San Pablo

City, Contra Costa County

© McCormack's Guides

 

Zip Code: 94806

Bedroom community in West Contra Costa. Small, straddles the freeway, good commute, nice city hall, site of community college, crime troublesome, school scores low. www.mccormacks.com

Some new tracts are gated. Even with its problems, San Pablo continues to attract residents. Population 32,131.

Many small business, one big business that is making a huge difference in San Pablo life. An Indian casino with Las Vegas games. Many jobs. In some years, place pumps over $9 million into the city's treasury (and into amenities: parks, recreation, etc.)  Locals love the casino.

When Richmond moved north after World War II, San Pablo, a village, incorporated as a city to avoid Richmond’s grasp.

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San Pablo boomed after the war because it built a lot of housing for veterans. But as Richmond surrounds San Pablo, the city was destined to remain small.

The population hit 21,500 about 1970, then slipped to 19,500. The 1980s saw a revival. In 1990, the census counted 25,158 residents. Since then, the city has filled in lots with modern, middle-class homes and apartments — about 600 new units between 2000 and 2009. www.mccormacks.com

The 2000 census placed 32 percent of the city under age 18. Many young families, many kids. San Pablo embraced redevelopment, a tax approach that spruces up streets and neighborhoods to make them more presentable to businesses and developers. Striking murals in downtown.

Interstate 80 congestion is infuriating but San Pablo, because it is close to urban centers, is a much better commute than many other towns. Many improvements to freeway.

Seven homicides in 2008. Counts for previous years: 6, 7, 3, 3, 6, 1, 3, 3, 2, 4, 6, 10, 8, 12, 8, 7, 8, 5, 4, 2. See Crime.

Home to Doctors Medical Center. Voters in 2004 approved a $6 million parcel tax to keep Doctors running.

Also home to Contra Costa Community College, enrollment 7,400, part timers and full timers. www.mccormacks.com

K-12 education by the West Contra Costa Unified School District. Many schools are scoring below the 20^th percentile. See Schools.

Both college district and school district have passed bonds to renovate their facilities and add buildings. In 2004, voters said yes to measure to retain sports and electives, and in 2005 voted for another bond, $400 million, that will yield enough money to renovate or rebuild just about every school. State may put up more money. In 2008, voters approved another tax to maintain programs endangered by cutbacks from the state.

State count in 2010 showed 9,968 residences — 4,248 single homes, 852 single attached, 4,050 multiples, 818 mobiles. Home prices vary by age of units. New homes get up in price but not as high as other towns.

Good place to buy first home.

Chamber of commerce (510) 234-2067.

• Community college needs to rebuild but not sure it wants to stay at present site. The Hayward Fault, large and dangerous, runs through the campus.

• Contra Costa College and the school district run a “high school” on the college. The belief is that if high school students are exposed to college, they will study harder and go on to college.

• San Pablo is buying up some mobile home parks and converting them to regular housing with more units per acre.

• Thanks to casino taxes, the city has paid its debts, strengthened its pension fund, hired more cops and cut its utility tax. With the new money, the city also hopes to build a sports park and a community center. The casino employs 540 union workers and draws about 155,000 customers a month.

• Big Fear. Richmond wants to open a bigger casino, which might force the closure of San Pablo's casino. Many arguments over Richmond's plans. San Pablo hopes Richmond rolls craps on this one.

City web site: www.ci.san-pablo.ca.us

March 9, 2010