San Jose Info
Joined: 05 Jan 2007
Posts: 17
Home Country: usa
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 Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2007 4:53 am Post subject: SAN JOSE CITY PROFILE / SAN JOSE CITY GUIDE |
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SAN JOSE CITY PROFILE
Introduction
Once a quiet, medium-sized city at the centre of a thriving agricultural area, San Jose was transformed in less than 30 years into a huge metropolis and a phenomenon in U.S. economic history. As the result of the computer revolution, San Jose became the capital of the "Silicon Valley," a vast complex of electronics industries that stretches throughout California's Santa Clara County. From 1950 to 1980, a period of tremendous growth and prosperity, the population of San Jose increased fourfold. Like other major urban areas, however, the city has been forced to confront the problems that come with unbridled development: traffic congestion, air pollution, housing shortages, and a strained infrastructure. A 1985 recession in the Silicon Valley produced a stagnant economy, from which the city recovered by the twenty-first century. San Jose consistently ranks high in polls that rate cities for business climate, livability and fun.
The City in Brief
Founded: 1777 (incorporated, 1850)
Head Official: City Manager Del Borgsdorf (since 1999)
City Population
1980: 629,442
1990: 782,224
2000: 894,943
2003 estimate: 898,349
Percent change, 1990–2000: 13.6%
U.S. rank in 1980: 17th
U.S. rank in 1990: 11th
U.S. rank in 2000: 11th
Metropolitan Area Population (CMSA)
1990: 6,253,311
2000: 7,039,361
Percent change, 1990–2000: 12.6%
U.S. rank in 1980: 4th
U.S. rank in 1990: 4th
U.S. rank in 2000: 5th
Geography and Climate
Area: 175 square miles (2000)
Elevation: 67 feet above sea level
Average Annual Temperature: 57.1° F
Average Annual Precipitation: 18.5 inches
Economy
Major Economic Sectors: Manufacturing, services, government
Unemployment Rate: 6.2% (January 2005)
Per Capita Income: $26,697 (1999)
Cost of Living
San Jose suffers from a severe shortage of affordable housing and is among the most expensive cities to live; conversely, San Jose residents also have the highest disposable income in the nation.
The following is a summary of data regarding key cost of living factors for the San Jose area.
2004 (3rd Quarter) ACCRA Average House Price: $766,310
2004 (3rd Quarter) ACCRA Cost of Living Index: 170.8 (U.S. average = 100.0)
State income tax rate: Ranges from 1.0% to 9.3%
State sales tax rate: 6%
Local income tax rate: None
Local sales tax rate: 1.25%
Property tax rate: Average 1.1% of full cash value
Other Information
2002 FBI Crime Index Total: 24,139
Major Colleges and Universities: San Jose State University, San Jose/Evergreen Community College District
Daily Newspaper: San Jose Mercury News |
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