The Placer post office opened on the site in 1861, changed its name to Smithville in 1862, then changed it to Pino in 1869, and in 1890 the Southern Pacific Railroad finally decided on Loomis.[9] The railroad and Post Office found that Pino was confused with the town of Reno, hence the name change to Loomis.[10] The name Smithville honors L.G. Smith, who was one of the town's most prominent leaders.[9]
Loomis takes its name from one of the town's pioneers, James Loomis. At one time, James Loomis was the whole town—saloon keeper, railroad agent, express agent, and postmaster.[9]
In the early part of the 20th century, Loomis was the second largest fruit-shipping station in Placer County, Newcastle California, just 6 mi (9.7 km) east of Loomis, was considered the largest.[11]
Loomis remained part of unincorporated Placer County until December 17, 1984, when the Town of Loomis officially incorporated. The Town was in danger of being annexed by its neighbor Rocklin and the residents voted to incorporate to preserve local control, partly on the issue of preserving the "small town" character and historic structures such as the High Hand and Blue Goose fruit packing sheds which sit between Taylor Road (a segment of historic Highway 40) and the Union PacificRailroad tracks.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 7.27 square miles (18.8 km2), all land. Stream drainages in Loomis are Antelope Creek and Secret Ravine.
Climate
Loomis has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate (KöppenCsa) that is characterized by cool, wet winters and hot, dry summers. As with the rest of cities in the northern Central Valley, Loomis has hot summers with sparse rainfall and abundant sunshine. Winters are cool and bring plenty of rain. Average daily high temperatures range from 53 °F (12 °C) in January to 94 °F (34 °C) in July with August remaining nearly as hot. Daily low temperatures range from 39 °F in winter to 61 °F in summer (4 to 16 °C). Snowfall is almost non-existent in Loomis.
At the 2010 census Loomis had a population of 6,430. The population density was 884.8 inhabitants per square mile (341.6/km2). The racial makeup of Loomis was 5,733 (89.2%) White, 33 (0.5%) African American, 74 (1.2%) Native American, 169 (2.6%) Asian, 12 (0.2%) Pacific Islander, 149 (2.3%) from other races, and 260 (4.0%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 568 people (8.8%).[14]
The census reported that 6,409 people (99.7% of the population) lived in households, 5 (0.1%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 16 (0.2%) were institutionalized.
There were 2,356 households, 832 (35.3%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 1,361 (57.8%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 266 (11.3%) had a female householder with no husband present, 138 (5.9%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 142 (6.0%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 16 (0.7%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 453 households (19.2%) were one person and 194 (8.2%) had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.72. There were 1,765 families (74.9% of households); the average family size was 3.10.
The age distribution was 1,588 people (24.7%) under the age of 18, 510 people (7.9%) aged 18 to 24, 1,377 people (21.4%) aged 25 to 44, 2,121 people (33.0%) aged 45 to 64, and 834 people (13.0%) who were 65 or older. The median age was 42.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.8 males.
There were 2,465 housing units at an average density of 339.2 per square mile, of the occupied units 1,830 (77.7%) were owner-occupied and 526 (22.3%) were rented. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2%; the rental vacancy rate was 4.9%. 4,911 people (76.4% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 1,498 people (23.3%) lived in rental housing units.
2000
At the 2000 census there were 6,260 people, 2,206 households, and 1,729 families in the town. The population density was 851.9 inhabitants per square mile (328.9/km2). There were 2,273 housing units at an average density of 309.3 per square mile (119.4/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 89.06% White, 0.19% African American, 0.96% Native American, 3.23% Asian, 0.18% Pacific Islander, 2.01% from other races, and 4.38% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.87%.[15]
Of the 2,206 households 39.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.3% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.6% were non-families. 16.8% of households were one person and 6.6% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.82 and the average family size was 3.17.
The age distribution was 28.8% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 25.5% from 45 to 64, and 11.7% 65 or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.3 males.
The median household income was $60,444 and the median family income was $64,837. Males had a median income of $50,458 versus $31,140 for females. The per capita income for the town was $30,384. About 2.5% of families and 3.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.4% of those under age 18 and 0.4% of those age 65 or over.
Culture
The biggest event in Loomis is the Eggplant Festival which offers entertainment, arts and crafts, food, and children's activities. 2012 was the 25th anniversary of the Eggplant Festival. Smaller festivities include the Loomis Friday Night Family Fest during summer and the Cowpoke Fall Gathering.[16]
Economy
As of May 2019 Loomis was estimated to have a civilian workforce of 3,793 representing 59% of the total population. Approximately 30.1% of the population has a bachelor's degree or higher.[17]
The median household income was estimated to be $75,691 in 2017 with a per capita income of $38,415. An estimated 7.6% of the population were considered persons in poverty.[17]
In 2012, Loomis had 835 registered businesses. 454 were considered men-owned, 153 were considered woman-owned, 133 were considered minority-owned, and 150 were considered veteran-owned.[17]
Education
Loomis is home to Del Oro High School. Foundation elementary schools for Del Oro High School are Placer Elementary School, Franklin Elementary School, Loomis Grammar School, H. Clarke Powers Elementary School, Penryn School, Ophir STEAM Academy, Newcastle School, and Loomis Basin Charter School.
^ abcdeDurham, David L. (1998). California's Geographic Names: A Gazetteer of Historic and Modern Names of the State. Clovis, Calif.: Word Dancer Press. p. 516. ISBN1-884995-14-4.
^Erwin, Gudde (2004). California Place Names: The origin and etymology of current geographical names. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press. p. 215.
