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Vacaville, California

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Vacaville is a city located in Solano County, California, United States. It is located Template:Convert from Sacramento and Template:Convert from San Francisco, it is on the edge of the Sacramento Valley in Northern California. The city was founded in 1851 and is named after Juan Manuel Vaca.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

As of the 2020 census, Vacaville had a population of 102,386, making it the third-largest city in Solano County.<ref name=":3">Template:Cite web</ref>

History

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File:Juan Manuel Vaca.jpg
Vacaville is named after Juan Manuel Vaca, who along with Juan Felipe Peña, owned Rancho Los Putos, which included the region from Vacaville to Davis.

Prior to European contact, the indigenous Patwin tribe lived in the area with the Ululato tribelet establishing a chiefdom around the Ululato village in what is now downtown Vacaville along the Ulatis Creek.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The early settler pioneers of the land were Juan Manuel Cabeza Vaca and Juan Felipe Peña, who were awarded a Template:Convert Mexican land grant in 1842.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=":1">Template:Cite magazine</ref> The same year, Vaca and Peña's families settled in the area of Lagoon Valley.<ref name=":1" /> Peña's Adobe home is the oldest standing building, built in 1842, now at Peña Adobe Park.<ref name=":1" />

Discussions for the sale of a portion of land to William McDaniel began in August 1850.<ref name=":2">Template:Cite book</ref> A written agreement was signed on December 13, 1851, forming a township, nine square miles of land were deeded to William McDaniel for $3,000, and the original city plans were laid out from that.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /> In the agreement, McDaniel's would name the new town after Juan Manuel Cabeza Vaca.<ref name=":1" />

File:Pena Adobe - Vacaville, CA.JPG
Peña Adobe (1842), the oldest building in Vacaville, at Peña Adobe Park

In 1880, Leonard Buck created the California Fruit Shipping Association, and the L.W. and F.H. Buck Company, an early company auctioning fruit in the state,<ref name=":1" /><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> and Vacaville was soon home to many large produce companies and local farms, which flourished due to the Vaca Valley's rich soil. Because of Vacaville's flourishing agricultural industry, as well as an increasing number of immigrants coming into the United States, Vacaville had a large Japanese and Chinese population. While their professions varied, many of these Japanese and Chinese worked for the fruit companies in Vacaville.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

It officially became a city in 1892.<ref name=":1" />

In 1885, the first grade school built was Ulatis School. In 1898, the town's first high school was built, Vacaville Union High School.<ref name=":1" />

File:Vacaville High School (1912), Vacaville, California.jpg
Vacaville High School in 1912

In 1968, the Vacaville Heritage Council was established.

In August 2020, parts of Vacaville were evacuated due to the Hennessey Fire, which resulted in the burning of over Template:Convert in five counties, including in Vacaville, where farms and homes were destroyed.<ref name="CALFIRE">Template:Cite web</ref>

On August 29, 2022, a truck transporting tomatoes crashed on Interstate 80 in Vacaville, injuring four, splattering over 150,000 of the tomatoes onto the eastbound section of the freeway, and significantly delaying eastbound traffic for hours. The peculiarity of the freeway accident subsequently resulted in international news coverage.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Geography

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Vacaville is surrounded by the Vaca Mountains to the south and to the west and the Sacramento Valley to the north and to the east.

A number of rare and endangered species occur in the Vacaville area. Endangered plants, which have historically occurred in the vernal pool areas in and around Vacaville include Legenre limosa, Plagiobothrys hystriculus, Downingia humilis, Contra Costa goldfields (Lasthenia conjugens), and showy Indian clover (Trifolium amoenum).<ref>Environmental Assessment for the Green Tree Assessment District, Earth Metrics Inc Report 7690, City of Vacaville, March 1989</ref> To this day Trifolium amoenum can still be found in Lagoon Valley Regional Park.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of Template:Convert, of which 0.74% is covered by water. Excluding the Putah South Canal and minor local creeks, the only significant body of water within the city is the Template:Convert Lagoon Valley Lake.

The unincorporated communities of Allendale and Elmira are generally considered to be part of "greater" Vacaville.

Climate

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Vacaville has a typical Mediterranean climate (Köppen Csa) with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. Characteristic of inland California, summers can get quite hot. Autumns are warm in the early part, but quickly cool down as the wet season approaches. Winters can be cool, and often foggy, but are mild compared to other regions. Spring is a rather pleasant season with fairly mild temperatures and not so much rain. The greater majority of precipitation falls in the autumn, winter, and spring, little to none in summer.

The wettest year was 1983 with Template:Convert and the driest year was 2012 with 5.0 inches. The most precipitation in one month was Template:Convert in January 1916. The most precipitation in 24 hours was Template:Convert on February 27, 1940. Snowfall is rare in Vacaville, but light measurable amounts have occurred, including Template:Convert in January 1907 and Template:Convert in December 1988.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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Demographics

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Template:US Census population

2020

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Vacaville, California – Racial and ethnic composition
Template:Nobold
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>Template:Cite web</ref> Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>Template:Cite web</ref> Template:Partial<ref name=2020CensusP2>Template:Cite web</ref> % 2000 % 2010 Template:Partial
White alone (NH) 56,031 50,811 47,338 63.22% 54.97% 46.23%
Black or African American alone (NH) 8,691 9,187 9,386 9.81% 9.94% 9.17%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 608 510 395 0.69% 0.55% 0.39%
Asian alone (NH) 3,580 5,378 8,800 4.04% 5.82% 8.59%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 360 436 663 0.41% 0.47% 0.65%
Other Race alone (NH) 169 765 665 0.19% 0.83% 0.65%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) 3,339 4,220 7,737 3.77% 4.57% 7.56%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 15,847 21,121 27,402 17.88% 22.85% 26.76%
Total 88,625 92,428 102,386 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

According to the 2020 United States Census, Vacaville had a population of 102,386.<ref name=":3" /> During the period 2015–2019, on average, 2.81 people lived in a household.<ref name=":3" /> The American Community Survey estimated the population identified as 50.5% non-Hispanic White, 24.8% Hispanic or Latino, 10.1% Black or African-American, 8.1% of two or more races, 7.8% Asian, 0.9% native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 0.7% American Indian or Alaska Native.<ref name=":3" /> The same survey estimated that 22.7% of the population was under 18 and 14% was over 65 years old.<ref name=":3" />

2010

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The 2010 United States Census<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> reported that Vacaville had a population of 92,428. The population density was Template:Convert. The racial makeup of Vacaville was 66.3% White, 10.3% African American, 0.9% Native American, 6.1% Asian (3.3% Filipino, 0.7% Chinese, 0.6% Indian, 0.5% Japanese, 0.3% Vietnamese, 0.3% Korean), 0.6% Pacific Islander, 8.8% from other races, and 7.0% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 22.9% of the population (17.0% of Mexican, 0.9% Puerto Rican, 0.5% Salvadoran, 0.3% Nicaraguan, 0.2% Guatemalan, and 0.2% Peruvian descent).

The census reported that 91.3% of the population lived in households and 8.6% were institutionalized.

Of the 31,092 households, 37.8% had children under 18 living in them, 52.6% were opposite-sex married couples living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.4% had a male householder with no wife present, 6.1% were unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 0.7% were same-sex married couples or partnerships; 7,053 households (22.7%) were made up of individuals, and 2,689 (8.6%) had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.71. The city had 22,101 families (71.1% of all households); the average family size was 3.19.

The age distribution was 23.3% under 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 28.4% from 25 to 44, 28.1% from 45 to 64, and 10.5% who were 65 or older. The median age was 37.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 112.5 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 115.1 males.

The 32,814 housing units had an average density of Template:Convert, of which 63.4% were owner-occupied and 36.6% were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.1%; the rental vacancy rate was 6.8%. About 59.0% of the population lived in owner-occupied housing units and 32.3% lived in rental housing units.

2000

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As of the 2000 census<ref name="GR2">Template:Cite web</ref> 88,625 people were living in the city. The population density was Template:Convert. The 28,696 housing units had an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the city was 72.11% White, 10.02% African American, 0.97% Native American, 4.18% Asian, 0.45% Pacific Islander, 6.74% from other races, and 5.53% from two or more races. About 17.9% of the population were Hispanics or |Latinos of any race.

Of the 28,105 households, 20,966 were families, 41.4% had children under 18 living with them, 57.0% were married couples living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.4% were not families. About 19.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.4% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.83, and the average family size was 3.24.

The median age was 34 years, and the age distribution of the population was 27.0% under 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 35.4% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 8.3% who were 65 or older. For every 100 females, there were 118.4 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 124.7 males.

File:Summer Hillside.jpg
Vacaville Hills during summer

Personal income

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According to the city of Vacaville, in 2019/2020, median household income was $82,513, which was 39% above the national average and 19% higher than the state average.

In 2007, the median income for a family was $63,950. Also in 2007, males had a median income of $43,527 versus $31,748 for females and per capita income for the city was $21,557. About 6.1% of the population and 4.3% of families lived below the poverty line. Of the total population, 7.4% of those under 18 and 4.8% of those 65 and older lived below the poverty line.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Economy

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Industry

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Biotechnology/pharmaceutical facilities are operated by Genentech, ALZA Corporation, Kaiser Permanente, and Novartis International AG. On May 14, 2014, ICON Aircraft announced they would consolidate all company functions in a new 140,000-square-foot facility in Vacaville.<ref>"ICON to relocate to Vacaville" General Aviation News, May 14, 2014. Accessed: May 15, 2014.</ref> Two state prisons are located in Vacaville: California State Prison, Solano and California Medical Facility. The latter houses inmates undergoing medical treatments. Johnson and Johnson closed the former Alza drug manufacturing plant in 2022.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On June 1, 2023, Roche announced that it was looking to sell its subsidiary Genentech's 800-employee drug manufacturing plant in Vacaville, California, or shut down the factory by 2029.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Top employers

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According to the city's 2021 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> the top employers in Vacaville (excluding government agencies) are:

# Employer # of Employees
1 Kaiser Permanente 1,179
2 Amazon 1,083
3 Genentech 766
4 Blue Mountain Construction Services, Inc. 400
5 Mariani Packing Co., Inc. 350
6 Simonton Windows 320
7 M&G Duravent, Inc. 302
8 Costco 273
9 Alza (closed 2022) 250
10 Walmart 250

Public agencies also constitute major employers; however, the city does not include them in its financial reports because they do not collect employee information through the business license renewal process. Major public employers in Vacaville include the California State Department of Corrections, Vacaville Unified School District, the State Compensation Insurance Fund, and the City of Vacaville.

Arts and culture

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File:Nut Tree 824 - panoramio.jpg
Nut Tree Plaza in Vacaville

Between 1992 and 1995, local artist Guillermo Wagner Granizo installed 20 outdoor ceramic-tile murals, set into three freestanding walls near City Hall, entitled, "Vacaville Centennial".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":1" /> The murals depict various aspects of the history of the city of Vacaville, including the early pioneers Juan Manuel Vaca, Juan Felipe Peña, and William McDaniel, the early fruit industry, the first schools, Peña Adobe Park, the Nut Tree (a 1920s roadside fruit and nut stand), various parades, the annual tree lighting ceremony, "Hamburger Hill", and the factory outlet stores, among others.<ref name=":1" />

The city includes several historic buildings and places, including Peña Adobe, Will H. Buck House, Pleasants Ranch, and Vacaville Town Hall.

The Vacaville Cultural Center, located at the southeast corner of Allison Drive and Ulatis Drive, houses a regional library, the Vacaville Performing Arts Theatre, an outdoor garden, and rentable event space.

The city's libraries are operated by Solano County Library. The Vacaville Town Square Library is located within downtown, north of Main Street and east of Dobbins Road. The Vacaville Cultural Center Library is located within the Cultural Center facility at the southeast corner of Allison Drive and Ulatis Drive.

The Vacaville Art Gallery, located north of Andrews Park along East Monte Vista Avenue, provides exhibitions for local artists and community members.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Tourism

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File:Nut Tree 832 - panoramio.jpg
Nut Tree chessboard

The city holds an annual Vacaville Fiesta Days celebration downtown, including a parade that features the public-school marching bands, gymnasts, and an electric car showcase, among other things.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Other sites for tourists include the Vacaville Premium Outlets and the Nut Tree, which is home to a train for children, a carousel, and a life-size chessboard, as well as numerous stores and dining establishments. Every Friday during the summer, the city holds the CreekWalk Concert Series in downtown Vacaville. Every December, the city holds a Festival of Trees in the ice skating rink and the Tree Lighting Ceremony, in which residents gather downtown to see a Template:Convert tree illuminate and enjoy festive music played by the Jepson Band, hot chocolate, and horse-drawn carriage rides. The Jimmy Doolittle Center at the Nut Tree Airport displays aircraft from as early as 1912 and is home to the Jimmy Doolittle Shell Lockheed Vega. Displays also include personal items of General Doolittle and items related to the Doolittle Raid of 1942.

Parks and recreation

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Regional and community parks include:

  • Centennial Park, a 265-acre community park<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> featuring baseball fields, tennis courts, soccer fields, and trails.
  • Graham Aquatic Center.
  • Lagoon Valley Park, a 306-acre regional park located within Lagoon Valley.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The park is centered around a 100-acre lagoon, and features disc golf, trails, archery, and recreational sites. The park also houses the Peña Adobe Historical Area, which includes the historic Peña Adobe home and the Mowers-Goheen Museum.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Government

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Vacaville is governed by a seven-member City Council with six elected by district, and one mayor elected at large. Each serving four year terms. Current alignment is Presidential Election: District 1, 3, 5. Gubernatorial Election: Mayor and District 2, 4, 6. The mayor is John Carli (elected 2022).

Vacaville is represented by California Assembly District 11 - Lori Wilson, California State Senate District 3 - Bill Dodd, and primarily by Congressional District 4 - Mike Thompson, however, a small portion in the east and southeast portion of the city is represented by Congressional District 8 - John Garamendi.

As of September 2022, there were 58,240 registered voters in Vacaville; of these, 22,198 (38.1%) are Democrats, 17,873 (30.7%) are Republicans, and 12,959 (22.3%) stated no party preference.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Education

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Vacaville is served by two public school districts: Vacaville Unified School District and Travis Unified School District. The city is also served by a community college district, private schools and colleges.

Vacaville Unified School District

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The Vacaville Unified School District (VUSD) includes the following campuses:

High schools

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Middle schools

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  • Ernest Kimme Academy for Independent Learners (K-12)
  • Kairos Public Schools Vacaville Academy (Charter School)
  • Sierra Vista K-8
  • Vaca Peña Middle School
  • Willis Jepson Middle School

Elementary schools

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  • Ace Program
  • Alamo Elementary School
  • Browns Valley Elementary School
  • Cooper Elementary School
  • Edwin Markham Elementary School
  • Ernest Kimme Academy for Independent Learners (K-12)
  • Eugene Padan Elementary School
  • Fairmont Charter Elementary School
  • Hemlock Elementary School
  • Jean Callison Elementary
  • Kairos Public Schools Vacaville Academy (K-8)
  • Orchard Elementary
  • Sierra Vista K-8

Alternate schools and programs

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  • Ernest Kimme Charter Academy for Independent Learning
  • Muzetta Thrower Adult Education Center

Travis Unified School District

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The Travis Unified School District (TUSD), which serves Travis Air Force Base (TAFB) and parts of Fairfield and Vacaville, includes the following campuses:

  • Cambridge Elementary School
  • Foxboro Elementary School
  • Center Elementary School (Fairfield)
  • Scandia Elementary School (TAFB)
  • Travis Elementary School (TAFB)

Its campuses serving Vacaville secondary students are:

Private schools

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Private institutions with campuses in Vacaville are:

  • Bethany Lutheran Preschool and Elementary School
  • Centurion Christian Classical School
  • Notre Dame Parochial School (Catholic Private School K-8)
  • Vacaville Adventist (Seventh-day Adventist)
  • Vacaville Christian Schools (preschool through 12th grade)
  • The Academy of 21st Century Learning

Colleges and universities

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Vacaville is within the Solano Community College District. The Vacaville campus, located along North Village Parkway, features a 70-seat lecture hall, classrooms, science and computer laboratories, and a multipurpose room for theater arts and physical education.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> As part of the college's Bachelor's of Biomanufacturing degree program, the campus also contains the Biotechnology and Science Building, which houses four biotech labs, two chemistry labs, two biology labs, and a wet and dry anatomy lab. Among others, it offers an associate degree in biotechnology, which could lead to employment with local industries.

Media

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Radio station KUIC is based in Vacaville.

The Vacaville Reporter is a local daily newspaper. The Daily Republic, based in Fairfield, also provides local news coverage on Vacaville.

Infrastructure

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Transportation

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Interstate 80 passes through Vacaville, connecting San Francisco to the southwest and Sacramento to the northeast. Interstate 505 branches off Interstate 80, connecting Vacaville to Winters before eventually reaching Interstate 5 to the north.

The Fairfield-Vacaville Hannigan station, located east of Peabody Road in neighboring Fairfield, serves Vacaville and Fairfield. The station opened in November 2017. The station is served by Capitol Corridor trains operated by Amtrak California.

The Vacaville Transportation Center, located along Allison Drive and adjacent to Interstate 80, is the main hub for commuters via bus as well as vanpools and park-and-ride to the Sacramento area and the San Francisco Bay Area. Vacaville City Coach provides local bus service. SolanoExpress, which is operated by SolTrans, provides intercity connections to Fairfield, Benicia, Davis, Walnut Creek BART, and Sacramento.

The Nut Tree Airport is located in Vacaville and is operated by the Solano County General Services Department.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Hospitals

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The city includes two hospitals, NorthBay VacaValley Hospital, a 50-bed facility whose campus also includes the NorthBay Cancer Center and HealthSpring Fitness Center, and the Kaiser Permanente Vacaville Medical Center, a hospital and trauma center.Template:Citation needed

Notable people

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(B) denotes that the person was born in Vacaville.

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  • Casey Sheehan – awarded Bronze Star with Palm Fronds posthumously for actions in Iraq on April 4, 2004<ref>

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See also

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References

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