Ontario, California

Ontario, California
source
Name	Ontario, California
Settlement type	City

Ontario, California is a city located in the Inland Empire region of Southern California, near the San Bernardino Mountains and the Santa Ana River. The city is situated about 35 miles east of Los Angeles and is part of the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area. Ontario is close to several major transportation hubs, including the Ontario International Airport and the Interstate 10 and Interstate 15 highways, which connect it to other cities like San Bernardino, California, Riverside, California, and Pomona, California. The city is also near several institutions of higher education, including the University of California, Riverside, California State University, San Bernardino, and Chaffey College.

Geography

The city of Ontario is located in the southwestern part of San Bernardino County, California, near the Chino Hills and the Pomona Valley. The city's terrain is generally flat, with some gentle slopes and hills, and its elevation ranges from about 900 to 1,100 feet above sea level. Ontario is situated near several major waterways, including the Santa Ana River, the San Bernardino Creek, and the Chino Creek, which flow into the Pacific Ocean via the Santa Ana River and the Newport Bay. The city's climate is characterized by hot summers and mild winters, with average temperatures ranging from about 48°F to 95°F throughout the year, similar to other cities in the region like Fontana, California, Rancho Cucamonga, California, and Upland, California. Ontario is also close to several major parks and recreation areas, including the Chino Hills State Park, the Prado Regional Park, and the Cucamonga-Guasti Regional Park, which offer opportunities for hiking, camping, and outdoor recreation.

History

The area that is now Ontario was originally inhabited by the Tongva and Serrano Native American tribes, who lived in the region for thousands of years before the arrival of European settlers. The city was founded in 1882 by George Chaffey and his brother William Chaffey, who established the Ontario Land and Improvement Company to develop the area. The city was named after the Ontario, Canada, and was designed to be a major agricultural center, with a focus on citrus and vineyard production. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Ontario experienced rapid growth and development, driven by the expansion of the Southern Pacific Railroad and the construction of the Interstate 10 highway, which connected the city to other major urban centers like Los Angeles, San Diego, California, and Phoenix, Arizona. The city was also home to several major industries, including the Ontario International Airport, which was established in 1923, and the General Electric aircraft engine plant, which was built during World War II.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, the city of Ontario had a population of approximately 181,000 people, with a diverse range of ethnic and racial groups, including Hispanic and Latino Americans, White Americans, Asian Americans, and African Americans. The city's population is also characterized by a relatively young age profile, with a median age of about 32 years, and a high percentage of families with children, similar to other cities in the region like Corona, California, Moreno Valley, California, and Rialto, California. Ontario is also home to a large and diverse economy, with major industries including logistics, manufacturing, and healthcare, and a strong presence of companies like UPS, FedEx, and Kaiser Permanente. The city is also served by several major healthcare providers, including the Ontario Medical Center and the San Antonio Regional Hospital, which are part of the Prime Healthcare and Dignity Health systems.

Economy

The economy of Ontario is driven by a diverse range of industries, including logistics, manufacturing, healthcare, and tourism. The city is home to several major companies, including UPS, FedEx, and Kaiser Permanente, and has a strong presence of small and medium-sized businesses, particularly in the retail and food service sectors. Ontario is also a major center for international trade, with the Ontario International Airport serving as a key hub for the movement of goods and people, and the city is part of the Foreign Trade Zone program, which provides incentives for companies to locate and expand in the area. The city is also close to several major research institutions, including the University of California, Riverside, California State University, San Bernardino, and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which are involved in a range of research and development activities, including space exploration, biotechnology, and renewable energy.

Government

The city of Ontario is governed by a council-manager form of government, with a seven-member city council and a city manager who is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the city. The city is also part of the San Bernardino County, California system, and is represented by several elected officials, including the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors and the California State Legislature. Ontario is also home to several major government agencies, including the Ontario Police Department, the Ontario Fire Department, and the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, which provide a range of public safety and law enforcement services to the community. The city is also served by several major transportation agencies, including the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority and the Metrolink commuter rail system, which connect Ontario to other cities in the region like Los Angeles, San Diego, California, and Riverside, California.

Education

The city of Ontario is served by several major school districts, including the Ontario-Montclair School District and the Chaffey Joint Union High School District, which operate a range of elementary, middle, and high schools in the area. The city is also home to several institutions of higher education, including the Chaffey College and the University of La Verne, which offer a range of academic programs and degree options. Ontario is also close to several other major universities and colleges, including the University of California, Riverside, California State University, San Bernardino, and the Claremont Colleges, which are involved in a range of research and academic activities, including science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, as well as the humanities and social sciences. The city is also served by several major libraries, including the Ontario City Library and the San Bernardino County Library, which provide a range of resources and services to the community. Category:Inland Empire