Community
Economic Profile
2003/2004
Prepared by the Atascadero Chamber of Commerce,
Inc.
Location
Atascadero
was founded as California’s first planned community
in 1913 and incorporated in 1979. It is located 18
miles inland from
the Pacific Coast midway between Los Angeles and San
Francisco on Highway 101. The elevation at City Hall
is 850 feet.
Economic
Growth and Trends
Population
in the County
256,254
Total
Taxable Retail Sales in Millions, County
2,974.9
Population
in City Limits, Atascadero
27,500
Total
Taxable Retail Sales in Millions, City
364.6
Total
Number of Dwellings, City
10,228
Total
School Enrollment, Atascadero Unified School District
5,791
Sources: Census Data, Department of Finance, Atascadero Unified
School District, and City of Atascadero.
Government
Facilties - tax and Insurance Rates
Atascadero uses a Council/Manager type of government
Assessed
Valuation of city, 2,366,986,167 (2005-2006 gross assessed
value) Combined total industrial property tax rates:
1% of appraised
valuation, plus rate for bonded indebtedness, plus special
assessments. Retail sales tax: State 6.75%, City/County
0.5%; Total 7.25% Police Department: 40 full time persons,
1 Chief, 2 Lts., 5 Sgts., 21 officers, 11 support personnel;
1
police chaplain, 14
explorer scouts, 1
reserve officer, 29 volunteers
in police service (VIP), 6 unmarked
cars, 8 patrol
cars, 1 motorcycle, 1CSI Van, 2 full service K-9's: Zeek and
Zep. Fire Department: Two Fire Stations, 21
full
time persons (11
paramedics and 10 E.M.T.), 18
reserves (1 Paramedic and 17 E.M.T.), 6 fire
engines (2 Type 1, 1 Type 2, 2 Type 3 and 1 OES Type 1), 3
command vehicles and 1 support truck. Fire Insurance Classifications: City
Class 5 ISO; County Class 9 ISO. San Luis Obispo County Government Seat and Courts:
Located
in City of San Luis Obispo 18 miles south.
Population
Demographics
Total Population
27,500
Gender
Male
13,605
Female
12,806
Age of Population
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000
Median Age (years)
38.2
Average Household
Size
2.62
Median Household income
$55,179
Race
Housing Tenure
Work
Force
Socioeconomic
Characteristics
Compared to countywide figures, Atascadero proportionately
has fewer low-income households, more middle-income households,
and a comparable proportion of higher-income households.
The median household income is high for the county, but
comparable to statewide figures, there are more people
to support in each household than is typical for the
county and the state. According to the last census, Atascadero
is a solid middle-income community with a poverty rate
far below county and state averages. Compared to countywide
age distribution, Atascadero has younger middle-aged
adults and children, reflecting a strong family-oriented
community.
Labor
Market Area
Employment
Distribution
San Luis Obispo County 2002
Number
of Employed Residents
118,100
Unemployment
rate
3.3%
Source, UCSB Economic Forecast as
printed in
The Tribune May 21, 2003.
Characteristics
of the Labor Force
Extent
of Unionization
Except for large construction €rms, the construction
trades are almost completely non-unionized. Labor
in large restaurants and grocery stores tends to
be unionized. Other retail trade and service workers
are non-union.
For
further information contact the Employment Development
Department at 3196 South Higuera St., San Luis
Obispo, CA 93401, 800-300-5616.
Major
Employers
Atascadero
State Hospital
P.O. Box 7001
10333 El Camino Real
Atascadero, Ca. 93423
(805) 468-2000
(2,057 employees)
City
of Atascadero
6500 Palma Ave.
Atascadero, Ca. 93422
(805) 461-5015
(120 employees)
Atascadero
Unified School District
5601 West Mall
Atascadero, Ca. 93422
(805) 462-4200
(674 employees)
Food
4 Less
8360 El Camino Real
Atascadero, Ca. 93422
(805) 461-9699
(100 employees)
Twin
Cities Community Hospital
1100 Las Tablas Rd.
Templeton, Ca. 93465
(805) 434-3500
(500 employees)
Hanson
Aggregate
El Camino Real
Santa Margarita, Ca. 93453
(805) 438-5778
(100 employees)
Home
Depot
905 El Camino Real
Atascadero, Ca. 93422
(805) 464-0960
(155 employees)
Von’s
Market
7135 El Camino Real
Atascadero, Ca. 93422
(805) 466-4949
(96 employees)
Albertsons
8200 El Camino Real
Atascadero, Ca. 93422
(805) 462-0379
(130 employees)
Kennedy Club Fitness
3534 El Camino Real
Atascadero, Ca. 93422
(805) 466-6775
(75 employees)
K-Mart
3980 El Camino Real
Atascadero, Ca. 93422
(805) 466-7700
(75 employees)
Class
of Worker in Atascadero
Community
Resources
Rural tree-lined
streets winding through quiet, family-oriented neighborhoods
with stately Colony Homes, elegant custom
built homes, well-appointed town houses, condominiums
and affordable apartments, are all part of Atascadero’s
residential landscape.
Handsome entry-level single-family home values begin at $375,000 with a median
price of $425,000. Atascadero offers a wide variety of town homes and condominiums
with the average list price beginning at $250,000. Rent for a two bedroom apartment
is approximately $850 per month.
One of the most distinguishing characteristics of Atascadero is the preservation
of open space, protection of trees and hillsides, the keeping of domestic animals,
and large lot sizes. Atascadero was founded as an “utopian city” offering
residents a creative rural community.
Housing,
Rental and Purchase Costs
Average
Rent Per Month
One
bedroom apartment
$650
- $750
Two
bedroom apartment or duplex
$900
- $1,100
House
$1,475
- $1,750
Average
Sale Prices
Two
bedroom home
$370,000
Three
bedroom home
$489,000
Four
bedroom home
$569,000
Condominium
$295,000
Also
Available for Short or Long Term Consideration:
•
Seven mobile home parks with monthly rental available
• Two mobile home parks with lot ownership available
• One RV park
• One mobile home park with RV hookups
• One Bed & Breakfast
• 275 motel rooms (22 Suites, fully equipped with
one bedroom and full kitchen)
Commercial
and Industrial Sites
There
is available land (all privately held) in all industrial
and commercial categories for development. An economic
base study has been completed which identifies opportunities
in the Atascadero market area.
• 276 Acres Zoned Commercial, 199 Acres Used
• 162 Acres Zoned Industrial, 115 Acres Used
• 58 Acres Office Space, 40 Acres Used
• 62 Acres* Downtown, 53 Acres Used (*includes schools=15
Acres)
For additional information please contact the Community
Development Dept.
Street
Improvements
The
Circulation pattern for the city was laid out in 1913.
The network consists of radial routes emanating from the
City Hall area supported by a series of arterial rings
meant to convey traffic to outlying area. In 1954 US 101
was constructed through the rings to provide a convenient
link to northern and southern California.
With over 140 miles of City maintained roads, the City
has developed the Atascadero Road Program to aggressively
maintain the road surface and improve the circulation.
New development will be required to construct and repair
the circulation system to provide access to the site.
Curb, gutter and sidewalk are required in the urban core
but not in rural areas of the city.
Community
Services
Education
Atascadero Unified School District covers nearly 1,200
square miles and serves over 5,325 students in
kindergarten through grade 12. Students are transported
daily as far as 47 miles to school. In addition
there are private schools, nursery and child care
centers, and schools for handicapped children.
The California Polytechnic State University and
Cuesta Community College in nearby Paso Robles
and San Luis Obispo provide higher education.
Atascadero’s 2002 Educational
Attainment
Total Population Age 25+, 17,972
Culture,
Services and Recreation
Fifty plus churches, a library, two newspapers, a radio
station, cable TV system, eight banks, two credit unions,
four large parks and numerous public playgrounds. Six-screen
theatre, fully acredited zoo, museum, an 18-hole golf
course and a 9-hole golf course. Within thirty minutes
is the Pacific Ocean, five lakes for fishing, boating
and skiing, two California Missions, Hearst Castle, numerous
wineries, historical museums, a County Symphony, a Performing
Arts Center, and cultural offerings of Cal Poly and Cuesta
Community Colleges.
Transportation
Rail
Atascadero is located on the Southern Pacific Line with
freight and Amtrak connections in San Luis Obispo - 18
miles south, and Paso Robles 10 miles north. Truck
10 carriers serve the general area for daily pickups and
deliveries. There are overnight deliveries to Los Angeles
and San Francisco. Air
20 miles to San Luis Obispo County Airport, which is served
by commuter airlines with services to Los Angeles and
San Francisco, and 15 miles to the Paso Robles Airport
for charter and private service. City Bus
Dial-A-Ride and Fixed Route Service weekdays Monday through
Friday. Commuter bus to San Luis Obispo daily, Monday
through Saturday. Bus
Greyhound Bus Lines with numerous daily runs to Los Angeles
and San Francisco. City Cab
Private Cab Company, serving the entire North County seven
days a week. Highways
U.S. Highway 101, State Highway 41.
Electric
Power
Name
of Supplier
Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) For rates applicable to area contact
the district office at 406 Higuera, San Luis Obispo, CA
93401; 800-743-5000.
Telephone
Name
of Supplier
SBC For business rate and types of service
contact the district office at 994 Mill St., San Luis
Obispo, CA 93402 For residential service phone 800-310-2355,
for business service phone 800-750-2355.
Natural
Gas
Name
of Supplier
Southern California Gas Company For rates and areas served in Atascadero,
contact district office at 9400 Oakdale Ave. Chatsworth,
CA 91313-6511; 800-427-2200.
For areas not served, Propane is available.
Water
Supply
Name
of Supplier
Atascadero Mutual Water Company
Maximum Well Production
12.9 million gallons per day from 17 active wells.
Cost per 1,000 gallons
Minimum monthly rates, based on size of meters, and
meter consumption not exceeding 2,000 gallons, range
from $14.00 for 5/8” (residential) meter to $270.00
for 6” meter.
Connection Fees
Meter installation and connection fee rates are based
on meter size. Meter installation fees start at $1,180.00
for 5/8" meter. Connection fees (system impact fees)
range from $12,500.00 for
5/8” (residential)
meter to $31,250.00.00 for a 1” meter. Connection
fees for apartments, duplexes and mobile homes are
70% of the fee charges for single-family residences.
The
water supply for the Atascadero Mutual Water Company
service area is underflow of the Salinas River and
the
Atascadero sub-basin of the Paso Robles Groundwater
Basin.
For complete rate structure, write:
Atascadero Mutual Water Company,
P.O. Box 6075, Atascadero, CA 93423-6075; (805) 466-2428.
Sewer
Service
Agency
Responsible for Treatment
City of Atascadero Capacity of Sewer Plant
Permit to treat 2.39 million gallon per day. Sewer Connection Charge
Single family $573/unit plus admin fee of $5.00 plus
$1210 extension fee. Sewer Tap Charge
$175.00 connection fee. Type of Treatment Plant
Lagoon System: primary treatment in an aerated lagoon
with secondary treatment in a facultative lagoon. Sewer
service is limited to the “Urban
Service Area.” For further information write to City
of Atascadero Public Works Department,
6500 Palma, Atascadero, CA 93422; (805) 461-5020.
Storm
Drains and Flood Control
The
city relies on a natural creek system to control run-off
from the rain. The City is part of the national flood
insurance emergency program and has flood plain zoning
standards.
Health
Care
Atascadero
and surrounding area is served by Twin Cities Community
Hospital, a modern well-equipped
general hospital offering a wide range of medical services. The
medical community is well-represented by numerous medical specialists
in private practice including dentists, chiropractors, audiologists,
podiatrists, nutritionists, opticians, optometrists and physicians
and surgeons. In addition, there are nursing homes,
convalescent homes, companion care service, rehabilitation
services and
senior housing.
Atascadero Christian Home 8455 Santa Rosa Rd., P.O. Box 6032, Atascadero, Ca.
93423
Ph:
(805) 466-0281
Atascadero Christian Home provides Independent Living. Units
are available on a Long Term Tenancy Lease basis, as determined
by the fair market replacement
value or on a built to suit basis. You can choose your building site
and floor plan from the many options available, or rent a cottage unit on
a month
to month basis. All independent living residents have the option to
purchase most of the assisted living services offered to assisted living
residents. Assisted
living services are available to ambulatory seniors aged 60 years or older. Personalized
assistance is provided in all activities of daily living. Three nutritious
meals per day plus snacks are provided. Housekeeping, linen service and personal
laundry are done weekly. Scheduled activities & programs offer
opportunities for all residents to remain active.
Atascadero State Hospital 10333 El Camino Real, Atascadero, Ca. 93422
Ph: (805) 468-2000
Atascadero State Hospital (ASH) enjoys a world-renowned
reputation of excellence in providing comprehensive state-of-the-art
psychiatric treatment as a fully
licensed and accredited forensic mental health facility.
In 1946, the State of California purchased 1,162 acres for $160 thousand
dollars to construct a State psychiatric hospital at the southern edge
of Atascadero. In
1954 the Atascadero State Hospital opened as a completely self-contained facility
staffed with 390 employees. Since that time it has evolved into a maximum-security
facility licensed for 1,160 beds and has a staff of 2,057.
One of five state hospitals operated by the Department of Mental Health,
patients are referred from other state hospitals, Superior courts, and
the Department
of Corrections. For information call the Public Relations Office
(805) 468-2008 or their website www.dmh.ca.gov.
California Manor Assisted Senior Retirement, 10165 El Camino Real, Atascadero,
Ca. 93422
Ph: (805) 466-0759
California Manor offers independent retirement living for seniors. One & two
bedroom apartments, Meals, Resident manager, Social opportunities, Spacious grounds,
Weekly housekeeping & linens, Cable TV, Washer Dryer facilities and
full service Beauty Salon. Handicap units are available. Rent
may be reduced with rental assistance to those who qualify. Small pets
are permitted.
Country Care Convalescent Hospital 14900 El Camino Real, Atascadero, Ca. 93422
Ph: (805) 466-0281
Country Care Convalescent Hospital offers 24 hour skilled
nursing care and supervision available for short-term
or long-term
residents. Rehabilitation and support
services are available from a professional staff, offering physical, speech,
and occupational therapy. A specialized nutritional program is also offered.
Family
Care Center 5575 Capistrano, Atascadero, Ca. 93422 Ph: (805) 461-6091
San Luis Obispo County out patient facility, available for adults, pediatrics,
OB, family planning and laboratory services.
MedWorks 350 Posada Lane #102, Templeton, Ca. 93465,
Ph: (805) 434-3699
MedWorks is a comprehensive full service Urgent Care
/ Worker’s Compensation
/ Occupational Health Center staffed by health experts including Occupational
/ Musculoskeletal Medicine and Emergency Room Physicians.
Twin Cities Community
Hospital 1100 Las Tablas Rd., Templeton, Ca. 93465,
Ph: (805) 434-4550
Twin Cities Community Hospital is an 84 bed, general
medical/surgical acute care facility equipped with
up to date technology and offers services for
emergency medicine, orthopedics, obstetrics/gynecology, nuclear medicine,
physical and
respiratory therapy, cardiology, radiology, and intensive care.
Treatment services are provided by a multi-disciplinary professional
team including board-certified physician specialists, a highly trained
nursing
staff, clinical
social workers, pharmacists, and other ancillary technicians. All
treatment is under the supervision of the attending physician. Partial List of Services Available:
• 24 Hour Emergency Department with Urgent Care Center
• 24 Hour Respiratory Therapists on site.
• Ancillary Service including clinical laboratory, cardiopulmonary, social
work
services, pharmacy, and neurophysiology, Cardiac Catheterization, GI
Laboratory, Imaging Services including radiology, nuclear medicine, CT Scan,
and ultrasound
•
Obstetrics Unit with Labor & Delivery, Oncology Services, Outpatient
Surgery,
• Rehabilitation Services including physical therapy, occupational therapy,
and
speech therapy, and a Transfusion Free Medicine Program.
Twin Cities Community Hospital will be opening an 84,000 ft expansion
in 2005.
Weather
Prevailing
Winds
Direction,
Northwest
Mean Hourly Speed, 15 m.p.h.
Climate
Sources: NOAA, California Department of Water Resources,
and Atascadero Mutual Water Company.
*1915 through 2004,
89 year average
Air
Quality
The San Luis Obispo Air Pollution Control
District (APCD) collects ambient air quality data to
monitor the progress of federal, state and local strategies
designed to maintain both National and California Ambient
Air Quality Standards (CAAQS).
The California air quality standard for ozone, designed to protect public health
with an adequate margin for safety, is 0.09 parts per million (hourly average)
and the Federal standard is 0.85 ppm for an eight hour period.
Remarks
The economy of San Luis Obispo County remains relatively
stable. Approximately one-fourth of all residents
work for some level of government. A major employer
for the past 40 years in Atascadero is the State
Hospital with over 2,000 employees.
Estimated median family household income in Atascadero is $64,852.
The expanding retail community serves the needs of the resident with a full range
of goods and services. Growing tourism in the area is expected to continue.
For
Further Information Contact
Atascadero Chamber of Commerce
6550 El Camino Real
Atascadero, CA 93422
(805) 466-2044
fax (805) 466-9218 www.atascaderochamber.org
Produced by the Atascadero Chamber of Commerce and the
Atascadero Health Collaborative.
Important
Numbers
Atascadero
Chamber of Commerce
6550
El Camino Real
466-2044
Emergency
Ambulance/Fire/Police
911
City
and Community Contacts
Main
Number/General Information
461-5000
City
Administrative Services
470-3428
City
Manager
470-3400
Economic
Development
470-3400
Business
License
470-3474
Engineering
470-3486
Planning
and Building
470-3402
Redevelopment
Agency
470-3400
Atascadero
Main Street
462-0177
Economic
Vitality Corp/SLO
788-2012
San
Luis Obispo County
Environmental
Health
781-5500
Alcoholic
Beverage Control
543-7183
Air
Pollution Control District
781-5912
County
Government
County
Supervisors
781-5450
County
Clerk (North County Office)
461-6041
County
Assessor (North County Office)
461-6143
Utilities
Atascadero
Mutual Water Co.
466-2428
Charter
Communications (TV, cable)
466-3040
Atascadero
Waste Alternatives
466-3636
Pacific
Bell (business)
800-750-2355
Pacific
Bell (residential)
800-700-1100
Pacific
Gas & Electric Co.
800-743-5000
So.
Calif. Gas Co.
800-427-2200
Delta
Liquid Energy
239-0616
Northern
Energy Inc. Propane
466-1232
Central
Coast Propane
237-1001
Department
of Motor Vehicles
Paso
Robles
800-777-0133
San
Luis Obispo
800-777-0133
Employment
Development Department
Paso
Robles, San Luis Obispo
800-300-5616
Transportation
Atascadero
Transit
466-7433
City
Fixed Route Transit
466-7433
CCAT
(regional bus)
541-2228
Ridesharing
541-2277
Runabout
Van
541-2544
Amtrak
800-872-7245
local 541-0505
Greyhound
Bus Service
238-1242
San
Luis Obispo County Airport
781-5205
Local
and North County Newspapers
Atascadero
News
466-2585
Paso
Robles Press
237-6060
The
Tribune
781-7800
North
County Tribune
238-2855
Paso
Robles Gazette
237-6060
Atascadero
Post Office
800-275-8777
Charles
Paddock Zoo
461-5080
Atascadero
Lake Park Pavilion
461-5005
Atascadero
Unified School District
462-4200
Atascadero
Library
461-6161
San
Luis Obispo County Animal Services
781-4400
North
County Humane Society (a Division of AFAR)
462-2327
Website
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