Gustine, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
City of Gustine
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Welcome to Gustine sign
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Location in Merced County, California
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 Gustine, California
Location in California
Gustine, California
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  California |
| County | Merced |
| Incorporated | November 11, 1915 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.55 sq mi (4.0 km2) |
| • Land | 1.55 sq mi (4.0 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0 km2) 0% |
| Elevation | 98 ft (30 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 6,110 |
| • Density | 3,939.39/sq mi (1,521.01/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP code |
95322
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| Area code | 209 |
| FIPS code | 06-31568 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1658690 |
Gustine is a city located in Merced County, California. It's about 29 miles (47 km) west of Merced. The city sits at an elevation of 98 feet (30 meters) above sea level. In 2020, the population of Gustine was 6,110 people.
Contents
Exploring Gustine's Location and Climate
Gustine is found in the San Joaquin Valley of California. It's about 101 feet (31 meters) above sea level.
The city covers an area of about 1.6 square miles (4.1 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
What's the Weather Like in Gustine?
Gustine has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate. This means it has hot and dry summers. The average monthly temperatures usually stay below 71.6 °F (22 °C).
A Look Back at Gustine's History
Gustine began in the early 1900s as a stop along the Southern Pacific Railroad. It was named after a young girl called Sara Miller, whose nickname was "Gussie." She was the daughter of Henry Miller, a famous rancher. Sara was known for her fancy clothes. Sadly, she died at age eight after falling from her horse.
The first post office in Gustine opened in 1907. The city officially became a city (was incorporated) in 1915.
Gustine was also the first place in California to get the 9-1-1 emergency system. This happened in March 1970.
Gustine's Special Traditions
Gustine is known for hosting the largest festa (festival) in the United States. This event is full of Portuguese traditions. Many people from the area and beyond come to celebrate.
Gustine High School also hosts the longest-running basketball tournament in California. The city's Rotary Club organizes this tournament. In 2017, it celebrated its 75th anniversary!
Gustine's Population Over Time
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1920 | 716 | — | |
| 1930 | 1,016 | 41.9% | |
| 1940 | 1,355 | 33.4% | |
| 1950 | 1,984 | 46.4% | |
| 1960 | 2,300 | 15.9% | |
| 1970 | 2,793 | 21.4% | |
| 1980 | 3,142 | 12.5% | |
| 1990 | 3,931 | 25.1% | |
| 2000 | 4,698 | 19.5% | |
| 2010 | 5,520 | 17.5% | |
| 2020 | 6,110 | 10.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2010, Gustine had a population of 5,520 people. About 50.2% of the people were of Hispanic or Latino background.
Gustine has a large community of people with Portuguese heritage. Many of them can trace their families back to the Azores islands. This community also includes families from mainland Portugal and Brazil. This strong heritage is clear during the yearly OLM (Our Lady of Miracles) Portuguese Festa. Over 20,000 people come to visit for this special event.
What Jobs Are Common in Gustine?
For a long time, much of Gustine's income came from dairy farming and processing milk products. Gustine is home to a Golden Valley Cheese factory. It also used to have a Carnation processing plant.
Other important businesses in the area include Morningstar Distributing, Hillview Packing, Pusateri Nut Company, Ingomar Tomato Plant, and Wolfsens' Meat and Sausage. As more land is used for homes, Gustine is becoming a "bedroom community." This means many people live in Gustine but travel to work in the San Francisco Bay Area, which is about a 1.5-hour drive away.
Learning in Gustine: Schools and Education
Gustine has its own school district called the Gustine Unified School District (GUSD). This district serves students from kindergarten through 12th grade. There is also a private school, Our Lady of Miracles Catholic School, for students in kindergarten through 8th grade.
The GUSD has five schools:
- Gustine Elementary School (GES)
- Romero Elementary School (RES)
- Gustine Middle School (GMS)
- Gustine High School (GHS)
- Pioneer High School (PHS), which is a continuation school.
Getting Around Gustine: Transportation
Gustine is located where two state highways meet: State Route 33 and State Route 140. It's also close to where Interstate 5 and State Route 140 cross.
The city offers a public transportation service called "Dial-A-Ride" through Merced County's "The Bus." This service connects Gustine to nearby towns like Los Banos and Dos Palos.
There is also a bus route (45W) from the Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority. This route connects Gustine to Newman, Crows Landing, and Patterson from Monday to Saturday. This service might stop in early 2023.
Images for kids
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A robot for kids.
See also
In Spanish: Gustine (California) para niños
