Rosamond is a town located in Kern County, California, northwest of Los Angeles in the Antelope Valley within the military and United States Air Force Base, (USAF), community created in the Mojave Desert. According to the 2000 United States census data, the town had a total population of 14,349. However, the numbers include active duty military personnel and their family members, thus, the numbers reflect many individuals who are temporary residents. Rosamond was originally established in 1877 as a townsite which was owned by the Southern Pacific Railroad and was named 'Rosamond' after the daughter of one of the railroad officials. The first local industries were mining and cattle. During the 1890’s, gold was discovered and Miners quickly travelled to the area and populated it in order to strike it rich; however, the industry waned for many years, yet later had some success with a small boom during the 1930’s. Moreover, during this era, Murac Army Air Field was established which is now known as Edwards Air Force Base. Neighboring cities and communities which share the high desert with Rosamond are Lancaster, Palmdale, Lake Los Angeles, Quartz Hill, Ridgecrest, and Santa Clarita. Residents of these desert cities and unincorporated areas share Sierra Highway, Angeles Crest Highway, and the Antelope Valley (14) Highway for timeconsuming commutes to the San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles in order to get to work. Rosamond is unincorpated and is represented by the Legislative body of the Kern County Board of Supervisors.

  • Rosamond at Edwards AFB from the Antelope Valley Highway 14 in the Mojave Desert

Geography

Rosamond is located at 34°51'57" North, 118°12'25" West (34.865786, -118.206856)1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 135.6 km² (52.3 mi²). 135.3 km² (52.2 mi²) of it is land and 0.3 km² (0.1 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.19% water.

Demographics

As of the census2 of 2000, there are 14,349 people, 4,988 households, and 3,626 families residing in the town. The population density is 106.1/km² (274.7/mi²). There are 5,597 housing units at an average density of 41.4/km² (107.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 72.01% White, 6.62% Black or African American, 1.32% Native American, 3.01% Asian, 0.23% Pacific Islander, 11.65% from other races, and 5.16% from two or more races. 25.67% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 4,988 households out of which 41.2% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.7% are married couples living together, 12.5% have a female householder with no husband present, and 27.3% are non-families. 21.9% of all households are made up of individuals and 6.2% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.88 and the average family size is 3.38.

In the town the population is spread out with 32.9% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 32.0% from 25 to 44, 19.3% from 45 to 64, and 7.9% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 33 years. For every 100 females there are 102.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 101.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town is $42,307, and the median income for a family is $46,918. Males have a median income of $42,484 versus $26,745 for females. The per capita income for the town is $17,440. 14.1% of the population and 11.6% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 19.2% are under the age of 18 and 12.0% are 65 or older.