Fountain Valley

Fountain Valley is a city located in Orange County, California, United States. It is bordered by Huntington Beach to the west and south, Westminster and Garden Grove to the north, Santa Ana to the northwest, and Costa Mesa to the east. The city is named after the very high water table in the area at the time the name was chosen, and the many corresponding artesian wells in the area.

History

Fountain Valley was originally inhabited by the Tongva people, also known as the Gabrielinos, who called the area "Chinigchinich". The city was incorporated in 1957, before which it was known as Talbert. The name of Fountain Valley refers to the very high water table in the area at the time the name was chosen, and the many corresponding artesian wells in the area.

Geography

Fountain Valley is located at 33°42′31″N 117°57′23″W. The city covers a total area of 23.4 square kilometers, of which 23.3 square kilometers is land and 0.1 square kilometers is water. The elevation of the city is 33 feet (10 m) above sea level.

Demographics

As of the 2010 United States Census, the population of Fountain Valley was 55,313. The racial makeup of the city was predominantly White and Asian, with a small percentage of other races.

Economy

Fountain Valley is home to several notable companies, including Hyundai Motor America, Kingston Technology, D-Link Corporation, and Surefire, LLC. The city also hosts the national headquarters of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses.

Education

Fountain Valley is served by two school districts: the Fountain Valley School District and the Huntington Beach Union High School District. There are also several private schools in the city.

Government

Fountain Valley is a general law city, meaning it does not have a charter. The city council consists of five members, who serve four-year terms. The mayor is chosen annually by the city council.

Notable people

Several notable individuals hail from Fountain Valley, including actors Michelle Pfeiffer and Ken Jeong, and professional baseball player C.J. Wilson.

See also

• List of cities and towns in California
• Orange County, California