City of Kingsburg

Incorporated in 1908

CITY COUNCIL

The Kingsburg City Council meets on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at 6:00 p.m.

*COG Policy Board Representative

Title	First Name	Last Name	Email	Phone
Mayor	Laura	North	lnorth@cityofkingsburg-ca.gov	(559) 987-5821
Mayor Pro Tem	Vince	Palomar	vpalomar@cityofkingsburg-ca.gov	(559) 987-5821
Councilmember	Michelle	Roman	mroman@cityofkingsburg-ca.gov	(559) 987-5821
Councilmember	Brandon	Pursell	bpursell@cityofkingsburg-ca.gov	(559) 987-5821
Councilmember	Jewel	Hurtado	jhurtado@cityofkingsburg-ca.gov	(559) 987-5821
City Manager	Alexander	Henderson	ahenderson@cityofkingsburg-ca.gov	(559) 897-6821
City Clerk	Abigail	Palsgaard	apalsgaard@cityofkingsburg-ca.gov	(559) 897-6520
Police Chief	Neil	Dadian	neil.dadian@fcle.org	(559) 897-4418
Fire Chief	Daniel	Perkins	firechief@cityofkingsburg-ca.gov	(559) 897-6531

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, 2015 State of California Department of Finance Information

	Population	11,711
	Number of Housing Units	4,138
	Vacancy Rate	5.2%

April 1, 2010 U.S. Census Information

	Population	11,382	Age Distribution
	Number of Housing Units	4,069	% under 5 years	8.0%
	Vacancy Rate	6.07%	% under 18 years	29.6%
	Average Household Size	2.96	% 21 years and over	66.1%
			% 55 years and over	22.3%
	Race/Ethnic Distribution		% 60 years and over	17.1%
	White	50.7%	% 65 years and over	12.8%
	Hispanic	42.9%	Median Age	33.7
	Black	0.3%
	American Indian & Alaskan Native	0.5%	Occupied Housing Unit Tenure
	Asian & Pacific Islander	3.3%	Percent Owner-Occupied	66.4%
	Other	2.2%	Percent Renter-Occupied	33.6%

2008-2012 U.S. Census American Community Survey

	Median Family Income	$66,662	Percent of Persons 25 Years of Age and Older Who Have Completed High School or Equivalent	81.0%
	Median Household Income	$58,324	Percent of Persons 25 Years of Age and Older Who Have Completed a Bachelor’s Degree	22.9%
	Percent of Persons Below Poverty Level	16.8%
	Percent of Children Under 18 Years of Age Below Poverty Level	22.6%	Percent of Persons 5 Years of Age and Older Who Speak a Language Other Than English at Home	34.9%

Form of Government:Elected MayorCity Manager

Local Newspaper:

Kingsburg Recorder,
P.O. Box 9,
Hanford, CA 93232
Phone: 559-582-0471
FAX: 559-582-2341