Acton, California

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Acton is an unincorporated Census-designated place in Los Angeles County, California near the Antelope Valley. According to the 2000 census, the CDP had a population of 2,390, while the Greater Acton area (which includes the CDP) had a population of 9,175 [1].

1 Description
2 History
3 Geography
4 Demographics
5 Education
6 Wildlife Preserve
7 Trivia
8 External links

[edit] Description

Acton is a small residential community located in the rugged Sierra Pelona mountains. It is off the Antelope Valley Freeway (Highway 14) near Palmdale. Acton is roughly 20 miles northeast of the San Fernando Valley, and 47 miles north of downtown Los Angeles. The town has a rural western theme which can be seen in its homes, commercial buildings, and historical buildings (some of which date back to the late 1800s).

The homes in the mountains around Acton have great views of the valley below. In the valley are ranch style homes, often with equestrian facilities. Acton is commonly referred to by locals as the "Beverly Hills" of the Antelope Valley due to its many expensive mansion and "ranch-style" homes on large properties. Acton has a Metrolink commuter rail station, on its border with Palmdale that is themed in an "old western" style and has been seen in various movies and commercials.

[edit] History

Acton CDP Population by year [2], [3]
2000 2,390 1990 1,471

Acton was founded in 1887 by gold miners who were working in the Red Rover Mine. It was named after Acton, Massachusetts by one of the miners. Two of the best-known gold mines located in Acton were the Red Rover mine and the Governors mine. Mining of Gold, copper, and titanium ore continued into the early 1900s.

Acton was once considered for the State capital of California. California Governor Henry T. Gage (1899-1903) owned the Red Rover Mine and sought to relocate the capital to Acton. This effort ultimately failed and the capital is now in Sacramento.

In the late 1880s, Acton started to become more of a ranching and farming community.

In 1889, Acton's first hotel and its first saloon, the 49er Saloon (Sutters Mill), was opened, and it is still open for business. You can tie off your horse on a side rail while you visit the saloon. The bank in the same shopping center was seen in the Clint Eastwood movie "Blood Work".

[edit] Geography

Acton is located at 34°28′22″N, 118°11′1″W (34.472777, -118.183696)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 12.0 km² (4.6 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 2,390 people, 797 households, and 639 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 198.9/km² (514.8/mi²). There were 873 housing units at an average density of 72.6/km² (188.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 89.12% White, 0.71% Black or African American, 0.46% Native American, 1.46% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 5.31% from other races, and 2.89% from two or more races. 11.00% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 797 households out of which 42.7% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.2% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.7% were non-families. 14.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.00 and the average family size was 3.32.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 30.6% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 28.1% from 45 to 64, and 8.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 103.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.6 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $63,156, and the median income for a family was $66,544. Males had a median income of $50,985 versus $35,819 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $26,810. 3.5% of the population and 5.5% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, none of those under the age of 18 and 5.0% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

[edit] Education

Acton Agua Dulce School District [4]

Meadowlark Elementary School [5]
High Desert Middle School [6]
Acton Vasquez High School

[edit] Wildlife Preserve

Actress Tippi Hedren also has a wild animal nature preserve in Acton called Shambala Preserve. Riders on the Metrolink trains between Palmdale and Santa Clarita often see the animals grazing in the fields of the preserve as the train passes through.

[edit] Trivia

Acton was one of the filming locations for the TV movie Duel, and the Clint Eastwood movie "Blood Work".

Acton is also home to Parker Mountain, the mecca for a style of radio control aircraft flying called "dynamic soaring" and where the current world speed record of 302mph was achieved.