Patterson, California

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A fountain in one of many Patterson roundabouts

Patterson is a city in Stanislaus County, California, United States. The population was 11,606 at the 2000 census. Patterson is known as the "Apricot Capital of the World".

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 Celebrations
4 External links

[edit] Geography

Patterson is located at 37°28′23″N, 121°7′58″W (37.472984, -121.132867)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.4 km² (2.9 mi²), all land.

Patterson is the eastern terminus of California State Route 130 as defined by state legislation, although the route is unbuilt in Stanislaus County. A freeway has been proposed for construction along this route, passing directly through the Diablo Range west of the city toward the San Francisco Bay Area.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 11,606 people, 3,146 households, and 2,608 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,561.4/km² (4,037.5/mi²). There were 3,262 housing units at an average density of 438.8/km² (1,134.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 55.65% White, 1.89% African American, 1.47% Native American, 2.10% Asian, 0.42% Pacific Islander, 31.54% from other races, and 6.92% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 56.96% of the population.

There were 3,146 households out of which 53.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.9% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.1% were non-families. 13.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.62 and the average family size was 3.94.

In the city the population was spread out with 36.4% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 30.0% from 25 to 44, 16.0% from 45 to 64, and 7.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females there were 100.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $47,780, and the median income for a family was $51,422. Males had a median income of $36,207 versus $27,679 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,746. About 8.6% of families and 12.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.5% of those under age 18 and 15.2% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Celebrations

During the first weekend in June, downtown Patterson becomes the epicenter of the town's largest celebration of the year, the Apricot Fiesta. The Fiesta kicks off on Friday with several beauty pageants, including one for the youth called Little Mr. & Miss Apricot. That evening, the Miss Patterson pageant takes place and offers high school/college young ladies the opportunity to win scholarships. Winners from Little Mr. & Miss Apricot and Miss Patterson are featured in the parade the following day. The Patterson Library hosts an art expose during the celebration, and the Patterson Museum -- located at the heart of Patterson (the prominent white building at El Circulo) -- remains open for the public to view Patterson's history. The three day celebration also boasts fireworks shows and, during early mornings, hot air balloons depart en masse from the football stadium at Patterson High School.