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Greenfield, California

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Greenfield, California
City
File:Greenfield,CA.jpg
Official seal of Greenfield, California
Seal
Nickname: 
Broccoli Capital of The World
Motto: 
"Where Historic El Camino Real Meets Monterey Wine Country."
Map
CountryUnited States
StateCalifornia
CountyMonterey
Founded1947
Government
 • MayorJohn P. Huerta,Jr.
 • SenateJeff Denham (R)
 • AssemblyAnna M. Caballero (D)
 • U. S. CongressSam Farr (D)
Area
 • Total
1.7 sq mi (4.4 km2)
 • Land1.7 sq mi (4.4 km2)
 • Water0 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation
289 ft (88 m)
Population
 (2000)
 • Total
16,629
 • Density9,781.76/sq mi (3,779.32/km2)
Time zoneUTC-8 (PST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP code
93927
Area code831
FIPS code06-30994
GNIS feature ID1660698
Websitehttp://ci.greenfield.ca.us

Greenfield is a city in Monterey County, California, United States. The population was 16,629 in 2007.[1] Its most well-known public event is the annual Harvest Festival. Greenfield is a member of the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments.

History

Greenfield is located in the heart of the Salinas Valley, approximately 135 miles south of San Francisco, 95 miles south of San Jose and 60 miles north of Paso Robles. Greenfield traces its roots to 1905 and the creation of Clark Colony Water Company, which built a network of irrigation canals and filled them with water from the nearby Arroyo Seco River. A small town was included in the organizer's plans, and thus was Greenfield born. In 1947 Greenfield was named after one of the original organizers of the town Edward Greenfield. Aptly named in light of the fertile farmland which surrounds it, Greenfield's central location makes it a "springboard" to a number of Southern Monterey County attractions. There are plans on building a museum on Greenfield's history. Construction is said to start in 2008 or 2009.


Geography

The city of Greenfield is located between the Gabilan mountain range to the east and the Santa Luica mountain range to the west.

Greenfield is located in one of the premiere wine grape growing regions of California with over twenty vineyards and wineries within a thirty mile radius, several of which have tasting rooms and offer a wide selection of wines for sale. Some of the Vineyards and Wineries located nearby are Chalone, Scheid, Paraiso Vineyards, Pisoni Vineyards, Hahn Estates Smith & Hook, San Saba, J.Lohr, Kendall-Jackson, Ventana, Hess Select, Estancia, The Michaud Vineyard, and Graff Family Vineyard

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.7 square miles (4.4 km²), all of it land.

Climate

The climate for Greenfield is moderate with average temperatures around 50 degrees in winter and about 70 degrees in summer. High temperatures may reach the low 90's during mid-summer. Most rain falls between October and March, though even then, rainfall amounts are low.


Demographics

In the Salinas Valley, Greenfield is the second most populated city in the Salinas Valley. Greenfield is the fifth most populated city in the Monterey County. In 2006, Greenfield was the fourth fastest growning city in California growing 15.6%, from 13,270 in 2005, to 15,335 in 2006. As of the 2007 California Department of Finance estimate, there were 16,629 people, 2,643 households, and 2,360 families residing in the city. The population density was 9,781.76 people per square mile (3,779.32/km²). There were 2,726 housing units at an average density of 1,606.5/sq mi (619.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 39.65% White, 1.18% Black or African American, 1.19% Native American, 0.77% Asian, 0.15% Pacific Islander, 51.95% from other races, and 5.11% from two or more races. 87.86% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,643 households out of which 65.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.5% were married couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 10.7% were non-families. 7.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.75 and the average family size was 4.83. In the city the population was spread out with 38.3% under the age of 18, 13.4% from 18 to 24, 30.7% from 25 to 44, 12.5% from 45 to 64, and 5.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24 years. For every 100 females there were 108.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 112.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $37,602, and the median income for a family was $35,520. Males had a median income of $25,759 versus $23,848 for females. The per capita income for the city was $9,226. About 17.1% of families and 21.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.2% of those under age 18 and 11.8% of those age 65 or over.

Immigration

In recent years, the town has seen a massive influx of immigrants from the Mexican state of Oaxaca. Many Oaxacans speak indigenous languages not related to English or Spanish and as a result, find communication with the large Spanish-speaking and smaller English-speaking population impossible. Probably the largest single block of such immigrants are speakers of the Copala Triqui language, who are fleeing from poverty and an armed conflict in their native region that has been going on for over 20 years.

Economy

Organic Farmland

The city of Greenfield is centered in once the most productive agricultural areas in the world. 80% of the lettuce grown in the United States is grown in the Salinas Valley. The area has often been coined as the "Salad Bowl of the World". Over $2 billion(US) worth of fruits and vegetables are produced and shipped annually across the U.S. and abroad. As a result many major vegetable producers are headquartered in the nearby city of Salinas. Local tourism is increasing as more people are attracted to the area, which is also known as the center of "Steinbeck Country". The area is also known as a premier wine grape growing region due to the rich soil and desirable climate. Vineyards, wineries and wine tasting rooms continue to expand throughout the region.

Schools

The Greenfield Union School District(GUSD) has three elementary schools and one middle school . The district serves around 2,500 students grades K-8.The city does have a high shool but does not belong to GUSD. Greenfield High School (GHS) belongs to King City Joint Union High School District (KCJUHSD). Greenfield High School serves around 930 students.

  • Cesar Chavez Elementary
  • Greenfield Elementary
  • Oak Avenue Elementary
  • Vista Verde Middle School
  • Greenfield High School (KCJUHSD)
  • Venta Continuation School (KCJUHSD)

Higher education

Opportunities for higher education include Hartnell College in Salinas and California State University, Monterey Bay, in nearby Seaside.

Attractions

The Steinbeck house in downtown Salinas.

Besides the local vineyards, Greenfield has many other attractions that make it family friendly. Monterey County is known for being an agricultural center as well as being the hometown and the setting for some of famed writer and Nobel prize laureate John Steinbeck's books. The Arroyo Seco River that runs through the city, during spring and summer is a great place to go out for a swim. At 45 miles north east is the Pinnacles National Monument. Another attraction is the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium just 53 miles way north west. Just acros the bay from Monterey, is Santa Cruz, home to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. The city has its annual Harvest Festival every third Sunday of October. The Harvest Festival features: a parade (which includes a dance competitions, cheerleading competitions, floats from local organisations, and a car show), live music, international food, a pet show, a mini train that takes you around the festival, rock climbing, jumping houses and more games. The Salinas Airport is the location of the annual California International Airshow. The airshow often features top-tier aerobatic teams such as the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, with the proceeds going to local charities.

California Rodeo Salinas

Nearby in Salinas, The California Rodeo makes a major stop on the professional rodeo circuit. The Salinas rodeo(pronounced the Spanish way "roDAYo") began in 1911 as a Wild West Show on the site of the old race track ground, now the Salinas Sports Complex. Every third week of July is Big Week, when cowboys and fans come for the traditional rodeo competitions, including bullriding. Rodeo-related events held in the Monterey County include cowboy poetry, winetasting, a carnival, barbecues and a gala cowboy ball.


Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad

Just on the next town of Soledad, there is the Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad. Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad, was founded on October 9, 1791 to minister and take in the Indians of the Salinas Valley. It was the thirteenth of the Spanish missions founded in California by members of the Franciscan Order.


Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad in 1984.
The ruins of Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad circa 1900.
  • Soledad Mission
    Soledad Mission

Sister Cities

The City of Greenfield has joined with two cities in the sister-city program. This program seeks to reach out to other communities to share and exchange cultural opportunities and to support cooperation among our communities. This program is hosting delegations from each city. They are:

Media

Television

The Monterey/Salinas metro area is served by a variety of local television stations, and is the 124th largest designated market area (DMA) in the U.S. with 222,900 homes:

The Monterey/Salinas area lost its American Broadcasting Company broadcast affiliate in 2000, when KNTV was purchased, and then became the NBC station for the San Francisco Oakland San Jose metropolitan area. KNTV, now known as NBC11, later moved its tower from Loma Prieta Peak to San Bruno Mountain, ceasing its coverage in Monterey. At that time, ABC reached an agreement with Comcast Cable to provide a slightly-customized feed of San Francisco ABC O&O KGO-TV for the Monterey area, branded simply as ABC 7 and occasionally referred to by the mock call letters AABC.

Magazines

Informational websites about the area
Eyes in the 831

Newspapers

  • South County Index
  • The Greenfield News
  • The Salinas Californian
  • Monterey Coast Weekly

Radio

  • KUPC 88.9 FM

References

  1. ^ "Greenfield City, California 2000 Fact Sheet". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-03-29.

Template:Mapit-US-cityscale


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