Banning, California

From Wikipedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Script error: No such module "Settlement short description".

Banning, California
City
A view of Banning from Hwy 243
A view of Banning from Hwy 243
Template:Infobox settlement/columns
Nickname(s): 
"Gateway to the Coachella Valley"
Motto(s): 
"Endless Opportunity"
Template:Location map
Coordinates: 33°55′54″N 116°53′51″W / 33.93167°N 116.89750°W / 33.93167; -116.89750Coordinates: 33°55′54″N 116°53′51″W / 33.93167°N 116.89750°W / 33.93167; -116.89750
Country United States
StateTemplate:Country data California
CountyRiverside
IncorporatedFebruary 6, 1913 [1]
Government
 • TypeCouncil-Manager
 • BodyBanning City Council
- Leroy Miller
- Cindy Barrington
- Sheri Flynn
- Richard Royce
- Colleen Wallace
 • MayorSheri Flynn
 • Mayor Pro TemRichard Royce
 • ManagerArt Vela (interim)
Area
[2]
 • TotalTemplate:Infobox settlement/areadisp
 • LandTemplate:Infobox settlement/areadisp
 • WaterTemplate:Infobox settlement/areadisp  0%
Elevation
[3]
Template:Infobox settlement/lengthdisp
Population
 (2020)
 • Total29,505
 • DensityTemplate:Infobox settlement/densdisp
Time zoneUTC-8 (Pacific)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP code
92220
Area code951
FIPS codeTemplate:FIPS
GNIS feature IDsTemplate:GNIS 4, Template:GNIS 4
Websitewww.banning.ca.us

Banning is a city in Riverside County, California, United States. Its population was 29,505 as of the 2020 census, down from 29,603 at the 2010 census. It is situated in the San Gorgonio Pass, also known as Banning Pass. It is named for Phineas Banning, stagecoach line owner and the "Father of the Port of Los Angeles."

Banning shares geographic and regional features with its western neighbor, the city of Beaumont. Banning and Beaumont have been rapidly growing in size and population since the 1990s. Both cities are about 80 miles east of downtown Los Angeles and 30 miles west of Palm Springs, both connected by freeway and railroad.

History

[edit | edit source]

Etymology

[edit | edit source]
See also: List of Riverside County, California, placename etymologies: Banning

Initially named Moore City, by Ransom B. Moore, within only a few months the town was renamed for Phineas Banning, "Father of the Port of Los Angeles", who had pastured sheep in the San Gorgonio Pass area, and operated a stagecoach that ran through the Pass.[4]

Early history

[edit | edit source]

The area, up to the mid-19th century, was inhabited by the Cahuilla people, though the region around Banning was originally Maringayam (Serrano); the Cahuilla expansion into the pass occurred only late in recent, documented history. In 1824, the Mission San Gabriel Arcángel established the Rancho San Gorgonio in the pass. The first Anglo to settle in the area was Dr. Isaac Smith in 1853. In 1863, a smallpox epidemic further diminished the Cahuilla. The Indian reservations for the Cahuilla were established in 1877.

The settlement that was to become Banning developed in coincidence with the start of the Colorado River Gold Rush. The Bradshaw Trail, which passed through the area in 1862, was a wagon road to the gold boomtowns of the Arizona Territory. Gilman's Ranch, north of downtown, served as a station for the stagecoach lines on this road.[5] The railroad followed, passing through the town in 1876. The Southern Pacific (later purchased by Union Pacific) railroad was a major contributor to the area's growth. U.S. Route 99 was built in 1923, followed by U.S. Route 60/70 in 1936, and subsequently Interstate 10.

Banning borders the Morongo Indian Reservation, home to the Morongo Band of Cahuilla (Mission) Indians. Relations with reservation residents have been strained by disputes over water rights. Dorothy Ramon's book Always Believe (published 2000) depicts a Maringayam's views on Banning and reservation life.

Prior to the name Banning, the settlement was called Moore City. Ransom B. Moore operated a large cattle ranch and was later a member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, settling in the area and nearby San Gorgonio mountains in the early 1860s. Moore sold his holdings and relocated to central Arizona in 1883.

The town of Banning was incorporated on February 6, 1913.

Almond production

[edit | edit source]
File:Logo of Banning, California (2005–2020).png
The old seal of Banning, pre 2019

In the early 20th century, the area immediately around Banning was considered well fitted to almond culture, and was known as the oldest almond growing district in southern California.[6]

Indian School and cemetery

[edit | edit source]

The St. Boniface Indian Industrial School was opened in 1890, providing vocational education to Cahuilla, Serrano, Luiseño, Kumeyaay, and other American Indians.[7][8] Bishop Francisco Mora y Borrell authorized the school and Mother Katharine Drexel provided funding to the Bureau of Catholic Indian Missions for purchase of the land, construction, and operations.[9][10] Over its history, about 8,000 students attended the school which was demolished in 1974.[9] A small abandoned cemetery remains.[11]

World War II

[edit | edit source]

During World War II, Banning was the site of the 1,000-bed Banning General Hospital. It supported training at the Desert Training Center and was later used as a naval convalescent hospital. The facilities were dismantled in 1948.

File:Art of Banning.jpg
City of Banning, public art
File:Ringofhonor.jpg
City of Banning Ring of Honor

In 1942 the citizens of Banning raised funds for the purchase of an M3 Stuart tank to support the war effort. After the war the tank was given to the South African Defence Force. The tank, named "City of Johannesburg", is preserved at a local museum in Richmond, Natal Province, South Africa.[12]

Geography

[edit | edit source]

Banning is located at 33°55′54″N 116°53′51″W / 33.93167°N 116.89750°W / 33.93167; -116.89750 (33.931729, -116.897557).[13]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 23.1 square miles (60 km2), all of it land.

Banning's elevation is approximately 2,300 feet (700 m) above sea level, which gives it a cooler climate in contrast to the county seat of Riverside at 800 feet (240 m) above sea level and the Coachella Valley of the Colorado Desert to the east.

Banning is traversed by the San Andreas Fault which created the pass in which the city is situated.

Banning is 25 miles (40 km) west of Palm Springs and 100 miles (160 km) east of Los Angeles.[14]

Climate

[edit | edit source]

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Banning has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, abbreviated "Csa" on climate maps.[15]

Demographics

[edit | edit source]

Racial and ethnic composition

[edit | edit source]
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 1980[16] Pop 1990[17] Pop 2000[18] Pop 2010[19] Pop 2020[20] % 1980 % 1990 % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 9,329 12,257 12,354 12,858 10,964 66.54% 59.59% 52.43% 43.43% 37.16%
Black or African American alone (NH) 1,775 1,859 1,915 2,023 2,112 12.66% 9.04% 8.13% 6.83% 7.16%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 264 308 376 365 316 1.88% 1.50% 1.60% 1.23% 1.07%
Asian alone (NH) 73 1,328 1,250 1,510 1,697 0.52% 6.46% 5.31% 5.10% 5.76%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) 18 34 26 0.08% 0.11% 0.09%
Other race alone (NH) 48 42 31 32 117 0.34% 0.20% 0.13% 0.11% 0.40%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) x x 499 600 846 x x 2.12% 2.03% 2.87%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 2,531 4,776 7,119 12,181 13,427 18.05% 23.22% 30.21% 41.15% 45.51%
Total 14,020 20,570 23,562 29,603 29,505 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

Template:US Census population

2020 census

[edit | edit source]

As of the 2020 census, Banning had a population of 29,505 and a population density of 1,269.7 inhabitants per square mile (490.2/km2). The census reported that 98.8% of residents lived in households, 0.5% lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0.7% were institutionalized.[21]

The median age was 45.0 years; 21.0% of residents were under the age of 18, 7.1% were from 18 to 24, 21.8% were from 25 to 44, 22.0% were from 45 to 64, and 28.1% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 90.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 85.8 males.[21]

Overall, 95.3% of residents lived in urban areas, while 4.7% lived in rural areas.[22]

There were 11,256 households in Banning; 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living in them, 43.0% were married-couple households, 6.9% were cohabiting couple households, 16.9% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 33.2% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 29.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59.[21] There were 7,254 families (64.4% of all households).[23]

There were 11,961 housing units at an average density of 514.7 units per square mile (198.7 units/km2), of which 5.9% were vacant. Of the occupied housing units, 67.4% were owner-occupied and 32.6% were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.7% and the rental vacancy rate was 4.9%.[21]

Racial composition as of the 2020 census[24]
Race Number Percent
White 13,658 46.3%
Black or African American 2,278 7.7%
American Indian and Alaska Native 722 2.4%
Asian 1,779 6.0%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 28 0.1%
Some other race 7,023 23.8%
Two or more races 4,017 13.6%
Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 13,427 45.5%

2023 estimates

[edit | edit source]

In 2023, the US Census Bureau estimated that 18.3% of the population were foreign-born. Of all people aged 5 or older, 63.7% spoke only English at home, 30.7% spoke Spanish, 2.2% spoke other Indo-European languages, 3.1% spoke Asian or Pacific Islander languages, and 0.3% spoke other languages. Of those aged 25 or older, 82.1% were high school graduates and 17.4% had a bachelor's degree.[25]

The median household income was $57,699, and the per capita income was $31,352. About 15.5% of families and 19.0% of the population were below the poverty line.[26]

Arts and culture

[edit | edit source]

Events

[edit | edit source]

Banning Stagecoach Days has been held annually since 1957 in recognition of the city's historic ties to the original stagecoach line that passed through the area in the late 1800s, and because the city's namesake, Phineas Banning, was himself a stagecoach operator. Currently, each year the event is operated by the non-profit "Stagecoach Days Association", and held at the AC Dysart Equestrian Park in Banning.[27]

Official song

[edit | edit source]

The city has an official song written by Jimmy Francis. The song was selected on October 24, 1941 by representatives of various civic groups of the city.[28]

Points of Interest

[edit | edit source]
  • Gilman Ranch Historic Park
    • Gilman Historic Ranch and Wagon Museum

Government

[edit | edit source]
Banning vote by party in presidential elections[29]
Year Democratic Republican Third Parties
2024[30] 47.07% 5,935 50.50% 6,367 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|2.43% 306
2020[31] 50.20% 6,312 47.77% 6,006 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|2.03% 255
2016[32] 46.26% 4,728 49.21% 5,030 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|4.53% 463
2012[33] 46.90% 4,575 51.43% 5,016 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|1.67% 163
2008[34] 46.61% 4,854 51.56% 5,369 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|1.82% 190
2004[35] 42.28% 4,353 56.84% 5,852 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|0.87% 90
2000[36] 47.51% 4,012 49.46% 4,176 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|3.03% 256
1996[37] 46.42% 3,539 43.89% 3,346 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|9.69% 739
1992[38] 44.17% 3,488 36.06% 2,848 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|19.77% 1,561

City

[edit | edit source]

Banning is a general law city as opposed to a charter city. The elected government consists of the Banning City Council which operates under a council-manager government. Richard Royce was appointed as Mayor and Cindy Barrington as Mayor Pro Tem as of January 2026[39]. There are 5 city council districts. The current interim City Manager is Art Vela, who assumed the position after the city council voted to place the previous City Manager, Doug Schulze, on leave.[40]

The city has departments and appointed officers, including the Banning Police Department (BPD).

Federal and state representation

[edit | edit source]

In the California State Legislature, Banning is in Template:Representative, and in Template:Representative.[41]

In the United States House of Representatives, Banning is in Template:Representative.[42]

Public services

[edit | edit source]

Safety

[edit | edit source]

Banning has had its own police force since shortly after its 1913 incorporation, and for many years also had a regional station of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department (which has moved eastward to neighboring Cabazon). The Beaumont, Palm Springs, Cathedral City, and Desert Hot Springs Police Departments also provide assistance in a major emergency, as well as the California Highway Patrol out of the Beaumont regional station. Additionally, the Morongo Tribal Police Department also serves the Morongo Reservation and surrounding communities.

The city of Banning contracts for fire and paramedic services with the Riverside County Fire Department through a cooperative agreement with CAL FIRE.[43]

Education

[edit | edit source]

Most of Banning is within Banning Unified School District while a portion of it, along with most of nearby Beaumont, is within the Beaumont Unified School District.[44] Schools in the Banning USD are:

  • Banning High School
  • Cabazon Elementary
  • Central Elementary
  • Coombs Alternative Education
  • Hemmerling Elementary
  • Hoffer Elementary
  • New Horizons High (Independent Studies)
  • Nicolet Middle

The city is served by Mt. San Jacinto College, a regional community college whose San Gorgonio Pass Campus is located within the city.

Former school:

Transportation

[edit | edit source]

Banning is served by Interstate 10, which connects the city to Los Angeles in the west and the Coachella Valley in the east. The northern terminus of State Route 243, which runs south to Idyllwild and Mountain Center, is located in the city.

City-owned Banning Municipal Airport, FAA designator: BNG, has a 5,200-foot (1,600 m) runway.

City-owned Pass Transit operates three fixed-route buses. SunLine Transit Agency provides service to Palm Desert and Riverside. Riverside Transit Agency provides connecting service to Hemet and Moreno Valley.[45]

Health care

[edit | edit source]

San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital is a General Acute Care Hospital in Banning with Basic Emergency Services as of 2005.[46]

Cemetery

[edit | edit source]

The Summit Cemetery District operates the San Gorgonio Memorial Park, which was originally established in 1931 as the Banning-Cabazon Cemetery District.[47][48][49] Notable burials include Medal of Honor recipient William Powers Morris.[50]

Library

[edit | edit source]

The Banning Library District operates the Banning Public Library, which was established in 1916 as the Banning Unified School District Library District and became an independent special district in 2005.[51]

[edit | edit source]

Notable residents

[edit | edit source]

References

[edit | edit source]
  1. ↑ "The History of Economic Development in Banning | Banning, CA – Official Website". banningca.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  2. ↑ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
  3. ↑ Template:Cite GNIS
  4. ↑ Gunther, Jane Davies (1984). Riverside County, California, Place Names; Their Origins and Their Stories. Riverside, California. p. 332.
  5. ↑ Topographical Sketch showing the Outward and Inward Route of a Party, while examining as to the practicability of a Diversion of the Colorado River for Purposes of Irrigation, Lithograph by Eric Bergland, 1875. From, Wheeler, G.M., Topographical Atlas Projected To Illustrate United States Geographical Surveys West Of The 100th Meridian Of Longitude Prosecuted In Accordance With Acts Of Congress Under The Authority Of The Honorable The Secretary Of War, And The Direction Of Brig. Genl. A.A. Humphreys, Chief Of Engineers, U.S. Army. Embracing Results Of the Different Expeditions Under The Command Of 1st Lieut. Geo. M. Wheeler, Corps Of Engineers. Julius Bien, lith., G. Thompson, Washington, 1876. Names and distances between stations and watering places on the Bradshaw Trail taken from this survey map.
  6. ↑ The Almond in California, R. H. Taylor. Bulletin No. 297, August 1918, University of California Press, Berkeley. p. 18. https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/66711
  7. ↑ Murkland, Pat (May 10, 2009). "Inside St. Boniface". Ahunika'. Dorothy Ramon Learning Center.
  8. ↑ Harley, Bruce (1994). Readings in Diocesan Heritage. 8, Seek and ye shall find: St. Boniface Indian Industrial School, 1888–1978. San Bernardino, CA: Diocese of San Bernardino. pp. i–137. OCLC 29934736.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "The St. Boniface Indian/Industrial School" (PDF). Banning Record Gazette. Banning Public Library. September 9, 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 6, 2014. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  10. ↑ Rathbun, Tanya L. (2006). "6. Hail Mary: The Catholic Experience at St. Boniface Indian School". In Clifford E. Trafzer; Jean A. Keller; Lorene Sisquoc (eds.). Boarding House Blues: Revisiting American Indian Educational Experiences. University of Nebraska Press. ISBN 978-0803244467. OCLC 63703921.
  11. ↑ Holtzclaw, Kenneth M. (2006). Banning. Arcadia Publishing. p. 11. ISBN 978-0738529929.
  12. ↑ Charmain Coulson (1985). Beaulieu-on-Illovo: Richmond Natal, its people and history. Richmond Women's League and Institute. p. 324. ISBN 978-0620103954
  13. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  14. ↑ Kline, Andrew (Demand Media). "Airports Near Banning, California." USA Today. Retrieved on August 9, 2013.
  15. ↑ "Banning, California Köppen Climate Classification". Weatherbase. Retrieved December 14, 2016.
  16. ↑ "1980 California Census" (PDF).
  17. ↑ "California 1990 Census" (PDF).
  18. ↑ "2000 Data Census Bureau United States".
  19. ↑ "2010 Data Census Bureau United States".
  20. ↑ "2020 Data Census Bureau United States".
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved March 28, 2026.
  22. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved March 28, 2026.
  23. ↑ "Banning city, California; P16: Household Type - 2020 Census of Population and Housing". US Census Bureau. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
  24. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved March 28, 2026.
  25. ↑ "Banning city, California; CP02: Comparative Social Characteristics in the United States - 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates Comparison Profiles". US Census Bureau. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
  26. ↑ "Banning city, California; DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics - 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates Comparison Profiles". US Census Bureau. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
  27. ↑ "Stagecoach Committee". Banning Stagecoach Days. Stagecoach Days Association. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  28. ↑ "laserfiche". portal.laserfiche.com. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  29. ↑ "Statewide Election Results :: California Secretary of State". www.sos.ca.gov.
  30. ↑ "Results" (PDF). elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov. 2024. Retrieved December 5, 2025.
  31. ↑ "Results" (PDF). elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov. 2020. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  32. ↑ "Results" (PDF). elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov. 2016. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  33. ↑ "Results" (PDF). elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov. 2012. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  34. ↑ "Results" (PDF). elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov. 2008. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  35. ↑ "Results" (PDF). elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov. 2004. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  36. ↑ "Results" (PDF). elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov. 2000. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  37. ↑ "Results" (PDF). elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov. 1996. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  38. ↑ "Results" (PDF). elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov. 1992. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  39. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/CityofBanning/posts/on-december-9th-the-banning-city-council-appointed-a-new-mayor-and-mayor-pro-tem/1293503789485705/
  40. ↑ Schuster, Kat; src="https://patch.com/img/cdn/assets/layout/badges/verified-patch-staff.svg"/>, Patch Staff<img alt="Verified Patch Staff Badge" class="styles_Badge__PNwMX" (February 19, 2025). "Banning City Council Places City Manager On Paid Administrative Leave". Banning-Beaumont, CA Patch. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  41. ↑ "Statewide Database". UC Regents. Archived from the original on February 1, 2015. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  42. ↑ Template:Cite GovTrack
  43. ↑ "Service Area". rvcfire.org. Retrieved December 14, 2016.
  44. ↑ "2020 Census – School District Reference Map: Riverside County, CA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. pp. 2–3 (PDF pp. 3–4/6). Retrieved October 4, 2024. – Text list
  45. ↑ "Bus Schedules | Banning, CA – Official Website". Retrieved October 16, 2019.
  46. ↑ California Department of Health Services
  47. ↑ "Summit Cemetery District: San Gorgonio Memorial Park". Summitcemeterydistrict.com. Retrieved December 14, 2016.
  48. ↑ Template:GNIS
  49. ↑ 33°56′46″N 116°52′43″W / 33.9461°N 116.8786°W / 33.9461; -116.8786
  50. ↑ "William Powers Morris". MilitaryTimes Hall of Valor. Gannett Government Media. Archived from the original on January 1, 2014. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
  51. ↑ "Senate Bill No. 405 : Chapter 20" (PDF). Leginfo.ca.gov. Retrieved December 14, 2016.
  52. ↑ Synopsis by Hal Erickson (April 30, 1950). "D.O.A. (1950) – Rudolph Maté | Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related". AllMovie. Retrieved December 14, 2016.
  53. ↑ "Gilman Historic Ranch and Wagon Museum". RivCoParks.org. Riverside County Regional Park and Open-Space District. Retrieved December 20, 2019.

Further reading

[edit | edit source]
  • Lech, Steve (2004). Along the Old Roads: A History of the Portion of Southern California that became Riverside County: 1772–1893. Riverside, CA: Steve Lech. OCLC 56035822.
[edit | edit source]
  • No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.
  • Template:GNIS

Template:Riverside County, California Template:Inland Empire Template:Greater Los Angeles Area

Retrieved from "https://wiki.tachyony.co.uk/w/index.php?title=Banning,_California&oldid=92017"