Davis is a city in Yolo County, California, United States. It is part of the Sacramento–Arden-Arcade–Roseville Metropolitan Statistical Area. According to estimates published by the US Census Bureau, the city had a total population of 62,724 in 2007 (60,308 in 2000). It is the largest city in Yolo County, and the 126th largest in the state, by population. Davis is known for its liberal politics, for having many bicycles and bike paths, and for the campus of the University of California, Davis. In 2006, Davis was ranked as the second most educated city (in terms of the percentage of residents with graduate degrees) in the United States by CNN Money Magazine , after Arlington, Virginia.
History
Davis grew around a Southern Pacific Railroad depot built in 1868. It was then known as "Davisville," named for Jerome C. Davis, a prominent local farmer. However, the post office at Davisville shortened the town name to simply "Davis" in 1907. The name stuck, and the city of Davis was incorporated on March 28, 1917.
From its inception as a farming community, Davis has been known for its contributions to agriculture along with veterinary care and animal husbandry. Following the passage of the University Farm Bill in 1905 by the California State Legislature, Governor George Pardee selected Davis out of 50 other sites as the future home to the University of California's University Farm, officially opening to students in 1908. The farm, later renamed the Northern Branch of the College of Agriculture in 1922, was upgraded into the seventh UC campus, the University of California, Davis, in 1959. Contemporary Davis is also known for its contributions in the areas of biotechnology, medicine, and other life sciences.
Geography and environment
Location
Davis is located at 38°33′14″N 121°44′17″W / 38.55389°N 121.73806°W / 38.55389; -121.73806 (38.553856, -121.738095) in Yolo County, California. The city is 18 km (11 mi) west of Sacramento, 113 km (72 mi) northeast of San Francisco, 619 km (385 mi) north of Los Angeles, at the intersection of Interstate 80 and State Route 113. Neighboring towns include Dixon, Winters, and Woodland.
Davis lies in the Sacramento Valley, the northern portion of the Central Valley, in Northern California, at an elevation of about 16 m (52 ft) above sea level.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 27.1 km 2 (10.5 mi 2 ). 27.1 km 2 (10.4 mi 2 ) of it is land and 0.1 km 2 (0.04 mi 2 ) of it (0.19%) is water.
The topography of Davis is very flat, which has helped Davis to become known as a haven for bicyclists.
Climate
The climate in Davis resembles that of nearby Sacramento. Davis' climate is typical of that in California's Central Valley. The dry, hot summers and mild winters are typical of a Mediterranean climate. The Davis climate resembles a Csa Köppen climate system.
Neighborhoods
Davis is internally divided by two freeways (Interstate 80 and State Route 113), a north-south railroad, and several major roads. The city is unofficially divided into six main districts made up of smaller neighborhoods:
- Central Davis, north of Fifth Street and Russell Boulevard, south of Covell Blvd., east of SR 113, and west of the railroad tracks running along G Street.
- Downtown Davis, roughly the numbered-and-lettered grid north of I-80, south of Fifth Street, east of A Street, and west of the railroad tracks.
- East Davis, north of I-80, south of Covell Blvd., and east of the railroad tracks, and includes Mace Ranch and Lake Alhambra Estates.
- North Davis, north of Covell Blvd. between SR 113 and the railroad tracks.
- South Davis, south of I-80, and includes Willowbank. El Macero, California, although outside the city limits, is sometimes considered part of South Davis.
- West Davis, north of I-80 and west of SR 113. West Davis includes Westwood, Evergreen, Aspen, Stonegate (west of Lake Boulevard and including Stonegate Lake and the Stonegate Country Club) and the eco-friendly Village Homes development, known for its solar-powered houses.
The University of California, Davis is located south of Russell Boulevard and west of A Street and then south of 1st Street. The land occupied by the university is not incorporated within the boundaries of the city of Davis.
Environment
On November 14, 1984, the Davis City Council declared the city to be a nuclear free zone. Ironically, the university has had a nuclear facility on campus since 1966.
Demographics
As of the United States 2000 Census, there were 60,308 people, 22,948 households, and 11,290 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,228.2/km 2 (5,769.2/mi 2 ). There were 23,617 housing units at an average density of 872.6/km 2 (2,259.3/mi 2 ). The racial makeup of the city was 70.07% White, 2.35% Black or African American, 0.67% Native American, 17.5% Asian, 0.24% Pacific Islander, 4.26% from other races, and 4.87% from two or more races. 9.61% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 22,948 households out of which 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.3% were married couples living together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 50.8% were non-families. 25.0% 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 2.50 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the city the population was spread out with 18.6% under the age of 18, 30.9% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 16.7% from 45 to 64, and 6.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 25 years. For every 100 females there were 91.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $42,454, and the median income for a family was $74,051. Males had a median income of $51,189 versus $36,082 for females. The per capita income for the city was $22,937. About 5.4% of families and 24.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.8% of those under age 18 and 2.8% of those age 65 or over.
This city of approximately 62,000 people is home to a university campus of 31,000 students. Although the university's land is not incorporated within the city, many students live in city apartments.
Bicycling
Bicycling has been a popular mode of transportation in Davis for decades, particularly among UC Davis students.
Bicycle infrastructure became a political issue in the 1960s, culminating in the election of a pro-bicycle majority to the City Council in 1966. By the early 1970s, Davis became a pioneer in the implementation of cycling facilities. As the city expands, new facilities are usually mandated. As a result, Davis residents today enjoy an extensive network of bike lanes, bike paths, and grade-separated bicycle crossings. The flat terrain and temperate climate are also conducive to bicycling.
In 2005 the Bicycle-Friendly Community program of the League of American Bicyclists recognized Davis as the first Platinum Level city in the U.S. In March 2006, Bicycling magazine named Davis the best small town for cycling in its compilation of "America's Best Biking Cities." Yet bicycling appears to be on the wane among Davis residents. From 1990 to 2000, the U.S. census reported a decline in the fraction of commuters traveling by bicycle, from 22 percent to 15 percent.
In 1994, 2001, and 2006 the UC Davis "Cal Aggie Cycling" Team won the national road cycling competition. The team also competes off-road and on the track, and has competed in the national competitions of these disciplines. In 2007, UC Davis also organized a record breaking bicycle parade numbering 913 bicycles.
Sights and culture
Whole Earth Festival
Main article: Whole Earth Festival (UC Davis)A continuous stream of bands, speakers and various workshops occurs throughout the weekend on each of WEF's three stages and other specialty areas. The majority of the festival is solar powered.
WEF is organized primarily by UC Davis students, in association with the Associated Students of UC Davis (ASUCD), Experimental College, and the university.
Picnic Day
Main article: Picnic Day (UC Davis)Picnic Day is an annual event at the University of California, Davis and is always held on the third Saturday in April. It is the largest student-run event in the US. Picnic Day starts off with a parade, which features the UC Davis California Aggie Marching Band-uh!, and runs through campus and around downtown Davis and ends with the Battle of the Bands, which lasts until
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