Borrego Springs, California

Borrego Springs is a census-designated place (CDP) in San Diego County, California. The population was 3,429 at the 2010 census, up from 2,535 at the 2000 census, made up of both seasonal and year-round residents. Borrego Springs is completely surrounded by Anza-Borrego State Park, the largest California State Park.[4]

Borrego Springs
census-designated place
Downtown as seen from Christmas Circle
Location in San Diego County and the state of California
Borrego Springs
Location in the United States
Coordinates: 33°14′50″N 116°22′19″W
Country United States
State California
CountySan Diego
Area
 • Total43.41 sq mi (112.43 km2)
 • Land43.07 sq mi (111.55 km2)
 • Water0.34 sq mi (0.87 km2)  0.78%
Elevation597 ft (182 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total3,429
 • Estimate 
(2016)[3]
N/A
Time zoneUTC−8 (PST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−7 (PDT)
ZIP code
92004
Area codes442/760
FIPS code06-07596
GNIS feature IDs1652675, 2407888

The village of Borrego Springs is recognized as a designated International Dark Sky Community by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA).[5] There are no stop lights in Borrego Springs and nighttime lighting is kept to a minimum to protect the views of the night sky.[6] Borrego Springs is approximately 90 miles (140 km) from downtown San Diego and the lights of the highly developed California coast. Borrego Springs was designated as California's first International Dark-Sky Community by the International Dark-Sky Association.[7] It is a center for public astronomy activities throughout the year.[8]

Palm Canyon Campground amphitheater

Borrego Springs has pueblo-style, modern architecture and ranch-style house architecture. A local landmark is the traffic roundabout between the airport and downtown, known as Christmas Circle. The town includes a branch of the San Diego County Library.

Lutheran Church in Borrego Springs, California.
Christmas Circle.

History

The name of Anza-Borrego State Park is derived from a combination of Juan Bautista de Anza and "borrego" which is Spanish for lamb, in honor of the local herds of bighorn sheep.[9]

Geography and ecology

According to the United States Geological Survey Borrego Springs is located at 33°15′24″N 116°22′30″W (33.2558717, -116.375012).[10] This points at "Christmas Circle Drive", at the intersection of Palm Canyon Drive and Borrego Springs Road, which is where most maps place the community. According to the United States Census Bureau Borrego Springs is located at 33°14′50″N 116°22′19″W (33.247113, -116.371969).[11] Located between "Frying Pan Road" and "Double O Road", this is 3,530 feet (1,080 m) south-southeast of the USGS location. According to the United States Census Bureau, the Borrego Springs census-designated place (CDP) has a total area of 43.4 square miles (112 km2), 99.22% of it land and 0.78% water.

The village is located on the floor of the Borrego Valley, which is widely acknowledged as the westernmost extent of the great southwestern geographical region known as the Sonoran Desert. Borrego Springs is situated on the valley floor within a diverse variety of desert flora and fauna. One of the iconic species found within the Borrego Springs area is the California Fan Palm, Washingtonia filifera, which is a lower risk/near-threatened[12] species and the only palm native to the western United States.[13] An abandoned Calcite Mine, which dates to World War II days, is situated on the northeast slope of the Santa Rosa Mountains in the State Park.

Climate

Average January temperatures are a maximum of 69.0 °F (20.6 °C) and a minimum of 43.4 °F (6.3 °C). Average July temperatures are a maximum of 106.8 °F (41.6 °C) and a minimum of 74.9 °F (23.8 °C). There are an average of 172.6 days with highs of 90 °F (32 °C) or higher and an average of only 2.6 days with lows of 32 °F (0 °C) or lower. The record high temperature was 122 °F (50 °C) on June 25, 1990. The record low temperature was 20 °F (−7 °C) on January 5, 1971. Average annual precipitation is 6.13 inches (156 mm) and there are an average of 24 days with measurable precipitation. The wettest year was 1983 with 18.73 inches (476 mm) and the driest year was 1953 with 1.35 inches (34 mm). The most rainfall in one month was 8.78 inches (223 mm) in January 1993. The most rainfall in 24 hours was 2.46 inches (62 mm) on March 2, 1983. Although snow rarely falls in the lowlands, 6.5 inches fell in December 1967.[14]

Climate data for Borrego Springs, California (1981-2010);extremes 1967–present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 90
(32)		 95
(35)		 101
(38)		 111
(44)		 114
(46)		 122
(50)		 121
(49)		 120
(49)		 117
(47)		 113
(45)		 98
(37)		 89
(32)		 122
(50)
Average high °F (°C) 69.0
(20.6)		 71.5
(21.9)		 77.7
(25.4)		 84.4
(29.1)		 93.2
(34.0)		 102.0
(38.9)		 106.8
(41.6)		 105.7
(40.9)		 100.3
(37.9)		 89.2
(31.8)		 76.9
(24.9)		 68.1
(20.1)		 87.1
(30.6)
Average low °F (°C) 43.4
(6.3)		 45.5
(7.5)		 49.4
(9.7)		 53.4
(11.9)		 60.3
(15.7)		 67.6
(19.8)		 74.9
(23.8)		 74.8
(23.8)		 69.3
(20.7)		 59.7
(15.4)		 49.4
(9.7)		 42.6
(5.9)		 57.5
(14.2)
Record low °F (°C) 20
(−7)		 24
(−4)		 28
(−2)		 28
(−2)		 34
(1)		 45
(7)		 56
(13)		 55
(13)		 49
(9)		 33
(1)		 31
(−1)		 23
(−5)		 20
(−7)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 1.14
(29)		 1.32
(34)		 0.84
(21)		 0.17
(4.3)		 0.05
(1.3)		 0.02
(0.51)		 0.30
(7.6)		 0.44
(11)		 0.31
(7.9)		 0.24
(6.1)		 0.39
(9.9)		 0.91
(23)		 6.13
(155.61)
Source: [15]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
19902,244—
20002,53513.0%
20103,42935.3%
source:[16][17]

2010

The 2010 United States Census[18] reported that Borrego Springs had a population of 3,429. The population density was 79.0 people per square mile (30.5/km2). The racial makeup of Borrego Springs was 2,766 (80.7%) White, 20 (0.6%) African American, 34 (1.0%) Native American, 22 (0.6%) Asian, 5 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 500 (14.6%) from other races, and 82 (2.4%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1,218 persons (35.5%).

The Census reported that 3,429 people (100% of the population) lived in households, 0 (0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.

There were 1,571 households, out of which 283 (18.0%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 828 (52.7%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 82 (5.2%) had a female householder with no husband present, 57 (3.6%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 85 (5.4%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 13 (0.8%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 507 households (32.3%) were made up of individuals, and 262 (16.7%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18. There were 967 families (61.6% of all households); the average family size was 2.76.

The population was spread out, with 592 people (17.3%) under the age of 18, 165 people (4.8%) aged 18 to 24, 477 people (13.9%) aged 25 to 44, 1,044 people (30.4%) aged 45 to 64, and 1,151 people (33.6%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 56.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.4 males.

There were 2,611 housing units at an average density of 60.1 per square mile (23.2/km2), of which 1,235 (78.6%) were owner-occupied, and 336 (21.4%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 8.0%; the rental vacancy rate was 12.1%. 2,593 people (75.6% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 836 people (24.4%) lived in rental housing units.

2000

As of the census[19] of 2000, there were 2,535 people, 1,153 households, and 727 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 59.6 inhabitants per square mile (23.0/km2). There were 2,280 housing units at an average density of 53.6 per square mile (20.7/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 82.8% White, 1.0% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 13.1% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 32.4% of the population.

There were 1,153 households, out of which 19.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.6% were married couples living together, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.9% were non-families. 29.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.69.

In the CDP the population was spread out, with 18.4% under the age of 18, 4.7% from 18 to 24, 21.2% from 25 to 44, 26.3% from 45 to 64, and 29.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50 years. For every 100 females, there were 105.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.7 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $37,045, and the median income for a family was $40,262. Males had a median income of $27,604 versus $26,023 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $22,761. About 8.0% of families and 11.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.0% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over.

Tourism

Tourism is the primary industry in Borrego Springs. The 600,000-acre Anza-Borrego Desert State Park surrounds the town, the largest desert state park in the nation.[20][21] There are four public golf courses, a tennis center, and horseback riding, and it is a destination for snowbirds: winter visitors who seasonally migrate in fall or winter from colder northern climates to warmer ones.[22]

Air transportation
Main article: Borrego Valley Airport

From the 1960s through the 1990s Borrego Springs Airlines and its subsequent iterations provided commercial airline service to and from the local airfield.

Attractions

Members of the International Aerobatic Club have established a practice and competition area adjacent to and directly north of the Borrego Valley Airport. The area was first designated in 1976 and has an operational waiver approved by the Federal Aviation Administration. Aerobatic pilots from California and the southwest US regularly use the airspace for practice and major competitive events; users have included three past national champions. Visitors are welcome to come to the airport and watch the flight activity, which does not interfere with other airport operations. Two annual competition events are sponsored by the San Diego Aerobatic Club,[23] the first in April and the second in October.

Sculptor Ricardo Breceda has made more than 100 large metal statues of animals that can be found in Galleta Meadows Estate.[24][25]

Government

In the California State Legislature, Borrego Springs is in the 38th Senate District, represented by Republican Brian Jones, and in the 71st Assembly District, represented by Republican Randy Voepel.[26]

In the United States House of Representatives, Borrego Springs is in California's 50th congressional district, seat currently vacant.[27]

The community and surrounding valley are significant sites in some of the Dean Koontz "Jane Hawk" novels. Outside of the town an eccentric wealthy man has a secret underground bunker. The town appears in the Liam Neeson movie Taken 3 in a critical point in the plot. The town is the setting for a course on the virtual cycling platform RGT (Road Grand Tours)).

gollark: Bismuth is quite useful to replace lead in many applications.
gollark: Gold is subject to weird speculation stuff.
gollark: Also quite cheap, despite that.
gollark: It's still very shiny, however.
gollark: ↑ bismuth

See also

References
  1. "2016 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved Jul 19, 2017.
  2. "Borrego Springs". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved October 12, 2014.
  3. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved June 9, 2017.
  4. Jones, J. Harry (November 24, 2018). "Defeat of water bond measure bodes disaster for the desert community of Borrego Springs". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  5. "International Dark Sky Communities". www.darksky.org. International Dark-Sky Association. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  6. "Borrego Springs, California (U.S.)". International Dark-Sky Association. Retrieved 7 February 2017.
  7. Anza Borrego Foundation. "The Dark Sky of Borrego Springs". Archived from the original on 27 March 2017. Retrieved 27 March 2017.
  8. Dark Sky Coalition. "Welcome to the Borrego Dark Sky Coalition". Retrieved 27 March 2017.
  9. David W. Kean, Wide Places in the California Roads: The encyclopedia of California's small towns and the roads that lead to them (Volume 1 of 4: Southern California Counties), p. 27
  10. "Geographic Names Information System". United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  11. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  12. IUCN Red List entry for Washingtonia filifera, retrieved October 5, 2009.
  13. C. Michael Hogan. 2009. California Fan Palm: Washingtonia filifera, GlobalTwitcher.com, ed. Nicklas Stromberg Archived September 30, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  14. http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?ca0983
  15. NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data
  16. "CENSUS OF POPULATION AND HOUSING (1790-2000)". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-11-16.
  17. "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-11-16.
  18. "2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Borrego Springs CDP". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  19. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  20. Jones, J. Harry (2019-07-14). "Borrego Springs has worked hard to make its night skies dark". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 2019-07-15.
  21. California Department of Parks and Recreation. "Anza-Borrego Desert State Park". ca.gov. California State Parks. Retrieved March 26, 2017.
  22. Jones, J. Harry (February 11, 2019). "Flowergeddon 2? Borrego Springs braces for another 'super bloom'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  23. http://www.iac36.org | San Diego Aerobatic Club
  24. "Ricardo Breceda Sculptures". www.visitcalifornia.com. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  25. "Metal Sculptures of Borrego Springs, CA - Ricardo Breceda - Page 1 - DesertUSA". www.desertusa.com.
  26. "Statewide Database". UC Regents. Archived from the original on February 1, 2015. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  27. "California's 50th Congressional District - Representatives & District Map". Civic Impulse, LLC.
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