Rosamond, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rosamond
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View of part of Rosamond, CA
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Location in Kern County and the state of California
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 Rosamond, California
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  California |
| County | Kern |
| Area | |
| • Total | 52.336 sq mi (135.550 km2) |
| • Land | 52.121 sq mi (134.993 km2) |
| • Water | 0.215 sq mi (0.557 km2) 0.41% |
| Elevation | 2,517 ft (767 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 20,961 |
| • Density | 400.508/sq mi (154.637/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (PST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP code |
93560
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| Area code(s) | 661 |
| FIPS code | 06-62826 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1661329 |
Rosamond is a small town in Kern County, California. It is close to the Los Angeles county line in the United States. Rosamond is part of the larger Greater Los Angeles area. It sits in the Mojave Desert, just north of bigger cities like Lancaster and Palmdale. These two cities are among the largest in the Antelope Valley. In 2010, about 18,150 people lived in Rosamond. The U.S. Census Bureau calls Rosamond a "census-designated place" for counting purposes.
Many people who live in Rosamond work at the nearby Edwards Air Force Base. Others travel to Los Angeles, Lancaster, or Palmdale for their jobs. Rosamond is about a 15-minute drive from the Lancaster Metrolink train station. From there, you can take a train directly to Los Angeles Union Station in about two hours.
Contents
History of Rosamond
Rosamond was started in 1877 by the Southern Pacific Railroad. It was named after the daughter of one of the railroad's leaders. At first, the main jobs in the area were mining and raising cattle.
Gold Mining and Air Force Base
In the 1890s, people found gold in the area. This brought many miners and people looking for gold. After a busy period, gold mining slowed down. However, it had a smaller boom again in the 1930s. In 1933, a place called Muroc Army Air Field was built about 20 miles (32 km) away. This field was later renamed Edwards Air Force Base. It was named to honor Glenn Edwards, a test pilot who passed away. The Rosamond post office opened in 1885, closed for a short time, and then reopened in 1888.
Ford V-8 Endurance Test
In July 1932, a race car driver named Eddie Pullen and his team showed how strong the new Ford V-8 engine was. They drove a Ford V-8, model 18, for 33,301 miles (53,593 km) in 33 days. This test happened in the Mojave Desert near Rosamond. They drove at an average speed of 42 mph (68 km/h) over 82 miles (132 km) of tough desert land. The temperatures during the test reached as high as 114°F (46°C). The car used about one gallon of fuel for every 19.64 miles (8.35 km per liter) it traveled.
Geography and Location
Rosamond is located at the northern end of the Antelope Valley. This valley is the westernmost part of the Mojave Desert. The area is often called the High Desert because it is 2,000 to 3,000 feet (610 to 910 meters) above sea level.
Nearby Communities
Some towns and communities near Rosamond include Lancaster, Palmdale, Hi Vista, Roosevelt, Redman, Lake Los Angeles, Quartz Hill, Ridgecrest, and Santa Clarita. People living in these desert areas use roads like Sierra Highway, Angeles Forest Highway, and Antelope Valley Freeway (State Route 14) to get to work in the San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles Basin.
Willow Springs and Raceway
Willow Springs is west of central Rosamond. It used to be a place where stagecoach travelers could find water. However, its springs have now dried up. The Willow Springs Raceway is also nearby. This track hosts many motor racing events, bringing visitors from all over Southern California and beyond.
The U.S. Census Bureau says Rosamond covers about 52.336 square miles (135.550 km2). Most of this area, about 52.121 square miles (134.993 km2), is land. A small part, about 0.215 square miles (0.557 km2), is water.
Population and People
Rosamond has grown over the years. Here's a look at its population.
Population in 2010
In 2010, Rosamond had a population of 18,150 people. The population density was about 346.8 people per square mile (133.9 people per km2).
- About 62.2% of the people were White.
- About 8.1% were African American.
- About 18.0% were from other races.
- About 34.3% of the people were Hispanic or Latino.
Almost everyone (18,145 people) lived in homes. There were 6,197 households in Rosamond.
- About 42% of these homes had children under 18 living there.
- The average household had about 2.93 people.
- The average family size was about 3.43 people.
The median age in Rosamond was 32.0 years old. This means half the people were younger than 32, and half were older. For every 100 females, there were about 100.6 males.
Population in 2000
In 2000, Rosamond had 14,349 people. There were 4,988 households.
- About 72.0% of the people were White.
- About 6.6% were Black or African American.
- About 11.7% were from other races.
The median income for a household was $42,307. The median income for a family was $46,918. About 14.1% of the people in Rosamond lived below the poverty line. This included 19.2% of those under 18.
Education in Rosamond
Rosamond has several schools for its students.
- Rosamond Elementary School
- West Park Elementary School
- Tropico Middle School
- Rosamond High School
- Rare Earth High School (which offers alternative education)
There used to be a special education school called "Ascend Academy." However, the Southern Kern Unified School District (SKUSD) stopped funding it in mid-2019.
Transportation Options
Rosamond is located along California State Route 14. This road is also known as the Antelope Highway. It provides a direct route to Los Angeles in the south and Mojave to the north.
Bus and Train Services
Kern Transit offers bus service from Rosamond to Bakersfield and Lancaster. The closest Metrolink train station is in Lancaster, about 15 minutes south. There have been talks about extending the Metrolink train north to Rosamond. This idea was discussed in a 2012 report by the Kern County Council of Governments.
Notable People from Rosamond
Some well-known people have lived in Rosamond:
- Kay Ryan, a famous poet and writer.
- John Quade, an actor.
See also
In Spanish: Rosamond (California) para niños
