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Banning, CA

Frequently asked questions

Banning, CA

Banning is a city in Riverside County, California, United States. The population was 29,505 as of the 2020 census, down from 29,603 at the 2010 census. It is situated on the San Gorgonio Pass, also known as Banning Pass. It is named for Phineas Banning, stagecoach line owner and the "Father of the Port of Los Angeles."

Banning shares geographic and regional features with its western neighbor, the city of Beaumont. Banning and Beaumont have been rapidly growing in size and population since the 1990s. Both cities are about 80 miles east of downtown Los Angeles and 30 miles west of Palm Springs, each connected by freeway and railroad.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 23.1 square miles (60 km2), all of it land. Banning's elevation is approximately 2,300 feet (700 m) above sea level, which gives it a cooler climate in contrast to the county seat of Riverside at 800 feet (240 m) above sea level and the Coachella Valley of the Colorado Desert to the east. Banning is traversed by the San Andreas Fault which created the pass in which the city is situated. Banning is 25 miles (40 km) west of Palm Springs and 100 miles (160 km) east of Los Angeles.

The area, up to the mid-19th century, was inhabited by the Cahuilla people, though the region around Banning was originally Maringayam (Serrano), and the Cahuilla expanded into the past only in historic times. In 1824, the Mission San Gabriel Arcángel established the Rancho San Gorgonio in the past. The first Anglo to settle in the area was Dr. Isaac Smith in 1853. In 1863, a smallpox epidemic further diminished the Cahuilla. The government created Indian reservations for the Cahuilla in 1877.

The settlement that was to become Banning developed in coincidence with the start of the Colorado River Gold Rush. The Bradshaw Trail, which passed through the area in 1862, was a wagon road to the gold boomtowns of the Arizona Territory. Gilman's Ranch, north of downtown, served as a station for the stagecoach lines on this road. The railroad followed, passing through the town in 1876. The Southern Pacific (later purchased by Union Pacific) railroad was a major contributor to the area's growth. U.S. Route 99 was built in 1923, followed by U.S. Route 60/70 in 1936, and subsequently Interstate 10.

Before the name Banning, the settlement was called Moore City. Ransom B. Moore operated a large cattle ranch and was later a member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, settling in the area and nearby San Gorgonio mountains in the early 1860s. Moore sold his holdings and relocated to central Arizona in 1883. The town of Banning was incorporated on February 6, 1913. In the early 20th century, the area immediately around Banning was considered well-fitted to almond culture and was known as the oldest almond-growing district in southern California.

Banning focuses on health and wellness. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Banning Recreation and Community Services Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Jazzercise, Wellness Living, and Robert Loigu Fitness. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Banning, such as the South Fork to Dollar Lake Trail and the Airtech Towers Trail. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Banning, CA are Cabazon Dinosaurs, San Bernardino National Forest, and Wildwood Canyon State Park.

Population: 31,929 (2024). ZIP code: 92220. Area code: 951. Elevation: 2,349 ft (716 m). Area: 60.19 km².

FAQs

Is Banning, CA a good place to live?

Living in Banning offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Banning there are a lot of parks. Many families and retirees live in Banning and residents tend to lean liberal.

Is Banning, CA expensive to live in?

Banning is 11% more expensive than the national average and 18% less expensive to live in than the average city in California. This assumes a $72,000 annual salary and a 2-bedroom Apt. Food costs in Banning are less affordable than average in the United States. Transportation costs in Banning are less affordable than average in the United States.

What is the crime rate in Banning, CA?

The crime rate in Banning is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America from the largest to the smallest, although at 22 crimes per one thousand residents, it is not among the communities with the very highest crime rate. The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Banning is 1 in 46. Based on FBI crime data, Banning is not one of the safest communities in America. Relative to California, Banning has a crime rate that is higher than 64% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes.

Sources
Wikipedia

City of Banning

Banning’s Recreation and Community Services Department

Jazzercise

Wellness Living 

Robert Loigu Fitness

South Fork to Dollar Lake Trail

irtech Towers Trail

Cabazon Dinosaurs

San Bernardino National Forest

Wildwood Canyon State Park

Niche

Living Cost

Neighborhoodscout

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