Adelanto, California

The area was originally inhabited by the Serrano Native American tribe.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ci.adelanto.ca.us/DocumentCenter/View/1366/ADLT-022---Best-Western-Hotel-and-Restaurant-ISMND-July-2-2020|title=July 2, 2020 - Adelanto, CA|accessdate=March 22, 2024}}

Adelanto was founded in 1915 by E. H. Richardson, the inventor of what became the Hotpoint electric iron.{{cite web | title = The Hotpoint/General Electric Collection, 1911-1975 | publisher = Robert E. Ellingwood Model Colony History Room, Ontario City Library | url = http://www.ci.ontario.ca.us/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=1789 | access-date = November 18, 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141129033646/http://www.ci.ontario.ca.us/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=1789 | archive-date = November 29, 2014 | url-status = dead | df = mdy-all }} He sold his patent and purchased land for $75,000. He had planned to develop one of the first planned communities in Southern California.

The name Adelanto means 'progress' or 'advance' in Spanish, and was first given to the post office that was established on the site in 1917.{{cite book|first=Erwin|last=Gudde| author2 =William Bright |title=California Place Names|year=2004|edition=Fourth |publisher=University of California Press|page=3|isbn=978-0-520-24217-3}}

Acres of deciduous fruit trees once grew in the city, which became known in the state for its fresh fruit and cider. The orchards thrived until the Great Depression, when they were replaced by poultry ranches. As the wartime emergency developed early in 1941, the Victorville Army Air Field was established with land within the Adelanto sphere of influence. In September 1950, the airfield was named George Air Force Base in honor of the late Brigadier General Harold H. George.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ci.adelanto.ca.us/218/About-Adelanto|title=The History of Adelanto|accessdate=March 22, 2024}}

Adelanto continued as a "community services district" until 1970 when the city incorporated, and Adelanto became San Bernardino County's then smallest city. The city became a charter city in November 1992.{{cite web | title = History: Adelanto | publisher = City of Adelanto - Official Website | url = http://www.ci.adelanto.ca.us/index.asp?SEC=53C695EC-9BD6-49B3-9ECD-41123B9E2666&Type=B_BASIC | access-date = November 18, 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140916103501/http://www.ci.adelanto.ca.us/index.asp?SEC=53C695EC-9BD6-49B3-9ECD-41123B9E2666&Type=B_BASIC | archive-date = September 16, 2014 | url-status = dead | df = mdy-all }}

Adelanto had a card room called the Hi Desert Casino which operated from 1975 to 1997. The casino was located across from city hall at the corner of Air Expressway and U.S. Highway 395. It boasted a fine restaurant and bar and people came from all over San Bernardino County to play cards.[https://www.vvdailypress.com/news/20190829/site-of-former-adelanto-cardroom-to-see-arco-ampm-by-early-next-year Site of former Adelanto cardroom to see ARCO ampm by early next year – VV Daily Press]. August 29, 2019. Retrieved May 17, 2020.

During the 2000s United States housing bubble, many large suburban subdivisions were built in the southern portion of the city, along Highway 18. Like neighboring Victorville, Adelanto suffered severely from the collapse of real estate values after the 2008 financial crisis. While most of California has seen property values rise to historic highs, much of the Victor Valley region has yet to recover to the 2006 peak.{{Cite news |date=January 11, 2019 |title=Victorville lags in US housing recovery |work=Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/a0adda46-e345-11e8-a8a0-99b2e340ffeb |access-date=March 18, 2023}} However, in the years since the COVID-19 pandemic there has been a resurgence in suburban and exurban housing demand. Formerly affordable areas in the Inland Empire have become increasingly expensive, and the region has experienced a major boom in logistics and industrial development. As a result, residents and businesses seeking affordable properties have been increasingly looking further north along Interstate 15 and into Victorville and Adelanto.{{Cite web |date=March 11, 2023 |title=Why This California Inland Empire City Is Considered the 'Next Frontier' for Industrial |url=https://www.costar.com/article/1600311252/why-this-california-inland-empire-city-is-considered-the-next-frontier-for-industrial |access-date=March 18, 2023 |website=CoStar}}

Adelanto is in the Victor Valley of the south-central Mojave Desert, north of the Cajon Pass and San Bernardino Valley.Adelanto location coordinates: {{Coord|34|34|34|N|117|25|58|W|type:city}} (34.575990, -117.432713); {{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|52.9|sqmi|km2}}. {{convert|52.9|sqmi|km2}} of it is land and {{convert|0.02|sqmi|km2}} of it (0.03%) is water.

The average elevation of the city is {{convert|3400.|ft|m|abbr=on}}.

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Adelanto has a Tropical and Subtropical Steppe Climate, abbreviated "BSk" on climate maps.{{cite web |url= https://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=177240&cityname=Adelanto%2C+California%2C+United+States+of+America&units= |title=Adelanto, California Köppen Climate Classification|work=Weatherbase |year=2024 |access-date=February 26, 2024}}

{{US Census population

|1970= 2115

|1980= 2164

|1990= 8517

|2000= 18130

|2010= 31765

|2020= 38046

|estyear=

|estimate=

|estref=

|align-fn=center

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade.html|title=Decennial Census by Decade|website=United States Census Bureau|access-date=}}
1860–1870{{Cite web|title= 1870 Census of Population - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties - California - Almeda County to Sutter County |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1870/population/1870a-12.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}{{Cite web|title= 1870 Census of Population - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties - California - Tehama County to Yuba County |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1870/population/1870a-13.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}} 1880-1890{{Cite web|title= 1890 Census of Population - Population of California by Minor Civil Divisions |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1890/bulletins/demographics/134-population-of-ca.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}
1900{{Cite web|title= 1900 Census of Population - Population of California by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1900/bulletins/demographic/10-population-ca.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}} 1910{{Cite web|title= 1910 Census of Population - Supplement for California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1910/abstract/supplement-ca.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}} 1920{{Cite web|title= 1920 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1920/bulletins/demographics/population-ca-number-of-inhabitants.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}
1930{{Cite web|title= 1930 Census of Population - Number and Distribution of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1930/population-volume-1/03815512v1ch03.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}} 1940{{Cite web|title= 1940 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1940/population-volume-1/33973538v1ch03.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}} 1950{{Cite web|title= 1950 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1950/population-volume-1/vol-01-08.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}
1960{{Cite web|title= 1960 Census of Population - General population Characteristics - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1960/population-volume-1/vol-01-06-d.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}{{Cite web|title= 1960 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1960/population-volume-1/vol-01-06-c.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}} 1970{{Cite web|title= 1970 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1970a_ca1-01.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}} 1980{{Cite web|title= 1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1980a_caAB-01.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}
1990{{Cite web|title= 1990 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/cen1990/cph2/cph-2-6.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}

2000{{Cite web|title= 2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/2003/dec/phc-3-6.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}} 2010{{Cite web|title= 2010 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/2010/cph-2/cph-2-6.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}

}}

Adelanto first appeared as an unincorporated place in the 1970 U.S. Census; and then as a city in the 1980 U.S. Census.

According to the 2023 American Community Survey, the median household income was $68,419, and the per capita income was $19,480.{{cite web |title=Adelanto city, California; DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics - 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates Comparison Profiles |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSDP5Y2023.DP03?g=1600000US0600296 |website=US Census Bureau |access-date=March 30, 2025}}

Of those aged 5 or older, 52.7% spoke only English at home, 45.2% spoke Spanish, 0.9% spoke other Indo-European languages, 0.9% spoke Asian or Pacific Islander languages, and 0.2% spoke other languages. Of those aged 25 or older, 73.5% were high school graduates and 7.8% had a bachelor's degree.{{cite web |title=Adelanto city, California; CP02: Comparative Social Characteristics in the United States - 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates Comparison Profiles |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSCP5Y2023.CP02?g=1600000US0600296 |website=US Census Bureau |access-date=March 30, 2025}}

The 2020 United States census reported that Adelanto had a population of 38,046. The population density was {{convert|719.7|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of Adelanto was 22.2% White, 19.4% African American, 2.2% Native American, 2.8% Asian, 0.7% Pacific Islander, 38.6% from other races, and 14.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 63.5% of the population.

The census reported that 92.8% of the population lived in households, 0.2% lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 7.0% were institutionalized.

There were 9,185 households, out of which 57.2% included children under the age of 18, 45.4% were married-couple households, 10.7% were cohabiting couple households, 27.7% had a female householder with no partner present, and 16.2% had a male householder with no partner present. 11.8% of households were one person, and 3.9% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 3.84. There were 7,594 families (82.7% of all households).

The age distribution was 32.2% under the age of 18, 11.0% aged 18 to 24, 29.9% aged 25 to 44, 19.7% aged 45 to 64, and 7.1% who were 65{{nbsp}}years of age or older. The median age was 29.2{{nbsp}}years. For every 100 females, there were 109.6 males.

There were 9,601 housing units at an average density of {{convert|181.6|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units |units|}}, of which 9,185 (95.7%) were occupied. Of these, 58.4% were owner-occupied, and 41.6% were occupied by renters.{{cite web |title=Adelanto city, California; DP1: Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics - 2020 Census of Population and Housing |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALDP2020.DP1?g=1600000US0600296 |website=US Census Bureau |access-date=March 30, 2025}}{{cite web |title=Adelanto city, California; P16: Household Type - 2020 Census of Population and Housing |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALDHC2020.P16?g=1600000US0600296 |website=US Census Bureau |access-date=March 30, 2025}}

Historically Adelanto was a fruit-growing town.Devine, Jimi. "[http://blog.sfgate.com/smellthetruth/2016/02/23/new-pot-regulations-might-save-mojave-prison-city/ Pot to replace prison economy in California town]" ([https://web.archive.org/web/20160224103735/http://blog.sfgate.com/smellthetruth/2016/02/23/new-pot-regulations-might-save-mojave-prison-city/ Archive]). San Francisco Chronicle. February 23, 2016. Retrieved on February 25, 2016. Prior to 1992, much of the economy was related to the George Air Force Base. After its closure the city began having economic difficulties.{{Cite web|url=https://www.kcet.org/shows/artbound/gone-to-pot-adelantos-green-land-rush|title=How a Struggling Desert Town Turned to Pot Cultivation to Pull Itself Out of Poverty|last=Stringfellow|first=Kim|date=March 7, 2017|website=KCET|language=en|access-date=October 17, 2019}} The openings of several area prisons began in 1991, and the city government approved the construction of two private prisons. The prisons were not required to hire people within the Adelanto city limits.Tinoco, Matt. "[https://www.vice.com/en/article/jailtown-usa-where-americas-prison-industrial-complex-calls-home-203/ Inside the Small California Town with a Lot of Prisons, but Not Much Opportunity]" ([https://www.vice.com/en/article/jailtown-usa-where-americas-prison-industrial-complex-calls-home-203/ Archive]). Vice. February 3, 2015. Retrieved on February 25, 2016. The city, as of 2016, collects $160,000 annually in total from the prisons within the city limits. That year Jimi Devine of the San Francisco Chronicle wrote that the prisons "had mixed effects on the community for 25 years." Matt Tinoco of Vice wrote that "the prisons have failed to stimulate lasting growth in Adelanto" and that "all ultimately ended up contributing little to the city's coffers." Tinoco further stated that Adelanto had an "image as one big jail."

The privately owned Adelanto Detention Center, run by the GEO Group to house immigrant detainees, was built in Adelanto in 1991 as a state prison.{{cite web |url=http://www.geogroup.com/maps/locationdetails/35 |title=Adelanto Detention Facility |publisher=The GEO Group Inc |date=May 27, 2011 |access-date=July 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506193419/http://www.geogroup.com/maps/locationdetails/35 |archive-date=May 6, 2016 |url-status=dead }} In 2014, when a private developer proposed another prison, the city council approved a development agreement with the private developer that under California subdivision law allows the city to negotiate terms to provide additional benefits to the city. The city had little latitude to deny the private project as the land was appropriately zoned for use as a prison.Linthicum, Kate (December 13, 2014) [http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-adelanto-approves-plan-to-build-jail-20141213-story.html "Financially troubled Adelanto approves plan to build another jail"] Los Angeles Times

The city has only a few retail stores and restaurants. A bed tax contributes about $200,000 annually from the detention facilities. The small city has struggled as tax revenue fell far short of the city budget. In 2013, they closed a fire station and laid off a quarter of the town's staff. Residents though turned down a nearly 8% utility users tax in November 2013.

{{further|Cannabis in California}}

Upon the legalization of the sale and distribution of cannabis in 2016, marijuana cultivation was considered a possible new source of revenue for the city.{{r|DevineMarij}} Companies must be licensed by the local agency and the state to grow, test, or sell cannabis and the city may authorize none or only some of these activities. Local governments may not prohibit adults, who are in compliance with state laws, from growing, using, or transporting marijuana for personal use.

The city decided to allow multiple types of marijuana businesses, including cultivation, manufacturing and retail sales.{{Cite news|url=https://www.vvdailypress.com/news/20190521/adelanto-cannabis-dispensary-proposal-delayed|title=Adelanto cannabis dispensary proposal delayed|last=Bergthold|first=Garrett|date=May 21, 2019|newspaper=Daily Press|language=en|access-date=May 22, 2019}} By 2019, two cannabis dispensaries were serving recreational users as the city council considered proposed changes to the city's cannabis laws to generate additional revenue to help close the city budget gap.{{Cite news|url=https://www.vvdailypress.com/news/20190822/adelanto-council-seeks-ways-to-up-revenue-by-expanding-cannabis-industry|title=Adelanto Council seeks ways to up revenue by expanding cannabis industry|last=Bergthold|first=Garrett|date=August 22, 2019|department=Desert Dispatch |newspaper=Daily Press|language=en|access-date=August 24, 2019}} The city is the only Victor Valley municipality to allow storefront cannabis dispensaries.{{r|VVDP 2019-05-21}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.vvdailypress.com/news/20190905/construction-begins-on-possible-drive-thru-cannabis-dispensary-in-adelanto|title=Construction begins on possible drive-thru cannabis dispensary in Adelanto|last=Bergthold|first=Garrett|newspaper=Daily Press|language=en|date=September 5, 2019|access-date=September 7, 2019}} A {{Convert|14|acres|ha|adj=on}} indoor cultivation facility was opened in 2019 by the California arm of Tikun Olam.{{Cite news|url=https://www.vvdailypress.com/news/20191025/israeli-based-medical-cannabis-company-expands-into-adelanto|title=Israeli-based medical cannabis company expands into Adelanto|last=Bergthold|first=Garrett|date=October 25, 2019|newspaper=Daily Press|language=en|access-date=October 27, 2019}}

Federal prisons of the Federal Bureau of Prisons near Adelanto:

• United States Penitentiary, Victorville
• Federal Correctional Institution, Victorville (on portions of the former George Air Force Base)

File:Adelanto Branch Library.jpg

Established in 1921 as part of the San Bernardino County's library system, the Adelanto Library began in the office of a fruit company.Rick Erikson, "History of San Bernardino County Library: 1913-1988." Adelanto p. 4.

El Mirage Dry Lake, west of Adelanto, has been used for filming movies and television commercials, most notably the opening sequence of the later episodes of the TV series Sky King.

File:StaterBrosStadium.JPG]]

From 1991 to 2016, the city was home to the High Desert Mavericks, a Minor League Baseball team of the Class A-Advanced California League.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-201967328|title=Mavs wave goodbye with a championship|work=Minor League Baseball|date=September 18, 2016|access-date=September 18, 2016|first=Michael|last=Avallone}}

For the 2017 season, the Pecos League established the High Desert Yardbirds to fill the void at Adelanto Stadium. The team closed their last season at the stadium in 2019.

In the state legislature, Adelanto is in {{Representative|casd|23|fmt=sdistrict}}, and in {{Representative|caad|39|fmt=adistrict}}.{{cite web |title=Find Your California Representatives |url=https://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/ |access-date=May 5, 2025}}

In the United States House of Representatives, Adelanto is in {{Representative|cacd|23|fmt=district}}.{{Cite GovTrack|CA|23}}

The majority of Adelanto is in the Adelanto Elementary School District (AESD) for preschool, elementary and middle school levels, while a very small portion is in the Oro Grande Elementary School District.{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st06_ca/schooldistrict_maps/c06071_san_bernardino/DC20SD_C06071.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: San Bernardino County, CA|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|pages=4, 8 (PDF pp. 5, 9/12)|access-date=2024-10-04}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st06_ca/schooldistrict_maps/c06071_san_bernardino/DC20SD_C06071_SD2MS.txt Text list] The Adelanto Elementary District has nine elementary schools, three combined K-8 schools (one of them a virtual school, and three middle schools.{{cite web|url=https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=0601710|title=Adelanto Elementary schools for this district|publisher=National Center for Education Statistics|access-date=2024-10-04}} High school-aged students in all of those elementary and middle school districts attend schools in the Victor Valley Union High School District (VVUSD), including Adelanto High School, the first high school in Adelanto city limits,{{cite web | title = First high school in Adelanto | publisher = Victorville Daily Press | url = http://www.vvdailypress.com/news/adelanto-15926-first-high.html | access-date = November 11, 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110914125244/http://www.vvdailypress.com/news/adelanto-15926-first-high.html | archive-date = September 14, 2011 | url-status = dead | df = mdy-all }} or in the neighboring Snowline Joint Unified School District centered in Phelan.

Charter schools include:

• Taylion Academy
• Mojave River Academy
• Desert Trails Preparatory Academy - Formed in 2013 after a parent trigger law was used to remove Desert Trails Elementary from AESD controlYarbrough, Beau. "[http://www.sbsun.com/social-affairs/20151201/adelanto-will-not-renew-charter-for-desert-trails-parent-trigger-school Adelanto will not renew charter for Desert Trails parent trigger school]." San Bernardino Sun. December 1, 2015. Retrieved on May 8, 2016.

Until 2001, Adelanto had its own police department, which was disbanded due to corruption, but now contracts with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department for police services.Kelly, David (March 26, 2008) [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-mar-26-me-adelanto26-story.html "A low ebb for high desert's Adelanto"] Los Angeles Times The Adelanto Substation is on US Highway 395 and Bartlett Avenue. The station provides full service law enforcement for the City of Adelanto, and unincorporated areas of the Victor Valley such as Phelan, Lucerne Valley, and Spring Valley Lake. The former regional station (next to the Victorville Courthouse), serving unincorporated areas of the Victor Valley, was consolidated into the Adelanto Station in 2009.

Until 1999, fire protection was provided by the city's own fire department. The city now contracts with the San Bernardino County Fire Department. There is one station within the city limits providing paramedic service as well as fire and rescue services. Ambulance and patient transportation is provided by American Medical Response.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ci.adelanto.ca.us/101/Departments|title=Departments | Adelanto, CA|accessdate=March 22, 2024}}

• Interstate 15

{{Reflist}}

{{Wikivoyage|Adelanto}}

• {{official website}}
• [https://archive.today/20141218013118/http://www.adelantonorth2035.com/ Adelanto North 2035 Sustainable Community Plan]

{{San Bernardino County, California}}

{{Inland Empire}}

{{Greater Los Angeles Area}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Cities in San Bernardino County, California

Category:Populated places in the Mojave Desert

Category:Victor Valley

Category:Populated places established in 1970

Category:1970 establishments in California

Category:Incorporated cities and towns in California