General
Character:
Victor
Valley is situated in the southwestern portion of San
Bernardino County on the southeastern edge of the Mojave
Desert. The region is comprised of the communities
of Victorville, Hesperia, Apple Valley, Adelanto,
Lucerne Valley, Oak Hills and Phelan. Long known
as a location attracting mainly retirees, military
personnel and recreational enthusiasts, Victor Valley
has experienced a relatively recent population surge
primarily fueled by the relatively inexpensive single
family housing.
Physical
Characteristics:
Victor
Valley is classified as high desert, the topography is
flat and arid with an average elevation of approximately
3,000 feet. Temperature ranges from a winter low
of 15 degrees to a summer high of 107 degrees. The
mean average temperature is 62 degrees with an average
humidity of 25.5%. There is snowfall approximately
two days per year; at the other extreme, the area
averages 32 days per year when the temperature exceeds
100 degrees. Prevailing afternoon winds from the
southwest help prevent smog from accumulating in the
region.
Population:
The
Victor Valley area is part of the San Bernardino and
Riverside Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area.
According to the SMSA, the region had experienced an
average growth rate from 1980 to 1990 of 5.1% per year;
the pace of activity increasing to a rate of about 10.0%
per year since 1985. According to Continental
Telephone Company (CONTEL), the annual growth rate for
1990 was 12 %. The present population of Victor
Valley is estimated at about 280,000 people.
Growth has ebbed significantly since 1990 due
principally to recessionary times; while much of
Southern California has seen a resurgence, the high
desert has been slow to react to improved conditions.
George
Air Force Base:
George
Air Force Base has played an important historical role
in Victor Valley, being the largest single employer with
5,364 military personnel and a civilian work force of
425 people, for a total of 5,789 prior to closure in
late 1992. According to the George Air Force Base
Economic Resource Impact Statement, the base's overall
contribution to the regional economy exceeded $450
million annually. In January of 1989, the
Secretary of Defense Commission of Realignment and
Closure recommended closure of the base which occurred
on December 15, 1992. Conversion of the air field
to a regional air cargo terminal is under study.
Federal
Prision:
A
$66 million federal prison has been located at the
former air force base. The 1,100 inmate
medium-security prison is expected to create 300 jobs
and infuse about $12 million annually into the local
economy. Additionally a minimum-security facility
will be built on adjoining land which will add about 100
additional jobs. All told, the combined facilities
will total about 574,000 square feet.
Trend:
Victor
Valley is an expansive area which is in transition from
a largely military and retiree community to a suburban
commuter orientation due in part to the relatively
affordable housing and commuter access to employment
centers throughout the Inland Empire and beyond.
Employment:
Job
Growth has continued in Victorville rising from just
5,285 total jobs in 1980 to 14,822 in 1990 and again to
19407 as of 1996. Technical, Sales & Administrative
is the largest employment category with 32.1% of the
total, followed by Managerial & Professional
at