Upland

by The Linguist

Upland, California – A Vibrant City in the Inland Empire

With a population of over 78,000 as of the 2020 census, Upland, California is the 24th largest city in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Located in western San Bernardino County, Upland is known for its rich citrus growing history and historic architecture in the downtown area.

Population and Demographics

According to the 2020 census, Upland had a population of 78,847 people. The racial makeup of Upland is 51.6% White, 7.5% African American, 1.1% Native American, 7.5% Asian, 0.3% Pacific Islander, 29.4% from other races, and 5.4% from two or more races. 64.7% of the population is Hispanic or Latino.

There are 24,735 households in Upland, with 3.18 persons per household on average. The median age is 32.7 years old. The median household income is $77,056 and 12.7% of residents live below the poverty line.

History of Upland

Upland has a long history, starting with the indigenous Tongva people who lived in the area for thousands of years. The Tongva lived in the fertile Upland area and traded with other native tribes.

The first Europeans to enter Upland were Spanish missionaries and explorers in the late 18th century. Upland was part of lands controlled by the Mission San Gabriel Arcángel. In 1839, the Mexican government took control of California and began distributing land grants. Upland became part of Rancho San Jose land grant.

In 1882, two Canadian settlers, George and William Chaffey, purchased the land that would later become Upland and Ontario. They developed an irrigation system and planted citrus orchards, kickstarting Upland’s citrus industry. The city was incorporated in 1906.

Upland thrived as a citrus town through most of the 20th century. Many historic buildings from Upland’s early days still stand today in the downtown area, such as the Upland Public Library and the 1891 Upland Public Library.

Local Attractions and Things to Do

Upland offers many fun local attractions and activities for visitors and residents:

  • Upland Public Library – the historic 1891 library building located downtown.
  • Upland Cafe – a popular breakfast and lunch diner on Euclid Avenue since 1958.
  • Cooper Regional History Museum – tells the story of Upland’s citrus history.
  • Omnitrans Bus Service – public transportation serving the metro area.
  • Upland Community Garden – a volunteer-run garden offering fresh produce.
  • Upland High School Football – the Upland Highlanders are a regional football powerhouse.
  • Cabrillo Park – a large community park with sports fields.
  • Euclid Avenue – the historic downtown street with restaurants and antique shops.

Economy and Major Employers

Upland has a diversified local economy, with major industries including retail, healthcare, manufacturing, construction, and warehousing. Some of the top employers in Upland are:

  • San Antonio Regional Hospital – 1175 N. Mountain Ave, Upland, CA 91786, (909) 985-2811
  • Upland Unified School District – 390 N Euclid Ave, Upland, CA 91786, (909) 985-1864
  • Upland Police Department – 1499 West 13th St, Upland, CA 91786, (909) 946-7624
  • Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints – 1019 W. Arrow Hwy, Upland, CA 91786, (909) 946-1966
  • Aerojet – 1175 N. Mountain Ave., Upland, CA 91786, (909) 985-5000
  • UBSP – 1175 N. Mountain Ave., Upland, CA 91786, (909) 920-2234

In addition to major employers, downtown Upland features boutique retail stores, antique shops, cafes, and restaurants mostly along Euclid Avenue and 2nd Avenue.

Geography and Climate

Upland is located in southwestern San Bernardino County in the Inland Empire region. It sits at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains. Upland has a Mediterranean climate, with cool, wet winters and hot, dry summers. The average high in July is 91 F and the average low in January is 42 F.

Education in Upland

Upland is served by the Upland Unified School District, which operates 11 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, and 2 high schools. The district has about 12,500 K-12 students. The two public high schools are:

Upland is also home to a private K-8 Catholic school, Saint Mark’s School, located at 420 W. 15th Street.

Nearby colleges include the California State Polytechnic University, Pomona in Pomona and the University of Redlands in Redlands.

Transportation Infrastructure

Interstate 10 runs along the northern border of Upland, providing access to Los Angeles, 40 miles west, and beyond. Interstate 210 also connects Upland to Pasadena and other San Gabriel Valley cities.

Upland is served by Omnitrans bus system, providing public transportation within the metro region. Upland is also served by Metrolink’s San Bernardino commuter rail line, with a station in downtown Upland.

Ontario International Airport (ONT) is the closest major commercial airport, just 8 miles from downtown Upland.

Famous Landmarks and Places of Interest

Here are some of the most famous landmarks and interesting destinations to visit in Upland:

  • Upland Historic Downtown – Centered around Euclid Avenue, Upland’s downtown features historic buildings from the city’s early 20th century founding.
  • Cooper Regional History Museum – 217 E A St, Upland, CA 91786. Learn about Upland’s citrus growing legacy.
  • Madonna of the Trail Statue – 396 N. Euclid Ave, Upland, CA 91786. Honors pioneer women of the American West.
  • Pioneer Park – 2555 Wedgewood Ave, Upland, CA 91784. Features picnic areas, playground, and Pioneer MemorialCabin.

Local Community Resources

Here are some key community resources for those living in or visiting Upland:

About San Bernardino County

Upland is located within San Bernardino County, California. With over 2 million residents, San Bernardino County is the largest county in the United States by area, at over 20,000 square miles. The county seat and largest city is San Bernardino.

San Bernardino County is part of inland Southern California, situated east and north of Los Angeles County. Other major cities in San Bernardino County include Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, Victorville, Hesperia, and Rialto.

The county has a diverse landscape, from the beaches of Lake Arrowhead to the Mojave Desert and San Bernardino Mountains. Joshua Tree National Park is located within San Bernardino County.

San Bernardino County was first formed in 1853 from parts of Los Angeles County. Key industries today include logistics, manufacturing, healthcare, retail, education, and construction.

To learn more about San Bernardino County, visit the county’s website.

Location and Geography

Upland is located at the following GPS coordinates:

  • City Hall: 34.107500, -117.648361
  • Pioneer Cabin: 34.105406, -117.635875
  • Upland Public Library: 34.097959, -117.634813

As the map illustrates, Upland is in southwestern San Bernardino County, with Interstate 10 to the north and foothills rising to the south into the San Gabriel Mountains.