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Morgan Hill, California
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Morgan Hill is a city located in the southern part of Santa Clara County, California, USA. Founded on November 10, 1906, the city was named after Hiram Morgan Hill, a San Franciscan who built a country retreat home there in 1884. Originally a community of ranchers, farmers and orchardists, the city has evolved into a bedroom community for the high-tech industries in Silicon Valley. As of the United States 2000 Census, the city had a population of 33,556.
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Encyclopedia
Morgan Hill is a city located in the southern part of Santa Clara County, California, USA. Founded on November 10, 1906, the city was named after Hiram Morgan Hill, a San Franciscan who built a country retreat home there in 1884. Originally a community of ranchers, farmers and orchardists, the city has evolved into a bedroom community for the high-tech industries in Silicon Valley. As of the United States 2000 Census, the city had a population of 33,556. The silhouette of El Toro, a distinctive hill overshadowing the town to the west, has been incorporated into the city's seal and official logo.
Geography and geology
Morgan Hill is located at (37.126795, -121.643166). It is approximately 39 km (24 mi) south of downtown San Jose, 21 km (13 mi) north of Gilroy, and 24 km (15 mi) inland from the Pacific Coast. Lying in a roughly 6 km-wide (4-mi-wide) southern extension of the Santa Clara Valley, it is bounded by the Santa Cruz Mountains to the west and the Diablo Range to the east. At the valley floor, Morgan Hill lies at an elevation of about 107 m (350 ft) above MSL.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city encompasses an area of 30.2 km˛ (11.67 sq mi), all land. Although there are no natural lakes or ponds within the city limits, there are several flood-control and water storage reservoirs in the adjacent hills which are operated by the Santa Clara Valley Water District, with recreational activities such as boating, etc., administered by the Santa Clara County Department of Parks and Recreation.
Morgan Hill is located within the seismically active San Francisco Bay region. The significant earthquakes in the region are generally associated with crustal movements along well-defined, active fault zones. The nearest known active faults are the San Andreas Fault, approximately 19 km (12 mi) southwest, and the Calaveras Fault, approximately 1.6 km (1 mi) northeast. Both faults have produced major earthquakes in the past, and have estimated maximum credible Richter magnitudes of 8.3 and 7.3 respectively. The Sargent-Berrocal Fault, a potentially active fault, lies 16 km (10 mi) away from the sites and has an estimated maximum credible Richter magnitude of 7.4. The Coyote Creek Fault is located in Morgan Hill and is classified as potentially active as well. In addition, several unnamed faults traverse the western slopes of the upland areas. Geomorphic evidence suggests that these faults were active during recent geologic time. However, these fault-related geomorphic features are not as fresh as those of the active Calaveras Fault and are considered to be somewhat older.
Morgan Hill is the only known site where one can find the semi-precious stone Poppy Jasper, a form of Jasper known as Orbicular or Picture Jasper. It is believed that the deposits of Poppy Jasper were formed due to the unique combination of volcanic/seismic activity in the El Toro mountain area of what is now Morgan Hill. The El Toro Brewing Co. has a collection of Poppy Jasper on display at their brewery in rural Morgan Hill and a large bar inlaid with the stone at their brewpub in downtown Morgan Hill. Examples are also on display at the . Poppy Jasper is also the name of a local non-profit .
Climate
Due to the moderating influence of the Pacific Ocean, Morgan Hill enjoys a mild, Mediterranean climate. Temperatures range from an average midsummer maximum of 32.3°C (90.2°F) to an average midwinter low of 0.9°C (33.6°F). Average annual precipitation is 480 mm (18.9 in), and the summer months are typically dry. Snowfall is rare, about once every 20 years, and is light and short-lived when it occurs. Summer months are characterized by coastal fog which arrives from the ocean around 10 p.m. and dissipates the next morning by 10 a.m. Winter months have many sunny and partly cloudy days, with frequent breaks between rainstorms. The local terrain is inconducive to tornadoes, severe windstorms and thunderstorms. The local climate supports chaparral and grassland biomes, with stands of live oak at higher elevations.
Demographics
As of the United States 2000 Census, there were 33,556 people, 10,846 households, and 8,633 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,875.4 people per square mile (1,110.2/km˛). There were 11,091 housing units at an average density of 950.3/sq mi (366.9/km˛). The racial makeup of the city was 72.40% White, 1.71% African American, 1.08% Native American, 6.02% Asian, 0.23% Pacific Islander, 13.43% from other races, and 5.13% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 27.50% of the population.
There were 10,846 households out of which 44.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.2% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.4% were non-families. 15.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.05 and the average family size was 3.38.
In the city the population was spread out with 30.5% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 31.7% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 7.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 98.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.9 males.
According to a 2007 estimate, the median income for a household in the city was $99,243, and the median income for a family was $108,611. Males had a median income of $61,999 versus $42,003 for females. The per capita income for the city was $33,047. About 3.3% of families and 4.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.4% of those under age 18 and 4.9% of those age 65 or over.
Substantial expansion of the population of Morgan Hill occurred from the late 1980s onward. This population expansion was enabled by the removal of a growth constraint in the form of sewage treatment capacity.
Parks and recreation
- , immediately east of Morgan Hill
- , north of Morgan Hill, extending to San Jose
- Henry W. Coe State Park, a very large park directly east of Morgan Hill
- Uvas Canyon County Park, located a few miles west of Morgan Hill in the Santa Cruz Mountains
- Community Park, Morgan Hill's largest city park which includes multiple sports facilities, picnic areas, amphitheater and duck pond
- (located at Community Park)
- Morgan Hill Skatepark
- , with gym, indoor pool, senior center, computer lab
- , with meeting/banquet facilities, amphitheater and a satellite campus of Gavilan College
-
Politics
In the state legislature Morgan Hill is located in the 15th Senate District, represented by Republican Abel Maldonado, and in the 27th Assembly District, represented by Democrat John Laird. Federally, Morgan Hill is located in California's 11th congressional district, which has a Cook Partisan Voting Index (PVI) of R +3 and is represented by Democrat Jerry McNerney.
Media
Morgan Hill has one local newspaper, published by the Gilroy-based Mainstreet Media Group:
- — issued Tuesdays and Fridays
Infrastructure
Transportation
Major highways
Public transportation
Utilities
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) provides gas and electricity for the city. Water and sewer services are provided by the City of Morgan Hill. Household waste disposal and recycling are provided by South Valley Disposal & Recycling, Inc.
Healthcare
Sister cities
Morgan Hill has four sister cities, as designated by :
See also
External links
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