:South Lake Tahoe, California

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|16.6|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|10.2|sqmi|km2}} is land and {{convert|6.4|sqmi|km2}}, or 38.80%, is water. Its elevation is about {{convert|6237|ft|m}} above sea level.

{{US Census population

|1970= 12921

|1980= 20681

|1990= 21586

|2000= 23609

|2010= 21403

|2020= 21330

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}

}}

Image:Lake Tahoe walk way by Mark Miller.JPG

The 2010 United States Census{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0673108|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140715033314/http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0673108|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 15, 2014|title=2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA – South Lake Tahoe city|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=July 12, 2014}} reported that South Lake Tahoe had a population of 21,403. The population density was {{convert|1,289.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of South Lake Tahoe was 15,733 (73.5%) White, 182 (0.9%) African American, 232 (1.1%) Native American, 1,186 (5.5%) Asian, 39 (0.2%) Pacific Islander, 3,230 (15.1%) from other races, and 801 (3.7%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6,665 persons (31.1%).

The Census reported that 21,034 people (98.3% of the population) lived in households, 181 (0.8%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 188 (0.9%) were institutionalized.

There were 8,918 households, out of which 2,421 (27.1%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 3,100 (34.8%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 983 (11.0%) had a female householder with no husband present, 594 (6.7%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 857 (9.6%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 67 (0.8%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 2,918 households (32.7%) were made up of individuals, and 652 (7.3%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36. There were 4,677 families (52.4% of all households); the average family size was 3.06.

The population was spread out, with 4,400 people (20.6%) under the age of 18, 2,478 people (11.6%) aged 18 to 24, 6,416 people (30.0%) aged 25 to 44, 6,013 people (28.1%) aged 45 to 64, and 2,096 people (9.8%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 113.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 115.7 males.

There were 15,087 housing units at an average density of {{convert|908.7|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}, of which 8,918 were occupied, of which 3,473 (38.9%) were owner-occupied, and 5,445 (61.1%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 4.5%; the rental vacancy rate was 14.6%. 7,684 people (35.9% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 13,350 people (62.4%) lived in rental housing units.

There was a difference in population based on the 2020 United States census, which reported that South Lake Tahoe had a decrease in population from 21,403 in 2010 to the most recent census, of July 2020 to 21,175 inhabitants.{{Cite web |title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: South Lake Tahoe city, California |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/southlaketahoecitycalifornia/EDU635221#EDU635221 |access-date=November 28, 2023 |website=www.census.gov |language=en}}

South Lake Tahoe education rate from 2017–2021, high school graduates or higher, 87.0% of persons age 25 years+.

South Lake Tahoe and the surrounding unincorporated communities are serviced by Lake Tahoe Unified School District, which is composed of four elementary schools (Bijou Community School, Sierra House Elementary School, Tahoe Valley Elementary School, and the Lake Tahoe Environmental Science Magnet School) a middle school (South Tahoe Middle School) and a high school (South Tahoe High School).{{Cite web|title = Campus Maps – Lake Tahoe Unified School District|url = http://ltusd.org/schools/campus_maps/|website = ltusd.org|access-date = January 16, 2016}}

Due to budget cuts, Al Tahoe Elementary School and Meyers Elementary School closed in 2004; however, Meyers Elementary School reopened as Lake Tahoe Environmental Science Magnet School after a year's absence.{{Cite web|title = South Shore students head back to school|url = http://www.tahoedailytribune.com/article/20050907/NEWS/109070033|date=September 7, 2005|author=Ferchland, William|website = Tahoe Daily Tribune|access-date = January 16, 2016|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20051215150801/http://www.tahoedailytribune.com/article/20050907/NEWS/109070033|archive-date=December 15, 2005}}

South Lake Tahoe also houses a community college, Lake Tahoe Community College.{{Cite web|title = Earn Your Associate's Degree – LTCC|url = http://www.ltcc.edu|website = www.ltcc.edu|access-date = January 16, 2016}}

South Lake Tahoe is the home of Tahoe Prep Hockey Academy.{{Cite web | title=Tahoe Hockey Academy set to bring new model to Western U.S. - California Rubber | url=https://carubberhockey.com/tahoe-hockey-academy-set-to-bring-new-model-to-western-u-s/ | access-date=2024-12-23 | website=carubberhockey.com}}

The city council of South Lake Tahoe is composed of five elected members: three council members, a Mayor, and a Mayor Pro Tem. The Mayor changes every year and is elected by the City Council.{{Cite web|title = South Lake Tahoe, CA – Official Website – City Council|url = http://www.cityofslt.us/index.aspx?nid=80|website = www.cityofslt.us|access-date = January 16, 2016}}

In the state legislature, South Lake Tahoe is in {{Representative|casd|1|fmt=sdistrict}},{{Cite web

|url=http://senate.ca.gov/senators

|title=Senators

|access-date=April 5, 2013

|publisher=State of California}} and {{Representative|caad|5|fmt=adistrict}}.

Federally, South Lake Tahoe is in {{Representative|cacd|3|fmt=district}}.

File:South Lake Tahoe SW01.jpg

The city incorporated in 1965 by combining the previously unincorporated communities of Al Tahoe, Bijou, Bijou Park, Stateline, Tahoe Valley, and Tallac Village.{{California's Geographic Names|559}} A post office was established in 1967.

Gambling arrived at the Lake in 1944, when Harvey's Wagon Wheel Saloon and Gambling Hall opened in Nevada as one of the area's first gaming establishments. Competition soon sprang up and so did the need for more permanent accommodations. By the 1950s, roads began to be plowed year-round, enabling access to permanent residences. When the 1960 Winter Olympics came to what is now Olympic Valley, Lake Tahoe was put firmly on the map as the skiing center of the western United States.

In 2012, the Lakeview Commons Park was renamed. As reported in the local media, "The Washoe Tribe has presented the name Tahnu Leweh (Pronounced Tah-New Lay-Way) which, in native language, means 'all the people's place.' It is a name the Tribe would like to gift to El Dorado County and South Lake Tahoe as a symbol of peace, prosperity and goodness."{{Cite news

| last = Jeff Munson

| title = Washoe offers sacred name 'Tahnu Leweh' for Lakeview Commons in South Lake Tahoe

| work = Carson City Nevada News – Carson Now

| access-date = August 5, 2012

| date = April 16, 2012

| url = http://www.carsonnow.org/story/04/16/2012/washoe-offers-sacred-name-tahnu-leweh-lakeview-commons-south-lake-tahoe

}}

In August 2021, the entire city was forced to evacuate due to the Caldor Fire.

Some notable crimes have taken place in, or been linked to, South Lake Tahoe.

On December 8, 1963, Frank Sinatra Jr. was kidnapped by Barry Keenan, Johnny Irwin, and Joe Amsler. Sinatra was released, unharmed, soon after.{{Cite web | url=https://www.fbi.gov/history/famous-cases/frank-sinatra-jr-kidnapping | title=Frank Sinatra, Jr., Kidnapping| website=FBI History | access-date=2024-12-24}}

The disappearance of Donna Lass on September 6, 1970, has been linked to the Zodiac Killer.True Crime: Unsolved Crimes {{ISBN|0-7835-0012-2}} p. 43

The bombing of Harvey's Lake Tahoe in 1980, took place just outside the city limits in Stateline, Nevada.{{Cite web | url=https://www.fbi.gov/video-repository/newss-harveys-casino-bomb/view | title=Harvey's Casino Bomb | website=FBI History| access-date=2024-12-24}}

On May 18, 1987, Herbert James Coddington was arrested for the murder of two women and the kidnapping of two teenagers.{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-05-20-mn-816-story.html |title=Archives |website=Los Angeles Times |date=May 20, 1987 |access-date=September 4, 2017}} He was found guilty of these crimes and sentenced to death in 1988.{{cite web |url=http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Death-Penalty-Upheld-for-Tahoe-Man-He-killed-2-2714445.php |title=Death Penalty Upheld for Tahoe Man / He killed 2 women, raped 2 teens in 1987 |website=www.sfgate.com |date= July 4, 2000|access-date=September 4, 2017}}{{Cite web | url=http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/capital_punishment/docs/condemnedinmatelistsecure.pdf | title=Death Row Tracking System - Condemned Inmate List (Secure)| publisher=California department of corrections and rehabilitation - Division of adult operations | date=2019-03-11 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190313194450/http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/Capital_Punishment/docs/CondemnedInmateListSecure.pdf | archive-date=March 13, 2019 }} California Death row roster, retrieved September 4, 2017

In 1991, Jaycee Lee Dugard (age 11) was abducted from a bus stop in South Lake Tahoe; she was found alive in Antioch, California, in 2009.

South Lake Tahoe is served by a major east–west highway, U.S. 50, which links the area with Sacramento, California, and Carson City, Nevada. Highway 50 often faces closures during winter due to bad weather conditions.

The Lake Tahoe Airport serves general aviation, while the closest scheduled passenger airline service is available via the Reno–Tahoe International Airport in Reno, Nevada.

Local bus service is operated by the Tahoe Transportation District. El Dorado Transit operates service between South Lake Tahoe, Placerville, and Sacramento.

Amtrak Thruway 20C provides a daily connection to/from Sacramento Valley Station to the west, with a few stops in between.{{Cite web | url=https://amtraksanjoaquins.com/route-20c/ | title=Route 20C|website=Amtrak San Joaquins}}

In 2024, The City of South Lake Tahoe began the process of starting a Joint Powers Agreement with El Dorado County, called South Tahoe Area Rapid Transit, which would compliment transit services provided by Tahoe Transportation District.{{cite web |last1=Welsh |first1=Katelyn |title=City confirms negotiating terms for transit JPA |url=https://www.tahoedailytribune.com/news/city-confirms-negotiating-terms-for-transit-jpa/ |website=Tahoe Daily Tribune |access-date=19 September 2024 |date=27 August 2024}}

The South Tahoe airporter serves as an airport shuttle option from the Reno airport to the casinos at Stateline.{{Cite web | url=https://www.tahoedailytribune.com/news/expanded-holiday-transit-services-in-south-lake-tahoe/ | title=Expanded holiday transit services in South Lake Tahoe|website=Tahoe Daily Tribune}}

{{wide image|SkiRunSouthShore.jpg|800px|align-cap=center|Panoramic view of the lake from shore}}

File:Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020) - SOUTH LAKE TAHOEAP, CA.svg

South Lake Tahoe has a snowy highland climate featuring chilly winters with regular snowfall, and summers that feature warm to hot days and cool nights with very low humidity. The climate is either classified as a warm-summer Mediterranean climate (Köppen Csb), using the {{convert|27|F|C|0}} isotherm of the original Köppen scheme, or a dry-summer humid continental climate (Köppen Dsb), using the {{convert|32|F|0}} isotherm preferred by some climatologists. Summertime is also the dry season, with August averaging only {{convert|0.36|in|mm}} of precipitation, in contrast to February's {{convert|3.75|in|mm|1}}. Depending on the year, snowfall can be extremely heavy in winter, with an average of {{convert|88|in|cm}}, while the wettest "rain year" has been from July 2005 to June 2006 with {{convert|31.12|in|mm|1}} and the driest from July 2002 to June 2003 with {{convert|9.26|in|mm|1}}. December 2005 has been the wettest month with {{convert|13.83|in|mm|1}} of total water-equivalent precipitation.

South Lake Tahoe averages 1 day per year that reaches {{convert|90|F|C}} or higher, most commonly occurring in July and August. Every month of the year averages at least 1 night with a low temperature of {{convert|32|F|C}} or lower and overall there are 223 mornings in an average year that fall below freezing, although only 5 fall to {{convert|0|F|C}}. High temperatures below {{convert|32|F|C}} occur on average on 12 days per year. The all-time record high is {{convert|99|F|1}}, set on July 22, 1988, and the all-time record low is {{convert|-29|F|1}}, set on December 29, 1972, and subsequently tied on February 7, 1989.

{{Weather box

| location = South Lake Tahoe, California (Lake Tahoe Airport) (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1968–present)

| single line = Y

| Jan record high F = 66

| Feb record high F = 65

| Mar record high F = 71

| Apr record high F = 76

| May record high F = 84

| Jun record high F = 91

| Jul record high F = 99

| Aug record high F = 96

| Sep record high F = 94

| Oct record high F = 84

| Nov record high F = 71

| Dec record high F = 64

| year record high F =

| Jan avg record high F = 54.4

| Feb avg record high F = 55.7

| Mar avg record high F = 61.4

| Apr avg record high F = 69.1

| May avg record high F = 76.9

| Jun avg record high F = 84.3

| Jul avg record high F = 88.8

| Aug avg record high F = 87.8

| Sep avg record high F = 83.7

| Oct avg record high F = 75.9

| Nov avg record high F = 64.9

| Dec avg record high F = 55.8

| year avg record high F = 89.7

| Jan high F = 42.8

| Feb high F = 43.4

| Mar high F = 47.8

| Apr high F = 53.2

| May high F = 62.1

| Jun high F = 72.0

| Jul high F = 80.4

| Aug high F = 79.7

| Sep high F = 73.4

| Oct high F = 62.2

| Nov high F = 50.9

| Dec high F = 42.8

| year high F = 59.2

| Jan mean F = 30.6

| Feb mean F = 31.3

| Mar mean F = 35.8

| Apr mean F = 40.4

| May mean F = 47.6

| Jun mean F = 55.1

| Jul mean F = 61.5

| Aug mean F = 60.4

| Sep mean F = 54.4

| Oct mean F = 45.7

| Nov mean F = 37.1

| Dec mean F = 30.4

| year mean F = 44.2

| Jan low F = 18.4

| Feb low F = 19.3

| Mar low F = 23.7

| Apr low F = 27.6

| May low F = 33.2

| Jun low F = 38.1

| Jul low F = 42.5

| Aug low F = 41.0

| Sep low F = 35.4

| Oct low F = 29.2

| Nov low F = 23.3

| Dec low F = 18.0

| year low F = 29.1

| Jan avg record low F = -1.3

| Feb avg record low F = 1.7

| Mar avg record low F = 6.5

| Apr avg record low F = 16.4

| May avg record low F = 23.9

| Jun avg record low F = 28.4

| Jul avg record low F = 33.8

| Aug avg record low F = 31.9

| Sep avg record low F = 27.0

| Oct avg record low F = 18.9

| Nov avg record low F = 7.7

| Dec avg record low F = -0.9

| year avg record low F = -7.5

| Jan record low F = −21

| Feb record low F = −29

| Mar record low F = −10

| Apr record low F = −1

| May record low F = 7

| Jun record low F = 21

| Jul record low F = 25

| Aug record low F = 24

| Sep record low F = 19

| Oct record low F = 9

| Nov record low F = −9

| Dec record low F = −29

| year record low F =

| precipitation colour = green

| Jan precipitation inch = 2.81

| Feb precipitation inch = 3.75

| Mar precipitation inch = 2.87

| Apr precipitation inch = 1.27

| May precipitation inch = 1.32

| Jun precipitation inch = 0.55

| Jul precipitation inch = 0.39

| Aug precipitation inch = 0.36

| Sep precipitation inch = 0.28

| Oct precipitation inch = 1.43

| Nov precipitation inch = 1.94

| Dec precipitation inch = 3.49

| year precipitation inch = 20.46

| Jan snow inch = 26.1

| Feb snow inch = 26.3

| Mar snow inch = 20.9

| Apr snow inch = 10.1

| May snow inch = 2.0

| Jun snow inch = 0.3

| Jul snow inch = 0.0

| Aug snow inch = 0.0

| Sep snow inch = 0.3

| Oct snow inch = 2.0

| Nov snow inch = 9.7

| Dec snow inch = 24.6

| year snow inch =

| unit snow days = 0.1 in

| Jan snow days = 6.7

| Feb snow days = 6.3

| Mar snow days = 5.7

| Apr snow days = 3.5

| May snow days = 1.0

| Jun snow days = 0.2

| Jul snow days = 0.0

| Aug snow days = 0.0

| Sep snow days = 0.1

| Oct snow days = 0.4

| Nov snow days = 3.5

| Dec snow days = 6.4

| unit precipitation days = 0.01 in

| Jan precipitation days = 8.6

| Feb precipitation days = 8.7

| Mar precipitation days = 10.0

| Apr precipitation days = 8.4

| May precipitation days = 7.4

| Jun precipitation days = 2.4

| Jul precipitation days = 2.1

| Aug precipitation days = 1.5

| Sep precipitation days = 2.3

| Oct precipitation days = 5.4

| Nov precipitation days = 7.5

| Dec precipitation days = 10.8

| year precipitation days = 75.1

| source 1 = NOAA{{cite web

|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USW00093230&format=pdf

|title = Summary of Monthly Normals 1991–2020

|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

|accessdate = August 13, 2023

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230814010319/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USW00093230&format=pdf

|archive-date = August 14, 2023

}}{{cite web

|url = https://xmacis.rcc-acis.org/

|title = xmACIS2

|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

|accessdate = August 13, 2023

}}

| source =

}}

{{Main|Angora Fire}}

Image:5.18pm, view Angora Ridge Forest Fire from Highway 89, South Lake Tahoe.jpg

Image:4.42pm Angora Ridge Forest Fire South Lake Tahoe.jpg

On June 24, 2007, a wildfire broke out at the Seneca Pond recreation area near Meyers, three miles south of South Lake Tahoe.{{Cite web | url=http://www.590klbj.com/News/Article.aspx?ID=1165263 | title=News Radio 590 KLBJ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707065130/http://www.590klbj.com/News/Article.aspx?ID=1165263 | archive-date=July 7, 2011}}{{Better source needed | date=December 2024}} The Angora Fire, so named for its proximity to Angora Ridge, stands as the worst forest fire in recorded Lake Tahoe history.{{cite web | url=http://tahoehomes.wordpress.com/2007/06/25/lake-tahoe-forest-fire-angora-fire/| title=Lake Tahoe Fire-Angora Fire| access-date=June 29, 2007 | publisher=Blog at WordPress.com.| date=June 25, 2007}}

The fire spread throughout the Angora region rapidly, destroying dozens of homes and large tracts of forest. Highway closures followed by evacuations put the residents in the direct line of the fire. Hotels in the area responded by opening their doors to the hundreds of evacuees who needed shelter.

On June 25, 2007, a state of emergency was announced by Lt. Gov. John Garamendi acting on behalf of the absent Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who was traveling in Europe. There were no deaths, but over {{Convert|3,000|acre|km2}} were burned, while more than 275 structures, including 254 homes and 26 other buildings, were damaged or destroyed.{{Cite web | url=http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/06/28/BAG6AQNJD94.DTL | title=South Lake Tahoe fire now 70 percent contained | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805004256/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/06/28/BAG6AQNJD94.DTL |archive-date=August 5, 2011 | url-status=live| date=2007-06-28 | author1=Meredith May | author2=Demian Bulwa | author3=Marisa Lagos }} On June 27, 2007, Schwarznegger toured the area after he returned to California.{{cite web|title=Gov. Schwarzenegger Commits California to Comprehensive Review of Lake Tahoe Area Land Management|url=http://gov.ca.gov/news.php?id=6879|access-date=June 19, 2013|archive-date=October 5, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171005202530/https://www.gov.ca.gov/news.php?id=6879|url-status=dead}}

Full containment of the fire was announced on July 2.{{cite news|last=Lagos|first=Marisa|title=South Lake Tahoe fire fully contained|url=http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/South-Lake-Tahoe-fire-fully-contained-2554087.php|access-date=June 19, 2013|work=The San Francisco Chronicle|date=July 2, 2007}}

{{Main|Caldor Fire}}

• Tahoe Keys, California
• Blacklist Festival
• Susie Lake

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category|South Lake Tahoe, California}}

{{Wikivoyage|South Lake Tahoe}}

• {{Official website}}

{{El Dorado County, California}}

{{Greater Sacramento}}

{{Sierra Nevada}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Incorporated cities and towns in California

Category:Cities in El Dorado County, California

Category:Lake Tahoe

Category:Populated places in the Sierra Nevada (United States)

Category:Cities in Sacramento metropolitan area

Category:Populated places established in 1965

Category:1965 establishments in California

Category:Tourist attractions in El Dorado County, California