City, San Diego County
© McCormack's Guides
Zip Codes: 91950, 91951
Located
just south of downtown San Diego. Population 61,194. Older city, incorporated
in 1887. It built steadily after World War II but little in recent years. www.mccormacks.com
Changes
coming. City intends to build 4,800 housing units, mostly condos and seniors
apartments, the pace to be determined by the market. National City is about
built out. The city is clearing lots and building high-rises (24 stories) for
the condos.
Good
choice of entry-level housing, especially near downtown. South and east sides
have newer, bigger homes. Squarish town, about 40 blocks east-west, 33 blocks
north-south.
Click for regional or detailed map
The state
in 2008 counted 15,721 housing units, of which 6,829 were single-family
detached, 1,405 single attached, 7,050 multiples and 437 mobile homes.
School
rankings 20th to 50th percentile. Served by National Elementary district, and
Sweetwater High district, middle and high schools. In 2001, Sweetwater passed a
renovation-construction bond. See Schools.
Four
homicides in 2005. For previous
years were 5, 9, 4, 1, 4, 5, 5, 4, 8, 10, 8, 7, 7, 13, 6. See Crime. www.mccormacks.com
In 2006,
National City voters approved a 1 percent increase in the sales tax, from 7.75
percent to 8.75. City hall was
running a deficit and in response cutting programs and not replacing cops when
they left the force.
The tax
hike will cover the shortage and restore some services and the police
department.
West side
fronts on San Diego Bay. Many industries-businesses connected with Navy but
port also handles commercial goods, such as cars.
The
Chargers (NFL football) are looking for a site to build a stadium. The National
City waterfront is among the possibilities.
Transition
town. Home prices and rents are lower than in other communities, so it attracts
newcomers, immigrants and people of modest means. Towns like National City often
have struggling schools and, in some neighborhoods, troublesome crime. www.mccormacks.com
National
City, however, has solid pluses, foremost a strong tax base built around two
shopping malls (Plaza Bonita and South Bay Plaza), hotels and auto dealerships.
But critics, pointing to the deficit, said that the city needs to attract even
more businesses, cut pensions and do a better job of managing its money.
New police
station, fire station, civic center and library. City is building marina and
promoting waterfront dining. Community college branch campus. Wal-Mart.
Streets
wide, clean, and, except for gentle hills, flat. Lawns are cared for but in
many instances brown in the summer— the sun. Palms and other trees grace
the streets. National City also has some Victorians.
Nice-looking
town, which civic leaders hope to improve through redevelopment (a tax
capture-civic investment plan). The city has renovated housing in the downtown.
The east side rises into a tall hill dotted with homes. Great Views.
National
City reaches into the Bonita Valley, where upscale housing has been built. www.mccormacks.com
Five miles from downtown San Diego. Two
freeways. Buses, trolleys. Short commute to job centers.
Fishing pier, large parks, golf course,
library. Usual sports and activities. Annual auto show features antique cars.
Town swimming pool reopened in 2006 after $2 million renovation.
Land used
to be called “Rancho de la Nacion” — hence National City.
Chamber of
commerce (619) 477-9339.
• With the
slow down in the housing market, the number of condos to be built might be
reduced, newspaper reports. www.mccormacks.com
City web
site: www.ci.national-city.ca.us
