Menifee, California

History

The area was originally inhabited by the Luiseño people, specifically the Pechanga band. In the 18th century, the area fell under Spanish rule and was ceded by Mexico to the United States in 1850 as a result of the Mexican-American War.

Farming, which began in the mid-19th century, was concentrated in the Menifee area. Mining began in the early 1880s with the discovery of a significant quartz lode by miner Luther Menifee Wilson, from which Menifee derived its name.

Early development of the Menifee area began with Sun City in the early 1960s as the concept of an active retirement community envisioned by Del Webb, a building contractor from Phoenix, Arizona. Webb also developed Sun City, Arizona under the same concept. Sun City is a centrally located neighborhood within Menifee with a mix of residential and commercial activity.

The Menifee area later grew during the late 1980s and into the early 1990s as a master-planned community. However, lack of resources such as industry-oriented occupations and high-density retail and commercial businesses has made many residents drive longer distances or to nearby cities such as Temecula or Murrieta, to shop, dine, and work. However, there has been substantial growth in Menifee with new home construction in close proximity to large parks, lakes, and fine amenities have attracted many residents from all area's of Southern California such as the Inland Empire, San Diego, Orange County and Los Angeles to live.

On June 3, 2008, the residents of the communities encompassing the Menifee area voted to incorporate together to form Riverside County's 26th city. The new City of Menifee was officially established on October 1, 2008.

Geography

The city of Menifee is bordered on the north, west, and south by the cities of Perris, Canyon Lake, Lake Elsinore, Murrieta and on the southwest by the newly incorporated City of Wildomar. To the east and northeast, the city borders unincorporated county territory. The city center of Menifee lies at the intersection of Newport Road and the Escondido Freeway (Interstate 215).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city covers an area of 46.6 square miles (120.7 km²), 99.70% of it land, and 0.30% of it water.

Climate

Menifee has mild winters and hot, dry summers.

Menifee has a Mediterranean climate or Dry-Summer Subtropical (Köppen climate classification Csa). Menifee enjoys plenty of sunshine throughout the year, with an average of 263 sunshine days and only 35 days with measurable precipitation annually of 12.51" inches of rainfall.

The period of April through October is hot and dry with average high temperatures of 83 to 101 °F (28 to 38 °C) and lows of 42 to 66 °F (6 to 19 °C), though in the summer, temperatures can easily reach above 105. The period of November through March is somewhat rainy, as shown in the adjacent table. At times, during the Winter, large dust storms start to form due to the large mass of humidity, and low, and flat land that is there.

Demographics

The 2010 United States Census reported that Menifee had a population of 77,519. The population density was 1,663.3 people per square mile (642.2/km²). The racial makeup of Menifee was 55,444 (71.5%) White (54.2% Non-Hispanic White), 3,858 (5.0%) African American, 655 (0.8%) Native American, 3,788 (4.9%) Asian, 295 (0.4%) Pacific Islander, 9,642 (12.4%) from other races, and 3,837 (4.9%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 25,551 persons (33.0%).

The 2010 Census reported that 77,331 people (99.8% of the population) lived in households, 81 (0.1%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 107 (0.1%) were institutionalized.

There were 27,461 households, out of which 9,729 (35.4%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 15,405 (56.1%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 2,743 (10.0%) had a female householder with no husband present, 1,324 (4.8%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 1,348 (4.9%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 184 (0.7%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 6,591 households (24.0%) were made up of individuals and 4,153 (15.1%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.82. There were 19,472 families (70.9% of all households); the average family size was 3.35.

The population was spread out with 20,067 people (25.9%) under the age of 18, 6,460 people (8.3%) aged 18 to 24, 18,771 people (24.2%) aged 25 to 44, 17,571 people (22.7%) aged 45 to 64, and 14,650 people (18.9%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.1 years. For every 100 females there were 92.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.9 males.

There were 30,269 housing units at an average density of 649.5 per square mile (250.8/km²), of which 21,104 (76.9%) were owner-occupied, and 6,357 (23.1%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 4.1%; the rental vacancy rate was 6.8%. 58,330 people (75.2% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 19,001 people (24.5%) lived in rental housing units.

On May 1, 2013 the Department of Finance reported the population of Menifee to be 82,292.

During 2009–2013, Menifee had a median household income of $54,903, with 10.3% of the population living below the federal poverty line.

Government

On June 3, 2008, voters elected to incorporate Menifee as a general law city. The new City of Menifee was officially established on October 1, 2008 and is the 26th city located within Riverside County. It was first governed by a five-member city council consisting of Wallace Edgerton as the Mayor; Darcy Kuenzi as the Mayor Pro-Tem; and Fred Twyman, John Vaughn Denver, and Scott Mann as Councilmembers. In 2010, Fred Twyman was appointed Vice Mayor (a new terminology). Wallace Edgerton was re-appointed Mayor. In 2010, Scott Mann lost his re-election to Tom Fuhrman. John Denver renewed his place on the council by winning re-election over two challengers. Term limits for councilmembers consisting of two four-year terms were placed on the ballot and the initiative won. An "At large" voting measure and a "four districts plus a mayor" initiative for how councilmembers would represent the people of Menifee were voted on in 2010. The four district plus a mayor narrowly won approval. The third city manager, William A. (Bill) Rawlings was hired in February 2011. The first city manager was George Wentz, followed by Steve Harding (former Murrieta City Manager) as interim for several months. William Rawlins was chosen City Manager in 2011. As of December 2011, the City Council has consisted of: John Denver (Mayor); Tom Fuhrman (Mayor Pro Tem); and Councilmembers Wallace Edgerton, Sue Krisjansson and Darcy Kuenzi. In the November 2012 election, Scott Mann was named Mayor. Greg August was also elected to council. Darcy Kuenzi and Sue Kristjansson lost their council seats. City manager Bill Rawlings resigned. Rob Johnson was appointed Interim City Manager. Wally Edgerton was named Deputy Mayor. As of the election on Tuesday, November 4, 2014, Matt Liesemeyer was elected and John Denver was re-elected as Councilmen and Scott Mann was re-elected as Mayor. Tom Fuhrman lost his council seat. in 2015 Greg August was named Mayor Pro-Tem. Neil Winter is now the Mayor of Menifee, California.

Education

Elementary and middle school level education in Menifee is provided by the Menifee Union School District and Romoland School District, which serves most of Menifee as well as parts of the City of Lake Elsinore and the other newly incorporated city of Wildomar, and French Valley (northeast of the cities Temecula & Murrieta). Students in the high school level attend school in the Perris Union High School District, which includes Paloma Valley High School in Menifee. In 2007, Heritage High School was added to serve the Romoland/Menifee area. Menifee is also home to Mt. San Jacinto College, Menifee Valley Campus which serves the Temecula, Murrieta and Menifee areas. Students are able to take the classes necessary in order to transfer to four-year college institutions. The community college also has a nursing program for those wanting to become Registered Nurses. Brandman University, which is part of the Chapman University System, has opened on the Mt. SJC campus to offer Menifee its first four-year college.

Public safety

The City of Menifee contracts for police service with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department through the Perris Valley Station.

The city of Menifee contracts for fire and paramedic services with the Riverside County Fire Department through a cooperative agreement with CAL FIRE. There are four fire stations in Menifee and each station has a paramedic engine company. The Menifee Lakes station also has a truck company located there with specialized equipment.

Transportation

The primary routes in Menifee are the Escondido Freeway (Interstate 215) and Newport Road/Dominegoni Parkway. Scott Road and McCall Boulevard are also primary east-west travel streets with Murrieta, Bradley, Haun, Antelope, and Menifee Roads being the main north-south thoroughfares. Construction along I-215 to add another travel lane through Menifee is currently underway. The expansion of Newport Road from the City's western border with Canyon Lake was to I-215 was completed in early 2011. The Goetz Road bridge, under construction since 2010, has since opened to traffic. Menifee has bus routes and Dial-A-Ride stops throughout the City to enhance mobility. Menifee is located approximately one hour east of Orange County, 90 minutes southeast of Los Angeles and about 70 minutes north of San Diego.

RTA provides bus service to local residents.

Notable residents