Carmichael, California

Geography and geology

Carmichael is located at 38°38′22″N 121°19′17″W (38.639431, -121.321348). According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 13.8 square miles (36 km²), of which, 13.5 square miles (35 km²) of it is land and 0.3 square miles (0.78 km²) of it (1.92%) is water.

History

Daniel W. Carmichael (born 1867) came to California in 1885. In 1909, he developed Carmichael Colony No. I, 2,000 acres (8 km²) of what was once part of the Rancho San Juan Mexican land grant. Carmichael later bought another 1,000 acres (4 km²) previously part of the Rancho Del Paso Mexican land grant, that he called Carmichael Colony No. 2. It bordered the first colony to the east and Walnut Avenue to the west; the southern boundary was Arden Way with Sutter Avenue to the north.

2010

The 2010 United States Census reported that Carmichael had a population of 61,762. The population density was 4,477.8 people per square mile (1,728.9/km²). The racial makeup of Carmichael was 49,776 (80.6%) White, 3,972 (5.8%) African American, 546 (0.9%) Native American, 2,653 (4.3%) Asian (0.9% Filipino, 0.9% Chinese, 0.6% Korean, 0.5% Japanese, 0.5% Indian, 0.3% Vietnamese, 0.6% Other), 287 (0.5%) Pacific Islander, 2,035 (3.3%) from other races, and 3,493 (5.7%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7,218 persons (11.7%).

The Census reported that 60,790 people (98.4% of the population) lived in households, 467 (0.8%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 505 (0.8%) were institutionalized.

There were 26,036 households, out of which 7,431 (28.5%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 11,016 (42.3%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 3,630 (13.9%) had a female householder with no husband present, 1,417 (5.4%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 1,642 (6.3%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 229 (0.9%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 8,080 households (31.0%) were made up of individuals and 3,363 (12.9%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33. There were 16,063 families (61.7% of all households); the average family size was 2.91.

The population was spread out with 13,060 people (21.1%) under the age of 18, 5,370 people (8.7%) aged 18 to 24, 14,388 people (23.3%) aged 25 to 44, 18,054 people (29.2%) aged 45 to 64, and 10,890 people (17.6%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.4 years. For every 100 females there were 89.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.1 males.

There were 28,165 housing units at an average density of 2,042.0 per square mile (788.4/km²), of which 14,472 (55.6%) were owner-occupied, and 11,564 (44.4%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.3%; the rental vacancy rate was 9.8%. 34,442 people (55.8% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 26,348 people (42.7%) lived in rental housing units.

2000

As of the census of 2000, there were 49,742 people, 20,631 households, and 13,224 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 4,622.2 people per square mile (1,784.9/km²). There were 21,383 housing units at an average density of 1,987.0 per square mile (767.3/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 86.61% White, 2.69% African American, 0.83% Native American, 3.58% Asian, 0.27% Pacific Islander, 2.09% from other races, and 3.92% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.99% of the population.

There were 20,631 households out of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.7% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.9% were non-families. 29.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the CDP, the population was spread out with 23.3% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 17.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 89.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.6 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $47,041, and the median income for a family was $59,002. Males had a median income of $40,435 versus $32,265 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $26,811. About 6.4% of families and 9.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.8% of those under age 18 and 4.2% of those age 65 or over.

Government

In the California State Legislature, Carmichael is in the 4th Senate District, represented by Republican Jim Nielsen, and in the 8th Assembly District, represented by Democrat Ken Cooley.

In the United States House of Representatives, Carmichael is in California's 7th congressional district, represented by Democrat Ami Bera.

Carmichael schools

Carmichael is served by one public school district, San Juan Unified.

Elementary schools

Junior high schools

High schools

La Sierra High School operated from 1957 to 1983, when it was closed due to budget cuts, being selected among several schools in the district due to having the lowest attendance. The site became La Sierra Community Center in 1985.

Though no public high school is currently located in Carmichael, high school students in Carmichael attend several nearby schools in the San Juan Unified School District such as:

Carmichael Park

Carmichael Park is a major 38-acre (150,000 m²) park in the town. The park includes 5 ballfields and 6 tennis courts and a 9-hole disc golf course. The Community Clubhouse, Veterans' Memorial Building, the Daniel Bishop Memorial Pavilion for the Performing Arts, and the Great Wall of Carmichael are all located within the park. A year-round farmers market is also located at the park every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., hosted by the non-profit BeMoneySmartUSA.

Jensen Botanical Gardens

The Jensen Botanical Gardens are located at 8520 Fair Oaks Boulevard. The gardens exhibit a variety of flora including camellias, dogwoods, azaleas, and rhododendrons.

Chautauqua Playhouse

The Chautauqua Playhouse has been located in the La Sierra Community Center since 1985.[2] The 95-seat theater shows comedies, dramas, and musicals. In addition, it has a children's theater with performances held on Saturdays. Chautauqua Playhouse is located at 5325 Engle Road (between Walnut Avenue and Fair Oaks Boulevard).

Ancil Hoffman Park

Ancil Hoffman Park is a major park located within the American River Parkway in Carmichael, California. It is a 396-acre (1.60 km²) park. A major feature of the park is the Effie Yeaw Nature Center. The oak-canopied park is bordered on two sides by the American River. Reconstructed Maidu Indian homes are located at the entrance to the nature center. The Ancil Hoffman Golf Course is also part of the park. Many species of animals can be seen, including wild turkey, deer, coyotes and hawks. One can access the park by taking the Watt Avenue exit off Highway 50.

American River Parkway

The American River Parkway is a 28-mile (45 km) parkway that runs along the American River throughout Sacramento County, California. The parkway consists of many smaller parks and boat launching points. It can be accessed by various exits off Highway 50 in Sacramento County.

American River Bike Trail

A portion of the American River Bike Trail traverses Carmichael near the southern community boundary. The bike trail is a popular multi-use recreational facility as well as by bicycle commuters.

Notable residents