While Fontana is within driving distance of several of the mountain resorts, beaches, lakes and desert areas of Southern California, the city is also becoming a destination in its own right. It is home to several newly built landmarks, such as the largest of the San Bernardino County system libraries, a renovated historic theater, a huge new municipal park, and the Auto Club Speedway, a NASCAR racetrack located on the site of the historic Kaiser Steel Mill. Fontana is also home to the Fontana Days Half Marathon and 5K run. This race is on record as the fastest half marathon course in the world.
The U.S. federal Census estimates for 2006 placed Fontana's population at 170,099, but the California State Department of Finance estimated the fast-growing city's 2008 population at 188,498. This growth was primarily the result of the city's campaign to annex numerous unincorporated San Bernardino County "island" areas within its Sphere of Influence, as well as with continued suburban growth.
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 1,378.2/km² (3,569.7/mi²). There were 35,908 housing units at an average density of 383.8/km² (994.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 44.99% White, 11.83% African American, 1.12% Native American, 4.36% Asian, 0.33% Pacific Islander, 31.94% from other races, and 5.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 57.72% 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 3.78 and the average family size was 4.02.
In the city the population was spread out with 37.8% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 32.4% from 25 to 44, 14.7% from 45 to 64, and 4.7% who were 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.
Population 2012 Projection: 201,269 2007 Estimate: 181,640 2000 Census: 128,929 1990 Census: 87,444
Population Growth 1990 - 2000 47.44%
Households 2012 Projection: 50,426 2007 Estimate: 43,852 2000 Census: 34,014 1990 Census: 26,283
Households Growth 1990 - 2000 29.41%
2007 Est. Population by Single Classification Race White Alone: 66,568; 38.72% African American Alone: 21,470; 12.49% American Indian and Alaska Native Alone: 1,901; 1.11% Asian Alone: 8,091; 4.71% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander Alone: 520; 0.30% Some Other Race Alone: 63,661; 37.03% Two or More Races: 9,705; 5.65%
2007 Est. Population Hispanic or Latino Not Hispanic or Latino: 60,368; 35.11% Hispanic or Latino: 111,548; 64.89%
2007 Tenure of Occupied Housing Units Owner Occupied: 30,727; 70.07% Renter Occupied: 13,125; 29.93%
2007 Average Household Size 3.91
2007 Est. Households by Household Income Income Less than $15,000: 4,210; 9.60% Income $15,000 - $24,999: 4,180; 9.53% Income $25,000 - $34,999: 4,431; 10.10% Income $35,000 - $49,999: 6,669; 15.21% Income $50,000 - $74,999: 9,546; 21.77% Income $75,000 - $99,999: 6,778; 15.46% Income $100,000 - $149,999: 6,045; 13.79% Income $150,000 - $249,999: 1,731; 3.95% Income $250,000 - $499,999: 227; 0.52% Income $500,000 and over: 35; 0.08%
2007 Est. Average Household Income $65,548
2007 Est. Median Household Income $56,380
2007 Est. Per Capita Income $16,791
Source: Claritas Inc. July 2007
The Metrolink rail service to the greater Los Angeles area runs through the center of town. The City of Fontana is ten minutes away from Ontario International Airport. The city is also served by Omnitrans bus service.
Fontana receives electrical power through the Southern California Edison Company. Gas service is provided by the Southern California Gas Company. Telephone and DSL internet service are through AT&T and Verizon, though Verizon serves a smaller portion of the city. Time Warner Cable also provides 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; West S.B. County Water; and Crawford Canyon Water. Sewage service in the city is provided by the Inland Empire Utilities Agency, but is billed out by the City of Fontana itself.
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 forms one of the largest healthcare facilities in the Inland Empire Region. On more of a side note, the various facilities are also among the tallest and largest buildings in the city (other than industrial distribution centers). The hospital is home to sixty different specialized departments, plus emergency care.
Also, 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 (5,600 m) 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 boasts a 3,000-square-foot (280 m) educational suite where community lectures, health screenings, awareness campaigns, maternity and CPR classes are held.