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Corcoran, CA

Frequently asked questions

Corcoran, CA

Corcoran is a city in Kings County, California, United States. The population was 24,813 (2010 census), up from 14,458 (2000 census). Corcoran is located 17 miles (27 km) south-southeast of Hanford,[6] at an elevation of 207 ft (63 m).

Corcoran is most notable as the site of the California State Prison, Corcoran. The California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison, Corcoran is a separate facility that is also located in the city. As of January 1, 2015, the two prisons held a combined total of 9,592 inmates. Inmates are counted as city residents by both the United States Census and the California Department of Finance. Thus, the incarcerated people in the two prisons comprise just over 43% of the total population of Corcoran.

Corcoran was founded by Hobart Johnstone Whitley, a prominent land developer from southern California, who took the lead in building Corcoran (the main street of the community is named in his honor). Liking what he saw during a visit to the area in 1905 (a blacksmith shop, small store, scattered homes, and a lush, untapped vista with herds of grazing wild hogs, horses, and steers) Whitley purchased 32,000 acres (130 km2) to start development. Much like in the San Fernando Valley (Van Nuys and Canoga Park his "creations"), Whitley "leveraged" his holdings with the support of important Los Angeles businessmen. Whitley first intended the town to be named "Otis", after Harrison Gray Otis of the Los Angeles Times, and streets such as Otis, Sherman, Letts (the Broadway store), and Ross (after his son, Ross Whitley) show the connections. Whitley, it is claimed, purchased, and platted some 150 towns over the American West—and Corcoran is one of his last.

Corcoran is located at 36°05′53″N 119°33′37″W. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.4 square miles (17 km2), all of it land. The ground under Corcoran is subsiding due to the withdrawal of groundwater by agricultural interests. There has been up to 11.5 feet (3.5 meters) of subsidence over the past 14 years. Soils around Corcoran are somewhat poorly drained to poorly drained loam or fine sandy loam which is often saline as in the widespread Lakeside series. Other important soil series include the Armona, Gambogy, Grangeville, Kimberlina, and Lemoore. Corcoran is occasionally subject to areal flooding due to its position in a basin. Notable flood years include 1983 and 2023.

Corcoran gives importance to health and wellness. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs offered by the Corcoran Recreation and Community Services Department. 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. Massage Therapy Center facilitates deep, long-lasting results in a wide range of modalities, peeling away layers of stress, restoring mobility to injured muscle tissue, and easing stiffened joints and hot spots of pain. Healing Corner incorporates the healing properties of plants, herbs, cremes, oils, and minerals from around the world into a variety of unmatched spa services designed to reduce stress and enhance balance. A popular option includes Health & Fitness. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Corcoran, such as the Corcoran Gateway New Park and the Burnham Smith Park. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

The top sites in Corcoran, CA are Hanford Fox Theatre, Carnegie Museum of Kings County, and Bravoland Kettleman.

Population: 24,813 (2010). Elevation: 63 m. Area code: 559. ZIP Code: 93212. Area: 6.4 square miles (17 km2).

FAQs

What is Corcoran, CA famous for?

Corcoran is most notable as the site of the California State Prison, Corcoran. It was home to notable inmates Rodney Alcala, Charles Manson, John Albert Gardner, and Juan Corona. The California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison, Corcoran is a separate facility that is also located in the city.

Is Corcoran, CA a good place to live?

Corcoran is in Kings County. Living in Corcoran offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. Residents of Corcoran tend to lean liberal.

What is the crime rate in Corcoran, CA?

The crime rate in Corcoran is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America from the largest to the smallest, although at 19 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 Corcoran is 1 in 52. Based on FBI crime data, Corcoran is not one of the safest communities in America. Relative to California, Corcoran has a crime rate that is higher than 53% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Corcoran

Corcoran Recreation and Community Services Department

Health & Fitness

Corcoran Gateway New Park 

Burnham Smith Park

Massage Therapy Center

Healing Corner 

Hanford Fox Theatre

Carnegie Museum of Kings County

Bravoland Kettleman

Niche

Neighborhoodscout

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