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The City of Hesperia is part of San Bernardino County, California located in the Mojave Desert 75 miles (121 km) northeast of Los Angeles. The locals refer to the surrounding area as the High Desert. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 62,582. In 2006, the Hesperia municipal government estimated the population at 80,000. Geography and environment Hesperia is situated within the Mojave Desert Geomorphic Province on volcanic rock with upper soils characterized by light to dark brown silty sand.(Earth Metrics, 1989) The California Aqueduct traverses through the Hesperia area. Much of the native flora of Hesperia is classified as California desert vegetation, dominated by junipers, joshua trees and sagebrush.
Geography Hesperia is located at  34°24′46″N, 117°18′22″W (34.412903, -117.306189)GR1 and at 3,191 feet (973 m) above sea level. The Mojave River flows north through the east side of the city. The California Aqueduct splits the city down the center from north to south where it then heads underground on its way to Silverwood Lake. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 174.6 km² (67.4 mi²). 174.4 km² (67.3 mi²) of it is land and 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (0.10%) is water. Hesperia is the 4th largest city in the Palmdale Metropolitan Area. Also, on the southern edge of Hesperia, where the city meets the desert, is a somewhat pronounced mesa, which the locals refer to as simply "the mesa".
Demographics As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 62,582 people, 19,966 households, and 15,773 families residing in the city. The population density was 358.8/km² (929.3/mi²). There were 21,348 housing units at an average density of 122.4/km² (317.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 74.28% White, 4.03% African American, 1.27% Native American, 1.07% Asian, 0.19% Pacific Islander, 14.46% from other races, and 4.69% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 29.40% of the population. There were 19,966 households out of which 42.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.9% were married couples living together, 13.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.0% were non-families. 16.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.12 and the average family size was 3.47. In the city the population was spread out with 32.8% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 97.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.1 males. The median income for a household in the city was $40,201, and the median income for a family was $43,004. Males had a median income of $39,776 versus $25,665 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,487. About 11.1% of families and 14.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.2% of those under age 18 and 6.4% of those age 65 or over.
Places of Interest Hesperia has its own man-made lake on the south-eastern edge of the town. This lake is where various town activities are held, including fourth of July activities and Hesperia day activities. Also camping and fishing are permitted here, as well as various junior leagues for sports. Hesperia has a golf course that runs the rift between the 'mesa' and the adjoining land on the other side. Here there is also the Hesperia country club. The golf course is open to the public however, the county club amenities are reserved for members only. On the southern tip of Hesperia, there are several miles of barren desert. To the east of Hesperia, the Mojave river runs from south to north (however, this river is usually a dry riverbed until Hesperia experiences heavy rain). To the North Hesperia is bordered by the city of Victorville, and to the east it is bordered by the city of Apple Valley. On the southern edge of Hesperia, there is an unfinished housing project which left the desert devoid of all plant life. This unfinished project was little more than cleared out desert, with differing slopes of dirt designed for the purpose of placing a gated housing community there. Since this project fell through and was never completed, many people used this area for riding motor cycles and ATV's. As such, this area was dubbed "Honda Valley" by the locals. Recently, however, this area has undergone recent construction and all ATV's have been kept off the property. Still many adventure through the "caves", as the abandoned sewers are called by the small enclave of Discordian followers that inhabit the nearby land. Outside the eastern exit of the caves lies the intimidating land formation of Mt. Pain. Its name remains a mystery.[citation needed]
Notes - Earth Metrics Inc, Environmental Screening Analysis, Tract No. 13183, Ranchero Road,
Hesperia, California, Report 7970W0.001, June 16, 1989 Allan Hall, aka His Royal Coolness, Scholar and Athlete of Sultana High School
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