Meadowview, Sacramento, California facts for kids
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Meadowview is a neighborhood located in the southern part of Sacramento, California. It's close to the Sacramento "City of Trees" Water Tower. About 5,095 families live here. The people in Meadowview come from many different backgrounds: around 34% are Hispanic, 25% are African American, 20% are Asian, 12% are White, 5% are Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and 4% are of mixed race.
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About Meadowview
Where is Meadowview?
Meadowview is located south of downtown Sacramento. It is bordered by Florin Road, the Watt/I-80–Downtown–Meadowview Light Rail Line, Delta Shores, and State Route 160. Being close to Interstate Highway 5 (I-5) makes it easy to get to. The area has a mix of city buildings and green spaces. You can still see parts of its farming past, with some open fields and gardens.
Meadowview's Past: The 1800s
Before the United States or Mexico took control, the land in Meadowview was home to the Maidu, Miwok, and Nisenan people. They had strong connections to this area. When European settlers arrived, and later during the Mexican era, life changed for these native groups. Large farms called "ranchos" were set up.
In the early 1800s, Meadowview was part of Mexico. The economy was mostly based on farming, like much of the Central Valley. The Mexican government gave large pieces of land to important families to help farming grow. These ranchos were key for raising cattle and growing crops, which were very important to the economy of Alta California back then.
After the Mexican–American War, the landscape of Meadowview changed a lot. This war happened because the U.S. wanted to expand its land. A famous person in early California history, John Sutter, owned a huge amount of land that included parts of what would become Meadowview. His farming and trading activities influenced how the area developed. After the war, the U.S. government made new rules for land ownership. This often led to many original Spanish-speaking landowners losing their land.
Meadowview in the 1900s
In the 1960s, Meadowview was a suburb with about 6,500 residents, mostly white. As the years passed, many different families moved in, including middle and working-class Mexican-American and African-American families from places like the Bay Area, the Southern U.S., and the Midwest. This was when Meadowview started to become a residential area with a mix of people.
In the early 1970s, Meadowview saw big changes in its population. New loans made it easier for people with lower incomes to buy homes. This led to many white families moving out, and Meadowview quickly became a neighborhood with a majority African American population. Some people moved because they worried about their property values going down.
Even with some challenges, Meadowview had a strong community. Many families went to the same churches or shared the experience of moving there from other places. Later, places like the Samuel C. Pannell Community Center helped make Meadowview better. This center, named after an important African American city official, and other new projects have brought the community together. They offer programs for kids and families, plus a gym, computer lab, and other useful tools.
Meadowview in the 2000s
On March 18, 2018, a young man named Stephon Alonzo Clark was shot and killed by two Sacramento Police officers in Meadowview. This event led to many protests and calls for change. In 2020, during the George Floyd protests, people in Meadowview remembered Stephon Clark as they asked for police reform.
People and Jobs
According to the 2021 American Community Survey, Meadowview’s population is about 34% Hispanic, 25% African American, 20% Asian, 12% White, 5% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and 4% of mixed race.
The neighborhood has about 5,095 households, and most (68.66%) are family households. These families usually have four members. Most homes (59.94%) are lived in by their owners, but a good portion (40.06%) are rented.
When it comes to education, 33.9% of people in Meadowview have a high school degree, and 27.91% have a college certificate. A smaller group, 13.22%, have earned a bachelor’s degree. Most jobs (75.28%) in the community are white-collar jobs, which usually means office or professional work.
Fun and Community
Parks
Meadowview has several parks that are busy places, especially on weekends. These green spaces host soccer games that are very popular with adults who have moved to the area. It's a great way to have fun and socialize. You can often find food vendors nearby selling treats like raspados, elotes, and magonadas.
Community Center and Churches
The Samuel C. Pannell Community Center is a central spot for many community activities and events. It offers residents a gym, computer lab, and other facilities. This helps create a strong sense of community. Recently, the center has also hosted farmers markets on weekends and neighborhood walks.
Churches in the area are also very important to community life. They offer spiritual services and support for residents. Some of these churches include:
- New Hope Community Church
- Progressive Church of God in Christ
- Meadowview Baptist Church
- Cathedral-Praise & Worship Center
- City Church of Sacramento
- Sacramento Southgate Seventh-day Adventist Church
- Genesis Church Sacramento
- South Sacramento Christian Center
- Antioch Progressive Church
Schools in Meadowview
Meadowview is part of the Sacramento Unified School District (SCUSD). However, some students choose to go to schools in the Elk Grove Unified School District (EGUSD) because it's close by.
Elementary Schools
The elementary schools that serve the Meadowview area are John Bidwell Elementary School, Edward Kemble Elementary School, Cesar E. Chavez Elementary School, and Capitol Collegiate Academy.
Middle Schools
Middle school options in Meadowview include Rosa Parks Middle School and Tecoy Porter College Prep.
High Schools
High school students in Meadowview usually attend Luther Burbank High School, John F. Kennedy High School, or Valley High School.
Important Events
LeVar Burton Park Unveiling
What was once Richfield Park is now called LeVar Burton Park. It opened to the public on June 11, 2019. The park is named after the respected actor and educator LeVar Burton, who grew up in the neighborhood. LeVar Burton himself was there for the opening!
New Land for the Community
Recently, Meadowview gained 102 acres of land from the federal government. This new land offers many exciting possibilities for community development. Plans might include new housing developments, community spaces, or commercial areas. There has also been talk about building a sports complex.
Famous People from Meadowview
- LeVar Burton, actor
- Mahisha Dellinger, business owner and author
- Greg Vaughn, Major League Baseball player
- Cornel West, academic and presidential candidate
- Kevin Galloway, professional American basketball player
- Zach Hill, musician, member of the Death Grips
- Fidel Barajas, Major League Soccer player
- Jesus Moreno, lead singer of Grupo Diez 4tro
