The People - (Original Page Nos. 12 and 13)

When planning for the future of Del Mar, it is important to consider existing conditions and trends insofar as population growth, age and racial variety, family size, family income, and employment characteristics of the people in the community.

Population Growth

Between 1930 and 1974, California's population increased greatly, making it one of the fastest growing areas of the United States. Growth was greatest in Southern California, and, as of 1974, two-thirds of the state's people live in the eight Southern California counties. Los Angeles County and San Diego County ranked first and second in population in the State as of 1974.

As San Diego became a large metropolitan center, people gradually sought homes in small beach communities and other outlying areas where they could find a pleasant residential environment and still commute to major employment centers. Del Mar, a small incorporated village in 1938 when the WPA California Guidebook estimated its population at 430, is one of the communities which received this residential influx.

Population Growth - City of Del Mar

Pressures for continued growth in Del Mar are high. The new freeway junction of Interstate 5 and 805, continued expansion of the University of California five miles to the south, new businesses which have located in Sorrento Valley, and urbanization in the northernmost part of the City of San Diego east of Del Mar, are expected to promote growth both in and near Del Mar.

Within Del Mar itself land is limited, but relatively large scale apartment or condominium developments can still occur on tracts of the flood plain and bluff not yet fully subdivided. Construction of new duplexes and conversion of existing single family homes within neighborhoods that have partial duplex development would allow the number of duplexes to triple, with a significant net loss of single family residences.

Family Size

Median family size (persons per household) is smaller in Del Mar than it is in San Diego County as a whole and, in addition, is reducing in size at a faster rate.

While family size nationally has reduced in recent years, an additional reducing factor in Del Mar was the high percentage of multiple-family development that occurred since 1965 and accommodated smaller family units than the traditional single family home.

	1960	1970	DECREASE
Del Mar	3.50	2.52	28%
San Diego County	3.11	2.94	5%

 

Employment

Nearly 60% of Del Mar's labor force is involved in professional, managerial, teaching and administrative positions. This compares with only 27% of San Diego County's work force being in the same categories.

The largest single employer of Del Mar residents is the University of California at San Diego. Other major employers include industrial research firms near UCSD and within Sorrento Valley south of Del Mar.

Age and Race

Age distribution in the City of Del Mar has changed rather dramatically in two categories in recent years.

There was a tripling of college age (20-24 years) persons between 1960 and 1970. Much of this increase was attributable to the opening and continued expansion of the University of California at San Diego. University records indicated that as of 1974, over 500 students resided in the City of Del Mar.

The number of elderly persons (over 62 years) residing in Del Mar tripled in the 1960 decade. This increase occurred due to the desirability of Del Mar as an attractive and liveable community that provided well for a leisure-oriented lifestyle.

As of 1974, about 93% of Del Mar residents were white, 5% were Latin American, and 2% were Black, Indian or Asian.

1975 Del Mar Housing

Single Family Detached Units	906	Estimated Population	2573
Duplex Dwelling Units	430	Estimated Population	851
Multiple Family Dwelling Units	870	Estimated Population	1722
Total Dwelling Units	2206	Estimated Population	5146

 

Family Income

Median family income within Del Mar is significantly higher than that within San Diego County. Data indicates, however, that the comparative rate of increase between Del Mar and the County is nearly identical.

	1960	1970	Increase
Del Mar	$8500	$13,378	57%
San Diego County	$6545	$10,133	55%

 

Physical Characteristics

Del Mar is the southern-most of six small beach communities on the northern coast of the San Diego region. These communities are characterized by scenic stretches of coastal beaches, picturesque sea cliffs, flat-topped coastal areas, steep mesa bluffs, broad level-floored stream valleys, and gently rolling hills. In recent years the physical character of these communities has changed due, in large part, to the increasing residential density along the ocean bluffs and the overall growing together of previously separate coastal communities by means of commercial and residential developments along Highway 101. At the same time, there has been a considerable increase in the development of scattered inland locations within close proximity to the coast.

The City of Del Mar contains approximately 1100 acres of land situated in a unique natural setting. For much of its length steep cliffs rise abruptly from a sandy ocean beach to heights of 75 feet. From the cliffs, the land rises to nearly 400 feet above the sea level. To the north, Del Mar is crossed by the San Dieguito River. The San Dieguito is a major river of the county which has, over the centuries, eroded cliff deposits away to form a broad, flat, marshy flood plain. Crest Canyon extends south from the San Dieguito River and forms much of the eastern boundary of the City. Del Mar's southern boundary is marked by a second deep gorge cut into coastal bluffs by the Torrey Pines Estuary of Los Penasquitos Creek. Torrey Pines State Park, noted for large stands of the rare Torrey Pine, adjoins Del Mar to the south.

The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe rail line from San Diego to Los Angeles runs through Del Mar along the coastal cliffs. There are two major north-south vehicular routes serving Del Mar. The oldest is Highway 101 (renamed Camino del Mar within the Del Mar City limits) which provides Del Mar residents with a direct southerly connection to the University of California at San Diego and northerly access along the coast to the City of Oceanside. Interstate 5, an eight lane major north-south freeway, passes one-half mile east of Del Mar and includes three on and off ramps which serve the City.

At the present time Del Mar possesses some clearly defined community boundaries, in the form of open space, that separates the city as a distinct unit from other surrounding communities. Trees and other natural growth provide an attractive environment for the residential areas, and the existing canyons, hills and winding streets afford a wide and ever changing diversity of views and settings. The ocean, beach and cliffs provide orientation for the community.

The predominantly single family character of the community changed between the late 1960's and 1974. The proportion of multiple residential units, which stood at 32% of the total dwelling units in the community in 1968, rose to about 50% by 1974.