Cabazon, California

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Cabazon is a census-designated place (CDP) in Riverside County, California, United States. The population was 2,229 at the 2000 census.

Cabazon was incorporated as a city in 1955. In 1972, due to years of scandal, political instability, and stalled growth, the citizens of Cabazon voted to disincorporate the city. Cabazon thus became the first and, so far, only community to give up cityhood in Riverside County. [1]

Cabazon is the home of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians massive Casino Morongo, whose 27-story hotel tower dominates the San Gorgonio Pass. It is one of the largest Native American casinos in the United States.

Claude Bell's dinosaurs are icons of roadside America - some people may remember them from Pee-wee's Big Adventure, while others have grown up with them along the highway in southern California. The dinosaurs were purchased in 2005 from the Bell family for $1.2 million USD by Christian developers. [2]

Cabazon is a major stop for outlet shopping. Desert Hills Premium Outlets is a well known outlet center, and it has 130 stores.

In late October 2006, a major arson fire started near Cabazon. During the course of five days, the Esperanza Fire burned over 40,000 acres and resulted in the deaths of five firefighters.

[edit] Geography

Cabazon is located at 33°54′33″N, 116°45′59″W (33.909086 -116.766373)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 10.3 km² (4.0 mi²). 10.2 km² (4.0 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.75% water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 2,229 people, 721 households, and 511 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 217.9/km² (564.3/mi²). There were 846 housing units at an average density of 82.7/km² (214.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 70.88% White, 4.08% Black or African American, 4.22% Native American, 1.17% Asian, 0.18% Pacific Islander, 13.41% from other races, and 6.06% from two or more races. 30.28% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 721 households out of which 37.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.2% were married couples living together, 20.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.0% were non-families. 22.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.93 and the average family size was 3.46.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 30.5% under the age of 18, 10.5% from 18 to 24, 29.7% from 25 to 44, 18.7% from 45 to 64, and 10.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 88.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.2 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $20,598, and the median income for a family was $24,583. Males had a median income of $29,236 versus $19,444 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $9,068. About 28.9% of families and 32.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.9% of those under age 18 and 33.1% of those age 65 or over.