Thousand Oaks, California

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Thousand Oaks is a city located in Ventura County, California. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 117,005. Thousand Oaks is the location of California Lutheran University. The city is part of a regional area called the Conejo Valley, which includes Westlake Village, CA.

Contents

1 History

History

The area was once occupied by the Chumash people. It later was granted by the Spanish government as part of a large ranch. In the late 19th Century it was on the stagecoach route between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. The "Stagecoach Inn", was built in 1876. The Janss Corporation purchased 10,000 acres (40 km²) in the early 1900s. Janss eventually created plans for a "total community" and the City of Thousand Oaks was incorporated in 1964.

The "Stagecoach Inn" is now a CA State historical designated site and popular museum. Today, the Chumash Interpretive Center is a county park that boasts 2000 year old Chumash cave drawings, available for viewing with a guide by appointment only.

Many Hollywood celebrities have called the Conejo Valley their home over the years. For example, American Actor of the 30s and 40s, and longtime Thousand Oaks resident, Joel McCrea and his wife, Frances Dee McCrea, lived, raised their children, and rode their horses on their ranch in what was in the 1950s just an unincorporated area of Eastern Ventura County. The civic-minded and philanthropic McCreas ultimately donated several hundred acres of their personal property to the newly formed Conejo Valley YMCA for the fledgling City of T.O. as it is affectionately known. Both the City of T.O. and the Conejo Valley YMCA have each recently celebrated their respective 40th anniversaries. Today, the Joel McCrea Park on which the Conejo Valley YMCA rests is a perpetual testament to the McCreas' generosity and community spirit, for which the people of the region are very grateful.

Corriganville is the name of an area in the region that was used regularly for filming Hollywood Westerns for T.V. and the Movies. "Crash" Corrigan was a famed stuntman who owned and rented out the property to the studios. A restaurant bearing his name and memorabilia is owned and operated by his descendents and still stands today on Thousand Oaks Blvd.

Jungleland USA was one of Southern California's very first theme parks. Wild animal shows entertained thousands in the 40s and 50s. Many T.V. and Movie productions were filmed there and made use of the park's trained animals. The Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza today stands on the hundreds of acres that used to be the former site of the park.

Geography

Thousand Oaks is located at 34°11'22" North, 118°52'30" West (34.189489, -118.875053)¹. It is situated in the Conejo Valley.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 142.5 km² (55.0 mi²). 142.1 km² (54.9 mi²) of it is land and 0.4 km² (0.2 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.29% water.

Demographics

As of the census ² of 2000, there are 117,005 people, 41,793 households, and 31,177 families residing in the city. The population density is 823.5/km² (2,132.8/mi²). There are 42,958 housing units at an average density of 302.3/km² (783.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 85.09% White, 1.06% African American, 0.54% Native American, 5.87% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 4.51% from other races, and 2.82% from two or more races. 13.10% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 41,793 households out of which 37.3% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.4% are married couples living together, 8.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 25.4% are non-families. 19.6% of all households are made up of individuals and 7.1% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.75 and the average family size is 3.15.

In the city the population is spread out with 26.0% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 25.9% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 96.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 93.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $76,815, and the median income for a family is $86,041. Males have a median income of $62,814 versus $40,634 for females. The per capita income for the city is $34,314. 5.0% of the population and 3.2% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 5.2% of those under the age of 18 and 5.1% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Property values in this area have appreciated more than 100% in less than ten years.

Politics

Today the city boasts a very active, "slow-growth"-minded city council. Thousand Oaks is one of the few cities of over 100,000 which does not directly elect its mayor; rather the council members take turns rotating into the position. Current members of the city's council include the recently re-elected Ed Masry, attorney and activist. Masry achieved noteriety beyond his own community when Albert Finney portrayed him opposite Julia Roberts in the 2000 Academy Award-winning film, Erin Brokovich.