California, Maryland

California is a census-designated place and community in St. Mary's County, Maryland, United States. The population was 11,857 at the 2010 census, an increase of 27.4% from the 2000 census.[1] California has been growing with the spread of population from the older adjacent community of Lexington Park and the growth in both technology-related and defense-related jobs at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station. There are department stores and numerous shopping centers situated along Maryland Highway 235 ("Three Notch Road"). Maryland Route 4 crosses Highway 235 in California, providing access to the wide Governor Thomas Johnson Bridge and the popular weekend resort town of Solomons on its opposite side. Bridge-bound traffic is notorious for backing up during rush hour.

California, Maryland
CDP
Patuxent River from the Governor Thomas Johnson Bridge
Location of California, Maryland
Coordinates: 38°18′20″N 76°29′40″W
Country	United States
State	Maryland
County	St. Mary's
Area
• Total	14.8 sq mi (38.3 km^2)
• Land	12.8[1] sq mi (33.5 km^2)
• Water	1.9 sq mi (4.9 km^2)
Elevation	105 ft (33 m)
Population  (2010)
• Total	11,857[1]
• Density	928/sq mi (358.3/km^2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP code	20619
Area code(s)	301/240
FIPS code	24-12150
GNIS feature ID	0594621

History

The community was named after the state of California before 1897.[2] The exact origins are unknown, however one story is that a family from the state moved to the area, using materials from their home state to build their new house, called the “California Farmstead.” Eventually, the name stuck.[3]

Geography

California is located at 38°18′20″N 76°29′40″W.[4]

According to the United States Census Bureau, California has a total area of 14.8 square miles (38 km²), of which 12.8 square miles (33 km²) is land and 1.9 square miles (4.9 km²) (12.64%) is water.

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1980	5,770		—
1990	7,626		32.2%
2000	9,307		22.0%
2010	11,857		27.4%
source:[1][5]

As of the census of 2010, there were 11,857 people residing in California in 4,327 households. The population density was 928.1 people per square mile (358.3/km²). There were 4,697 housing units and a 71.8% home ownership rate. The racial makeup was 70.7% White, 18.3% Black, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 4.6% Asian, 0.5% Indigenous American, and 0.1% Pacific Islander.[1]

Of the 4,327 households, 42.7% had children under the age of 18 living in them, 57.2% had married couples, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.4% were non-families. 25.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.31.[6]

The population consisted of 29.8% under the age of 20, 6.6% from 20 to 24, 17.7% from 25 to 34, 17.7% from 25 to 34, 17.3% from 35 to 44, 11.4% from 45 to 54, 10.5% from 55 to 64, and 6.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32.5 years. The population was 49.1% male and 50.9% female.[7]

The median household income was $85,240 and the median family income for was $91,935. Male full-time year-round workers had a median income of $63,657 versus $44,390 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $35,386. Just 0.8% of families and 3.1% of people were below the poverty line, including 2.3% of people under age 18 and 4.8% of those age 65 or over.[8] In 2017, California, Maryland was listed as the metropolitan area with the fourth highest number of households with investable assets above one million dollars.[9] In 2019, Forbes Magazine listed California, Maryland as one of the best small places for business and careers in the nation with a ranking of 69.[10]

References

1. "California CDP, Maryland". State and County Quick Facts. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2012-06-20. Retrieved 9 May 2012.
2. "Towns named after states". Reading Eagle. Jul 2, 1897. p. 3. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
3. Shoemaker, Sandy. "Tobacco to Tomcats: St. Mary's County since the Revolution". StreamLine Enterprises, Leonardtown, Maryland: 160. Archived from the original on 2008-12-10. Retrieved 2008-01-01. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
4. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
5. "CENSUS OF POPULATION AND HOUSING (1790-2000)". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2010-07-08. Retrieved 2010-07-17.
6. "California CDP, Maryland Quicklinks - Social Characteristics". State and County Quick Facts. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 21 February 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2012.
7. "California CDP, Maryland Quicklinks - Demographic Characteristics". State and County Quick Facts. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 21 February 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2012.
8. "California CDP, Maryland Quicklinks - Economic Characteristics". State and County Quick Facts. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 21 February 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2012.
9. "Do You Live Among Millionaires?". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
10. "The Best Small Places For Business And Careers". Forbes Magazine. Retrieved 6 February 2020.