Julian, California

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Julian community limit

Julian is an unincorporated community in San Diego County, California, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the census-designated place population was 1,621.

Julian is an official California Historical Landmark No. 412. Also, the Julian townsite and surrounding area is defined by the San Diego County Zoning Ordinance Section 5749 as the Julian Historic District. This designation requires that development adhere to certain guidelines that are administered by the Architectural Review Board of the Julian Historic District, which is appointed by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. (The "Design Guidelines Manual" is available in portable document format at San Diego County's office web site [1])

main street Julian

1 History
2 Geography
3 Demographics
4 Attractions and features
5 External links

[edit] History

The area was originally occupied by the Kumeyaay people.

After the American Civil War, Julian experienced a gold rush. This short-lived gold rush was sparked by the discovery of gold in 1869 by a former slave named A.E. "Fred" Coleman.

According to a bronze historical plaque appearing in the town, in the early days of Julian, the majority of San Diego County's African-American population resided in or near the town, including the founders of the Robinson Hotel as well as a noted resident, America Newton. Of the 55 blacks living in San Diego County during the 1880 census, 33 lived in the Julian area. Although this information appears on the plaque, it has been the subject of some controversy.

In recent decades Julian has been a quaint mountain resort. The town narrowly escaped destruction in the 2003 Cedar Fire that destroyed much of the surrounding area.

[edit] Geography

Julian is located at 33°4′15″N, 116°35′8″W (33.070930, -116.585601)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 20.5 km² (7.9 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 1,621 people, 658 households, and 459 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 79.0/km² (204.8/mi²). There were 902 housing units at an average density of 44.0/km² (114.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 91.05% White, 0.74% African American, 1.17% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 3.95% from other races, and 2.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.08% of the population.

There were 658 households out of which 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.2% were married couples living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.2% were non-families. 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 25.8% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 22.6% from 25 to 44, 32.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 99.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.3 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $44,681, and the median income for a family was $49,143. Males had a median income of $32,105 versus $26,509 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $18,132. About 4.3% of families and 6.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.9% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Attractions and features

A view of the main street in Julian showing tourist traffic.

Most tourists who come to Julian are seeking a slice of apple pie. Julian has been famous for apple pie and apple cider for almost 100 years. Local shops offer various trinkets for sale. Julian's candy shop is also a popular spot for tourists. Local shops offer various trinkets for sale. One gold mine, no longer active, is open daily for tours, a very rustic yet fun experience. Three AAA approved lodgings are available (which includes a motel, the historic Julian Hotel and a luxury country inn) as well as several bed and breakfasts and many private cabins.

Julian usually has modest snowfall in the winter, allowing for snowplay and surfing within the same county only minutes apart. In the winter of 2006, a snowfall exceeding two feet surprised the residents and blocked private roads, unmaintained by the County, for over a week.