Wasco, California

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Wasco is a city in Kern County, California, United States. The population was 21,263 at the 2000 census.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 History
4 External links

[edit] Geography

Wasco is located at 35°35′37″N, 119°20′35″W (35.593589, -119.343162)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 19.7 km² (7.6 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 21,263 people, 3,971 households, and 3,403 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,078.8/km² (2,795.7/mi²). There were 4,256 housing units at an average density of 215.9/km² (559.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 34.64% White, 10.27% Black or African American, 1.02% Native American, 0.67% Asian, 0.15% Pacific Islander, 50.46% from other races, and 2.78% from two or more races. 66.72% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,971 households out of which 55.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.3% were married couples living together, 16.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 14.3% were non-families. 11.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.79 and the average family size was 4.07.

In the city the population was spread out with 27.4% under the age of 18, 13.9% from 18 to 24, 39.4% from 25 to 44, 13.8% from 45 to 64, and 5.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females there were 183.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 230.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,997, and the median income for a family was $30,506. Males had a median income of $48,105 versus $18,697 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,228. About 24.3% of families and 27.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 35.3% of those under age 18 and 10.1% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] History

Once named "Dewey" and also "Deweyville", the City was renamed to "Wasco" in 1900. The proposal to rename the city came from a settler, William Bonham, from Wasco County Oregon, who recognized that the name "Deweyville" was already in use.