Fontana is a city in San Bernardino County, California, United States. Founded by Azariel Blanchard Miller in 1913, it remained essentially rural until World War II, when entrepreneur Henry J. Kaiser built a large steel mill in the area. It is now a regional hub of the trucking industry, with the eastwest Interstate 10 and State Route 210 crossing the city and Interstate 15 passing diagonally through its northwestern quadrant. The city is about 46 miles (east of Los Angeles.
The United States Census Bureau reported that Fontana's 2020 population was 208,393, making it the second-most-populous city in San Bernardino County and the 20th largest in the state.
Native Americans inhabited the area.
Fontana, formerly Rosena from 1898 to 1919, was founded in 1919 by Azariel Blanchard Miller. The name fontana is Italian for fountain or water source; the city is close to the Santa Ana River to the east. Within a few years, it became an agricultural town of citrus orchards, vineyards and chicken ranches and astride U.S. Route 66 (known as Foothill Boulevard). The Fontana area was radically transformed during World War II when Henry J. Kaiser built the Kaiser Steel plant just outside the city limits. At the time, it was one of only two steel mills west of the Mississippi River. To provide for the plant workers' health needs, Henry J. Kaiser constructed the Fontana Kaiser Permanente medical facility, now the largest managed care organization in the United States.
In the 1950s and 1960s, Fontana was home to a drag racing strip that was a venue in the NHRA circuit. Mickey Thompson's Fontana International Dragway was also referred to as Fontana Drag City or Fontana Drag Strip. The original Fontana strip is gone, but the owners of NASCAR's new Auto Club Speedway opened a NHRA-sanctioned drag strip just oustside Fontana in mid-2006.
Ro-Val's automobile museum, located on Foothill Boulevard on the western outskirts between Fontana and Cucamonga, was the home for many classic automobiles of the 1920s and 1930s, including a huge vehicle once owned by screen actor Fatty Arbuckle. When the Ro-Val museum closed, the vehicles were sold to Bill Harrah, a Nevada casino owner and automobile collector, who placed them on display in the museum located at his casino.
In 2000, the city had a total population of 128,929; by 2020, the city had 212,704 residents. This rapid growth was largely due to the numerous large, new residential developments built in the sparsely populated northern part of the city, as well as with the city's aggressive (highly successful) campaign to annex several unincorporated, but developed, San Bernardino County areas in 20062007.
In 2019, the California Air Resources Board advised the City against housing people within 1,000 feet of industrial warehouses because of harmful truck pollution. The city was also sued by San Bernardino County, the Center for Biological Diversity, the Sierra Club and the Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice over the approval of West Valley Logistics Center, which violated state environmental laws.
In 2021, the city was sued by the State of California Attorney General's office for violation of the California Environmental Quality Act by encouraging warehouse development in low-income areas.
Most of the city of Fontana, like its eastern neighbors Rialto and San Bernardino, is built atop a geologically young, gently southward-sloping alluvial fan from nearby Lytle Creek, deposited mainly during the Holocene and late-Pleistocene epochs. There are also sedimentary deposits of similar age from Etiwanda Creek on the western edge of the city. However, the northern and southern edges of the city are formed by the much older San Gabriel and Jurupa mountain ranges, respectively. The Jurupa Mountains are composed primarily of Cretaceous and Paleozoic-era rocks, as are the San Gabriels, which also include even older, Proterozoic formations. The most prominent of the San Gabriel Mountains visible from Fontana is Cucamonga Peak, elevation 8,859 feet (Additionally, the Cucamonga Fault Zone, contiguous with the Sierra Madre Fault Zone, runs through the northern part of the city, along the base of the San Gabriels, notably through the Hunter's Ridge and Coyote Canyon planned communities. It is estimated to be capable of producing earthquakes approximately of magnitude 6.0-7.0.
The city's listed elevation, measured from the northeast corner of the intersection of Upland Avenue and Sierra Avenue, downtown by City Hall, is 1,237 feet (The highest elevation within the city limits is approximately 2,600 feet (in the northernmost part of the Panorama neighborhood of Hunter's Ridge. The lowest point within the city limits is approximately 840 feet (at the intersection of Etiwanda and Philadelphia avenues, in the extreme southwestern corner of the city. This difference in elevation is due to the southward slope of the Lytle Creek alluvial fan.
The city is frequently affected by the strong, hot and dry Santa Ana winds as they blow through the nearby Cajon Pass of the San Gabriel Mountains, from the Mojave Desert. Fontana can also be extremely hot in summer, well over 100F (2010 United States Census reported that Fontana had a population of 196,069. The population density was 4,620.8 inhabitants per square mile (The racial makeup of Fontana was 92,978 (White (Non-Hispanic White), 19,574 (African American, 1,957 (Native American, 12,948 (Asian, 547 (Pacific Islander, 58,449 (from other races, and 9,616 (from two or more races. There were 130,957 people of Hispanic or Latino origin, of any race (Census reported that 195,625 people (of the population) lived in households, 216 (lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 228 (were institutionalized.
There were 49,116 households, out of which 29,465 (had children under the age of 18 living in them, 30,245 (were opposite-sex married couples living together, 8,074 (had a female householder with no husband present, 4,125 (had a male householder with no wife present. There were 3,447 (unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 317 (same-sex married couples or partnerships. 4,801 households (were made up of individuals, and 1,633 (had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.98. There were 42,444 families (of all households); the average family size was 4.18.
In the city, 64,521 people (were under the age of 18, 22,995 people (aged 18 to 24, 57,646 people (aged 25 to 44, 39,823 people (aged 45 to 64, and 11,084 people (were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28.7 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.7 males.
There were 51,857 housing units at an average density of 1,222.1 unitsper square mile (units/km2), of which 33,862 (were owner-occupied, and 15,254 (were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.6%; the rental vacancy rate was 6.0%. 134,857 people (of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 60,768 people (lived in rental housing units.
According to the 2010 United States Census, Fontana had a median household income of $64,195, with 15.0% of the population living below the federal poverty line.
As of the census of 2000, there were 128,929 people, 34,014 households, and 29,013 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,569.7 inhabitants per square mile (There were 35,908 housing units at an average density of 994.2 unitsper square mile (units/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 45.0% White, 11.8% African American, 1.1% Native American, 4.4% Asian, 0.3% Pacific Islander, 31.9% from other races, and 5.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 57.7% of the population.
There were 34,014 households, out of which 57.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.5% were married couples living together, 15.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 14.7% were non-families. 10.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.8 and the average family size was 4.0.
In the city, 37.8% of the population was under the age of 18, 10.3% was from 18 to 24, 32.4% from 25 to 44, 14.7% from 45 to 64, and 4.7% was 65 years of age or older. The median age was 26 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $45,782, and the median income for a family was $46,957. Males had a median income of $36,062 versus $26,305 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,208. About 12.2% of families and 14.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.2% of those under age 18 and 10.3% of those age 65 or over.
Fontana's economy is driven largely by industrial uses, particularly trucking-based industries. Public funding assists in reducing the associated pollution impacts the community.
According to the city's 2023 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:
The Center Stage Theater was built in the Art Deco style in 1937, and designed by architect C.H. Boller. The former Fontana (Theater was recently renovated during 20042008 after several decades of various other uses, into a live dinner theater, with $6,000,000 in funds earmarked by the Fontana City Council. It reopened to the public on July 25, 2008.
The Art Depot is one of Fontana's original community centers, and is a specialized Cultural Arts facility. Originally built as a freight depot of the Pacific Electric Railway in 1915, the Art Depot sits alongside the newly landscaped Pacific Electric Trail in the Helen Putnam Historical Plaza. The Art Depot offers art classes, open studio activities, and special events.
Auto Club Speedway, was a racetrack that played host to the NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Series, along with former IndyCar Series events. It is located in an unincorporated area just outside of Fontana. It is built on the former site of the Kaiser Steel mill. The large smelting furnaces of the mill were sold to China, and the rest remains a working steel mill operated by California Steel Industries, which is owned by the Japanese company JFE Steel Corporation. The track is currently transforming from a 2-mile oval into a 0.5 mile long short track that is similar in style to the Bristol Motor Speedway. In 2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic forced demolition to be pushed back a year.
The Lewis Library and Technology Center, opened in 2008 at an estimated cost of over $60,000,000, is the largest library in the San Bernardino County Library System.
Martin Tudor Jurupa Hills Regional Park, is a 861-acre (multi-use park at the northeastern end of Mount Jurupa. The park includes the Mary Vagle Museum & Nature Center, the Martin Tudor Splash Park, and a 5-acre (ancient Native American historic site.
The Cypress Neighborhood Center has in Fontana for over 30 years. Since then, it has undergone some renovations and changed some of its programming.[citation needed] The programming includes ballet, dance, karate, kickboxing, and a Tiny Tot program.
The Don Day Neighborhood Center is a community recreation center located in South Fontana. Attached to the center is an outside pool that is only opened for the summer. They have open rooms used for programs like mixed martial arts, dance, fitness, gymnastics and events. There is a Tiny Tot Program affiliated with the center as well.
The center is also combined with Southridge Park, which has tennis courts, basketball courts, mountain bike trails, baseball fields, playgrounds, and open spaces.
Upon opening to the public on October 25, 2008, Fontana Park (in the northern part of the city at Summit Avenue and Lytle Creek Road), is now the city's second largest municipal park, featuring a large community center (Turner Health and Fitness Community Center), aquatic center, skate park, dog park, basketball gym, sports pavilion, and several child-oriented play areas.
Fontana is a general law city; it has no city charter. Led by a council composed of a mayor and four councilmembers, it uses a council-manager form of government. The mayor, city clerk, and city treasurer are elected at-large to serve four-year terms, while councilmembers are elected by district, also serving four-year terms.
According to the city's most recent Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the city's various funds had $348.0 million in Revenues, $224.0 million in expenditures, $1,371.6 million in total assets, $754.1 million in total liabilities, and $251.3 million in cash and investments.
In 2021, city leadership was criticized by the California State Controller's Office for paying former city manager Ken Hunt $932,623 in 2020, though he had not worked a single day. The city mayor and city council declined to explain why such compensation was warranted for a city manager who had not worked in the city since 2019. The city council also failed to follow the Brown Act, which requires public agencies to specifically list closed-session items for terminations.
In the California State Legislature, Fontana is in the 20th Senate District, represented by Democrat Caroline Menjivar, and in the 47th Assembly District, represented by Republican Greg Wallis.
In the United States House of Representatives, Fontana is split between California's 33rd and 35th districts, which are represented by Democrat Pete Aguilar and Democrat Norma Torres, respectively.
While most residents of the city attend schools within the Fontana Unified School District, some areas of the city are served by neighboring school districts:
There are two options for youth charter schools in Fontana. These schools are chartered through the Victor Valley Union High School District and offer an independent study program and small group classes to obtain a high school diploma.A new charter school will also be ASA Fontana (grade) located inside Locust school in the Fontana school district
The Metrolink rail service to the greater Los Angeles area has a station that runs through the center of town, connecting to downtown Los Angeles and San Bernardino. The city of Fontana is ten minutes away from Ontario International Airport.
The city is served by Omnitrans bus service. and VVTA.Private transportation operators that serve the city of Fontana include FuturaNet, El Corre Caminos, TUFESA, Los Limosines, and Santiago Express which serve the predominately the Hispanic community seeking transportation to Tijuana, Gomez Palacio, Las Vegas and El Paso.
Fontana receives electrical power through Southern California Edison. Gas service is provided by the Southern California Gas Company. Telephone and DSL Internet service are through AT&T and Frontier Communications, though Frontier serves a smaller portion of the city. Charter Communications also provides cable television and cable Internet access. Burrtec Waste provides rubbish and trash collection throughout the city. Burrtec offers both regular waste and green waste recycling programs. Fontana is served by five different water companies, but none of their service areas overlap. These companies are: Fontana Water; the Cucamonga Valley Water District; Marygold Mutual Water; and West Valley Water District, and the city of Rialto. Sewage service in the city is provided by the Inland Empire Utilities Agency, but is billed out by the city of Fontana itself. The Fontana community is serviced by KFON-TV (known as Fontana Community Television), a Government-access television (station.
Fontana is home to the Kaiser Permanente-Fontana Hospital. Located on Sierra Avenue, and occupying most of the block between Sierra, Marygold, and Palmetto Avenues, and Valley Boulevard, The campus is one of the largest healthcare facilities in the Inland Empire Region. The various facilities are also among the tallest and largest buildings in the city (than industrial distribution centers).The hospital is home to sixty different specialized departments, plus emergency care.
Located in the north end of the city, along the "Miracle Mile" of Sierra Lakes Parkway and the 210 freeway, is the Sierra San Antonio Medical Plaza, a 60,000-square-foot (outpatient center and medical office building supported by San Antonio Community Hospital. Services currently available from SSAMP are urgent care, diagnostic radiology, physician offices, and a pharmacy.The facility also includes a 3,000-square-foot (educational suite where community lectures, health screenings, awareness campaigns, maternity and CPR classes are held.
The Fontana Police Department employs 207 sworn officers, as well as civilian personnel. The department was established in October 1952.
In 2013, there was a 60% gap between the minority share of the city's population (and that of the Fontana Police Department (the largest gap of any city in the US with a population greater than 100,000.
In 2016, two members of the Fontana Police Department, David J. Moore Sr. and Andrew Anderson, filed a lawsuit, alleging racial discrimination by the Fontana Police Department. Among other allegations, the lawsuit alleged that in 1994 Fontana Police tampered with the corpse of Black murder victim Jimmy Earl Burleson by planting a piece of chicken in the decedent's hand, photographing the victim in this pose, and circulating the photo among the Fontana Police Department for a number of years; the photo in question was later published in the San Bernardino County Sentinel in 2017. The lawsuit was settled in 2024.
In August 2018, Fontana police coerced a false confession from a man named Thomas Perez Jr. for the murder of his father, after Perez had reported his father missing. Fontana police officers interrogated Perez for 17 hours, falsely claiming that his father had been found dead with stab marks and "wore a toe tag at the morgue," and that they would have Perez's pet dog euthanized as a result of his actions. After Perez falsely confessed, he was left alone in the interrogation room, where he was captured on video trying to hang himself. Perez's missing father was confirmed to be alive the same day. In May 2024, Fontana agreed to settle a lawsuit by Perez against the city for $898,000.