San Bernardino County is the largest county in the United States by area, containing more land than 9 states.

Located in the southeast of the state of California, the deserts and mountains of this vast county stretch from the outskirts of the Los Angeles metropolitan area to the Nevada border and the Colorado River. As of 2000 the population was 1,709,434. The county seat is San Bernardino. It is a part of the Inland Empire region of the Greater Los Angeles Area.

San Bernardino is also known for it's chicano gangs that has not just polluted this city but also in the surrounding cities within this county. Fueled by drug money and revenge, these street gangs have flourished and spread across the Inland Empire and beyond in the face of sporadic and ineffective law enforcement efforts and inadequate intervention strategies. In the face of those efforts, gang violence in San Bernardino county have exploded numerically since the 1960s at the same time they've grown more brutal - engaging in a level of violence unknown elsewhere in the United States. San Bernardino county crime statistics nearly tripled from 1999 to 2001 with racial tension between hispanics and african americans on the rise.

There are about 275,000 gangsters in more than 2,500 gangs in Los Angeles, Ventura and San Bernardino counties. They make up less than 2 percent of the population but commit at least half the region's homicides- taking the lives of nearly 4,100 people in Southern California since 1999, more than three times the number of U.S. casualties in the war in Iraq.

History

San Bernardino County was formed from parts of Los Angeles County in 1853. Parts of the county's territory were given to Riverside County in 1893.

The Franciscans gave the name San Bernardino to the snowcapped peak in southern California, in honor of the saint Bernardino of Siena. from him the county derives its name.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 52,073 km² (20,105 mi²). 51,936 km² (20,052 mi²) of it is land and 137 km² (53 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.26% water.

The county has three major regions: the Mojave Desert, the San Bernardino Mountains, and the San Bernardino Valley. Most of the county's area is desert, with the mountains and valley in the southwest corner.

The Mojave National Preserve covers most of the desert. The desert portion also includes the cities of Needles next to the Colorado River, and Barstow at the junction in Interstate 15 and Interstate 40. The largest metropolitan area in the desert is the Victor Valley with the cities of Apple Valley, Victorville, Adelanto, and Hesperia.

The mountains are located in the San Bernardino National Forest, and include the communities of Crestline, Lake Arrowhead, Running Springs, Big Bear City, and Big Bear Lake.

The valley is at the eastern end of the San Gabriel Valley, and is part of the Inland Empire. The valley includes the cities of Ontario, Chino, Chino Hills, Upland, Fontana, Rialto, Colton, Grand Terrace, San Bernardino, Loma Linda, Highland, Redlands, and Yucaipa.

Major Highways

• Interstate 10
• Interstate 15
• Interstate 40
• Interstate 215
• US Highway 395

Adjacent Counties

• Inyo County, California- north
• Clark County, Nevada- northeast
• Mohave County, Arizona- east
• Yuma County, Arizona- southeast
• Riverside County, California- south
• Orange County, California- southwest
• Los Angeles County, California- west
• Kern County, California- west

Colleges and universities

• California State University, San Bernardino
• Loma Linda University
• University of Redlands

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 1,709,434 people, 528,594 households, and 404,374 families residing in the county. The population density is 33/km² (85/mi²). There are 601,369 housing units at an average density of 12/km² (30/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 58.91% White, 9.09% African American, 1.17% Native American, 4.69% Asian, 0.30% Pacific Islander, 20.82% from other races, and 5.03% from two or more races. 39.16% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 528,594 households out of which 43.70% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.80% are married couples living together, 14.80% have a female householder with no husband present, and 23.50% are non-families. 18.40% of all households are made up of individuals and 6.60% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 3.15 and the average family size is 3.58.

In the county the population is spread out with 32.30% under the age of 18, 10.30% from 18 to 24, 30.20% from 25 to 44, 18.70% from 45 to 64, and 8.60% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 30 years. For every 100 females there are 99.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 97.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $42,066, and the median income for a family is $46,574. Males have a median income of $37,025 versus $27,993 for females. The per capita income for the county is $16,856. 15.80% of the population and 12.60% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 20.60% of those under the age of 18 and 8.40% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

History

1810 Father Francisco Dumetz names San Bernardino on May 20, 1810, feast day of St. Bernardine of Siena.

1853 San Bernardino County created.

1893 Riverside County, California created from southern part of San Bernardino County.

Cities and towns

• Adelanto
• Apple Valley
• Baker
• Barstow
• Big Bear City
• Big Bear Lake
• Big River
• Bloomington
• Bluewater
• Chino
• Chino Hills
• Colton
• Crestline
• Fontana
• Grand Terrace
• Hesperia
• Highland
• Joshua Tree
• Lake Arrowhead
• Lenwood
• Loma Linda
• Mentone
• Montclair
• Morongo Valley
• Mountain View Acres
• Muscoy
• Nipton
• Nebo Center
• Needles
• Ontario
• Rancho Cucamonga
• Redlands
• Rialto
• Running Springs
• San Antonio Heights
• San Bernardino
• Searles Valley
• Twentynine Palms
• Twentynine Palms Base
• Upland
• Victorville
• Wrightwood
• Yucaipa
• Yucca Valley
• Zzyzx

See also: list of California counties

External links

• San Bernardino County website (http://www.co.san-bernardino.ca.us/)
• Photographic virtual tour of San Bernardino County. (http://www.Untraveledroad.com/USA/California/SanBernardino.htm)