The City of Monterey is located on Monterey Bay along the Pacific coast in northern California. As of 2005, the city had a total population of 30,641. The city, noted for its rich history of residing artists beginning in the late 1800s and its historically famed fishery, is home to the Naval Postgraduate School, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row and Monterey Fisherman's Wharf.
As of the census of 2000, there are 29,674 people, 12,600 households, and 6,476 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,357.5/km2 (3,516.9/mi2). There are 13,382 housing units at an average density of 612.2/km2 (1,586.0/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 80.83% White, 2.52% African American, 0.57% Native American, 7.43% Asian, 0.29% Pacific Islander, 3.91% from other races, and 4.45% from two or more races. 10.86% of the population are Hispanic.
There are 12,600 households out of which 21.8% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.5% are married couples living together, 8.4% have a female householder with no husband present, and 48.6% are non-families. 37.0% of all households consist of individuals and 11.0% have a lone dweller who is over 64. The average household size is 2.13 and the average family size is 2.82. The age distribution is as follows: 16.6% under the age of 18, 13.1% from 18 to 24, 33.8% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 96.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 96.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $49,109, and the median income for a family is $58,757. Males have a median income of $40,410 versus $31,258 for females. The per capita income for the city is $27,133. 7.8% of the population and 4.4% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 6.5% of those under the age of 18 and 4.8% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
In prehistoric times the Rumsen Ohlone tribe, one of seven linguistically distinct Ohlone groups in California, inhabited the area now known as Monterey. They lived a subsistance life of hunting, fishing and gathering in what has been deduced as a biologically rich Monterey Peninsula. The most prominent archeological resources extant here are shell middens, the garbage dumps of these early peoples. We can infer from midden contents that the Rumsen Ohlone devoured mussel and abalone as the chief marine staples. The principal archaelogical sites that have been mapped are located between the Monterey Bay Aquarium and the Naval Postgraduate School, within about 2000 feet of the coastline.
First established in 1770 by Father Junpero Serra and Gaspar de Portol, Monterey served as the capital of California from 1777 to 1849, under the flags of Spain and Mexico. Portola erected the Presidio of Monterey to defend the port against expected Russian invasion. It was also the site of the July 7, 1846 Battle of Monterey during the Mexican-American War. It was on this date that John D. Sloat, commodore in the United States Navy, raised the U.S. flag over the Monterey Customs House and claimed California for the United States.
In addition, many Californa "firsts" occurred in Monterey. These include California's first theater, brick house, publically funded school, public building, public library, and printing press. California's first constitution was also drafted here in October 1849.
Monterey had long been famous for the abundant fishery in Monterey Bay. That changed in the 1950s, when the local fishery business collapsed due to overfishing. A few of the old fishermens cabins from the early twentiieth century have been preserved as they stood along Cannery Row (photo above). The The famous Cannery Row has now been turned into a tourist attraction, with restaurants and shops in the historical site. It is also the location of the Monterey Bay Aquarium. In June 1967 the city was the venue of the Monterey Pop Festival. Some have dubbed Monterey "The cradle of history".
Monterey has a noteworthy history as a center for California painters in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Such painters as Arthur Frank Mathews, Armin Hansen, Xavier Martinez, Rowena Meeks Abdy and Percy Gray lived or visited to pursue painting in the style of either En plein air or Tonalism.
Source:
MontereyCalifornia.com
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