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City of Kingsburg
Fast Facts
The history of Kingsburg is unique with its single ethnic origin. In the early 1870's news of good farming, warm climate and free government land prompted two Swedish natives to settle in a Central Pacific Railroad (now Union Pacific) town called “Kings River Switch''. In 1874 the present townsite was drawn up and the name was changed to "Kingsbury". Two years later it became "Kingsburgh" and in 1894 took on its present spelling, "Kingsburg".
Before widespread irrigation, huge wheat farms were the source of Valley wealth and problems. Transient workers with no ties to any community spent their wages in the saloons of whatever town they found themselves. Overindulgence often resulted in gunshot-punctuated exuberance that often spilled into the streets. Kingsburg was no different. By 1886 there were four hotels and several saloons causing consternation to a growing town population. Alarmed community leaders, hoping to incorporate their city, led the fight to clean up the town. The fight was between "drys" who wanted all saloons within the city limits closed, and "wets" who wanted to maintain status quo. On May 11, 1908, "drys" won the day. Kingsburg was incorporated and all but two saloons were closed.
In 1921 ninety‑four percent of the population within a three-mile radius of Kingsburg was Swedish-American, giving the community the nickname of "Little Sweden." Today Kingsburg is known as the "Swedish Village". With its Swedish architecture and village atmosphere, Swedish banners fluttering from lampposts and brightly painted Dala Horses, the Swedish heritage of the community is preserved.
January 1, 2010 State of California Department of Finance Information:
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Population |
11,504 |
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Vacancy Rate |
3.95% |
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Number of Housing Units |
4,106 |
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Average Household Size |
2.89 |
April 1, 2000 U.S. Census Information:
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Population |
9,199 |
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Number of Housing Units |
3,358 |
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Median Household Income |
$40,490 |
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Vacancy Rate |
3.93% |
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Per Capita Income |
$16,137 |
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Average Household Size |
2.82 |
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Percent of Persons Below Poverty |
11.48% |
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Race/Ethnic Distribution |
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White |
59.84% |
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Unemployment Rate |
8.79% |
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Hispanic |
34.42% |
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Black |
0.27% |
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Educational Attainment of Persons |
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American Indian & Alaskan Native |
0.41% |
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25 Years of Age and Older |
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Asian & Pacific Islander |
2.71% |
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Percent high school graduate or higher |
76.46% |
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Other |
2.35% |
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Percent bachelor's degree or higher |
20.95% |
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Age Distribution |
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Occupied Housing Unit Tenure |
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0-19 Years |
32.53% |
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Percent Owner-Occupied |
67.58% |
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20-44 Years |
34.75% |
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Percent Renter-Occupied |
32.42% |
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45-64 Years |
19.50% |
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65 Years and Older |
13.22% |
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Median Value of Owner-Occupied Units |
$117,300 |
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Median Age |
33.8 |
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Median Rent of Renter-Occupied Units |
$541 |
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Form of Government:Elected Mayor—City Manager
Local Newspaper:
Kingsburg Recorder,
P.O. Box 9,
Hanford, CA 93232
Phone: 559-582-0471
FAX: 559-582-2341
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