The name Temecula comes from the Luiseño Indian word which translated means "Where the sun breaks through the mist" and is the only city in California to still retain its original Indian name. The Luiseño Indians inhabited Temecula in the 1700's when the first Spanish padres visited. In 1858 Temecula became a stop on the Butterfield Overland Stage route. In 1859, only ten and one-half years after California's first post office was established, the Temecula Post Office was established as the first post office in inland southern California. Old Town Temecula is dedicated to preserving the community's heritage and maintaining a circa 1890 architecture.

   The City of Temecula was incorporated on December 1, 1989. It is comprised of 26 square miles and is located in southwest Riverside County.

   Temecula is a general law city and is represented by the five members of the City Council who are elected at-large. The Mayor is selected annually by the members of the City Council to serve for a one year term.

   Temecula enjoys a balance of industrial, commercial, and residential uses and is located in the rural Temecula Valley, famous for its fine wines. Other agricultural crops are also grown abundantly in the valley such as citrus, avocados, fruits and vegetables.
Area Schools:

  • The general boundaries extend north to Jean Nicholas Road in French Valley, south to the Riverside County line, east to Vail Lake, and west to the Temecula city limit.  The District covers approximately 148 square miles.

  • The district includes 12 elementary schools, three charter schools, one K-8 Home School, four middle schools, one continuation high school and two comprehensive high schools. For more information regarding our schools, visit the School Directory.

  • Approximately 19,000 students (Grades K-12) are currently enrolled in the district.

  • Approximately 9.9% of the students in the District speak a language other than English.  About 4.1% of the district’s student population is limited or non-English proficient.  Nearly 50 separate languages and dialects comprise the home language of these students (80% being the Spanish language).

  • Approximately 15% of the students enrolled in the district qualify for free or reduced priced lunches.

  • The district strives to provide a variety of exemplary programs that meet the educational needs of all students.  Planning/goal setting activities often include staff, parents, students and the business community.

 

 Demographics:
    
  70.35% of residents in this area fit the following profile:
   
  • Median age is 31.9 years.
  • More than 35 percent of the population have moved in the past 5 years, double the national average.
Socioeconomic
  • Median household income is about $51,000.
  • Median household income is a result of two salaries.
  • More than 70 percent of the households have 2 or more workers.
  • Two-thirds have attended college or completed a degree.
Residential
  • 78 percent own homes in new housing developments (75 percent built since 1980).

  28.41% of residents in this area fit the following profile:

Demographic
  • Median age is 36 years.
  • The average household size is 3.1, 19 percent above the national average.
  • Most householders are between the ages of 35 and 54 years.
Socioeconomic
  • Median household income is $67,300.
  • Represents 2 percent of all 1999 U.S. households.
  • Households have dual incomes and investments.
  • The work force is professional, well educated and mobile.
Residential
  • Homes are in newer suburbs with an average home value of twice the national average.
  • Most homes are single-family, built between 1980 and 1990.
  • More than 30 percent commute across county or state lines to work.

  1.25% of residents in this area fit the following profile:

Demographic
  • Median age is 36.9 years.
  • Mostly couples with or without children.
  • The younger householders have school-age children.
  • Few householders under the age of 25; over 40 percent are 55 or older.
Socioeconomic
  • Median household income is $27,000.
  • About 35 percent of the households are self-employed farmers.
  • The incidence of poverty is just above the national average.
  • Sources of household income are self-employment (both farm and non-farm, in over half of the households), interest and dividends and Social Security.
  • Most have graduated from high school; some with college degrees.
  • Unemployment is 4.0 percent.
Residential
  • Housing is made up of older, single-family homes in which 12 percent of homes are mobile homes.
  • Almost 80 percent of the housing are owner-occupied; 5 percent is held for seasonal use.