Campbell is a city located in Santa Clara County, California, part of Silicon Valley. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 38,138. Although not a major high-tech city like many of its neighbors, Campbell is the original home of eBay and of its creator, Pierre Omidyar.
Campbell is home to the Pruneyard Shopping Center, a sprawling open-air retail complex. Pruneyard was involved in a famous U.S. Supreme Court case that established the extent of the right to free speech in California. The associated Pruneyard Towers, built in 1970, was for many years the tallest building between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Campbell is located at 37°17'2" North, 121°57'18" West (37.283909, -121.955026). It is bordered on the east and north by San Jose and on the south by Los Gatos. A narrow strip of San Jose separates Campbell on the west from Saratoga.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 14.8 km2 (5.7 mi2). 14.5 km2 (5.6 mi2) of it is land and 0.3 km2 (0.1 mi2) of it is water.
Of the total area, 1.75% is water, consisting of percolation ponds in Los Gatos Creek Park and in other locations; San Tomas Aquino creek, which flows north on the west side of the city and is completely enclosed with fences and runs through concrete culverts; and Los Gatos Creek, which flows north-north-east on the east side of the city and has paths along both banks for hikers and joggers.
California State Route 17 runs roughly parallel to Los Gatos Creek on its eastern side; California State Route 85 runs roughly east-west through Los Gatos just south of Campbell and cuts through the southwest corner of the city.
As of the census of 2000, there are 38,138 people, 15,920 households, and 9,122 families residing in the city. The population density is 2,624.8/km2 (6,802.8/mi2). There are 16,286 housing units at an average density of 1,120.9/km2 (2,905.0/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 72.78% White, 2.53% African American, 0.65% Native American, 14.16% Asian, 0.23% Pacific Islander, 4.87% from other races, and 4.77% from two or more races. 13.33% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 15,920 households out of which 28.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.6% are married couples living together, 10.1% have a female householder with no husband present, and 42.7% are non-families. 30.4% of all households are made up of individuals and 7.0% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.38 and the average family size is 3.02.
In the city the population is spread out with 21.6% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 40.2% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 9.7% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 35 years. For every 100 females there are 98.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 96.7 males.
About 48% of the adult population has at least one college-level degree.
The median income for a household in the city is $67,214, and the median income for a family is $78,663. Males have a median income of $52,454 versus $43,750 for females. The per capita income for the city is $34,441. 4.8% of the population and 3.2% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 4.2% of those under the age of 18 and 8.3% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Campbell was founded by Benjamin Campbell, after whom the city was named. He came to California in 1846 with his father, William Campbell. William started a sawmill in Saratoga and surveyed the cities of San Jose and Santa Clara. In 1851, Benjamin bought 160 acres in southern Santa Clara Valley and cultivated hay and grain on it. This area later became Campbell's historical downtown core.
In 1878, Campbell sold his land for $5 an acre to a railroad company. By 1887, the first subdivision was recorded west of the railroad from Campbell Avenue to the spot where the Water Tower Plaza now stands. The area became the center for shipping fruit grown in the surrounding area, and within a short time, the drying grounds and canneries made Campbell an important rail center. The Campbell Fruit Growers' Union became a well-known cooperative with its 17 acre drying yard. J.C. Ainsley Packing Company, Hyde Cannery, and Payne Cannery were the main fruit packing companies. The Bank of Campbell was founded in 1895.
Campbell was officially incorporated as a city in 1952. The city then grew rapidly as orchard lands disappeared tract by tract. Today, Campbell is a quiet suburban residential neighborhood in the southern part of the Santa Clara Valley.
Source:
CampbellCalifornia.com
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