Editing Wasco, California

{{Short description|City in California, United States}}
{{about|the city in California|the billiard cue factory known as WASCO|William A. Spinks}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Wasco, California
|settlement_type          = [[List of municipalities in California|City]]
|motto                    = "Grow With Us"
|named_for                = Sources unclear, either [[Wasco County, Oregon]] or Western American Sugar Company
|image_skyline            = RepaintedWascoWaterTower.JPG
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = Water tower in Wasco
|image_map                = Kern_County_California_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Wasco_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250x200px
|map_caption              = Location in [[Kern County, California|Kern County]] and the state of [[California]]
|pushpin_map              = USA
|pushpin_map_caption      = Location in the United States
|pushpin_relief           = 1
<!-- Location ---->
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = {{USA}}
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = {{flag|California}}
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in California|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Kern County, California|Kern]]
<!-- Government ---->
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = 
|leader_name              = 
|leader_title1            = [[California's 16th State Senate district|State senator]]
|leader_name1             = {{Representative|casd|16|fmt=sleader}}<ref name=find/>
|leader_title2            = [[California's 35th State Assembly district|Assemblymember]]
|leader_name2             = {{Representative|caad|35|fmt=sleader}}<ref name=find>{{cite web |title=Find Your California Representatives |url=https://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/ |access-date=May 14, 2025}}</ref>
|leader_title3            = [[California's 22nd congressional district|U. S. Rep.]]
|leader_name3             = {{Representative|cacd|22|fmt=usleader}}<ref>{{Cite GovTrack|CA|22}}</ref>
|established_title        = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
|established_date         = December 22, 1945<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
|archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20141103002921/http://www.calafco.org/docs/Cities_by_incorp_date.doc
 |archive-date = November 3, 2014
 |url-status     = dead
}}</ref>
<!-- Area ---->
| 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_sq_mi        = 9.39
| area_land_sq_mi         = 9.39
| area_water_sq_mi        = 0.00
| area_total_km2          = 24.32
| area_land_km2           = 24.32
| area_water_km2          = 0.00
<!-- Population ---->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="US Census Bureau 2020 Wasco, CA Population">{{cite web |title=US Census Bureau |url=https://data.census.gov/all?q=Wasco%20city,%20California |website=www.census.gov |access-date=30 August 2024}}</ref>
|population_total         = 27047
|population_metro         = 
|population_density_km2   = auto
|population_density_sq_mi = auto
<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[Pacific Time Zone|PST]]
|utc_offset               = -8
|timezone_DST             = PDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -7
|coordinates              = {{coord|35|35|42|N|119|23|02|W|region:US-CA|display=inline,title}}
|elevation_ft             = 312
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
<!-- Area/postal codes and others -->
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 93280
|area_code_type           = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
|area_code                = [[Area code 661|661]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = {{FIPS|06|83542}}
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 2412185<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2412185}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|www.ci.wasco.ca.us}}
|footnotes                = 
}}

'''Wasco''' (formerly, '''Dewey''' and '''Deweyville''')<ref name=CGN /> is a city in the [[San Joaquin Valley]], in [[Kern County, California]], United States. Wasco is located {{convert|24|mi|km|0}} northwest of [[Bakersfield, California|Bakersfield]],<ref name=CGN>{{California's Geographic Names|}}</ref> at an elevation of {{Convert|328|feet|}}.<ref name=gnis /> The population was 27,047 at the 2020 census, up from 25,545 at the 2010 census.<ref name="QF">{{cite web |title=QuickFacts: Wasco city, California |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/wascocitycalifornia |website=US Census Bureau |access-date=May 14, 2025}}</ref>

Wasco is the headquarters of the [[Tejon Indian Tribe of California]], a [[Federally recognized tribe|federally recognized]] tribe of [[Kitanemuk]], [[Yokuts]], and [[Chumash people|Chumash]] [[Indigenous people of California]].<ref>Edelhart, Courtenay. [http://www.bakersfieldcalifornian.com/local/x1498655196/Tejon-tribe-fought-for-recognition-throughout-history "Tejon tribe fought for recognition throughout history."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103213347/http://www.bakersfieldcalifornian.com/local/x1498655196/Tejon-tribe-fought-for-recognition-throughout-history |date=November 3, 2013 }} ''The Bakersfield Californian.'' March 5, 2012. Retrieved April 23, 2013.</ref>

==History==
The name Dewey was in honor of Admiral [[George Dewey]], a hero of the [[Spanish–American War]].<ref name=CGN /> The Deweyville post office opened in 1899, and changed its name to Wasco in 1907.<ref name=CGN />

The origin of the name Wasco is subject of two different theories: (1) That it was coined from [[Western American Sugar Company]]; and (2) that it was named by a resident from [[Wasco County, Oregon]].<ref name=CGN />

Wasco is the site of the [[Fourth Home Extension Colony]], founded in 1907 by the [[American Home Extension Association]].<ref name=CGN />

==Geography==

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|9.4|sqmi|km2}}, all of it land. At the 2000 census, according to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city had a total area of {{convert|7.6|sqmi|km2}}, all of it land. Wasco is located on the floor of the San Joaquin Valley, at the intersection of California State Routes [[California State Route 43|43]], which runs north–south, and [[California State Route 46|46]], which runs east–west.

===Climate===
According to the [[Köppen Climate Classification]] system, Wasco has a [[semi-arid climate]] (''BSh'', bordering on ''BSk'') with extremely hot, dry summers and mild to cool winters. The average annual mean temperature is {{convert|64.1|F}}.

{{Weather box
|location = Wasco, California (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1901–present)
|single line = Y
|width = auto
|collapsed  = yes
|Jan record high F = 81
|Feb record high F = 86
|Mar record high F = 100
|Apr record high F = 102
|May record high F = 109
|Jun record high F = 113
|Jul record high F = 116
|Aug record high F = 115
|Sep record high F = 113
|Oct record high F = 110
|Nov record high F = 92
|Dec record high F = 85
|year record high F = 116
|Jan avg record high F = 70.6
|Feb avg record high F = 76.0
|Mar avg record high F = 83.4
|Apr avg record high F = 92.2
|May avg record high F = 100.1
|Jun avg record high F = 106.3
|Jul avg record high F = 107.6
|Aug avg record high F = 107.3
|Sep avg record high F = 104.1
|Oct avg record high F = 94.8
|Nov avg record high F = 80.1
|Dec avg record high F = 70.9
|year avg record high F = 109.5
|Jan high F = 58.5
|Feb high F = 65.1
|Mar high F = 71.3
|Apr high F = 77.2
|May high F = 86.0
|Jun high F = 93.9
|Jul high F = 100.0
|Aug high F = 98.8
|Sep high F = 93.5
|Oct high F = 82.4
|Nov high F = 68.5
|Dec high F = 58.6
|year high F = 79.5
|Jan mean F = 47.6
|Feb mean F = 52.5
|Mar mean F = 57.8
|Apr mean F = 63.2
|May mean F = 71.6
|Jun mean F = 77.6
|Jul mean F = 83.4
|Aug mean F = 81.6
|Sep mean F = 77.6
|Oct mean F = 66.8
|Nov mean F = 55.1
|Dec mean F = 47.2
|year mean F = 66.0
|Jan low F = 36.6
|Feb low F = 40.0
|Mar low F = 44.2
|Apr low F = 49.2
|May low F = 57.3
|Jun low F = 61.3
|Jul low F = 66.8
|Aug low F = 64.4
|Sep low F = 59.8
|Oct low F = 51.1
|Nov low F = 41.7
|Dec low F = 35.7
|year low F = 
|Jan avg record low F = 28.2
|Feb avg record low F = 30.7
|Mar avg record low F = 35.2
|Apr avg record low F = 38.9
|May avg record low F = 45.6
|Jun avg record low F = 50.7
|Jul avg record low F = 58.7
|Aug avg record low F = 57.3
|Sep avg record low F = 52.1
|Oct avg record low F = 40.7
|Nov avg record low F = 31.3
|Dec avg record low F = 26.9
|year avg record low F = 25.3
|Jan record low F = 12
|Feb record low F = 18
|Mar record low F = 20
|Apr record low F = 21
|May record low F = 33
|Jun record low F = 32
|Jul record low F = 46
|Aug record low F = 40
|Sep record low F = 33
|Oct record low F = 25
|Nov record low F = 17
|Dec record low F = 13
|year record low F = 12
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 1.29
|Feb precipitation inch = 1.16
|Mar precipitation inch = 1.37
|Apr precipitation inch = 0.63
|May precipitation inch = 0.27
|Jun precipitation inch = 0.13
|Jul precipitation inch = 0.01
|Aug precipitation inch = 0.02
|Sep precipitation inch = 0.03
|Oct precipitation inch = 0.51
|Nov precipitation inch = 0.58
|Dec precipitation inch = 1.11
|year precipitation inch = 
|Jan precipitation days = 6.9
|Feb precipitation days = 6.2
|Mar precipitation days = 5.6
|Apr precipitation days = 3.4
|May precipitation days = 1.4
|Jun precipitation days = 0.4
|Jul precipitation days = 0.1
|Aug precipitation days = 0.1
|Sep precipitation days = 0.3
|Oct precipitation days = 1.5
|Nov precipitation days = 3.3
|Dec precipitation days = 5.1
|year precipitation days = 
|source 1 = [[NOAA]]<ref name=NOAA>{{cite web|url=https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=hnx|title=Wasco – NWS Hanford CA NOAA Online Weather Data|access-date=February 10, 2021}}</ref><ref>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00049452&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Wasco, CA
|access-date = May 27, 2023
}}
</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1950= 5592
|1960= 6841
|1970= 8269
|1980= 9613
|1990= 12412
|2000= 21263
|2010= 25545
|2020= 27047
|estyear= 
|estimate= 
|estref= 
|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=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}

===2010===
At the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]] Wasco had a population of 25,545. The population density was {{convert|2,710.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of Wasco was 12,579 (49.2%) White, 1,951 (7.6%) African American, 283 (1.1%) Native American, 180 (0.7%) Asian, 12 (0.0%) Pacific Islander, 9,714 (38.0%) from other races, and 826 (3.2%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 19,585 persons (76.7%).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0683542|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140715033818/http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0683542|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 15, 2014|title=2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Wasco city|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=July 12, 2014}}</ref>

The census reported that 19,825 people (77.6% of the population) lived in households, 10 (0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 5,710 (22.4%) were institutionalized.

There were 5,131 households, 3,143 (61.3%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 2,894 (56.4%) were [[marriage|opposite-sex married couples]] living together, 992 (19.3%) had a female householder with no husband present, 484 (9.4%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 478 (9.3%) [[POSSLQ|unmarried opposite-sex partnerships]], and 27 (0.5%) [[same-sex partnerships|same-sex married couples or partnerships]]. 575 households (11.2%) were one person and 243 (4.7%) had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 3.86. There were 4,370 families (85.2% of households); the average family size was 4.11.

The age distribution was 7,351 people (28.8%) under the age of 18, 3,687 people (14.4%) aged 18 to 24, 8,621 people (33.7%) aged 25 to 44, 4,593 people (18.0%) aged 45 to 64, and 1,293 people (5.1%) who were 65 or older. The median age was 28.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 160.3 males.  For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 192.5 males.

There were 5,477 housing units at an average density of 581.1 per square mile, of the occupied units 2,680 (52.2%) were owner-occupied and 2,451 (47.8%) were rented. The homeowner vacancy rate was 5.1%; the rental vacancy rate was 4.0%. 10,486 people (41.0% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 9,339 people (36.6%) lived in rental housing units.

===2000===
At the [[2000 United States Census|2000 census]] there were 21,263 people in 3,971 households, including 3,403 families, in the city. The population density was {{convert|2,795.7|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 4,256 housing units at an average density of {{convert|559.6|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2000 census|racial makeup]] of the city was 34.64% White, 10.27% Black or African American, 1.02% Native American, 0.67% Asian, 0.15% Pacific Islander, 50.46% from other races, and 2.78% from two or more races.  66.72% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.<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 3,971 households 55.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.3% were married couples living together, 16.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 14.3% were non-families. 11.6% of households were one person and 5.7% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 3.79 and the average family size was 4.07.

The age distribution was 27.4% under the age of 18, 13.9% from 18 to 24, 39.4% from 25 to 44, 13.8% from 45 to 64, and 5.4% 65 or older.  The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females, there were 183.5 males.  For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 230.6 males.

The median [[income]] for a householder in the city was $28,997, and the median family income was $30,506. Males had a median income of $48,105 versus $18,697 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,228.  About 24.3% of families and 27.5% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 35.3% of those under age 18 and 10.1% of those age 65 or over.

=== People in group quarters ===
Source:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.city-data.com/city/Wasco-California.html|title=City-data - People in group quarters / Wasco - California|work=analyzed data from numerous sources|access-date=March 17, 2009}}</ref>

* 7,975 people in [[Wasco State Prison]]
* 1,226 people in other types of correctional institutions
* 10 people in homes for the mentally ill
* 8 people in other non-institutional group quarters

==Economy==
[[File:WascoOilFieldLocationMap.png|thumb|Wasco Oil Field location map]]
One of Wasco's major economic activities is agriculture, specifically the growing of [[rose bushes]]. In 2007 fifty-five percent of all roses grown in the United States were grown in or around Wasco.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ci.wasco.ca.us/Public_Documents/WascoCA_Chamber/festival |title=City of Wasco, CA - Festival of Roses |access-date=November 7, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070813160342/http://www.ci.wasco.ca.us/Public_Documents/WascoCA_Chamber/festival |archive-date=August 13, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Two of Wasco's major nurseries closed in 2010, and by 2011 Wasco was producing only approximately forty percent of US-grown roses.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Roses of Wasco |url=https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/80595/the-roses-of-wasco |publisher=The Earth Observatory |access-date=3 February 2025 |date=10 July 2011}}</ref>

Oil and gas extraction is a significant part of the local economy. The Wasco Oil Field was discovered in April 1938, by [[Continental Oil Company]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Barnes|first1=Roy|title=Wasco Oil Field, in Geologic Formations and economic development of the Oil and Gas Fields of California|date=1943|publisher=State of California Dept. of Natural Resources Division of Mines, Bulletin 118|location=San Francisco|page=553}}</ref> The large [[Semitropic Oil Field]] is along State Route 46 about {{Convert|7|mile|}} west of town. Formerly a gas field, the region now mainly produces oil. Vintage Production, an arm of [[Occidental Petroleum]], is the primary operator as of 2010.

==Sports==
The [[Wasco Reserve]] (called the Reserves in their 2019 debut season<ref>{{cite web |title=Wasco Reserves will now be known as Wasco Reserve effectively immediately |url=https://www.pecosleague.com/pecosleague.asp?page=28&article_id=10198 |website=Pecos League of Professional Baseball Clubs |access-date=March 31, 2024}}</ref>) were a professional baseball team competing in the independent [[Pecos League]] which is not affiliated with [[Major League Baseball]] or [[Minor League Baseball]]. Their home games through the 2021 season were played at Wasco Athletic Park, sharing Bakersfield's [[Sam Lynn Ballpark]] for their 2022 final season.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jacuinde |first1=Veronica |title=Reserve will play this year, but not in Wasco |url=https://www.wascotrib.com/story/2022/05/05/news/reserve-will-play-this-year-but-not-in-wasco/3178.html |access-date=March 31, 2024 |work=Wasco Tribune |date=May 10, 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

==Transportation==
The [[Amtrak]] service, the ''[[San Joaquins]]'', stops at the [[Wasco station]], which has one platform next to the single track; the station building was demolished in 2021. Being on the route of the [[California High-Speed Rail|high speed rail project]] without a stop, Wasco city officials have expressed concerns that the Amtrak service might be discontinued.<ref>{{Cite news|date=August 13, 2020|title=City of Wasco speaks out against High Speed Rail Authority|url=https://www.bakersfield.com/news/city-of-wasco-speaks-out-against-high-speed-rail-authority/article_d5de7fca-dce7-11ea-af81-f3753b2af6a5.html|access-date=August 13, 2020|work=The Bakersfield Californian|language=en}}</ref> {{As of|August 2020}}, no decision has been announced.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Hewerdine|first=Makayla|date=August 13, 2020|title=City of Wasco speaks of challenges High Speed Rail is posing to their community|url=https://www.turnto23.com/news/local-news/city-of-wasco-speaking-out-on-challenges-california-high-speed-rail-is-posing-to-their-community|access-date=August 14, 2020|work=[[KERO-TV]]|language=en}}</ref> The construction has impacted the city and the costs for asbestos removal are in dispute in a labor housing complex that had to be abandoned and demolished.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Westfall|first=Austin|date=December 3, 2020|title=High-Speed Rail construction in full swing in Wasco|url=https://www.turnto23.com/news/local-news/high-speed-rail-construction-in-full-swing-in-wasco|access-date=December 4, 2020|work=KERO|language=en}}</ref> While paid relocation costs, the city can’t afford to demolish the camp and wants the rail authority to pay. Chief Executive Brian Kelly came to the city to discuss the issue in 2021.<ref>{{cite news |first1 = Ralph|last1 = Vartabedian |title=Bullet train leaves a trail of grief among the disadvantaged of the San Joaquin Valley |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-10-29/california-bullet-train-impacts-disadvantaged-communities-san-joaquin-valley |access-date=November 11, 2021 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=October 29, 2021 |language=en }}</ref>

==Notable people==
* [[Pablo Garza (fighter)|Pablo Garza]], American mixed martial artist
* [[Suzanne Lacy]], artist, educator and activist
* [[Aaron Merz]], former American football offensive lineman
* [[Jim Napier]], former minor league baseball catcher and manager
* [[Manuel Quezada]], professional boxer
* [[Carl Smith (American football)|Carl Smith]], American football coach

== In popular culture ==
The town is featured in Episode 133 of ''[[California's Gold]]'' with [[Huell Howser]], filmed in 2007.<ref>{{cite web |title=Wasco – California's Gold (133) – Huell Howser Archives at Chapman University |url=https://blogs.chapman.edu/huell-howser-archives/2007/08/12/wasco-californias-gold-133/}}</ref>

In the movie "[[Son in Law]]" featuring comedian [[Pauly Shore]], the opening credit flyover shots and the opening graduation scene, were filmed in Wasco, CA and at the Wasco High School football stadium respectively.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108186/locations?ref_=tt_dt_dt|title=Son in Law (1993) - IMDb|website=[[IMDb]] }}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="200px" heights="150px" class="center">
File:Wasco,_California,_train_station.jpg|[[Wasco station|Amtrak station]], January 2014
File:2010-1227-WascoCityHall.jpg|City Hall, December 2010
File:2010-1227-WascoUHSAud.jpg|The [[Wasco Union High School]] Auditorium is on the [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Kern County, California|National Register of Historic Places]].
</gallery>

==See also==
{{Portal|California}}
* [[Alpaugh, California]]
* [[M.V. Hartranft]], land developer in Wasco

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* {{Official website}}

{{Cities of Kern County, California}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:1899 establishments in California]]
[[Category:1945 establishments in California]]
[[Category:Cities in Kern County, California]]
[[Category:Incorporated cities and towns in California]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1899]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1945]]