El Cajon (pronounced /?lk??ho?n/; Spanish: [elka?xon]) is a city in San Diego County, California, United States. The population was 94,869 at the 2000 census. El Cajón is Spanish for "The Drawer", relating to it being surrounded by mountains in a nestled valley. This geography also gave rise to the town nickname of "The Big Box."
Geography
El Cajon is located at  32°47′54″N 116°57′36″W? / ?32.79833°N 116.96°W? / 32.79833; -116.96 (32.798300, -116.960055). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 37.7 km² (14.6 mi²), all land.
History
El Cajon was incorporated as a city in 1912.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 94,869 people, 34,199 households, and 23,152 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,514.0/km² (6,510.6/mi²). There were 35,190 housing units at an average density of 932.5/km² (2,415.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 74.00% White, 5.37% African American, 0.99% Native American, 2.79% Asian, 0.37% Pacific Islander, 10.49% from other races, and 5.99% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 22.47% of the population.
There were 34,199 households out of which 37.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.0% were married couples living together, 16.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.3% were non-families. 24.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.21.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.9% under the age of 18, 11.2% from 18 to 24, 31.3% from 25 to 44, 18.3% from 45 to 64, and 11.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 95.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $35,566, and the median income for a family was $40,045. Males had a median income of $32,498 versus $25,320 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,698. About 13.5% of families and 16.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.1% of those under age 18 and 9.0% of those age 65 or over.
Current estimates
According to estimates by the San Diego Association of Governments, the median household income of El Cajon in 2005 was $47,885 (not adjusted for inflation). When adjusted for inflation (1999 dollars; comparable to Census data above), the median household income was $38,884.
Politics
In the state legislature, El Cajon is located in the 36th Senate District, represented by Republican Dennis Hollingsworth, and in the 77th Assembly District, represented by Republican Joel Anderson. Federally, El Cajon is located in California's 52nd congressional district, which has a Cook PVI of R +9 and is represented by Republican Duncan Hunter.
Schools
Elementary schools
- Anza Elementary
- Avocado Elementary
- Ballantyne (John) Elementary
- Blossom valley Elementary
- Bostonia Elementary
- Chase Avenue Elementary
- Crest Elementary
- Cuyamaca Elementary
- Fletcher Hills Elementary
- Flying Hills Elementary
- Fuerte Elementary
- Jamacha Elementary
- Johnson Elementary
- Lexington Elementary
- Literacy First Charter School
- Madison Elementary
- Magnolia Elementary
- Meridian Elementary
- Naranca Elementary [1]
- Pepper Dr. Elementary
- W.D. Hall Elementary
- Rios Elementary
- Vista Grande Elementary
- Rancho San Diego Elementary
- Literacy First Charter School
- Northmont Elementary
Middle schools
- Cajon Valley Middle School
- Emerald Middle School
- Greenfield Middle School
- Hillsdale Middle School
- Los Coches Creek Middle School
- Montgomery Middle School
High schools
- Chaparral High School
- Christian High School
- El Cajon Valley High School
- Granite Hills High School
- Valhalla High School
- Grossmont High School
Colleges
- Grossmont College
- Cuyamaca College
- San Diego Christian College
Places of interest
Companies
- Taylor Guitars
- Solid Gold
Airports
Famous residents
- Lester Bangs, Rolling Stone rock critic
- William Bengen, Certified Financial Planner who proposed the 4 percent draw-down rule in retirement planning
- Kurt Bevacqua, Former Major League Baseball Player
- Aaron Boone, Current Major League Baseball Player
- Bob Boone, Former Major League Baseball Player
- Bret Boone, Former Major League Baseball Player
- Tony Clark, Former Major League Baseball Player
- Kevin Correia, Current Major League Baseball Player
- Dave Dravecky, Former Major League Baseball Player
- Amy Finley, "The Gourmet Next Door" Host On The Food Network Channel
- Geoff Geary, Former Major League Baseball Player
- Brian Giles, Current Major League Baseball Player
- Marcus Giles, Fomer Major League Baseball Player
- Broc Glover, Professional Motocross Racer
- Brian Graham, Former Minor League Baseball Player
- Ryan Hansen, Actor
- Mike Hartley, Former Major League Baseball Player
- David Jeremiah, Christian minister
- Jimmie Johnson Current NASCAR Driver
- Rick Johnson, Motocross racer
- Joe Kennedy, Former Major League Baseball Player
- David Lee Volleyball Olympic Gold Medalist
- Greg Louganis, Olympic Diver
- Mark Malone, Former NFL Football Player and Sportscaster
- Glen Morgan, Film director
- Swen Nater, Former NBA Basketball Player
- Grant Roberts, Former Major League Baseball Player
- Brant Rustich, Current Major League Baseball Player
- Julia Schultz, Former Model & Playmate For Playboy Magazine
- Brian Sipe, Former NFL Football Player
- Shane Spencer, Former Major League Baseball Player
- Tommy Vardell, Former NFL Football Player
- Brandon Whitt, Current NASCAR Driver
- Katie Wilkins, Team USA Olympic Volleyball Player
- James Wong, Television producer
- Barry Zito, Current Major League Baseball Player
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