Norco, California facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Norco, California
City
Lake Norconian Pavilion
Flag Seal
Motto(s):  "Horsetown USA"
Location in Riverside County and the state of California
Norco, California Location in the Los Angeles metropolitan area Show map of the Los Angeles metropolitan area Norco, California Location in California Show map of California Norco, California Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	California
County	Riverside
Incorporated	December 28, 1964
Government
• Type	Council-Manager
Area
• Total	14.08 sq mi (36.46 km2)
• Land	13.86 sq mi (35.89 km2)
• Water	0.22 sq mi (0.57 km2)  2.22%
Elevation	640 ft (195 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	26,316
• Density	1,920.03/sq mi (741.31/km2)
Time zone	UTC-8 (Pacific)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP code	92860
Area code(s)	951
FIPS code	06-51560
GNIS feature IDs	1652819, 2411265

Norco is a city in Riverside County, California, United States. It is about 40 miles (64 km) from the Pacific Ocean. Norco is famous for being "Horsetown, USA." It is a special place where horses are a big part of daily life.

You will see many horse corrals, farms, and ranches here. There are also lots of riding trails. Stores that sell horse supplies are common. The city even has rules that new buildings should look "Western" and rustic.

In 2020, about 26,316 people lived in Norco. This was a small decrease from 27,063 people in 2010.

History of Norco

The very first people to live in this area were the Luiseño Native Americans.

The name "Norco" comes from "North Corona". This name was given by the North Corona Land Company.

Norco officially opened on Mother's Day, May 13, 1923. It became an official city on December 28, 1964.

Norco's Geography and Nature

Norco covers about 14.3 square miles (37 km²). Most of this area is land, about 14.0 square miles (36.2 km²). A smaller part, about 0.3 square miles (0.78 km²), is water.

The Santa Ana Mountains are a major natural landmark in Norco. You can see them from almost anywhere in the city.

Plants and Trees in Norco

Norco has many different native plants. This is because it has a variety of natural areas. The main plant groups are sage scrub, chaparral shrubland, and riparian woodland.

Some native plants you might see include the California poppy, matilija poppy, and toyon. Other common plants are Ceanothus, Chamise, and coast live oak. You can also find sycamore trees, willows, and giant wildrye.

Some plants that were brought here from other places include Erythrina afra and Strelitzia reginae. Many types of palm trees grow in Norco. These include Mexican fan palms, Canary Island palms, and queen palms. Only the California fan palm is native to this area. Norco's climate is like a Mediterranean biome. It is also called the Woodland, Shrub, or Chaparral Biome.

Norco's Climate

Norco has a warm Mediterranean climate. This means it has mild winters and hot summers. Most of the rain falls during winter and early spring.

Spring weather is usually very pleasant with little rain. In early summer, Norco often has cloudy weather. People call this "May Gray" or "June Gloom". Summers are generally hot, with temperatures often above 90°F (32°C). On the hottest days, temperatures can go over 100°F (38°C). Thunderstorms are rare but can happen in late summer.

Fall brings sunny and slightly cooler weather. There is not much rain, but it can be windy. These winds are called Santa Ana winds and blow in October and November. Winter nights can get cold enough for frost, especially in December and January. Winter days are usually nice, with temperatures around 65°F (18°C). Sometimes, they can even reach over 70°F (21°C).

Norco's Population and People

In 2010, Norco had a population of 27,063 people. The city was home to many different groups. About 76.3% of people were White, and 7.0% were African American. About 3.1% were Asian, and 0.9% were Native American. About 31.1% of the people were Hispanic or Latino.

Most people (83.8%) lived in regular homes. About 16.0% lived in places like correctional facilities.

There were 7,023 households in Norco. In 40.3% of these homes, children under 18 lived there. The average household had about 3.23 people. The average family had about 3.53 people.

The median age in Norco was 39.5 years old. This means half the people were younger and half were older than 39.5.

In 2010, the average household income in Norco was $82,074. About 9.9% of the people lived below the federal poverty line.

Norco's Economy and Jobs

Norco has several large employers that provide many jobs. Here are some of the top employers in the city, based on a 2022 report:

Since 2017, Norco has been home to Circle D Ranch. This ranch is where Disneyland's horses live and train. These horses are used to pull the horse-drawn streetcars on Main Street at Disneyland. The Circle D Ranch employs 60 people.

Norco's Culture and Lifestyle

Norco is known as a horse community. You won't find many sidewalks here. Instead, there are horse trails. Riders can ride their horses right into town. They can tie their horses at the many hitching rails and corrals near businesses. Many horse groups are active in the city. These include the Norco Horsemen's Association. There is also the Norco Junior Horsemen's Association for younger riders.

The city's rules say that Norco's buildings should look "Western." This means they should be rural, informal, and rustic. This style helps keep the town's horse-friendly feel. The original idea for the town was "City living in a rural atmosphere."

Norco is also home to the Norco Animal Rescue Team. This group helps animals in need.

In 2006, Norco started calling itself "Horsetown U.S.A." It even got a special federal trademark for this name.

The biggest event in Norco is the annual Norco Fair. Community volunteers organize this fair. It takes place over Labor Day Weekend. The fair starts on Thursday evening with the Miss Norco, Horsetown USA Contest. It ends on Monday with a Labor Day Parade down 6th Street. The fair has many fun events. These include a rodeo, a rodeo dance, and a calf dressing competition. There are also pageants, exhibitions, cowboy poker, and wild cow milking. You can even watch snail races and a talent show. There is also a pet parade and a "Family Fun Day."

Norco's Transportation

Interstate 15 goes right through Norco. This highway connects the city to places like San Diego to the south. It also connects to Ontario and Las Vegas to the north.

The Riverside Transit Agency (RTA) offers bus service. Route 3 goes from Norco north to Eastvale. It goes south to Corona at the Corona Transit Center. This center is about one mile south of Norco. You can also take a train from the Corona Transit Center. Metrolink trains go to Los Angeles and Orange County. These are on the 91/Perris Valley and Inland Empire–Orange County lines.

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See also

In Spanish: Norco (California) para niños