SPECIAL REPORT: Putting Down Roots : The Times Poll : Nine Cities: Just the Facts
In North County, 23% of residents chose the community where they live because it was closeto where they work; 17% for its open space; 15% for its atmosphere, 13% for its affordablehousing; 12% for closeness to family. Three-quarters say the reason for their initial attraction still holds true.-The Times Poll From the ocean spray of the Pacific to the warm winds of the Anza-Borrego Desert, North County is home to nine incorporated cities and scores of smaller communities. Altogether, the area has a population of about 800,000. Here’s a look at how the nine cities stack up:
CARLSBAD
Population: 63,126
Size: 34.7 square miles
Incorporated: July 16, 1952
Elevation: 175
City Motto: Village by the Sea
Police: 91
Firefighters: 61
Churches: 16
P arks: 10
Points of Interest: Beaches, resorts
DEL MAR
Population: 4,860
Size: 1.8 square miles
Incorporated: July 15, 1959
Elevation: 122 feet
City Motto: Where the Turf Meets the Surf
Police: San Diego County Sheriff’s Department
Firefighters: 9 full-time, 25 on-call
Churches: 1
Parks: 2
Points of interest: Beaches, horse racing, annual Del Mar Fair
ENCINITAS
Population: 55,386
Size: 17.9 square miles
Incorporated: Oct. 1, 1986
Elevation: 92 feet
Police: San Diego County Sheriff’s Department
Firefighters: 63
Hospitals: 0
Churches: 28
Parks: 9
Points of Interest: Beaches, Quail Botanical Gardens, Olivenhain Town Hall
ESCONDIDO
Population: 108,635
Size: 33.4 square miles
Incorporated: Oct. 8, 1888
Elevation: 600 feet
City Motto: The Hidden Valley
Police: 115
Firefighters: 82, including two paramedic units
Hospitals: 1
Churches: 72
Parks: 9
Points of interest: Wineries, Lawrence Welk Resort; North County Fair Shopping Mall; annual Avocado Festival; farmers’ outdoor market every Tuesday.
OCEANSIDE
Population: 128,398
Size: 40.7 square miles
Incorporated: July 12, 1888
Elevation: Sea level
City Motto: Take Pride in Oceanside
Police: 160
Firefighters: 96
Hospitals: 1
Churches: 30
Parks: 21
Points of Interest: Mission San Luis Rey, Oceanside Pier
POWAY
Population: 43,516
Size: 37.1 square miles
Incorporated: Dec. 1, 1980
Elevation: 500 feet
City Motto: The City in the Country
Police: San Diego County Sheriff’s Department
Firefighters: 27
Hospitals: 1
Churches: 23
Parks: 9
Points of Interest: Lake Poway, Poway Center for the Performing Arts, community swimming pool
SAN MARCOS
Population: 38,974
Size: 21 square miles
Incorporated: Jan. 28, 1963
Elevation: 570
City motto: The Valley of Discovery
City flower: Chrysanthemum
City bird: Quail
Police: San Diego County Sheriff’s Department
Firefighters: 15 full-time; 35 reserves
Churches: 27
Parks: 8
Points of interest: Old California Restaurant Row
SOLANA BEACH
Population: 12,962
Size: 3.3 square miles
Incorporated: July 1, 1986
Elevation: 70 feet
Police: San Diego County Sheriff’s Department
Firefighters: 20
Churches: 7
Parks: 1
Points of interest: Beaches, restaurants, shopping
VISTA
Population: 71,872
Size: 17.6 square miles
Incorporated: Jan. 28, 1963
Elevation: 160 to 300 feet
City Motto: City with a View
Police: San Diego County Sheriff’s Department
Firefighters: 52, including paramedics
Churches: 61
Parks: 10 city parks
Points of interest: Moonlight Amphitheatre, Main Street Festival (farmers’ market) every Saturday, historic Rancho Buena Vista.
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