Ceres, California

The city is located in the San Joaquin Valley with Modesto to the immediate North while Keyes and Turlock are to the south. East is the city of Hughson.

The regular publication in Ceres is entitled The Ceres Courier[1]. It has been in publication since 1910. In 1987 Jeff Benziger became editor of the paper and has been ever since.

Ceres hosts annual events at different times of the year. Spring brings the Ceres Street Faire on the first weekend in May. Concert in the Park is a regular Summer event. Halloween Fun Festival marks the Fall followed by the colourful and much-attended Christmas Tree Lane opening ceremony.

[edit] History

The first families that inhabited Ceres were: John Service, Cassius Warner, and Daniel Whitmore in the year 1867. Daniel C. Whitmore is considered the first family and founder of Ceres and built his home now known as The Whitmore Mansion at 2928 5th Street. The Whitmore Mansion underwent extensive remodeling and is now complete.

[edit] Geography

Ceres is located at 37°36′5″N, 120°57′26″W (37.601328, -120.957166)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 18.0 km² (6.9 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 34,609 people, 10,435 households, and 8,535 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,925.4/km² (4,988.6/mi²). There were 10,773 housing units at an average density of 599.3/km² (1,552.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 64.50% White, 2.75% African American, 1.40% Native American, 5.04% Asian, 0.38% Pacific Islander, 20.40% from other races, and 5.53% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 37.89% of the population.

There were 10,435 households out of which 48.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.8% were married couples living together, 15.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.2% were non-families. 14.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.31 and the average family size was 3.62.

In the city the population was spread out with 34.4% under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 30.0% from 25 to 44, 17.5% from 45 to 64, and 8.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females there were 97.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $40,736, and the median income for a family was $43,587. Males had a median income of $35,109 versus $24,317 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,420. About 10.1% of families and 12.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.6% of those under age 18 and 10.2% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Famous People From Ceres

Gary Condit - former Democratic U.S. Congressman from 1989 to 2002

[edit] Controversial Police Shooting

Ceres lost its first police officer while on duty when Sgt. Howard Stevenson was killed Jan. 9, 2005 in an act of premeditated murder by an AWOL Marine. Officer Sam Ryno was first to respond to a call of a man with a gun in front of George's Liquors. AWOL Marine Andres Raya, armed with a modified assault rifle, opened up on officers, hitting Sam Ryno and killing Sgt. Stevenson.

The calculated slaying of Stevenson sparked attention from the national media which suggested that Raya snapped due to his experience in the Iraq War. However, local law enforcement officials said Raya had been dabbling in gangs for years prior to him signing up for military service.

Ceres Police officers began cracking down on gang associates of Raya. That caused criticism from mostly hispanic members of the community which said police were being racist.

[edit] External Links

Official City Website
History of Ceres
The Ceres Courier
Maps and aerial photos Coordinates: 37.601328° -120.957166°
- Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local
- Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia
- Topographic map from TopoZone
- Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA

	v • d • e Stanislaus County, California County Seat: Modesto
Incorporated places	Ceres • Hughson • Modesto • Newman • Oakdale • Patterson • Riverbank • Turlock • Waterford
CDPs	Bret Harte • Bystrom • Del Rio • Denair • East Oakdale • Empire • Grayson • Hickman • Keyes • Riverdale Park • Salida • Shackelford • West Modesto • Westley
Other unincorporated communities	Knights Ferry