Name	Chula Vista
Official name	City of Chula Vista
Settlement type	City
Image seal	Seal of Chula Vista, California.svg
Map caption	Location of Chula Vista within San Diego County, California
Nickname	The City of Allure Chula-juana
Pushpin map	USA2
Pushpin map caption	Location in the United States
Coordinates region	US-CA
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision type1	State
Subdivision type2	County
Subdivision name	United States
Subdivision name1	California
Subdivision name2	San Diego
Government type	Council-Manager
Leader title	City Council
Leader name	Mayor Cheryl Cox Rudy Ramirez Patricia Aguilar Pamela Bensoussan Steve Castaneda
Leader title1	City Manager
Leader name1	Jim Sandoval
Established date	1911
unit pref	US
area footnotes
area total sq mi	52.094
area land sq mi	49.631
area water sq mi	2.463
area total km2	134.925
area land km2	128.545
area water km2	6.380
area water percent	4.73
Elevation m	21
Elevation ft	69
Coordinates display	inline,title
Coordinates type	region:US_type:city
Population as of	2010 Census
Population total	243916
Population density km2	auto
Population metro	San Diego–Tijuana: 5105768
Population rank	2nd in San Diego County14th in California77th in the United States
Timezone	PST
Utc offset	-8
Timezone dst	PDT
Utc offset dst	-7
Latitude	32°37'40" N
Longitude	117°2'53" W
Website	http://www.chulavistaca.gov/
Postal code type	ZIP codes
Postal code	91909, 91910, 91911, 91912, 91913, 91914, 91915, 91921
Area code	619
Blank name	FIPS code
Blank info	06-13392
Blank1 name	GNIS feature ID
Blank1 info	1660481
Footnotes	}}

Chula Vista (; ) is the second largest city in the San Diego metropolitan area, the seventh largest city in Southern California, the fourteenth largest city in the State of California, and the seventy seventh largest city in the U.S.. The population was 243,916 as of the 2010 census.

Located just from downtown San Diego and from the Mexican border in the South Bay region of the metropolitan area, the city is at the center of one of the richest economic and culturally diverse zones in the United States. Chula Vista is so named because of its scenic location between the San Diego Bay and coastal mountain foothills.

Founded in the early 19th century, fast population growth has recently been observed in the city. As the second largest city in San Diego County, Chula Vista has quickly become a destination popular to many tourists. Located in the city is one of Americas few year-round United States Olympic Training centers and popular tourist destinations include Cricket Wireless Amphitheater, Knott's Soak City USA, the Chula Vista marina, the Chula Vista Nature Center as well as golf courses and the region’s newest lifestyle center.

History

Early history

Prehistoric evidence, of both land and aquatic origin, date Chula Vista's history to millions of years back. In the year 3000 B.C. people speaking the Yuman (Quechan) language began movement into the region from the Lower Colorado River Valley and southwestern Arizona portions of the Sonoran desert. Later the Kumeyaay tribe came to populate the land, on which the city sits today, who lived in the area for hundreds of years.

In the year 1542, a fleet of three Spanish Empire ships, commanded by Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo, sailed into San Diego Harbor. Early explorations by Spanish conquistadors, such as these, led to Spanish claims of the land. The historic land on which Chula Vista sits became part of the 1795 land grant known as Rancho del Rey or The King's Ranch. The land eventually was renamed Rancho del la Nacion.

During the Mexican-American War, California was claimed by the United States, regardless of the California independence movement that had briefly swept the state. Though California was now under the jurisdiction of the United States, land grants were allowed to continue in the form of private property.

The San Diego Land and Town Company developed lands of the Rancho de la Nación for new settlement. The town began as a five thousand acre development, with the first house being erected in 1887; by 1889, ten houses had been completed. Chula Vista can be roughly translated from Spanish as "beautiful view."

The 1888 completion of the Sweetwater Dam allowed for irrigation of Chula Vista farming lands. Chula Vista eventually became the largest lemon-growing center in the world for a period of time.

20th century

The citizens of Chula Vista voted to incorporate on October 17, 1911. The State approved in November.

In 1916, the Hercules Powder Company opened a 30-acre bayfront site, now known as Gunpowder point, which produced substances used to make cordite, which was used extensively by the British military during World War I. Although the Great Depression affected Chula Vista significantly, agriculture still provided considerable income for the residents. In 1931, the lemon orchards produced $1 million in revenue and the celery fields contributed $600,000.

The relocation of Rohr Aircraft Corporation to Chula Vista in early 1941, just months before the attack on Pearl Harbor, changed Chula Vista. The land never returned to being orchard groves again. The population of post-World War II Chula Vista tripled from 5,000 residents in 1940 to more than 16,000 in 1950. After the war, many of the factory workers and thousands of servicemen stayed in the area resulting in the huge growth in population. The last of the citrus groves and produce fields disappeared as Chula Vista became one of the largest communities in San Diego County.

In January 1986, Chula Vista annexed the unincorporated community of Montgomery which had previously rejected annexation in 1979 and 1982. At the time of the annexation the community was virtually surrounded by its larger neighbor. Over the next few decades, Chula Vista continued to expand eastward. Plans called for a variety of housing developments such as Eastlake, Rancho del Rey and Otay Ranch neighborhoods.

Camp Otay/Weber

During World War I and II The army maintained a base on what is now the corner of Main Street and Albany Avenue. It initially served as a border post during World War I, and was reestablished in December 1942. It was home to the 140th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division. The base was closed in February 1944, and the division went on to see combat in the European theater. All traces of the post have since been removed.

21st century

In 2003, Chula Vista had 200,000 residents and was the second largest city in San Diego County.

Chula Vista is growing at a fast pace, with major developments taking place in the Otay Valley near the U.S. Olympic Training Center and Otay Lake Reservoir. Thousands of new homes have been built in the Otay Ranch, Lomas Verdes, Rancho Del Rey, Eastlake and Otay Mesa Areas. The South Bay Expressway, a toll-road extension of state route 125, opened November 19, 2007, connecting freeways 805 and 905 with State Route 54.

On May 30, 2006 officials from Chula Vista and the San Diego Chargers met to potentially discuss building a new stadium that would serve as the home for the team. Yet, in June 2009 the Chargers removed Chula Vista as a possible location for a new stadium. In 2009, Chula Vista - along with nine other second tier metropolitan area cities such as Hialeah and Southern California's Santa Ana - was ranked as one of the most boring cities in America by ''Forbes Magazine''; citing the large population but rare mentions of the city in national media. A current development plan in Chula Vista is to develop the bayfront.

Geography

Owning up to its Spanish name origins - ''beautiful view'' - Chula Vista is located in the South Bay region of San Diego County, between the foothills of the Jamul and San Ysidro Mountains (including Lower Otay Reservoir) and San Diego Bay on its east and west extremes, and the Sweetwater River and Otay River at its north and south extremes. In South Bay Chula Vista has a large footprint, and aside from South San Diego, it is the largest geographic entity in the region.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city covers an area of 52.1 square miles (134.9 km²), 49.6 square miles (128.5 km²) of it land, and 2.5 square miles (6.4 km²) or 4.73% of it water.

Ecological preserves

Chula Vista has within its city limits the Sweetwater Marsh unit of the San Diego Bay NWR. It also maintains several city maintained open space areas.

Climate

Chula Vista has a Mediterranean climate which it shares with San Diego County.

Neighborhoods

Chula Vista

The original Chula Vista encompasses the area west of Hilltop Drive and north of L Street.

East Chula Vista

Beginning in the late 1980s the planned communities of Eastlake, Otay Ranch, and Rancho del Rey began to develop in the annexed areas east of Interstate 805. These communities expanded upon the eastern annexations of the 1970s, including the area around Southwestern College.

Montgomery

The community of Montgomery was annexed by the city, after several failed attempts, in 1986. The community consist of most of the area south of L Street, west of Hilltop Drive and north of the San Diego city limit.

Government

Local government

According to the city’s most recent Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the city’s various funds had $322.9 million in Revenues, $287.5 million in expenditures, $1,232.7 million in total assets, $258.6 million in total liabilities, and $181.0 million in cash and investments.

Presently the City Council is led by Mayor Cheryl Cox. It has four other city councilmembers: Rudy Ramirez, Patricia Aguilar, Pamela Bensoussan, and Steve Castaneda.

Politics

In the state legislature Chula Vista is located in the 40th Senate District, represented by Democrat Juan Vargas, and in the 78th and 79th Assembly District, represented by Democrats Martin Block and Ben Hueso respectively. Federally, Chula Vista is located in California's 51st congressional district, which has a Cook PVI of D +7 and is represented by Democrat Bob Filner.

, out of the city's total population, 99,248 are registered to vote, reduced from 103,985 in 2009. The three largest registered parties in the city are the Democratic Party with 42,456, Republican Party with 29,446, and Decline to State with 23,620.

Demographics

173,556 135,163 83,927 67,901 42,034 15,927 5,138 3,869 1,718 650

+ Chula Vista population
Year !! Population (pop.) !! Change in pop. (raw) !! Change in pop. (%)
2010	243,916	+70,360
2000	|	+38,393	+28.4%
1990	|	+51,236	+61.0%
1980	|	+16,026	+23.6%
1970	|	+25,867	+61.5%
1960	|	+26,107	+163.9%
1950	|	+10,789	+209.9%
1940	|	+1, 269	+32.7%
1930	|	+2,151	+125.2%
1920	|	+1,068	+164.3%
1910	|	-	-

2010

The 2010 United States Census reported that Chula Vista had a population of 243,916. The population density was 4,682.2 people per square mile (1,807.8/km²). The racial makeup of Chula Vista was 130,991 (53.7%) White, 11,219 (4.6%) African American, 1,880 (0.8%) Native American, 35,042 (14.4%) Asian, 1,351 (0.6%) Pacific Islander, 49,171 (20.2%) from other races, and 14,262 (5.8%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 142,066 persons (58.2%).

The Census reported that 242,180 people (99.3% of the population) lived in households, 656 (0.3%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 1,080 (0.4%) were institutionalized.

There were 75,515 households, out of which 36,064 (47.8%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 42,153 (55.8%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 12,562 (16.6%) had a female householder with no husband present, 4,693 (6.2%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 3,720 (4.9%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 502 (0.7%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 12,581 households (16.7%) were made up of individuals and 4,997 (6.6%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.21. There were 59,408 families (78.7% of all households); the average family size was 3.60.

The population was spread out with 68,126 people (27.9%) under the age of 18, 24,681 people (10.1%) aged 18 to 24, 70,401 people (28.9%) aged 25 to 44, 56,269 people (23.1%) aged 45 to 64, and 24,439 people (10.0%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33.7 years. For every 100 females there were 93.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.2 males.

There were 79,416 housing units at an average density of 1,524.5 per square mile (588.6/km²), of which 43,855 (58.1%) were owner-occupied, and 31,660 (41.9%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.4%; the rental vacancy rate was 4.5%. 143,330 people (58.8% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 98,850 people (40.5%) lived in rental housing units.

Late 20th century

In 2000, the city's population was 173,556. The racial make up of the city during the 2000 census was 55.1% White, 22.1% Other, 11% Asian, 5.8% of two or more races, 4.6% African American, 0.8% Native American, and 0.6% Pacific Islander. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 49.6%. Of these individuals, 28.7% were under the age of 18.

In 1990, the city's population was 135,163. The racial make up of the city during the 1990 census was 67.7% White, 18.1% Other, 8.2% Asian, 4.5% African American, 0.6% Pacific Islander, and 0.6% Native American. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 37.2%. Of these individuals, 26% were under the age of 18.

In 1980, the city's population was 83,927. The racial make up of the city during the 1980 census was 83.1% White, 7.9% "Race, n.e.c.", 6.1% Asian and Pacific Islander, 2.1% African American, and 0.7% Native American. Persons of "Spanish Origin" made up 46.6% of the population.

Economy

Chula Vista maintains a business atmosphere that encourages growth and development. In the city, the small business sector amounts for the majority of Chula Vista's business populous. This small business community is attributed to the city's growth and serves as a stable base for its economic engine.

Tourism

Tourism serves as an economic engine for Chula Vista. The city has numerous dining, shopping, and cinema experiences. As with many California cities, Chula Vista features many golf courses. Some of the city's notable attractions included the Chula Vista Nature Center, Otay Valley Regional Park, Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre, OnStage Playhouse, Knott's Soak City USA, the Chula Vista Marina, and the U.S. Olympic Training Center. The Nature Center is home to interactive exhibits describing geologic and historic aspects of the Sweetwater Marsh and San Diego Bay. The Center has exhibits on sharks, rays, waterbirds, birds of prey, insects, and flora. Otay Valley Regional Park is located partially within Chula Vista, where it covers the area of a natural river valley.

The marina at Chula Vista is located in South Bay including multiple marinas and being home to the Chula Vista Yacht Club. Sports fishing and whale watching charters operate the regional bay area. The Olympic Training Center assists current and future Olympic athletes in archery, rowing, kayaking, soccer, softball, field hockey, tennis, track and field, and cycling.

Top employers

In 2008 the city conducted a Comprehensive Annual Financial Report; the results revealed the top employers in the city for 2008 to be:

! #	! Employer	! # of Employees
1	Sweetwater Union High School District	4,435
2	Chula Vista Elementary School District	2,753
3		2,400
4		1,903
5	Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center	1,799
6		1,079
7	City of Chula Vista	980
8	Wal-Mart	950
9	United Parcel Service	627
10		604

Culture

Chula Vista is home to OnStage Playhouse the only live theater in South Bay, San Diego. Other points of interest and events include the Chula Vista Nature Center, the J Street Harbor, the Third Avenue Village, the Olympic Training Center, and Knott's Soak City. Downtown Chula Vista hosts a number of cultural events, including the famous Lemon Festival, Starlight Parade, and Chula Vista Rose Festival.

Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre is a performing arts theatre that was the areas first major concert music facility. OnStage theater stages high quality productions; serving as a large contributor to the cultural arts setting in Chula Vista. Knott's Soak City is a large waterpark representative of Chula Vista providing for both tourists and residents.

Media

Chula Vista is served by The Star-News (Chula Vista) and The San Diego Union-Tribune.

Transportation

Major freeways & highways

Chula Vista is served by multiple Interstates and California State Routes. Interstate 5 begins to the south of the city and runs through its western edge. Interstate 5 connects Chula Vista to North County and beyond to Greater Los Angeles and Northern California. Interstate 805 serves as a bypass to Interstate 5, linking to the latter interstate in Sorrento Valley. Interstate 905 runs from the Otay Mesa Port of Entry and is one of three auxiliary three-digit Interstate to meet an international border. State Route 54 and State Route 125 serve as highways to East County cities via north and northeastern corridors.

Education

The Sweetwater Union High School District, headquartered in Chula Vista, serves as the primary secondary school district. The Chula Vista Elementary School District, the largest K-6 district in the State of California with 44 campuses, serves publicly educated kindergarten through sixth grade students.

Chula Vista is home to one of the four private colleges in San Diego County and is host to Southwestern College; a community college founded in 1961, that serves approximately 19,000 students annually.

Notable natives and residents

Sister cities

Chula Vista has two sister cities, as designated by Sister Cities International.

! City	! Country	! Year
Cebu City	Philippines
Odawara	Japan

Gallery

References

External links

Chula Vista Public Library website

Official City of Chula Vista website

Chula Vista Schools Location and Phone Directory

Category:San Diego metropolitan area Category:Cities in Southern California Category:1887 establishments in the United States Category:Populated places established in 1887 Category:Cities in San Diego County, California Category:Incorporated cities and towns in California Category:Populated places in California with Hispanic majority populations

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