kids encyclopedia robot

Vacaville, California facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Vacaville, California
City of Vacaville
Vacaville Hills.jpg
Location in Solano County and the state of California
Location in Solano County and the state of California
Vacaville, California is located in California
Vacaville, California
Vacaville, California
Location in California
Vacaville, California is located in the United States
Vacaville, California
Vacaville, California
Location in the United States
Country  United States
State  California
County Solano
Incorporated August 9, 1892
Area
 • Total 29.42 sq mi (76.19 km2)
 • Land 29.19 sq mi (75.59 km2)
 • Water 0.23 sq mi (0.60 km2)  0.74%
Elevation
174 ft (53 m)
Highest elevation
300 ft (90 m)
Lowest elevation
90 ft (30 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 102,386
 • Rank 75th in California
314th in the United States
 • Density 3,449.14/sq mi (1,331.73/km2)
Time zone UTC−8 (Pacific)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−7 (PDT)
ZIP codes
95687, 95688, 95696
Area code 707
FIPS code 06-81554
GNIS feature IDs 277624, 2412139

Vacaville is a city located in Solano County in Northern California. Sitting approximately 35 miles (56 km) from Sacramento and 55 miles (89 km) from San Francisco, it is within the Sacramento Valley but is also considered, at least by some agencies, to be part of the San Francisco Bay Area. As of the 2020 census, Vacaville had a population of 102,386, making it the third largest city in Solano County.

History

The city was originally laid out on land deeded by Manuel Cabeza Vaca to William McDaniel in August 1850. Its original plot was recorded on December 13, 1851.

The city was a Pony Express stop and was home to many large produce companies and local farms which flourished due to the Vaca Valley's rich soil, including The Nut Tree.

Geography and environment

There are a number of rare and endangered species in the Vacaville area. Endangered plants which have historically occurred in the vernal pool areas in and around Vacaville include Legenre limosa, Plagiobothrys hystriculus, Downingia humilis, Contra Costa Goldfields (Lasthenia conjugens), and Showy Indian clover (Trifolium amoenum). To this day Trifolium amoenum can still be found in Lagoon Valley Regional Park.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 28.6 square miles (74 km2). 99.26% of the area is land and 0.74% is water. Excluding the Putah South Canal and minor local creeks, the only significant body of water within the city is the 105-acre (0.42 km2) Lagoon Valley Lake.

Vacaville Hills
Vacaville Hills

The unincorporated communities of Allendale and Elmira are generally considered to be part of "greater" Vacaville.

Climate

Vacaville has a typical Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. Characteristic of inland California, summers can get quite hot. Autumns are warm in the early part but quickly cool down as the wet season approaches. Winters can be cool, and often foggy, but are mild compared to other regions. Spring is a rather pleasant season with fairly mild temperatures and not so much rain. The greater majority of precipitation falls in the autumn, winter, and spring months with little to none in summer.

According to National Weather Service records, average January temperatures in Vacaville are a maximum of 55.4 °F (13.0 °C) and a minimum of 36.7 °F (2.6 °C). Average July temperatures are a maximum of 95.2 °F (35.1 °C) and a minimum of 56.1 °F (13.4 °C). There are an average of 87.7 days with highs of 90 °F (32 °C) or higher. There are an average of 30.7 days with lows of 32 °F (0 °C) or lower. The record high temperature was 116 °F (47 °C) on July 23, 2006. The record low temperature was 14 °F (−10 °C) on December 26, 1924.

Average annual precipitation is 24.55 inches (624 mm). There are an average of 57 days with measurable precipitation. The wettest year was 1983 with 48.90 inches (1,242 mm) and the driest year was 2012 with 5 inches. The most precipitation in one month was 19.83 inches (504 mm) in January 1916. The most precipitation in 24 hours was 6.10 inches (155 mm) on February 27, 1940. Snowfall is rare in Vacaville, but light measurable amounts have occurred, including 2.2 inches (56 mm) in January 1907 and 2.0 inches (51 mm) in December 1988.

Climate data for Vacaville, California
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 81
(27)
82
(28)
91
(33)
99
(37)
105
(41)
115
(46)
116
(47)
114
(46)
112
(44)
105
(41)
91
(33)
78
(26)
116
(47)
Average high °F (°C) 56
(13)
62
(17)
68
(20)
74
(23)
82
(28)
90
(32)
96
(36)
95
(35)
91
(33)
80
(27)
66
(19)
56
(13)
76
(25)
Average low °F (°C) 39
(4)
42
(6)
45
(7)
47
(8)
52
(11)
57
(14)
60
(16)
59
(15)
57
(14)
52
(11)
44
(7)
39
(4)
49
(10)
Record low °F (°C) 18
(−8)
16
(−9)
26
(−3)
29
(−2)
32
(0)
36
(2)
40
(4)
39
(4)
39
(4)
31
(−1)
22
(−6)
17
(−8)
16
(−9)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 5.33
(135)
5.41
(137)
3.53
(90)
1.30
(33)
0.74
(19)
0.10
(2.5)
0
(0)
0.06
(1.5)
0.27
(6.9)
1.20
(30)
3.13
(80)
5.23
(133)
26.3
(667.9)

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1870 343
1880 361 5.2%
1890 725 100.8%
1900 1,220 68.3%
1910 1,177 −3.5%
1920 1,254 6.5%
1930 1,556 24.1%
1940 1,614 3.7%
1950 3,169 96.3%
1960 10,898 243.9%
1970 21,690 99.0%
1980 43,367 99.9%
1990 71,479 64.8%
2000 88,625 24.0%
2010 92,428 4.3%
2020 102,386 10.8%
U.S. Decennial Census 2020 U.S. Census

2020

According to the 2020 United States Census, Vacaville had a population of 102,386. During the period 2015-2019 there were an average of 2.81 people per household. The American Community Survey (ACS) estimated the population identified as 50.5% non-hispanic white, 24.8% hispanic or latino, 10.1% black or African-American, 8.1% of two or more races, 7.8% Asian, 0.9% native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 0.7% American Indian or Alaska Native. The same survey estimated that 22.7% of the population was under 18 years old and 14% was over 65 years old.

2010

The 2010 United States Census reported that Vacaville had a population of 92,428. The population density was 3,233.5 people per square mile (1,248.5/km2). The racial makeup of Vacaville was 61,301 (66.3%) White, 9,510 (10.3%) African American, 846 (0.9%) Native American, 5,606 (6.1%) Asian (3.3% Filipino, 0.7% Chinese, 0.6% Indian, 0.5% Japanese, 0.3% Vietnamese, 0.3% Korean), 532 (0.6%) Pacific Islander, 8,136 (8.8%) from other races, and 6,497 (7.0%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 21,121 persons (22.9%); 17.0% of Vacaville is Mexican, 0.9% Puerto Rican, 0.5% Salvadoran, 0.3% Nicaraguan, 0.2% Guatemalan, and 0.2% Peruvian.

The Census reported that 91.3% of the population lived in households and 8.6% were institutionalized.

There were 31,092 households, out of which 11,747 (37.8%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 16,347 (52.6%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 4,068 (13.1%) had a female householder with no husband present, 1,686 (5.4%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 1,892 (6.1%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 208 (0.7%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 7,053 households (22.7%) were made up of individuals, and 2,689 (8.6%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71. There were 22,101 families (71.1% of all households); the average family size was 3.19.

The population was spread out, with 21,511 people (23.3%) under the age of 18, 8,963 people (9.7%) aged 18 to 24, 26,269 people (28.4%) aged 25 to 44, 26,016 people (28.1%) aged 45 to 64, and 9,669 people (10.5%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 112.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 115.1 males.

There were 32,814 housing units at an average density of 1,148.0 per square mile (443.2/km2), of which 63.4% were owner-occupied and 36.6% were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.1%; the rental vacancy rate was 6.8%. 59.0% of the population lived in owner-occupied housing units and 32.3% lived in rental housing units.

2000

As of the 2000 census there were 88,625 people living in the city. The population density was 1,263.6/km2 (3,272.3/mi2). There were 28,696 housing units at an average density of 409.1/km2 (1,059.5/mi2). The racial makeup of the city was 72.11% White, 10.02% African American, 0.97% Native American, 4.18% Asian, 0.45% Pacific Islander, 6.74% from other races, and 5.53% from two or more races. 17.88% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 28,105 households, 20,966 were families: 41.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.0% were married couples living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.4% were "non-families." 19.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.83 and the average family size was 3.24.

The median age was 34 years, and the age distribution of the population was rather spread out: 27.0% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 35.4% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 8.3% who were 65 years of age or older. However, the sex ratio was higher than the national average. For every 100 females, there were 118.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 124.7 males.

Summer Hillside
Vacaville Hills during summer

Economy

Personal income

According to the city of Vacaville, in 2019/2020, median household income was $82,513, which was 39 percent above the national average and 19 percent higher than the state average.

In 2007, the median income for a family was $63,950. Also in 2007, males had a median income of $43,527 versus $31,748 for females and per capita income for the city was $21,557. 6.1% of the population and 4.3% of families lived below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 7.4% of those under the age of 18 and 4.8% of those 65 and older lived below the poverty line.

Industry

There are biotechnology/pharmaceutical facilities operated by Genentech, ALZA Corporation, Kaiser Permanente, and Novartis International AG. On May 14, 2014, ICON Aircraft announced they would consolidate all company functions in a new 140,000-square-foot facility in Vacaville. Two state prisons are located in Vacaville: California State Prison, Solano and California Medical Facility. The latter prison houses inmates undergoing medical treatments.

Top employers

According to the city's 2009 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:

# Employer # of Employees
1 California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation 2,915
2 Vacaville Unified School District 1,273
3 Genentech 875
4 City of Vacaville 820
5 Alza 750
6 State Compensation Insurance Fund 670
7 Kaiser Permanente (Kaiser Vacaville) 600
8 NorthBay Healthcare (NorthBay VacaValley Hospital 470
9 M&G DuraVent 350
10 Travis Credit Union 311

Education

Aerial view of Vacaville, California
Aerial view of Vacaville

The city has two unified public school districts, a community college district, private schools and colleges.

Public elementary and secondary schools

The Vacaville Unified School District includes the following campuses:

Elementary schools

  • Ace Charter School
  • Alamo Elementary
  • Browns Valley Elementary
  • Edwin Markham Elementary
  • Eugene Padan Elementary
  • Fairmont Charter Elementary
  • Cooper Elementary
  • Orchard Elementary
  • Hemlock Elementary
  • Jean Callison Elementary
  • Sierra Vista K-8
  • Ernest Kimme Academy for Independent Learners (K-12)
  • Kairos Public Schools Vacaville Academy (K-8)

Middle schools

  • Vaca Pena Middle School
  • Willis Jepson Middle School
  • Sierra Vista K-8
  • Ernest Kimme Academy for Independent Learners (K-12)
  • Kairos Public Schools Vacaville Academy

High schools

  • Buckingham Charter Magnet High School
  • Country High School
  • Vacaville High School
  • Will C. Wood High School
  • Ernest Kimme Academy for Independent Learners (K–12)

Travis Unified School District

The Travis Unified School District campuses include:

Its campuses serving Vacaville secondary students are:

  • Golden West Middle School
  • Vanden High School

Private schools

Private institutions with campuses in Vacaville are:

  • Bethany Lutheran Preschool and Elementary School
  • Faith Academy (Independent)
  • Notre Dame Parochial School
  • Vacaville Adventist (Seventh-day Adventist)
  • Vacaville Christian Schools (pre-school through 12th grade)
  • The Academy of 21st Century Learning

Colleges and universities

The town has a District supporting the Solano Community College. Among others, it offers an associate degree in biotechnology, which could lead to employment with local industries.

Other colleges and universities include:

  • California Maritime Academy
  • Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine
  • The University of Phoenix

Infrastructure

The city includes two hospitals, NorthBay VacaValley Hospital, a 50-bed facility whose campus also includes the NorthBay Cancer Center and HealthSpring Fitness Center, and the Kaiser Permanente Vacaville Medical Center, a hospital and trauma center.

Notable people

(B) denotes that the person was born in Vacaville.

  • Arthur Adams (born 1963), comic book artist known for Longshot and Monkeyman and O'Brien
  • Brothers Wayne and Trent Gardner - founders and members of American prog metal band Magellan
  • Dennis Alexio (born 1959) – kickboxer, eight-time world champion (B)
  • Chris Begley – member of the band Fight Fair
  • Andy Bloom (born 1973) - Olympic shot putter, NCAA champion in shot put and discus
  • Frank H. Buck - politician, fruit baron, developer of Beverly Hills, California (B)
  • Jarrett BushNFL player, Green Bay Packers, Will C. Wood High School alumnus (B)
  • Kyle DeVan – offensive guard for Indianapolis Colts
  • Jermaine Dye – Major League Baseball player; 2005 World Series MVP with the Chicago White Sox (B)
  • Tony Gonsolin - Pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers (B)
  • Xzavie Jackson – defensive end for Cincinnati Bengals
  • Stefan Janoski - skateboarder
  • Willis Linn Jepson - botanist and conservationist (B)
  • Josh Kaddu - linebacker for the Miami Dolphins
  • Bonnie McKee - pop singer and songwriter (B)
  • Vince Newsome - NFL player for Los Angeles Rams, Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens; in 1983, became first Vacaville resident drafted into NFL
  • Frank Parker - actor, played Grandpa Shawn Brady on Days of Our Lives
  • Papa Roach – rock band
  • Aaron Pauley - bassist and vocalist of rock band Of Mice & Men
  • Michael Polenske - vintner
  • A. Purves Pullen (a.k.a. Dr. Birdbath) – voice actor known for mimicking birds and animals, including bird sounds in the Disney film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
  • Jacoby Shaddix – lead singer of rock band Papa Roach
  • Casey Sheehan – awarded Bronze Star with Palm Fronds posthumously for actions in Iraq on April 4, 2004
  • Cindy Sheehan – political activist
  • Jessica Sierra - singer
  • Carson Strong - College football quarterback for Nevada Wolf Pack football (B)
  • Greg Tagert - baseball manager
  • Mykal Walker - NFL Linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons
  • Thomas Williams – linebacker for USC Trojans and NFL
  • Luzena Wilson - California Gold Rush entrepreneur and memoirist

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Vacaville para niños

kids search engine
Vacaville, California Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.