Foster City, California

Infobox Settlement
official_name = City of Foster City
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settlement_type = City
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image_caption = Aerial view of Foster City


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map_caption = Location in San Mateo County and the state of California


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = California
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = San Mateo
subdivision_type3 =
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leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Pam Frisella
leader_title1 = City Manager
leader_name1 = James C. Hardy
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established_title = Incorporated
established_date = April 27, 1971cite web|url=http://www.cacities.org/resource_files/20457.IncorpDateLO.doc|title=Dates of incorporation|accessdate=2008-07-11]
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area_total_km2 = 51.6
area_land_km2 = 9.7
area_water_km2 = 41.9
area_total_sq_mi = 19.9
area_land_sq_mi = 3.8
area_water_sq_mi = 16.2
area_water_percent =
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population_as_of = 2000
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population_note = United States Census Bureau
population_total = 28803
population_density_km2 = 2959.2
population_density_sq_mi = 7664.4
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timezone = PST
utc_offset = -8
timezone_DST = PDT
utc_offset_DST = -7
latd = 37 |latm = 33 |lats = 5 |latNS = N
longd = 122 |longm = 15 |longs = 59 |longEW = W
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 2
elevation_ft = 7
postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 94404
area_code = 650
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 06-25338
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 1659723
website = http://www.fostercity.org/
footnotes =

Foster City is an affluent planned city located in San Mateo County, California, 94404. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 28,803.

Foster City was founded in the 1960s on engineered landfill in the marshes of the San Francisco Bay, on the east edge of San Mateo. The city was named after T. Jack Foster, a real estate magnate who owned much of the land comprising the city and who was instrumental in the initial design. His successor firm, Foster Enterprises, run by his descendants, is still active in real estate affairs throughout the San Francisco Bay area.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 19.9 square miles (51.6 km²), of which 3.8 square miles (9.7 km²) is land and 16.2 square miles (41.9 km²) is water. The total area is 81.13% water.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there are 28,803 people, 11,613 households, and 7,931 families residing in the city. The population density is 7,664.4 people per square mile (2,957.7/km²). There are 12,009 housing units at an average density of 3,195.6/sq mi (1,233.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city is 59.32% White, 2.09% African American, 0.12% Native American, 32.52% Asian, 0.58% Pacific Islander, 1.23% from other races, and 4.13% from two or more races. 5.32% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 11,613 households out of which 30.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.7% are married couples living together, 7.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 31.7% are non-families. 23.6% of all households are made up of individuals and 5.0% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.47 and the average family size is 2.97.

In the city the population is spread out with 21.2% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 35.3% from 25 to 44, 27.6% from 45 to 64, and 10.1% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 96.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 93.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $95,279, and the median income for a family is $106,099. Males have a median income of $77,916 versus $51,157 for females. The per capita income for the city is $45,754. 2.9% of the population and 1.7% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 1.6% of those under the age of 18 and 5.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Politics

In the state legislature Foster City is located in the 8th Senate District, represented by Democrat Leland Yee, and in the 19th Assembly District, represented by Democrat Gene Mullin. Federally, Foster City is located in California's 12th congressional district, which has a Cook PVI of D +22 [cite web | title = Will Gerrymandered Districts Stem the Wave of Voter Unrest? | publisher = Campaign Legal Center Blog | url=http://www.clcblog.org/blog_item-85.html | accessdate = 2008-02-10] and is currently filled by Jackie Speier with the recent death of Democrat Tom Lantos.

Education

Foster City is home to four public schools in the San Mateo-Foster City Elementary School District: Foster City Elementary School, Brewer Island Elementary School, and Audubon Elementary School serve kindergarten through fifth grades. Nathaniel Bowditch Middle School serves 6th through 8th grades. There are several private preschools and elementary schools through 5th grade. There is a separate High School District: San Mateo Union High School District. There is no high school located east of Highway 101 so Foster City high school students attend the public schools in the San Mateo Union High School District and other private high schools in San Francisco Bay Area.

Of the four public schools in Foster City, Audubon School, Foster City School, and Bowditch Middle School have won California Distinguished School awards. In 1993, Bowditch was recognized with the U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon. In 2005, Bowditch became a California Distinguished School for the second time.

Foster City also has one private Jewish day school: Ronald C. Wornick Jewish Day School [http://www.wornickjds.org/ Ronald C. Wornick Jewish Day School] , is a kindergarten - eighth grade school. It was rated the number one Jewish day school in the South Bay/Peninsula. [http://www.jewishsf.com/content/2-0-/module/displaystory/story_id/29912/format/html/displaystory.html]

Business

Foster City is the home to the world headquarters of VISA International, the main corporate body of the VISA payment card organization.

Other companies with headquarters in Foster City:
* Acxiom Digital
* Applied Biosystems
* Golden State Home Loans
* Arena Solutions
* Bones Doggy Daycare
* Cafe Press
* Electronics For Imaging
* Genius.com
* Gilead Sciences
* Imperva, Inc.
* Legacy Partners
* Live365.com
* MarketLive, Inc.
* The Picture People
* QuinStreet
* Rearden Commerce [http://www.reardencommerce.com]
* SolarCity [http://www.solarcity.com]
* Sling Media
* Sony Computer Entertainment America
* Voex

Recreation

Foster City boasts 19 parks occupying more than convert|100|acre|km2|1, including many public tennis courts, baseball and soccer fields, basketball courts, and rollerblading / biking trails along the San Francisco Bay. Foster City has more parks per capita than any other city in California.Fact|date=June 2007

Foster City also boasts:
*World Class Windsurfing A world-class windsurfing spot in the San Francisco Bay can be found within the city limits of Foster City. It is located adjacent to Mariners Point.
* A Golf course and driving range There is one 9-hole golf course, and driving range [http://www.marinerspoint.com Mariners' Point] , on land owned by the City, and operated by VB Golf.
* Dragon Boating The [http://www.bayareadragons.org Bay Area Dragons] and [http://www.hpocc.com Ho'okahi Pu'uwai] Outrigger Canoe clubs operate in the lagoon. In an attempt to preserve the city's waterways and reduce noise levels, only electric, wind, or manpowered watercraft are permitted in the Lagoon. [ [http://www.fostercity.org/Services/recreation/Water.cfm Water Activities] , City of Foster City]
* Teen Activities Center A newly constructed $4 million dollar center for teens that that will provide access to: TV’s, computers, video games, art rooms, homework rooms, a kitchen and outdoor basketball courts. [ [http://www.sanmateodailynews.com/article/2008-3-1-teen "Building a Better VIBE"] . San Mateo Times Article]
* Public Amphitheatre Located in Leo J. Ryan Memorial Park, is an newly constructed Amphitheatre. It serves as the location for the Foster City Summer concerts. Adjacent to the park is a boardwalk with boat tie-up facilities.

In addition, Foster City maintains an extensive convert|218|acre|km2|1|sing=on [ [http://www.fostercity.org/community_info/Built-to-stand-a-100-Year-Flood.cfm Built to Withstand a "100 Year Flood"] . City of Foster City.] , man-made enclosed lagoon system.

Items of interest

Foster City is one of the nation's safest cities. There is an average of one murder per decade.Fact|date=June 2007

Foster City's Werder Pier is a remainder of the original expanse of the San Mateo-Hayward Bridge. It is also one of the state's longest and oldest piers in existence. Unfortunately, due to much needed repair, the once popular fishing pier is no longer in operation.

World Renowned architect and father of Modernism Le Corbusier was commissioned to design a living complex for the city in the late 60's. It was never built. The only other Le Corbusier structure in North America is the Carpenter Center for the Visual Arts in Cambridge, Mass.Fact|date=June 2007

A number of San Francisco professional athletes have called Foster City home. Former San Francisco Giants players Kevin Mitchell and Jeff Kent won the National League Most Valuable Player award while they were residents of Foster City.Fact|date=June 2007

The movie "Over the Edge" is based upon events occurring in Foster City.Fact|date=June 2007

The music video for "Super Hyphy", a song by Bay Area rapper Keak Da Sneak, was filmed at Bowditch Middle School. R&B singer Keyshia Cole was also featured in the music video which was produced by [http://half-white.com Half-White Productions] .Fact|date=June 2007

Sought after waterfront developments like "Bayporte" and "Whalers Island" often draw in great interest for their perfectly manicured lawns and the suburbia-type atmospheres so closely associated to Foster City.Fact|date=June 2007

ee also

*Foster City Marina
*Leo J. Ryan Memorial Park

References

External links

* [http://www.fostercity.org City of Foster City]
* [http://www.fostercity.tv Foster CIty Television]
* [http://www.smcl.org Foster City Public Library - a branch of the San Mateo County Library]
* [http://www.smfc.k12.ca.us/ San Mateo-Foster City School District]