Vacaville, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Vacaville, California
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| City of Vacaville | ||
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Location in Solano County and the state of California
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 Vacaville, California
Location in California
Vacaville, California
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States | |
| State | California | |
| County | Solano | |
| Incorporated | August 9, 1892 | |
| Named for | Juan Manuel Cabeza Vaca | |
| 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)
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| • Total | 102,386 | |
| • Rank | 71st in California 314th in the United States |
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| • 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
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| Area code | 707 | |
| FIPS code | 06-81554 | |
| GNIS feature IDs | 277624, 2412139 | |
Vacaville is a city in Solano County, California, United States. It is about 35 miles (56 km) from Sacramento and 55 miles (89 km) from San Francisco. The city is on the edge of the Sacramento Valley in Northern California. It was founded in 1851 and is named after Juan Manuel Vaca.
In 2020, Vacaville had a population of 102,386 people. This makes it the third-largest city in Solano County.
Contents
History of Vacaville
Before Europeans arrived, the Patwin tribe lived in the Vacaville area. The Ululato tribelet had a main village near what is now downtown Vacaville, along the Ulatis Creek.
Early Settlers and Founding
The first European settlers in the area were Juan Manuel Cabeza Vaca and Juan Felipe Peña. They received a large land grant from Mexico in 1842. In the same year, their families settled in the Lagoon Valley area. The Peña Adobe home, built in 1842, is the oldest building still standing in Vacaville. You can visit it at Peña Adobe Park.
In 1851, Juan Manuel Vaca agreed to sell a part of his land to William McDaniel. They signed an agreement on December 13, 1851, to create a new town. McDaniel bought about 9 square miles (23 square kilometers) of land for $3,000. As part of the deal, McDaniel named the new town after Juan Manuel Cabeza Vaca.
Growth and Development
In 1880, Leonard Buck started the California Fruit Shipping Association. Vacaville became a center for many large fruit companies and local farms. The rich soil in the Vaca Valley helped these farms grow. Because of the farming industry, many Japanese and Chinese immigrants came to live and work in Vacaville. Many of them worked for the fruit companies.
Vacaville officially became a city in 1892.
The first grade school, Ulatis School, was built in 1885. In 1898, the town's first high school, Vacaville Union High School, was built.
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In 1968, the Vacaville Heritage Council was created to help preserve the city's history.
Recent Events
In August 2020, parts of Vacaville had to be evacuated because of the Hennessey Fire. This fire burned over 315,000 acres (127,000 hectares) in five counties, including Vacaville. Some farms and homes were destroyed.
On August 29, 2022, a truck carrying tomatoes crashed on Interstate 80 in Vacaville. This accident spilled over 150,000 tomatoes onto the freeway. It caused long traffic delays and was even reported in news around the world.
Geography and Climate
Vacaville is surrounded by the Vaca Mountains to the south and west. The Sacramento Valley is to the north and east.
Local Wildlife and Plants
The Vacaville area is home to several rare and endangered plant species. These plants have historically grown in the "vernal pool" areas, which are seasonal wetlands. Some examples include Legenre limosa, Plagiobothrys hystriculus, Downingia humilis, Contra Costa goldfields (Lasthenia conjugens), and showy Indian clover (Trifolium amoenum). You can still find Trifolium amoenum in Lagoon Valley Regional Park today.
City Area and Water Bodies
The United States Census Bureau says that Vacaville covers about 28.6 square miles (74.1 square kilometers). A small part of this area, about 0.74%, is covered by water. The main body of water in the city is the 105-acre (0.42 square kilometer) Lagoon Valley Lake. There are also smaller creeks and the Putah South Canal.
The nearby communities of Allendale and Elmira are often thought of as part of "greater" Vacaville.
Vacaville's Climate
Vacaville has a typical Mediterranean climate. This means it has hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. Summers can get very hot, especially since the city is inland. Autumns start warm but cool down quickly as the rainy season begins. Winters are cool and often foggy, but they are milder than in many other places. Spring is pleasant with mild temperatures and less rain. Most of the rain falls in autumn, winter, and spring, with very little or no rain in summer.
The wettest year on record was 1983, with 48.9 inches (1,242 mm) of rain. The driest year was 2012, with only 5.0 inches (127 mm). The most rain in one month was 19.83 inches (504 mm) in January 1916. The most rain in 24 hours was 6.10 inches (155 mm) on February 27, 1940. Snowfall is very rare in Vacaville, but small amounts have fallen, like 2.2 inches (56 mm) in January 1907 and 2.0 inches (51 mm) in December 1988.
| Climate data for Vacaville, California, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1998–present | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 78 (26) |
85 (29) |
88 (31) |
97 (36) |
106 (41) |
112 (44) |
115 (46) |
111 (44) |
115 (46) |
104 (40) |
89 (32) |
76 (24) |
115 (46) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 69.5 (20.8) |
74.7 (23.7) |
80.1 (26.7) |
89.4 (31.9) |
96.6 (35.9) |
105.7 (40.9) |
107.4 (41.9) |
105.9 (41.1) |
103.6 (39.8) |
91.9 (33.3) |
81.0 (27.2) |
68.6 (20.3) |
109.2 (42.9) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 57.6 (14.2) |
63.0 (17.2) |
68.5 (20.3) |
74.9 (23.8) |
82.8 (28.2) |
90.7 (32.6) |
97.3 (36.3) |
96.5 (35.8) |
91.9 (33.3) |
81.2 (27.3) |
67.0 (19.4) |
57.9 (14.4) |
77.4 (25.2) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 48.6 (9.2) |
52.6 (11.4) |
56.6 (13.7) |
61.5 (16.4) |
67.8 (19.9) |
74.2 (23.4) |
78.7 (25.9) |
78.0 (25.6) |
74.7 (23.7) |
66.5 (19.2) |
55.8 (13.2) |
48.7 (9.3) |
63.6 (17.6) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 39.6 (4.2) |
42.2 (5.7) |
44.8 (7.1) |
48.0 (8.9) |
52.9 (11.6) |
57.7 (14.3) |
60.2 (15.7) |
59.5 (15.3) |
57.5 (14.2) |
51.8 (11.0) |
44.5 (6.9) |
39.5 (4.2) |
49.9 (9.9) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | 27.3 (−2.6) |
30.9 (−0.6) |
34.3 (1.3) |
37.5 (3.1) |
44.2 (6.8) |
49.1 (9.5) |
52.9 (11.6) |
52.7 (11.5) |
47.0 (8.3) |
40.9 (4.9) |
31.4 (−0.3) |
26.9 (−2.8) |
24.7 (−4.1) |
| Record low °F (°C) | 18 (−8) |
16 (−9) |
26 (−3) |
27 (−3) |
30 (−1) |
36 (2) |
40 (4) |
36 (2) |
32 (0) |
23 (−5) |
19 (−7) |
14 (−10) |
14 (−10) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 5.55 (141) |
5.14 (131) |
3.37 (86) |
1.23 (31) |
0.78 (20) |
0.22 (5.6) |
0.00 (0.00) |
0.06 (1.5) |
0.13 (3.3) |
1.01 (26) |
2.44 (62) |
5.67 (144) |
25.60 (650) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 12.0 | 11.0 | 8.4 | 5.0 | 3.7 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 2.6 | 6.5 | 10.5 | 61.6 |
| Source 1: NOAA | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: National Weather Service (mean maxima/minima 2006–2020) | |||||||||||||
People and Population
| 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 | |||
How Many People Live in Vacaville?
The population of Vacaville has grown a lot over the years. In 1870, there were only 343 people. By 2020, the population had reached 102,386.
Who Lives in Vacaville? (2020 Census)
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000 | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 56,031 | 50,811 | 47,338 | 63.22% | 54.97% | 46.23% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 8,691 | 9,187 | 9,386 | 9.81% | 9.94% | 9.17% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 608 | 510 | 395 | 0.69% | 0.55% | 0.39% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 3,580 | 5,378 | 8,800 | 4.04% | 5.82% | 8.59% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 360 | 436 | 663 | 0.41% | 0.47% | 0.65% |
| Other Race alone (NH) | 169 | 765 | 665 | 0.19% | 0.83% | 0.65% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 3,339 | 4,220 | 7,737 | 3.77% | 4.57% | 7.56% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 15,847 | 21,121 | 27,402 | 17.88% | 22.85% | 26.76% |
| Total | 88,625 | 92,428 | 102,386 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
The 2020 United States Census showed that Vacaville had 102,386 residents. From 2015 to 2019, about 2.81 people lived in each household. The American Community Survey found that the population was made up of different groups. About 50.5% were non-Hispanic White, 24.8% were Hispanic or Latino, and 10.1% were Black or African-American. Other groups included people of two or more races (8.1%), Asian (7.8%), Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander (0.9%), and American Indian or Alaska Native (0.7%). About 22.7% of the population was under 18 years old, and 14% were over 65.
Income in Vacaville
In 2019-2020, the average household income in Vacaville was $82,513. This was higher than both the national and state averages. In 2007, the average income for a family was $63,950.
Economy and Jobs
Vacaville has a strong economy with many different types of businesses.
Major Industries
Several biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies have facilities in Vacaville. These include Genentech, ALZA Corporation, Kaiser Permanente, and Novartis International AG. In 2014, ICON Aircraft decided to bring all its operations to a new large facility in Vacaville.
The city also has two state prisons: California State Prison, Solano and California Medical Facility. The California Medical Facility is where inmates receive medical treatments. In 2023, Roche announced plans to sell or close its drug manufacturing plant in Vacaville by 2029.
Top Employers in Vacaville
Many companies and public agencies provide jobs in Vacaville. Here are some of the top employers, not including government jobs:
| # | Employer | # of Employees |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kaiser Permanente | 1,179 |
| 2 | Amazon | 1,083 |
| 3 | Genentech | 766 |
| 4 | Blue Mountain Construction Services, Inc. | 400 |
| 5 | Mariani Packing Co., Inc. | 350 |
| 6 | Simonton Windows | 320 |
| 7 | M&G Duravent, Inc. | 302 |
| 8 | Costco | 273 |
| 9 | Alza | 250 |
| 10 | Walmart | 250 |
Large public employers also include the California State Department of Corrections, Vacaville Unified School District, and the City of Vacaville.
Arts, Culture, and Fun Things to Do
Vacaville has many places to enjoy art, learn about history, and have fun.
Art and History Around Town
Between 1992 and 1995, local artist Guillermo Wagner Granizo created 20 outdoor ceramic-tile murals. These murals are near City Hall and are called "Vacaville Centennial." They show different parts of Vacaville's history. This includes early settlers like Juan Manuel Vaca, Juan Felipe Peña, and William McDaniel. They also show the early fruit industry, the first schools, Peña Adobe Park, and the Nut Tree.
Vacaville has several historic buildings and places. These include Peña Adobe, Will H. Buck House, Pleasants Ranch, and Vacaville Town Hall.
Cultural Centers and Libraries
The Vacaville Cultural Center is home to a regional library and the Vacaville Performing Arts Theatre. It also has an outdoor garden and spaces for events.
The city's libraries are run by the Solano County Library. The Vacaville Town Square Library is in downtown. The Vacaville Cultural Center Library is inside the Cultural Center.
The Vacaville Art Gallery shows art from local artists and community members. It is located near Andrews Park.
Things to Do and See
Vacaville holds an annual Fiesta Days celebration downtown. It includes a parade with school marching bands, gymnasts, and electric cars. Other popular places to visit are the Vacaville Premium Outlets for shopping.
The Nut Tree is another fun spot. It has a train for children, a carousel, and a giant chessboard. There are also many stores and restaurants.
During the summer, the city hosts the CreekWalk Concert Series in downtown Vacaville every Friday. In December, Vacaville has a Festival of Trees and a Tree Lighting Ceremony. People gather downtown to see a 50-foot (15-meter) tree light up. They enjoy festive music, hot chocolate, and horse-drawn carriage rides.
The Jimmy Doolittle Center at the Nut Tree Airport displays old aircraft, some from as early as 1912. It also has personal items from General Doolittle and things related to the Doolittle Raid of 1942.
Parks and Outdoor Activities
Vacaville has many parks for sports and recreation.
- Centennial Park: This large park covers 265 acres (107 hectares). It has baseball fields, tennis courts, soccer fields, and trails.
- Graham Aquatic Center: A great place for swimming and water activities.
- Lagoon Valley Park: This 306-acre (124-hectare) park is in Lagoon Valley. It has a 100-acre (0.40 square kilometer) lagoon. You can play disc golf, hike on trails, practice archery, and enjoy other outdoor activities. The park also includes the Peña Adobe Historical Area, which has the historic Peña Adobe home and the Mowers-Goheen Museum.
Education in Vacaville
Vacaville has public and private schools, as well as a community college.
Public School Districts
Vacaville is served by two public school districts: Vacaville Unified School District and Travis Unified School District.
Vacaville Unified School District (VUSD)
VUSD includes these schools:
- High Schools:
- Buckingham Collegiate Charter Academy
- Ernest Kimme Academy for Independent Learners (K–12)
- Ernest Kimme Work Readiness and Alternative Pathway (Grades 7–12)
- Vacaville High School
- Will C. Wood High School
- Middle Schools:
- Ernest Kimme Academy for Independent Learners (K-12)
- Kairos Public Schools Vacaville Academy (Charter School)
- Sierra Vista K-8
- Vaca Peña Middle School
- Willis Jepson Middle School
- Elementary Schools:
- Ace Program
- Alamo Elementary School
- Browns Valley Elementary School
- Cooper Elementary School
- Edwin Markham Elementary School
- Ernest Kimme Academy for Independent Learners (K-12)
- Eugene Padan Elementary School
- Fairmont Charter Elementary School
- Hemlock Elementary School
- Jean Callison Elementary
- Kairos Public Schools Vacaville Academy (K-8)
- Orchard Elementary
- Sierra Vista K-8
- Alternate Schools and Programs:
- Ernest Kimme Charter Academy for Independent Learning
- Muzetta Thrower Adult Education Center
Travis Unified School District (TUSD)
TUSD serves Travis Air Force Base and parts of Fairfield and Vacaville. Its schools include:
- Elementary Schools:
- Cambridge Elementary School
- Foxboro Elementary School
- Center Elementary School (Fairfield)
- Scandia Elementary School (TAFB)
- Travis Elementary School (TAFB)
- Secondary Schools serving Vacaville students:
- Golden West Middle School (Fairfield)
- Vanden High School (Fairfield)
Private Schools
Private schools in Vacaville include:
- Bethany Lutheran Preschool and Elementary School
- Centurion Christian Classical School
- Notre Dame Parochial School (Catholic Private School K-8)
- Vacaville Adventist (Seventh-day Adventist)
- Vacaville Christian Schools (preschool through 12th grade)
- The Academy of 21st Century Learning
Colleges and Universities
Vacaville is part of the Solano Community College District. The Vacaville campus has classrooms, science and computer labs, and a lecture hall. It also has a special Biotechnology and Science Building with labs for biotech, chemistry, and biology. The college offers a degree in biotechnology, which can help students find jobs in local industries.
Media and News
Vacaville has its own radio station and newspapers.
Radio station KUIC is based in Vacaville.
The Vacaville Reporter is a local daily newspaper. The Daily Republic, based in Fairfield, also covers news about Vacaville.
Transportation and Healthcare
Vacaville has good transportation links and important healthcare facilities.
Getting Around Vacaville
Interstate 80 goes through Vacaville. It connects the city to San Francisco in the southwest and Sacramento in the northeast. Interstate 505 branches off Interstate 80. It connects Vacaville to Winters and then to Interstate 5 further north.
The Fairfield-Vacaville Hannigan station is nearby in Fairfield. It opened in 2017 and serves Vacaville and Fairfield. You can catch Capitol Corridor trains operated by Amtrak California from this station.
The Vacaville Transportation Center is the main place for bus commuters. It also helps with vanpools and park-and-ride options to Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay Area. Vacaville City Coach provides local bus service. SolanoExpress, run by SolTrans, connects Vacaville to other cities like Fairfield, Benicia, Davis, Walnut Creek BART, and Sacramento.
The Nut Tree Airport is in Vacaville and is managed by Solano County.
Hospitals in Vacaville
The city has two hospitals:
- NorthBay VacaValley Hospital: This hospital has 50 beds. Its campus also includes the NorthBay Cancer Center and a fitness center.
- Kaiser Permanente Vacaville Medical Center: This is a hospital and trauma center.
Famous People from Vacaville
Many notable people have connections to Vacaville.
- Arthur Adams (born 1963), comic-book artist
- Wayne and Trent Gardner - founders of the band Magellan
- Dennis Alexio (born 1959) – kickboxer and eight-time world champion (born in Vacaville)
- Chris Begley – member of the band Fight Fair
- Andy Bloom (born 1973) - Olympic shot putter
- Frank H. Buck - politician and fruit businessman (born in Vacaville)
- Jarrett Bush – NFL player for the Green Bay Packers (born in Vacaville)
- Kyle DeVan – offensive guard for the Indianapolis Colts
- Jermaine Dye – Major League Baseball player, 2005 World Series MVP
- Tony Gonsolin - Pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers (born in Vacaville)
- Xzavie Jackson – defensive end for the Cincinnati Bengals
- Stefan Janoski - skateboarder
- Willis Linn Jepson - botanist and conservationist (born in Vacaville)
- Josh Kaddu - linebacker for the Miami Dolphins
- Bonnie McKee - pop singer and songwriter (born in Vacaville)
- Tawny Newsome - actress and comedian (born in Vacaville)
- Vince Newsome - NFL player
- Frank Parker - actor, played Grandpa Shawn Brady on Days of Our Lives
- Papa Roach – rock band
- Aaron Pauley - bassist and vocalist of the band Of Mice & Men
- Michael Polenske - vintner
- A. Purves Pullen (a.k.a. Dr. Birdbath) – voice actor known for mimicking birds
- Jacoby Shaddix – lead singer of the rock band Papa Roach
- Casey Sheehan – awarded Bronze Star posthumously for actions in Iraq
- Cindy Sheehan – political activist
- Jessica Sierra - singer
- Robyn Stevens (born 1983) - race walker
- Carson Strong - football quarterback (born in Vacaville)
- 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
Images for kids
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Vacaville Hills
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Flag of Vacaville, California
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Location in Solano County and California
See also
In Spanish: Vacaville para niños
