operates eight public libraries where residents can borrow books and use computers.
Transportation
People in Anaheim travel by car, bus, and train.
- Freeways: Several major highways run through or near the city, including Interstate 5 (Santa Ana Freeway) and State Route 91 (Riverside Freeway).
- Trains: The Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC) is a large station for trains and buses. It serves Amtrak and Metrolink trains.
- Buses: The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) runs buses throughout the city. There is also a special bus service called Anaheim Resort Transit (ART) for tourists.
Sister Cities
Anaheim has partnerships with cities in other countries to promote friendship and cultural exchange:
See also
In Spanish: Anaheim para niños
