Editing Lemon Grove, California

{{Short description|City in California, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
 | name                     = Lemon Grove, California
 | settlement_type          = [[List of municipalities in California|City]]
 | image_skyline            = {{Photomontage
   | photo1a = Lemon Grove, CA Library (cropped).jpg
   | photo1b = St. John of the Cross parish (cropped).jpg
   | photo2a = - panoramio (4609) (cropped).jpg
   | spacing = 2
   | position = center
   | color_border = white
   | color = white
   | size = 300
   | foot_montage = 
 }}
 | image_flag               = 
 | flag_size                = 
 | image_seal               = 
 | seal_size                = 
 | nickname                 = 
 | motto                    = Best Climate on Earth
 | image_map                = File:San Diego County California Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Lemon Grove Highlighted 0641124.svg
 | map_caption              = Location of Lemon Grove in San Diego County, California.
 | pushpin_map              = USA
 | pushpin_map_caption      = Location in the United States
 | pushpin_relief           = 1
 | coordinates              = {{coord|32|44|29|N|117|01|54|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
 | subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
 | subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
 | subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in California|County]]
 | subdivision_name         = {{USA}}
 | subdivision_name1        = {{flag|California}}
 | subdivision_name2        = {{flagicon image|Flag of San Diego County, California.png}} [[San Diego County, California|San Diego]]
 | established_title        = <!-- Settled -->
 | established_date         = 
 | established_title3       = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
 | established_date3        = July 1, 1977<ref>{{Cite web
   | url=http://www.calafco.org/docs/Cities_by_incorp_date.doc 
   | title=California Cities by Incorporation Date 
   | format=Word 
   | publisher=California Association of [[Local Agency Formation Commission]]s 
   | access-date=August 25, 2014 |url-status=dead 
   | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130221091414/http://www.calafco.org/docs/Cities_by_incorp_date.doc 
   | archive-date=February 21, 2013 
 }}</ref>
<!-- Area------------------>
 | government_type          = [[Council–manager government|Council–manager]]
 | leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
 | leader_name              = Racquel Vasquez<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lemongrove.ca.gov/departments/government/mayor-council|title=Mayor & Council|publisher=City of Lemon Grove|access-date=February 24, 2015}}</ref>
 | leader_title1            = [[City manager]]
 | leader_name1             = Lydia Romero<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lemongrove.ca.gov/departments/city-manager|title=City Manager|publisher=City of Lemon Grove|access-date=February 24, 2015}}</ref>
 | unit_pref                = Imperial
 | area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_06.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 1, 2020}}</ref>
 | area_total_km2           = 10.05
 | area_total_sq_mi         = 3.88
 | area_land_km2            = 10.05
 | area_land_sq_mi          = 3.88
 | area_water_km2           = 0.00
 | area_water_sq_mi         = 0.00
 | area_water_percent       = 0
 | area_metro_km2           = 
 | area_metro_sq_mi         = 
 | elevation_footnotes      = <ref>{{Cite GNIS|1660902|Lemon Grove|access-date=February 24, 2015}}</ref>
 | elevation_m              = 136
 | elevation_ft             = 446
 | population_total         = 27627
 | population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
 | population_footnotes     = 
 | pop_est_as_of            = 2021
 | population_est           = 27413
 | population_density_km2   = auto
 | population_density_sq_mi = auto
 | population_metro         = 
 | population_density_metro_km2 = 
 | population_density_metro_sq_mi = 
 | postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
 | postal_code              = 91945
 | area_code                = [[Area code 619|619]]
 | area_code_type           = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
 | website                  = {{URL|www.lemongrove.ca.gov}}
 | timezone                 = [[Pacific Time Zone|Pacific]]
 | utc_offset               = -8
 | timezone_DST             = [[Pacific Daylight Time|PDT]]
 | utc_offset_DST           = -7
 | blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS]] code
 | blank_info               = {{FIPS|06|41124}}
 | blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature IDs
 | blank1_info              = {{GNIS 4|1660902}}, {{GNIS 4|2410818}}
}}

'''Lemon Grove''' is a city in [[San Diego County, California]], United States. The population was 27,627 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], up from 25,320 at the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Lemon Grove city, California; United States |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/lemongrovecitycalifornia,US/PST045221 |access-date=May 6, 2022 |website=www.census.gov |language=en}}</ref>

==History==
The area that eventually became Lemon Grove was part of [[Mission San Diego de Alcalá]], one of the [[Spanish missions in California]]. After [[Mexican War of Independence|Mexico became independent from Spain]], the [[Californio]]s (residents of [[Alta California]]) ranched on various [[land grant]]s. The area that now includes Lemon Grove was granted to [[Santiago Argüello]], who received more than 59,000 acres.<ref name="HisSoc">Helen M. Ofield & Pete Smith, ''Images of America: Lemon Grove, Lemon Grove Historical Society'' (Arcadia: 2010).</ref>

The first proprietor of Lemon Grove, Robert Allison, arrived in the region in 1850, coming from [[Sacramento]]. He purchased thousands of acres from Santiago Argüello's heirs; this land eventually became Lemon Grove, [[La Mesa, California|La Mesa]], [[Encanto, San Diego|Encanto]], and part of [[Spring Valley, San Diego County, California|Spring Valley]]. Allison became a director and stockholder of the San Diego and Cuyamaca Railroad in 1886 and built the Allison Flume.<ref name="HisSoc"/> Allison's son Joseph filed subdivision maps for "Lemon Grove" in 1892. The name is attributed to Joseph's mother, Tempa Waterman Allison. The climate was suitable for the cultivation of [[subtropical fruit]]s and vegetables, and farmers from the East and Midwest flocked to the region.<ref name="HisSoc"/> The Lemon Grove Fruit Growers Association was formed in 1893; in 1894, the ''[[The San Diego Union-Tribune|San Diego Union]]'' newspaper referred to Lemon Grove as "a sea of lemon trees."<ref name="HisSoc"/>

Joseph and Anton Sonka, [[Czech American|immigrants from Bohemia]], moved to Lemon Grove after stints in Seguin, Texas, and San Diego. The brothers opened a well-known [[general store]], A. Sonka and Son. In 2023, the historical building that was once Sonka's general store became [https://grovebistro.com Lemon Grove Bistro].

Anthony "Tony" F. Sonka, the eldest son of Anton Sonka and his [[German American]] wife Anna Klein Sonka, was also a local notable. He was a key supporter of the huge lemon that became the town's symbol and landmark.<ref name="HisSoc"/> Sonka and a committee of local ranchers hired local architect Alberto Treganza to build the huge lemon to "make the ultimate statement about the town's purpose, prosperity, and optimism."<ref name="HisSoc"/>

In the [[Lemon Grove Incident]] in 1931, [[Mexican American]] parents in Lemon Grove pursued a successful judicial challenge against the decision of the local school board to build a separate school for Mexican American pupils. The decision of the [[California superior courts|Superior Court]] for San Diego County in ''Alvarez v. Lemon Grove'' was the first successful lawsuit against [[school segregation]].<ref>Matt S. Meier & Margo Gutiérrez, ''The Mexican American Experience: An Encyclopedia'' (Greenwood, 2003), p. 215.</ref><ref>Mike Madrid, "The Lemon Grove Desegregation Case: A Matter of Neglected History" in ''Latino Civil Rights in Education: La Lucha Sigue'' (Routledge, 2016: eds. Anaida Colón-Muñiz & Magaly Lavadenz), pp. 52–57.</ref>

By [[World War II]], most of the citrus groves had disappeared and [[suburbanization]] had begun.<ref name="HisSoc"/> There had been four elections on [[municipal incorporation|incorporation]] from the 1950s to the 1970s; the issue caused heated debate in the town. The city was finally incorporated on July 1, 1977, becoming California's 414th city.<ref name="HisSoc"/> Lemon Grove was incorporated as a general-law city;<ref>"General law" means under the provisions established by the legislature, as opposed to a charter city which would have more local-government options. [http://igs.berkeley.edu/library/localweb.html UCB Institute for Governmental Studies] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080612073449/http://igs.berkeley.edu/library/localweb.html |date=June 12, 2008 }}</ref><!-- Wikipedia needs short article on "General law (California)" --> however, it continues to receive law enforcement services, via contract, from the [[San Diego County Sheriff's Office]].<ref>[http://www.sdsheriff.net/patrolstations/lemongrove.html San Diego County Sheriff's Lemon Grove Station]</ref>

==Geography==
Lemon Grove is located at {{Coord|32|44|0|N|117|2|1|W|type:city}} (32.733451, −117.033702).<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref>

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|3.9|sqmi|km2}}, all land.

==Transportation==
The city is served by California State Routes [[California State Route 94|94]] and [[California State Route 125|125]]. It is also served by the [[San Diego Trolley]]'s [[Orange Line (San Diego Trolley)|Orange Line]], at [[Lemon Grove Depot]] as well as at [[Massachusetts Avenue station (San Diego Trolley)|Massachusetts Avenue Station]].

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
| 1960 = 19348
| 1970 = 19690
| 1980 = 20780
| 1990 = 23984
| 2000 = 24918
| 2010 = 25320
| 2020 = 27627
| footnote = U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=May 15, 2023}}</ref>
}}

===2010===
At the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]] Lemon Grove had a population of 25,320. The population density was {{convert|6,525.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of Lemon Grove was 8,545 (33.3%) White, 3,495 (13.8%) African American, 225 (0.9%) Native American, 1,628 (6.3%) Asian, 275 (1.1%) Pacific Islander, 4,828 (19.1%) from other races, and 1,801 (7.1%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11,635 persons (45.2%).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0641124|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140715030638/http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0641124|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 15, 2014|title=2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Lemon Grove city|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=July 12, 2014}}</ref>

The census reported that 24,974 people (98.6% of the population) lived in households, 200 (0.8%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 146 (0.6%) were institutionalized.

There were 8,434 households, 3,295 (39.1%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 3,863 (45.8%) were [[marriage|opposite-sex married couples]] living together, 1,419 (16.8%) had a female householder with no husband present, 601 (7.1%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 516 (6.1%) [[POSSLQ|unmarried opposite-sex partnerships]], and 94 (1.1%) [[same-sex partnerships|same-sex married couples or partnerships]]. 1,928 households (22.9%) were one person and 734 (8.7%) had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.96. There were 5,883 families (69.8% of households); the average family size was 3.51.

The age distribution was 6,458 people (25.5%) under the age of 18, 2,583 people (10.2%) aged 18 to 24, 6,900 people (27.3%) aged 25 to 44, 6,550 people (25.9%) aged 45 to 64, and 2,829 people (11.2%) who were 65 or older. The median age was 35.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.6 males.

There were 8,868 housing units at an average density of 2,285.4 per square mile, of the occupied units 4,609 (54.6%) were owner-occupied and 3,825 (45.4%) were rented. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.0%; the rental vacancy rate was 5.0%. 13,984 people (55.2% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 10,990 people (43.4%) lived in rental housing units.

===2000===
At the [[2000 United States Census|2000 census]] there were 24,918 people in 8,488 households, including 5,958 families, in the city. The population density was {{convert|6,557.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 8,722 housing units at an average density of {{convert|2,295.2|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2000 census|racial makeup]] of the city was 33.7% White, 13.9% African American, 0.4% Native American, 6.7% Asian, 0.8% Pacific Islander, 13.5% from other races, and 7.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 45.3%.<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>

Of the 8,488 households 36.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.0% were married couples living together, 15.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.8% were non-families. 22.4% of households were one person and 8.9% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.87 and the average family size was 3.36.

The age distribution was 27.6% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 30.9% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 12.0% 65 or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.0 males.

The median household income was $39,823 and the median family income was $45,844. Males had a median income of $35,042 versus $28,509 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,002. About 9.2% of families and 13.7% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 18.0% of those under age 18 and 5.9% of those age 65 or over.

=== Current estimates ===
According to estimates by the [[San Diego Association of Governments]], the [[median household income]] of Lemon Grove in 2005 was $55,436 (not adjusted for [[inflation]]). When adjusted for [[inflation]] (1999 dollars; comparable to [[Census]] data above), the median household income was $45,016.

==Government==
[[File:Lemon Grove, CA.jpg|thumb|left|Lemon Grove sign.]]
{{As of|2024|September}}, the city council includes Mayor Racquel Vasquez, and council members George Gastil, Alysson Snow, Liana LeBaron and Jennifer Mendoza.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Mayor & City Council |url=https://www.lemongrove.ca.gov/our-government/mayor-and-city-council/ |access-date=September 21, 2024 |website=The City of Lemon Grove: The Best Climate on Earth |language=en}}</ref> The City Manager is Lydia Romero.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Office of the City Manager |url=https://www.lemongrove.ca.gov/our-government/city-managers-office/ |access-date=September 21, 2024 |website=The City of Lemon Grove: The Best Climate On Earth |language=en}}</ref>

In the [[California State Legislature]], Lemon Grove is in {{Representative|casd|39|fmt=sdistrict}}, and in the 79th Assembly district, represented by [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] [[Akilah Weber]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://statewidedatabase.org/gis/gis2011/index_2011.html |title=Statewide Database |publisher=UC Regents |access-date=November 24, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150201113744/http://statewidedatabase.org/gis/gis2011/index_2011.html |archive-date=February 1, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In the [[United States House of Representatives]], Lemon Grove is in {{Representative|cacd|51|fmt=district}}.<ref>{{Cite GovTrack|CA|53}}</ref>

==Notable people==
* [[Rob Crow]], American musician
* [[Rob $tone]], rapper
* [[John Forester (cyclist)|John Forester]], cycling activist, author and cycling transportation engineer<ref>[http://www.johnforester.com John Forester's website with Lemon Grove address]</ref>
* Actor [[Dennis Hopper]], around age 13<ref>[http://www.sdreader.com/php/ma_show.php?id=375 San Diego Reader, July 5, 2001]</ref>
* [[Mary Moore (pitcher)|Mary Moore]] (1922–1962), All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player, a native of Lemon Grove
*[[Bobby Sones]], American singer-songwriter and social media personality
* [[Abdussattar Shaikh]],<ref>[http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/node/2020 ABDUSSATTAR SHAIKH]</ref> cofounder of San Diego's Islamic Center
*[["Shotgun" Tom Kelly|"Shotgun Tom" Kelly]], radio personality<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-shotgun-tom-remembers-his-east-county-roots-2011feb21-story.html|title=Shotgun Tom remembers his East County roots|last=Pearlman|first=Karen|work=sandiegouniontribune.com|access-date=October 28, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref>
*[[Lalo Alcaraz]], cartoonist <ref>{{Cite news|title=Cartoonist Lalo Alcaraz's journey from Lemon Grove to Hollywood to improve Latino representation|last=Hamblin|first=Abby|date=October 3, 2019|work=San Diego Union}}</ref>
* [[Boyd Rice]], American musician, artist, photographer and author
* [[Mark Williamson (baseball)|Mark Williamson]], former pitcher for the [[Baltimore Orioles]]
* [[Rodrigo Toscano]], poet
* [[Conan Gray]], American singer-songwriter, born in Lemon Grove

== "The World's Biggest Lemon"  ==
Weighing some 3000 pounds, and approximately 10 feet long and six feet wide, the lemon sculpture—affectionately known as the World's Biggest Lemon—sits on a concrete base at the corner of Broadway and Lemon Grove Avenue, adjacent to 3361 Main Street. It lies before a small lemon grove beside the [[Orange Line (San Diego Trolley)|Orange Line]] [[San Diego Trolley|Trolley]] tracks near the local trolley station and downtown bus stop. Written across the base of this monument are the words "Best Climate On Earth". Designed by Lemon Grove architect [[Alberto O. Treganza]], the lemon was originally built as a parade float for the 1928 Fourth of July Fiesta de San Diego parade, carrying the town's first Miss Lemon Grove, Amorita Treganza, Alberto's 16-year-old daughter. In 1930, the float was plastered to create a permanent sculpture and displayed near its current location.

== Education ==
Public primary education in the city is provided by the [[Lemon Grove School District]]. [[Grossmont Union High School District]] provides secondary and adult education.

===High schools===
Eligible students are sent outside the town for secondary education.

=== Middle schools ===
*Lemon Grove Academy Middle School

===K-8 schools===
*Vista La Mesa Academy
*Mount Vernon School

===Elementary schools===
*Lemon Grove Academy Elementary School
*Monterey Heights Elementary School
*San Altos Elementary School
*San Miguel Elementary School

== See also ==
* {{Portal-inline|California}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website}}
* [http://www.city-data.com/city/Lemon-Grove-California.html City Data]
* [http://www.lghistorical.org/ Lemon Grove Historical Society] - Official Website

{{San Diego County, California}}
{{San Diego metropolitan area}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Lemon Grove, California| ]]
[[Category:Cities in San Diego County, California]]
[[Category:East County (San Diego County)]]
[[Category:San Diego metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Incorporated cities and towns in California]]
[[Category:Chicano and Mexican neighborhoods in California]]