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Corona is a city in Riverside County, California, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 124,966; a 2004 special census put the fast-growing city's population at 144,274. The city of Norco lies to the northeast, Chino Hills and Yorba Linda to the west, and the Cleveland National Forest to the southwest; unincorporated areas of Riverside County line all of its other borders. It is served by the Corona, Chino Valley, and Riverside freeways, as well as the 91 Line of the Metrolink commuter rail system. Corona Municipal Airport (FAA designator: AJO) serves the city and has a 3,200 foot runway. Corona Regional Medical Center is a General Acute Care Hospital with Basic Emergency Services as of 2005.
History Corona was founded at the height of the Southern California citrus boom in 1896, advantageously situated at the upper end of the Santa Ana River Canyon, the only significant pass through the Santa Ana Mountains. It derived its name (and its nickname, The Circle City) from the curious layout of its streets, with a standard grid enclosed by the circular Grand Boulevard. Prior to the 1980s, Corona was a largely agricultural community, dominated by citrus orchards, ranches, and dairy farms. Sky-high real estate prices in Los Angeles and Orange counties made the area's cheap land desirable to developers and industrialists, and by the late 1990s it was considered a major suburb of Los Angeles. In recent years, Corona has changed from a working-class bedroom community for Orange County and the larger cities of the Inland Empire to a full-fledged edge city in its own right, with industrial parks opening near Norco and luxury housing developments rising in the foothills of the Santa Anas. The development of commerce and industry in the city has been accelerated by congestion on the Riverside Freeway, with many firms leaving northern Orange County to be closer to their employees' homes in Corona and Riverside. The construction of the Chino Valley Freeway nearby has also linked Corona to the Pomona and San Gabriel valleys, with the result that the once largely white and Latino city has experienced an influx of Asian American residents who commute to Asian-oriented businesses in cities such as Alhambra and Diamond Bar. As with the rest of the Inland Empire, Corona has also experienced an influx of African Americans fleeing the continued decline of traditionally black areas of South Los Angeles. Corona was also home to the Corona road race, a Grand Prix race in the early 20th Century. Geography
Economy One of Corona's major employers is the Fender Musical Instrument Corporation's main factory, which produces the U.S.-made models in the company's storied line, and also contains Fender's guitar and amplification custom shops. Corona is also the home of the Golden Cheese Company of California, and the Fender Center for Music Education, more commonly known as the Fender Museum. It is also home to the clothing company Famous Stars And Straps. Demographics As of the census of 2000, there were 124,966 people, 37,839 households, and 30,384 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,372.7/km² (3,555.5/mi²). There were 39,271 housing units at an average density of 431.4/km² (1,117.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 62.03% White, 6.43% Black or African American, 0.87% Native American, 7.54% Asian, 0.31% Pacific Islander, 17.52% from other races, and 5.30% from two or more races. 35.66% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 37,839 households out of which 49.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.8% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.7% were non-families. 14.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.29 and the average family size was 3.64. In the city the population was spread out with 33.4% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 35.1% from 25 to 44, 16.8% from 45 to 64, and 5.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 98.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.6 males. The median income for a household in the city was $59,615, and the median income for a family was $63,505. Males had a median income of $44,752 versus $31,884 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,001. About 6.0% of families and 8.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.1% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over. Education The city of Corona is a part of the Corona-Norco Unified School District. Of the eight high schools in the district, four are located in Corona: Corona, Buena Vista, Centennial, and Santiago. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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