Corona is a city in Riverside County, California, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 124,966. The city of Norco lies to the northeast, Chino Hills and Yorba Linda to the west, and the Cleveland National Forest to the southwest; unincorporated areas of Riverside County line all of its other borders.

The city of Corona does not include the community of Eastvale due north of the city. Eastvale is an unincorporated community associated with the county of Riverside, although the Corona post office services Eastvale, giving residents Corona addresses.

History

Corona, founded at the height of the Southern California citrus boom in 1886, is advantageously situated at the upper end of the Santa Ana River Canyon, the only significant pass through the Santa Ana Mountains. The town of Corona once laid claim to the title "Lemon Capital of the World." A museum there presents the lemon's former role in the local economy. The city derived its name (and its nickname, The Circle City) from the curious layout of its streets, with a standard grid enclosed by the circular Grand Boulevard. The street layout was designed by Hiram Clay Kellogg, a civil engineer from Anaheim who was an influential figure in the early development of Orange County.

Three international road racing events took place in 1913, 1914 and 1916 on the circular Grand Boulevard.

In recent years Corona has been known as the Gateway to the Inland Empire. Prior to the 1980s, the city was a largely agricultural community, dominated by citrus orchards, ranches, and dairy farms. High real estate prices in Los Angeles and Orange counties made the area's land desirable to developers and industrialists, and by the late 1990s Corona was considered a major suburb of Los Angeles.

Corona has become a bedroom community for Orange County and the larger cities of the Inland Empire. The development of commerce and industry in the city has been accelerated by congestion on the Riverside Freeway, with many firms leaving northern Orange County to be closer to their employees' homes in Corona and Riverside. The construction of the nearby Chino Valley Freeway has linked Corona to the Pomona and San Gabriel valleys.

Corona County proposal

In 2002 the city government considered an initiative to secede from Riverside County and form an autonomous Corona County because the city government and some residents were dissatisfied with how services were handled in nearby areas. The effort was also considered by areas in other cities in the western part of the county including Murrieta. Whether nearby cities such as Norco, California would have been included in the new county are unknown. The proposed county would have been bordered by San Bernardino County to the northwest and by Orange County to the west.

2008 Freeway Complex Fire

The city was the first to be affected by the Freeway Complex Fire, but was in the Yorba Linda/Corona Line.

Geography and climate

Corona is located at 33°52′31″N 117°33′56″W / 33.87528°N 117.56556°W / 33.87528; -117.56556 (33.869998, -117.567783).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 35.2 square miles (91.1 km²), of which, 35.2 square miles (91.0 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (0.06%) is water.

Corona has mild winters and hot summers. Most of the rainfall (as in all of Southern California) occurs during winter and early spring. The winter low temperatures can get cold enough for frost, with rare snowfall seen on the local foothills. Winter days are pleasant, with the mercury staying around 65 degrees Fahrenheit (occasionally warming into the 70s). Summertime is hot, with highs averaging in the low 90s. During the hottest months, daytime temperatures in Corona often exceed 100 degrees.

While less than a mile separates the eastern extent of Yorba Linda of Orange County and Corona, the Santa Ana River canyon canalizes overland communication through this gap such that traffic is limited to the railway, the 91 Freeway, and a single bike path.

In recent years, there are talks to construct a proposed 10-mile automobile and fast-speed train tunnel under Santiago Peak to connect Interstate 15 in Corona with Interstate 5 and the 55 Freeway of Orange County, to cut down on commuter traffic on the already crowded or high-traffic 91 Freeway.

Economy

Some businesses headquartered in Corona:

• Famous Stars and Straps, a clothing company
• Fender Musical Instruments Corporation guitar manufacturer. Includes the Fender Custom Shop and the Fender Center for Music Education, commonly known as the Fender Museum.
• Monster Beverage Company, a soft drinks manufacturer.
• Vans, a manufacturer of sneakers, skate shoes and other specialist shoe types.
• Watson Pharmaceuticals, the 5th largest pharmaceutical company in the United States based on number of prescriptions dispensed.
• West Coast Customs, a car remodeling company featured on the MTV show Pimp My Ride.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 124,996 people, 37,839 households, and 30,384 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,555.5 people per square mile (1,372.7/km²). There were 39,271 housing units at an average density of 1,117.3/sq mi (431.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 75.0% White, 6.43% Black or African American, 0.87% Native American, 7.54% Asian, 0.31% Pacific Islander, 17.52% from other races, and 5.30% from two or more races. 25.5% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 37,839 households out of which 49.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.8% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.7% were non-families. 14.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.29 and the average family size was 3.64.

In the city the population was spread out with 33.4% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 35.1% from 25 to 44, 16.8% from 45 to 64, and 5.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 98.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $98,615, and the median income for a family was $83,505 (these figures had risen to $88,620 and $95,450 respectively as of a 2007 estimate). Males had a median income of $44,752 versus $31,884 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,001. About 6.0% of families and 8.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.1% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

In the state legislature Corona is located in the 37th Senate District, represented by Republican John J. Benoit, and in the 71st Assembly District, represented by Republican Jeff Miller. Federally, Corona is located in California's 44th congressional district, which has a Cook PVI of R +6 and is represented by Republican Ken Calvert.

Infrastructure

Transportation

The city is served by the Corona(SR 71), Chino Valley(SR 71), Ontario(I-15), and Riverside(SR 91) freeways, as well as the 91 Line of the Metrolink commuter rail system.

Corona Municipal Airport (FAA designator: AJO) serves the city and has a 3,200-foot (980 m) runway. On January 20, 2008, two small passenger aircraft collided over Corona, killing all four men aboard the planes and another man on the ground. In the past ten years, there have been five fatal plane crashes around Corona.

Healthcare

Corona Regional Medical Center is a General Acute Care Hospital with Basic Emergency Services as of 2005.

Education

The city of Corona is a part of the Corona-Norco Unified School District.

There are seven high schools in Corona: Corona, Centennial, Lee V. Pollard (formerly Buena Vista), Orange Grove, Santiago, Sierra Alternative, and Eleanor Roosevelt High School.

There are six middle schools in Corona: Auburndale, Citrus Hills, Corona Fundamental, El Cerrito, Raney, and River Heights.

There are also 25 elementary schools in the city: John Adams, Susan B. Anthony, Clara Barton, Cesar Chavez, Corona Ranch, Coronita, Dwight Eisenhower, Foothill, Ben Franklin, Garretson, Harada, Hidden Valley, Home Gardens, Lemon Grove, Lincoln Alternative, William McKinley, Orange, Parkridge, Prado View, Rosa Parks, Stallings, Bernice Todd, Vicentia, George Washington and Woodrow Wilson.

Religion

Several religions are practiced in Corona. Crossroads Christian Church is one of the largest churches in the nationwith several services on weekends. There are several Roman Catholic churches, including St. Edwards Catholic Church, Corpus Cristi, and St. Matthews Church. The Islamic Society of Corona/Norco has its mosque located at 465 Santana Way. The Jewish community has purchased land and is constructing a temple. The area from Corona, through Temescal Valley, to Temecula is known as a "Little Bible Belt". There is a significant LDS community in Corona with many churches throughout town. The influx of Asian-Americans has brought in an increase of people in eastern religions: Buddhism, Confucianism, Hinduism, Shintoism, and Taoism.

Notable residents

• Travis Barker, drummer for Blink 182
• Tyler Hoechlin, actor, baseball player
• Crystal Lewis - Christian music singer, TV actress.
• Taryne Mowatt - Arizona Wildcats All-American softball pitcher & two-time ESPN ESPY Award winner
• Ian Murphy, Mixed martial arts fighter.
• Ricky Nolasco, Major League Baseball pitcher for the Florida Marlins.
• Kyle O'Campo, Minor league baseball pitcher in the Texas Rangers system.
• Lonie Paxton, football player for the New England Patriots.
• Jenni Rivera, vocalist/songwriter of banda music.
• D.J. Strawberry, professional basketball player.
• Jodie Sweetin, American actress known for her role as Stephanie Tanner on the television sitcom Full House
• Bob Vergura ,drummer of Dove Award winning band East West.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corona,_California