Editing Waterford, California

{{Short description|City in California, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- Basic info  ---------------->
| official_name            = City of Waterford
| other_name               = 
| native_name              = <!-- for cities whose native name is not in English -->
| nickname                 = 
| settlement_type          = [[List of municipalities in California|City]]
| motto                    = Gateway To Recreation
<!-- images and maps  ----------->
| image_skyline            = 
| imagesize                = 
| image_caption            = 
| image_flag               = 
| flag_size                = 
| image_seal               = 
| seal_size                = 
| image_shield             = 
| shield_size              = 
| image_blank_emblem       = 
| blank_emblem_type        = 
| blank_emblem_size        = 
| image_map                = Stanislaus_County_California_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Waterford_Highlighted.svg
| mapsize                  = 250x200px
| map_caption              = Location in [[Stanislaus County, California|Stanislaus County]] and the state of [[California]]
| image_map1               = 
| mapsize1                 = 
| map_caption1             = 
| 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        = [[Stanislaus County, California|Stanislaus]]
<!-- Politics ----------------->
| government_footnotes     = 
| government_type          = [[Council–manager government|Council-Manager]]
| leader_title             = [[City council]]<ref>{{Cite web
 | url = https://www.cityofwaterford.org/meet-city-council/
 | title = Meet Your City Council
 | publisher = City of Waterford
 | access-date = May 14, 2025}}</ref>
| leader_name              = [[Mayor]] Charlie Goeken, <br/> [[Vice Mayor]] Jamie Hilton, <br/> Lupita Gutierrez, <br/> Christine Harris and <br/> Elizabeth Talbott.
| leader_title1            = [[City manager]]
| leader_name1             = Mike Pitcock<ref>{{Cite web
 | url = http://www.cityofwaterford.org/contact-us/city-managers-office/
 | title = City Manager's Office
 | publisher = City of Waterford
 | access-date = May 17, 2015}}</ref>
| established_title        = Established
| established_date         = "Bakersville" in 1857
| established_title2       = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
| established_date2        = as "Waterford" on November 7, 1969<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         = 2.38
| area_land_sq_mi          = 2.36
| area_water_sq_mi         = 0.02
| area_total_km2           = 6.17
| area_land_km2            = 6.11
| area_water_km2           = 0.06
| area_water_percent       = 1.72
| area_note                = 
| area_metro_km2           = 
| area_metro_sq_mi         = 
<!-- Elevation ------------>
| elevation_footnotes      = <ref>{{Cite GNIS|1660135|Waterford|access-date=May 17, 2015}}</ref>
| elevation_ft             = 171
| elevation_m              = 52
<!-- Population   ----------------------->
| population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes     = 
| population_note          = 
| population_total         = 9120
| population_density_km2   = auto
| population_density_sq_mi = auto
| population_metro         = 
| population_density_metro_km2 = 
| population_density_metro_sq_mi = 
| population_urban         = 
<!-- General information  --------------->
| timezone                 = [[Pacific Standard Time|PST]]
| utc_offset               = -8
| timezone_DST             = [[Pacific Daylight Time|PDT]]
| utc_offset_DST           = -7
| coordinates              = {{coord|37|38|42|N|120|46|3|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code              = 95386
| area_code                = [[Area code 209|209]]
| blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info               = {{FIPS|06|83612}}
| blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature IDs
| blank1_info              = {{GNIS 4|1660135}}, {{GNIS 4|2412192}}
| website                  = {{URL|cityofwaterford.org}}
}}

'''Waterford''' is the eighth largest city in [[Stanislaus County, California|Stanislaus County]], [[California]], United States. The population was 9,120 at the 2020 census, up from 8,456 as of the 2010 census. Waterford is part of the [[Modesto, California|Modesto]] [[Modesto metropolitan area|Metropolitan Statistical Area]].

==Geography==
[[Image:TuolomneRiverWaterfordCA.jpg|left|thumb|200px|View of Tuolumne River]]Waterford is located at {{Coord|37|38|42|N|120|46|3|W|type:city}} (37.645132, -120.767609).<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|2.4|sqmi|km2}}, of which, {{convert|2.3|sqmi|km2}} of it is land and {{convert|0.04|sqmi|km2}} of it (1.72%) is water.

The city was founded around the [[Tuolumne River]]. City [[population]] signs report Waterford's elevation is {{convert|161|ft|m}} above sea level.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Elevation data by https://elevation.city website |url=https://elevation.city/us/37wfb |url-status=live |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Elevation City}}</ref>

===Climate===

Waterford has a hot-summer Mediterranean summer featuring hot and dry summers and cool, moderately rainy winters. Due to its proximity to the Sierra foothills, Waterford tends to have 1-2 degree cooler average temperatures than its neighbouring Central Valley cities like Modesto and Turlock, which are more in the depths of the  valley.

{{Weather box
|location = Waterford, California (1981–2010)
|single line = Y
|Jan high F = 54.7
|Feb high F = 60.9
|Mar high F = 65.8
|Apr high F = 73.9
|May high F = 82.4
|Jun high F = 89.4
|Jul high F = 94.8
|Aug high F = 93.4
|Sep high F = 88.7
|Oct high F = 78.6
|Nov high F = 64.8
|Dec high F = 54.8
|year high F =
|Jan low F = 37.1
|Feb low F = 42.2
|Mar low F = 45.2
|Apr low F = 48.2
|May low F = 54.2
|Jun low F = 59.1
|Jul low F = 62.7
|Aug low F = 61.7
|Sep low F = 58.4
|Oct low F = 51.6
|Nov low F = 43.7
|Dec low F = 38.7
|year low F =
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 2.5
|Feb precipitation inch = 2.2
|Mar precipitation inch = 2.1
|Apr precipitation inch = 1.1
|May precipitation inch = 0.2
|Jun precipitation inch = 0.0
|Jul precipitation inch = 0.1
|Aug precipitation inch = 0.1
|Sep precipitation inch = 0.3
|Oct precipitation inch = 0.9
|Nov precipitation inch = 2.0
|Dec precipitation inch = 1.9
|year precipitation inch=
|source 1 = NOAA<ref>[https://myforecast.co/bin/climate.m?city=12295&metric=false] MyForecast. Retrieved May 17, 2023.</ref>
|date=May 2017
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
| 1880 = 63
| 1950 = 1777
| 1960 = 1780
| 1970 = 2243
| 1980 = 2683
| 1990 = 4771
| 2000 = 6924
| 2010 = 8456
| 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>
| 2020 = 9120
}}

===2010===
The [[2010 United States Census]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0683612|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140715033817/http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0683612|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 15, 2014|title=2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Waterford city|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=July 12, 2014}}</ref> reported that Waterford had a population of 32,146. The population density was {{convert|3,569.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of Waterford was 10,003 (71.0%) [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 10,023 (0.9%) [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 120 (1.3%) [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1,222(1.5%) [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 221 (0.1%) [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 10,747 (20.6%) from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 386 (4.6%) from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 3,579 persons (42.3%).

The Census reported that 31,433 people (99.7% of the population) lived in households, 713 (0.3%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.

There were 2,458 households, out of which 1,314 (53.5%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 1,499 (61.0%) were [[marriage|opposite-sex married couples]] living together, 357 (14.5%) had a female householder with no husband present, 191 (7.8%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 172 (7.0%) [[POSSLQ|unmarried opposite-sex partnerships]], and 15 (0.6%) [[same-sex partnerships|same-sex married couples or partnerships]]. 305 households (12.4%) were made up of individuals, and 106 (4.3%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.43. There were 2,047 [[family (U.S. Census)|families]] (83.3% of all households); the average family size was 3.71.

The population was spread out, with 2,786 people (32.9%) under the age of 18, 902 people (10.7%) aged 18 to 24, 2,295 people (27.1%) aged 25 to 44, 1,860 people (22.0%) aged 45 to 64, and 613 people (7.2%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.4 males.

There were 2,665 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,125.1|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}, of which 1,627 (66.2%) were owner-occupied, and 831 (33.8%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.5%; the rental vacancy rate was 7.1%. 5,489 people (64.9% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 2,944 people (34.8%) lived in rental housing units.

===2000===
As of the [[census]]<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 2000, there were 6,923 people, 1,991 households, and 1,682 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|4,338.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 2,080 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,303.2|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 12.24% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.48% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 1.53% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.75% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.16% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 19.99% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 4.85% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 78.44% of the population.

There were 1,990 households, out of which 52.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 15.5% were non-families. 11.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.47 and the average family size was 3.71.

36.4% of Waterford's inhabitants were under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 30.9% from 25 to 44, 15.9% from 45 to 64, and 7.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.0 males.

The median [[income]] for a household in the city was $39,286, and the median income for a family was $41,698. Males had a median income of $32,530 versus $25,341 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $13,933. About 11.2% of families and 12.3% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 13.2% of those under age 18 and 10.0% of those age 65 or over.

==Politics==
Waterford is located in the [[California's 4th senatorial district|4th Senate District]] of California and is represented by Republican [[Marie Alvarado-Gil]] and in the [[California's 9th State Assembly district|9th Assembly District]], represented by Republican [[Heath Flora]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Find Your California Representatives |url=https://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/ |access-date=May 14, 2025}}</ref>

In the [[United States House of Representatives]], Waterford is in the [[California's 5th congressional district|5th Congressional District]] and is represented by Republican [[Tom McClintock]].

== Education ==
Waterford Unified School District is the sole school district.

The Waterford Elementary School is named after the former school superintendent and former elementary school teacher, Richard Moon. The school mascot is the moon cub (a tiger cub) and serves grade K-3. Immediately next to Richard Moon Elementary is the Waterford [[Head Start Program]], which includes state preschool, full day Head Start, and half day Head Start.

Lucille Whitehead Intermediate School shares a campus with Moon School and was first opened for the 2008–2009 school year. The school was dedicated in honor of Lucille Bishop Whitehead. The mascot is the Bobcat.

Waterford Junior High serves grades 7–8. It is the oldest school in the Waterford School District. Their mascot is the tiger.

[[Image:WaterfordHighSchoolCA.jpg|thumb|140px|left|Waterford High School Campus]] [[Waterford High School (California)|Waterford High School]] was built in 2001. Around 558 students attend the High School. The WHS mascot is the Wildcat.

== History ==
The community which became Waterford began to form in the latter half of the 19th century, after surrounding regions became populated with 49ers. At this time the area was known as Bakersville, after one of the town's influential members. It soon became apparent that mail was being mistaken between Bakersville and [[Bakersfield, California]], and the smaller of the two was forced to change its name. At that time, the [[Tuolumne River]] did not have a bridge, and instead was crossed by [[Roberts Ferry, California|Roberts Ferry]] on the [[Dock (maritime)|waterfront]]. Since the area was well known for this ford, the town adopted the name of Waterford. For several decades, a regular steam locomotive could traverse the Tuolumne in Waterford on a trestle bridge, which was demolished in the second half of the 20th century. There are now no longer railway lines running through or near Waterford, even though many maps will still show the tracks going through the post office building.

==Transportation==
[[Image:California 132.svg|100px|right|thumb|State Route 132.]] [[Image:Stanislaus County Route J9 CA.svg|100px|left|thumb|County Route J9]]
The city is served by [[Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority]] bus service.

Waterford has two main highways: [[County Route J9 (California)|CR J9]], "F Street", and [[California State Route 132|State Route 132]], "Yosemite Blvd." Both intersect in Waterford. "F Street" goes to [[Oakdale, California|Oakdale]] to the north, and [[Turlock]] to the south. Yosemite goes to [[Modesto, California|Modesto]] westbound, and to the [[Gold Country]] eastbound.

The Hickman-Waterford bridge is also located in Waterford. It is the only bridge for about {{convert|5|mi|km}} both east and west to cross the [[Tuolumne River]] after Geer Road.

==Notes==
* Earth Metrics Incorporated, "Waterford Junior High School, California Environmental Quality Act, Environmental Assessment", [[Waterford Unified School District]], prepared for the State of California Environmental Clearinghouse, Report No. 7895W1.001, February 2, 1990.

==References==
{{reflist}}

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

{{Stanislaus County, California}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:1969 establishments in California]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1969]]
[[Category:Cities in Stanislaus County, California]]
[[Category:Incorporated cities and towns in California]]