Rio Vista, California

Rio Vista (Spanish: Río Vista, meaning "River View") is a city located in the eastern end of Solano County, California, in the Sacramento River Delta region of Northern California.[7] The population was 7,360 at the 2010 census.

For the train station in San Diego, see Rio Vista station.

Rio Vista, California
City
City of Rio Vista
Motto: 
The Gateway to the Delta
Location in Solano County and the state of California
Location in Solano County and the state of California
Rio Vista, California is located in the United States
Rio Vista, California
Rio Vista, California
Location in the United States
Coordinates: 38°9′50″N 121°41′45″W
CountryUnited States
StateCalifornia
CountySolano
IncorporatedJanuary 6, 1894[1]
Government
 • State senatorBill Dodd (D)[2]
 • AssemblymemberLori Wilson (D)[2]
 • U. S. rep.Mike Thompson (D)[3]
Area
[4]
 • Total7.09 sq mi (18.37 km2)
 • Land6.59 sq mi (17.07 km2)
 • Water0.50 sq mi (1.30 km2)  5.68%
Elevation
[5]
20 ft (6 m)
Population
 (2010)[6]
 • Total10,217
 • Density1,443.08/sq mi (556.18/km2)
Time zoneUTC-8 (Pacific)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP code
94571
Area code707
FIPS code06-60984
GNIS feature IDs277585, 2410955
Websitewww.riovistacity.com

Geography

Rio Vista is a small rural town approximately 50 miles (80 km) south of Sacramento, on the Sacramento River in the Sacramento River Delta.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.1 square miles (18 km2), of which, 6.7 square miles (17 km2) of it is land and 0.4 square miles (1.0 km2) of it (5.68%) is water.

Humphrey the Whale in the Sacramento River

Climate

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Rio Vista has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, abbreviated "Csa" on climate maps.[8]

History

The present location of Rio Vista is several miles south of the original settlement. Colonel Nathan H. Davis founded "Brazos del Rio" near the entrance of Cache Slough at the Sacramento River, on the Rancho Los Ulpinos Mexican land grant, in 1858. The settlement was renamed "Rio Vista" before a flood in 1862 that resulted in the town moving to its present location on higher ground. The city's name combines the Spanish words for "river" and "view." Post authorities established office in 1858.[9] The community was officially incorporated as Rio Vista on December 30, 1893. The newspaper of record there was the River News-Herald and Isleton Journal,[10] established in 1890.[11]

From 1911 through 1992 Rio Vista was home to the United States Army Reserve Center, Rio Vista. The facility was initially established as a base for river control activities by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. During the 1950s it was used by the U.S. Army Transportation Corps to store and maintain harbor craft, and during the 1960s and 1970s it was used to prepare amphibious vehicles for transportation to Vietnam and to train troops in their use. In 1980 it was transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve and in 1992 it was closed due to a BRAC decision. The town also hosts a United States Coast Guard station, established in 1963.[12]

Rio Vista was visited by a lost humpback whale in 1985, despite being 60 miles (100 kilometers) upriver from the Pacific Ocean. The young whale, nicknamed "Humphrey", attracted throngs of curiosity seekers before he was eventually guided back to sea by rescuers. The Army Reserve Unit (481st Transportation Company (Heavy Boat)) was activated to use their vessels (Landing Craft Utility (LCU)) to assist in the guiding of Humphrey back to the sea. Again in May 2007, humpbacks were sighted in Rio Vista. "Delta" and "Dawn," mother and calf, stopped at least twice in the river near the town.

In 2018, a group of investors called Flannery Associates began purchasing most of the land surrounding Rio Vista and suing those refusing to selling their land for "constraint of trade."[13][14]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1870319—
1880666108.8%
1890648−2.7%
19006825.2%
191088429.6%
19201,10424.9%
19301,30918.6%
19401,66627.3%
19501,8319.9%
19602,61642.9%
19703,13519.8%
19803,1420.2%
19903,3165.5%
20004,57137.8%
20107,36061.0%
2019 (est.)9,718[15]32.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[16]

2010

At the 2010 census Rio Vista had a population of 7,360. The population density was 1,037.4 inhabitants per square mile (400.5/km2). The racial makeup of Rio Vista was 6,003 (81.6%) White, 372 (5.1%) African American, 53 (0.7%) Native American, 359 (4.9%) Asian, 15 (0.2%) Pacific Islander, 288 (3.9%) from other races, and 270 (3.7%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 914 people (12.4%).[17]

The census reported that 100% of the population lived in households.

There were 3,454 households, 626 (18.1%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 1,846 (53.4%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 255 (7.4%) had a female householder with no husband present, 139 (4.0%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 146 (4.2%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 24 (0.7%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 1,045 households (30.3%) were one person and 605 (17.5%) had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.13. There were 2,240 families (64.9% of households); the average family size was 2.60.

The age distribution was 1,145 people (15.6%) under the age of 18, 349 people (4.7%) aged 18 to 24, 1,089 people (14.8%) aged 25 to 44, 2,400 people (32.6%) aged 45 to 64, and 2,377 people (32.3%) who were 65 or older. The median age was 57.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.3 males.

There were 3,890 housing units at an average density of 548.3 per square mile (211.7/km2), of which 77.7% were owner-occupied and 22.3% were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.7%; the rental vacancy rate was 13.7%. 75.1% of the population lived in owner-occupied housing units and 24.9% lived in rental housing units.

2007

As of 2007, there were 7,876 people in 1,881 households, including 1,286 families, in the city. The population density was 676.9 inhabitants per square mile (261.4/km2). There were 1,974 housing units at an average density of 292.3 per square mile (112.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 88.34% White, 1.18% African American, 0.92% Native American, 1.60% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 4.09% from other races, and 3.85% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.42% of the population.

There were 1,881 households, 29.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.9% were married couples living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.6% were non-families. 26.4% of households were one person and 13.9% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.92.

The age distribution was 25.0% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 25.6% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 19.7% 65 or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $44,534, and the median family income was $52,007. Males had a median income of $43,458 versus $28,665 for females. The per capita income for the city was $24,627. About 6.6% of families and 10.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.7% of those under age 18 and 2.5% of those age 65 or over.

The Trilogy at Rio Vista development, aimed at active adults, is a mile northwest of the original city on the Rio Vista Highway (SR 12). It is built around the 18-hole Rio Vista Golf Club. There will be between 2,800 and 3,000 homes when Trilogy is complete.

Bridge across the Sacramento River at Rio Vista

Industry

Natural gas was discovered in the Rio Vista area in 1936[18] and the Rio Vista Field, ( RVGU Rio Vista Gas Unit ) at one time there was a gas well behind RV City Hall in the middle of boat launch parking lot. Amerada Hess Corporation was the first major operations. When Amerada sold out to Sheridan Energy another buy out would soon take shape by Calpine Natural Gas. Calpine fell into the energy collapse when Enron went under then Calpine sold off a majority of its natural gas holdings to Rosetta Resources. Next buyer was Vintage Petroleum who sold out to and currently running operations California Resources Corporation as of 2022. Same address since 1936. Rio Vista Gas Unit was the largest natural gas field in California, became a major source of employment for the remainder of the 20th century. Other industries include agriculture, manufacturing and tourism. There are over 750 wind turbines belonging to the three renewable energy projects (Shiloh Wind Power Plant, NextEra Energy Resources' High Winds Energy Center and one owned by the Sacramento Municipal Utility District) on the Montezuma Hills, close to the city. There are plans to add an additional 200 wind turbines.

Rio Vista is home to the largest American producer of Belgian Endive[19] in the United States. Craig Breedlove, five-time world land speed record holder, lived in and had an engineering facility in the city.

The city is served by Rio Vista Municipal Airport and is situated along the Rio Vista Highway (SR 12) between Fairfield and Lodi. The highway crosses the Sacramento River via the Helen Madere Memorial Bridge, colloquially known as the Rio Vista Bridge.

Notable residents
  • Hap's Bait & Tackle
    Hap's Bait & Tackle
  • Neon sign for Foster's Bighorn Bar and Restaurant
    Neon sign for Foster's Bighorn Bar and Restaurant
  • Foster's Bighorn Bar and Restaurant
    Foster's Bighorn Bar and Restaurant
  • New World marker
    New World marker
  • Humphrey The Humpback Whale Monument
    Humphrey The Humpback Whale Monument
  • VFW Memorial
    VFW Memorial
  • Delta Research Station
    Delta Research Station
  • A boat passes under the Rio Vista Bridge
    A boat passes under the Rio Vista Bridge
  • Sacramento River from Rio Vista, California
    Sacramento River from Rio Vista, California

See also

References

Notes

  1. "California Cities by Incorporation Date". California Association of Local Agency Formation Commissions. Archived from the original (Word) on February 21, 2013. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
  2. "Statewide Database". Regents of the University of California. Archived from the original on February 1, 2015. Retrieved April 17, 2015.
  3. "California's 4th Congressional District - Representatives & District Map". Civic Impulse, LLC. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  4. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  5. "Rio Vista". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved April 17, 2015.
  6. "Rio Vista (city) QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on April 18, 2015. Retrieved April 17, 2015.
  7. The City of Rio Vista Website, retrieved on July 26, 2008
  8. Climate Summary for Rio Vista, California
  9. Place-Names of the San Francisco Bay Area, David L. Durham, ISBN 1-884995-35-7
  10. Library of Congress
  11. River News Herald
  12. Pezzaglia, Phil (May 4, 2011). "Exploring Rio Vista's Past: Local Military Installations Part III". River News Herald. Archived from the original on August 8, 2014. Retrieved August 6, 2014.
  13. Cruz, Maricela De La (August 25, 2023). "Mystery group purchases 50,000+ acres in Solano County. Why it's raising federal concerns". KCRA. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  14. Dougherty, Conor; Griffith, Erin (August 25, 2023). "The Silicon Valley Elite Who Want to Build a City From Scratch". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  15. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  16. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  17. "2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Rio Vista city". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  18. Natural gas was discovered in the Rio Vista area in 1936, Retrieved on July 26, 2008
  19. Endive World, retrieved on July 26, 2008
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