El Rio, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
El Rio, California
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Roger Jones Community Center
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Location in Ventura County and the state of California
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Ventura |
| Town founded | 1875 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.024 sq mi (5.242 km2) |
| • Land | 2.024 sq mi (5.242 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0 km2) 0% |
| Elevation | 92 ft (28 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 7,037 |
| • Density | 3,476.8/sq mi (1,342.43/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP code | |
| Area code | 805 |
| FIPS code | 06-22370 |
| GNIS feature IDs | 1652703, 2408061 |
El Rio (which means "The River" in Spanish) is a small town in Ventura County, California, United States. It's located near the 101 Freeway and the city of Oxnard. The Santa Clara River flows just south of the town.
El Rio was founded in 1875 and was first called New Jerusalem. This name was given by the owner of the local general store, who also became the first postmaster in 1882. A school and a Catholic church were built in 1885. Around 1900, the town's name was changed to El Rio. Today, Vineyard Avenue (State Route 232) is the main street for this mostly residential community.
In 2010, El Rio had a population of 7,198 people. The United States Census Bureau defines a specific area of El Rio as a "census-designated place" (CDP) for statistics. This CDP doesn't cover the entire historical community, as parts of El Rio have become part of the city of Oxnard.
Contents
What's in a Name? The Story of El Rio's Name
El Rio was first named New Jerusalem in 1875 by Simon Cohn. He was a merchant who started a general store there. The post office later changed the town's name to El Rio in 1895. "El Rio" is a Spanish phrase that means "the river." This name refers to the nearby Santa Clara River.
A Look Back: The History of El Rio
Early Inhabitants: The Chumash People
The first people to live in the El Rio area were the Chumash. They are a Native American tribe who have lived in this region for a very long time. The Chumash territory stretched from Point Conception to Santa Monica. One of their biggest settlements was nearby in Saticoy. This was because of the natural bubbling springs found there.
Founding the Town: New Jerusalem
On May 6, 1837, a man named Juan M. Sanchez was given a large piece of land called Rancho Santa Clara del Norte. This land covered about 13,989 acres (56.61 km2). It stretched from the Santa Clara River south towards what is now Camarillo.
The town of El Rio was officially founded in 1875. Simon Cohn, a Jewish merchant from Prussia, named it New Jerusalem, California. He built a general store in the area. The U.S. Post Office opened the New Jerusalem Post Office on July 26, 1882. Simon Cohn became the first postmaster.
Growing the Community: Schools and Churches
The first one-room schoolhouse in El Rio opened in 1885. The Santa Clara Catholic Church was also founded in the same year. However, church services had been held in the area since 1877. This was the first Catholic church built in Ventura County since Mission San Buenaventura was founded 95 years earlier.
Octaviano and Rosaria Moraga were among the early settlers who came to Ventura County in the 1870s. They bought land in New Jerusalem. Octaviano ran a livery stable, which was a place where horses were kept and rented. He also drove a two-horse stagecoach between Port Hueneme and the Montalvo train station. His family continued to be a part of the El Rio community for many years.
Name Changes Over Time
On February 14, 1895, the postal service changed the town's name to Jerusalem. Four months later, they changed it again to Elrio (one word). Finally, in 1905, they changed it to El Rio (two words). This is the name we use today. The name "El Rio" means "The River" in Spanish. It refers to the nearby Santa Clara River. The town was located at a crossroads between two large ranches.
The El Rio Post Office closed on October 31, 1911. It reopened in 1953. Before Rio Mesa High School was built in 1965, students from El Rio had to travel to Oxnard High School or Camarillo High School. The post office closed again in 1966.
Where is El Rio? Geography and Landscape
The United States Census Bureau says that the El Rio census-designated place (CDP) covers about 2.0 square miles (5.2 km2) of land. There is no water within this area.
East and southeast of the town, there is an agricultural area. This is where the Santa Clara Avenue Oil Field is located. El Rio is about 80 feet (24 meters) above sea level.
Who Lives in El Rio? Demographics
El Rio has a high percentage of people who work in manufacturing. About 34% of residents have jobs in these industries.
Population in 2010
The 2010 United States Census showed that El Rio had 7,198 people. The population density was about 3,556.5 people per square mile (1,373.2/km2).
Here's a breakdown of the population:
- 48.6% were White.
- 0.8% were African American.
- 2.8% were Native American.
- 1.0% were Asian.
- 0.3% were Pacific Islander.
- 42.1% were from other races.
- 4.4% were from two or more races.
- 86.0% of the people were Hispanic or Latino.
Most people (99.9%) lived in homes. The average household had 4.41 people. The average family had 4.47 people.
The population was spread out by age:
- 30.0% were under 18 years old.
- 12.9% were between 18 and 24.
- 28.2% were between 25 and 44.
- 19.7% were between 45 and 64.
- 9.2% were 65 years or older.
The average age in El Rio was 29.6 years.
Population in 2000
In the 2000 United States Census, El Rio had 6,193 people. The population density was about 3,961.2 people per square mile (1,532.8/km2).
- 47.60% were White.
- 1.26% were African American.
- 2.52% were Native American.
- 1.39% were Asian.
- 0.34% were Pacific Islander.
- 42.48% were from other races.
- 4.41% were from two or more races.
- 77.36% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
The average household size was 4.22 people. The average family size was 4.31 people.
The population by age was:
- 33.0% under 18 years old.
- 11.2% from 18 to 24.
- 28.7% from 25 to 44.
- 16.6% from 45 to 64.
- 10.5% were 65 years or older.
The average age was 29 years.
The median income for a household in El Rio was $50,273. The median income for a family was $56,339. About 13.6% of the population lived below the poverty line. This included 19.2% of those under 18.
Arts and Culture in El Rio
The Albert H. Soliz Library is a branch of the Ventura County Library system. It serves the community of El Rio. Famous poet and novelist Michele Serros visited this library in 2006. She signed copies of her young-adult novel, Honey Blonde Chica. She said, "This library was my home away from home when I was growing up." The Roger Jones Community Center is also nearby. It has a public park next to it.
Community Infrastructure
Many streets in the older parts of El Rio do not have sidewalks. This can be a safety concern for children walking to school and other people.
The Cloverdale Mutual Water District provides water to about 135 homes in the community. This serves around 500 residents.
In the 1990s, the use of septic tanks was stopped in the area. This was because they were causing groundwater contamination. The county then worked on a $35 million project to connect homes to a sewer system. Storm water from the area drains into the nearby Santa Clara River.
The Ventura County juvenile justice center is located near El Rio. It is a high-security facility on Vineyard Avenue. People sometimes call it "juvenile hall."
