Grand Terrace, California

Grand Terrace, California
City
City of Grand Terrace images from top, left to right - Grand Terrace City Hall, Blue Mountain Trail, Northeast City Entrance, Historical Plaque, Veterans Wall of Freedom
Seal
Location of Grand Terrace in San Bernardino County, California.
Grand Terrace, California Location in the United States
Coordinates: 34°02′02″N117°18′49″W / 34.03389°N 117.31361°W / 34.03389; -117.31361 [1]
Country	United States
State	California
County	San Bernardino
Incorporated	November 30, 1978 [2]
Government
• Type	Council-manager [3]
•  Mayor	Darcy McNaboe [4]
•  City Manager	G. Harold Duffey [3]
Area [5]
• Total	3.50 sq mi (9.08 km2)
• Land	3.50 sq mi (9.08 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)  0%
Elevation [1]	1,063 ft (324 m)
Population  (2020) [6]
• Total	13,150
• Density	3,590.30/sq mi (1,386.33/km2)
Time zone	UTC-8 (PST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP code	92313
Area code(s)	909, 840, 951
FIPS code	06-30658
GNIS feature ID	1660692
Website	www.grandterrace-ca.gov

Grand Terrace is a city in San Bernardino County, California, United States. The population was 13,150 at the 2020 census, up from 12,040 at the 2010 census. ^[7] Grand Terrace is located between Highgrove and Colton, along the I-215 and Agua Mansa industrial corridors. The city is located between two mountain ridges: Blue Mountain to the east and the La Loma Hills to the west.

History

Grand Terrace's roots go back to Mexican land grants dating from the period between 1830 and 1840. Mormon settlers came shortly after, arriving in the San Bernardino Valley, during the 1850s. ^[8] According to the Riverside Press, in 1876, there were nine buildings in the Terrace-Colton area. Originally, the area was simply referred to as "the Terrace", but the word "Grand" was added around 1898 due to the beautiful views which surround the city. In 1905, Seventh-day Adventists, whose medical university is now located in nearby Loma Linda, ^[9] settled in the area. Grand Terrace, at the time known as "South Colton", experienced continued growth and development during the Southern California suburbia and sunbelt periods in the late half of the 20th century.

The development of Grand Terrace, or East Riverside, as the Grand Terrace-Highgrove area was called, became a reality with the construction of the Gage Canal. This 22-1/2-mile canal, built at a cost of 2 million dollars, brought water from the Santa Ana River marshlands below The Terrace. With plenty of irrigation water, Grand Terrace rapidly became an agricultural community featuring fine, quality citrus. The severe "freeze" of 1913 destroyed many groves. Walnuts, a hardier tree, were planted as replacements along with peaches as a quick-profit crop.

The social activities in the early 1900s centered around the Farm Bureau Extension Service and the Women's Club, followed by the PTA, in the 1930s. Since there were no local churches, people traveled to surrounding communities for worship and other church activities.

In 1962, the Grand Terrace Chamber of Commerce was organized. From the very beginning the Chamber was interested in preserving the local identity of the area, and therefore, was a strong supporter of cityhood. This group did much of the groundwork, which led to the formation of a local governing body in 1976, which was called the Municipal Advisory Council or MAC. After nearly two years of meetings and negotiations with the county, the residents went to the polls to decide the issue of cityhood. The response was an 82% vote for incorporation. On November 30, 1978, the Charter City Council was installed at Terrace Hills Junior High and Grand Terrace officially became the 16th city in San Bernardino County. ^[10]

Grand Terrace was named one of the "Top 100 Cities to Live In" by Money magazine in 2007. ^[11]

Geography

Blue Mountain in Grand Terrace, CA.

This 3.6-square-mile (9.3 km²) community has an average elevation of 1,065 feet (325 m). Its motto, inscribed on the city flag, is "The Blue Mountain City" (its official slogan is "A city set upon a mountain cannot be hidden"), and refers to the Blue Lupine flower that used to grow on Blue Mountain in the spring.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.5 square miles (9.1 km²), all land.

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1970	5,901		—
1980	8,498		44.0%
1990	10,946		28.8%
2000	11,626		6.2%
2010	12,040		3.6%
2020	13,150		9.2%
U.S. Decennial Census [12]

2020

The 2020 United States census reported that Grand Terrace had a population of 13,150. The population density was 3,753.9 inhabitants per square mile (1,449.4/km²). The racial makeup of Grand Terrace was 44.5% White, 6.9% African American, 1.7% Native American, 6.5% Asian, 0.4% Pacific Islander, 23.1% from other races, and 16.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 47.9% of the population. ^[13]

The census reported that 98.9% of the population lived in households, 0.8% lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0.3% were institutionalized. ^[13]

There were 4,695 households, out of which 34.6% included children under the age of 18, 48.2% were married-couple households, 7.4% were cohabiting couple households, 27.8% had a female householder with no partner present, and 16.5% had a male householder with no partner present. 22.3% of households were one person, and 10.1% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.77. ^[13] There were 3,345 families (71.2% of all households). ^[14]

The age distribution was 21.5% under the age of 18, 9.5% aged 18 to 24, 28.0% aged 25 to 44, 24.1% aged 45 to 64, and 16.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.9 males. ^[13]

There were 4,898 housing units at an average density of 1,398.2 units per square mile (539.8 units/km²), of which 4,695 (95.9%) were occupied. Of these, 62.1% were owner-occupied, and 37.9% were occupied by renters. ^[13]

In 2023, the US Census Bureau estimated that 14.1% of the population were foreign-born. Of all people aged 5 or older, 64.7% spoke only English at home, 28.9% spoke Spanish, 1.7% spoke other Indo-European languages, 3.4% spoke Asian or Pacific Islander languages, and 1.3% spoke other languages. Of those aged 25 or older, 87.0% were high school graduates and 28.5% had a bachelor's degree. ^[15]

The median household income in 2023 was $83,668, and the per capita income was $36,267. About 4.6% of families and 7.0% of the population were below the poverty line. ^[16]

2010

The 2010 United States census ^[17] reported that Grand Terrace had a population of 12,040. The population density was 3,438.0 inhabitants per square mile (1,327.4/km²). The racial makeup of Grand Terrace was 7,912 (65.7%) White (46.4% Non-Hispanic White), ^[18] 673 (5.6%) African American, 120 (1.0%) Native American, 778 (6.5%) Asian, 32 (0.3%) Pacific Islander, 1,898 (15.8%) from other races, and 627 (5.2%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4,708 persons (39.1%).

The census reported that 11,927 people (99.1% of the population) lived in households, 50 (0.4%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 63 (0.5%) were institutionalized.

There were 4,403 households, of which 1,548 (35.2%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 2,214 (50.3%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 599 (13.6%) had a female householder with no husband present, 254 (5.8%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 285 (6.5%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 26 (0.6%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 1,026 households (23.3%) were made up of individuals, and 395 (9.0%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71. There were 3,067 families (69.7% of all households); the average family size was 3.20.

2,781 people (23.1% of the population) were under the age of 18, 1,244 people (10.3%) aged 18 to 24, 3,320 people (27.6%) aged 25 to 44, 3,195 people (26.5%) aged 45 to 64, and 1,500 people (12.5%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.6 males.

There were 4,649 housing units at an average density of 1,327.5 per square mile (512.6/km²), of which 2,790 (63.4%) were owner-occupied, and 1,613 (36.6%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.7%; the rental vacancy rate was 7.0%. 7,848 people (65.2% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 4,079 people (33.9%) lived in rental housing units.

According to the 2010 United States Census, Grand Terrace had a median household income of $64,073, with 6.5% of the population living below the federal poverty line. ^[18]

Government

In the California State Legislature, Grand Terrace is in the 19th senatorial district , represented by Republican Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh, and in the 58th Assembly district , represented by Republican Leticia Castillo. ^[19]

In the United States House of Representatives, Grand Terrace is in the 33rd Congressional District, represented by Peter Aguilar.

Currently the city council consists of Mayor Darcy McNaboe, Sylvia Robles, Douglas Wilson, William Hussey, and Jeff Allen. ^[4]

The City Manager is Konrad Bolowich. ^[20]

Public safety

The City of Grand Terrace contracts with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. ^[21] The San Bernardino County Fire Department has a fire station on City Center Court. ^[22]

Education

The Colton Joint Unified School District serves the students of Grand Terrace with Grand Terrace Elementary School, Terrace View Elementary School, Terrace Hills Middle School, and Grand Terrace High School at the Ray Abril Jr. Educational Complex. The Roman Catholic Diocese of San Bernardino operates the Blessed Junipero Serra House of Formation in Grand Terrace. ^[23]

Notable Crime

• Ramona Dorsey fatally beat her 11-year-old son, Kevin Lee Wilburn, authorities said. The boy died at Loma Linda University Medical Center on November 16, 1991. ^[24]
• On June 27, 1997, Joseph Marquez was found shot to death behind a building off of La Cadena and De Berry Road. ^[25]
• In 2005-2006 the gang Mind Twisted Hustlers (MTH) and their associates, were investigated by the San Bernardino County Sheriff. For operating a criminal ring in the Grand Terrace area responsible for numerous residential and vehicle burglaries, identity theft, fraud, and drug distribution. As a result, many were incarcerated, mostly juveniles. They have since been dismantled.
• On June 7, 2009, park manager John Haning and a maintenance man were doing monthly rounds to check on meters inside the Grand Royal Estates on Newport Avenue when they came across the body of 63-year-old Thomas Harker Sr. Sheriff's detectives arrested 28-year-old Thomas Harker Jr., who is suspected of stabbing his 63-year-old father to death behind the mobile home they shared. ^[24]
• On January 1, 2015, Richard Williamson, 48, died in a gun battle outside the Cal Skate Roller Rink. Another security guard and a bystander were also injured. The rink was hosting an all-night New Year's Eve celebration when a suspect was asked to leave. Shortly after, shots were fired in the parking lot just before 2 a.m. The shooting left bullet holes in the building, a parked car and a big rig parked across the street. After an investigation, detectives arrested Ezekiel Isaiah George, 18, of Perris; Topaz Prince Crummie, 20, of San Jacinto; Adrian Gentry, 17, of Adelanto; Laquan Trice, 15, of Perris; and Maurice Lamont Martin, Jr., 17, of Perris. ^[26]
•  
• About 1:50 a.m. March 16, 2019, San Bernardino County deputies responded to a silent robbery alarm at Cal Skate Grand Terrace and eventually found victim, Ryan Harsany unconscious inside along with a fire. Harsany was taken to a hospital, where authorities determined he had been shot multiple times. He died shortly before 7:30 a.m. Tre’elle Potts, 25, of Moreno Valley, was arrested and charged with the murder of Ryan Harsany, 43. He faces special allegations of arson causing bodily injury and that he used a firearm. ^[27]

References

1. "Grand Terrace". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior . Retrieved November 12, 2014.
2. "California Cities by Incorporation Date". California Association of Local Agency Formation Commissions. Archived from the original (Word) on November 3, 2014. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
3. "City Manager". Grand Terrace, CA. Retrieved March 20, 2015.
4. "City Council". Grand Terrace, CA. Retrieved March 20, 2015.
5. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
6. "Grand Terrace (city) QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on March 29, 2015. Retrieved March 20, 2015.
7. "QuickFacts: Grand Terrace city, California". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
8. "Mormon Colony San Bernardino: Home". score.rims.k12.ca.us. Archived from the original on October 29, 2017. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
9. "Loma Linda University". www.LLU.edu. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
10. "Grand Terrace, CA - Official Website - City History". March 26, 2013. Archived from the original on March 26, 2013. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
11. "Best Places to Live: Top 100 - Grand Terrace, Calif. (92) - Money Magazine". March 30, 2013. Archived from the original on March 30, 2013. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
12. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
13. "Grand Terrace city, California; DP1: Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics - 2020 Census of Population and Housing". US Census Bureau. Retrieved May 21, 2025.
14. "Grand Terrace city, California; P16: Household Type - 2020 Census of Population and Housing". US Census Bureau. Retrieved May 21, 2025.
15. "Grand Terrace city, California; CP02: Comparative Social Characteristics in the United States - 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates Comparison Profiles". US Census Bureau. Retrieved May 21, 2025.
16. "Grand Terrace city, California; DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics - 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates Comparison Profiles". US Census Bureau. Retrieved May 21, 2025.
17. "2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Grand Terrace city". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
18. "Grand Terrace (City) QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau". Archived from the original on March 29, 2015. Retrieved December 25, 2013.
19. "Statewide Database". UC Regents. Archived from the original on February 1, 2015. Retrieved December 16, 2014.
20. "City Manager's Office". www.grandterrace-ca.gov. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
21. Whitehead, Brian (May 23, 2018). "Grand Terrace tax measure to fund another police officer will be on November ballot". San Bernardino Sun. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
22. "Fire - City of Grand Terrace". www.grandterrace-ca.gov. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
23. Times, Los Angeles (July 22, 2009). "Working to fill a dire need for priests". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved February 15, 2016.
24. "Grand Terrace homicide city's first in 17 years". July 18, 2009.
25. "Homicide Cold Case" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on January 25, 2016. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
26. Juarez, Leticia; Chu, Hanna (January 7, 2015). "5 arrested for Grand Terrace NYE shooting". ABC7 Los Angeles.
27. "Man Arrested in Connection With Fatal Shooting of Grand Terrace Skating Rink Owner". April 19, 2019.

External links

• Official website