Cambrian, San Jose

{{Use American English|date=January 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}} {{Infobox settlement    |name = Cambrian |official_name = |other_name = Cambrian Park |native_name =  |nickname = |settlement_type = Neighborhood of San Jose Census-designated place (partially) |total_type =  |motto =  |image_skyline = {{Photomontage | photo1a = St. Frances Cabrini Church (San Jose, California) (cropped).jpg | photo1b = CambrianCarousel (cropped2).jpg | photo1c = Townhomes in Cambrian, San Jose 3671.jpg | photo2a = Cambrian Center 3666 (cropped).jpg | photo2b = Carolyn Norris Park 3681.jpg | spacing = 2 | position = center | color_border = white | color = white | size = 260 | foot_montage = Clockwise from top left: St. Frances Cabrini Church, Cambrian Park Plaza Carousel, townhomes on Samaritan Dr., Carolyn Norris Park, Cambrian Center. }} |flag_size = |image_sea = |seal_size = |image_shield = |shield_size = |image_map = File:Santa Clara County California Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Cambrian Park Highlighted 0610088.svg |mapsize = |map_caption = Location of Cambrian Park in Santa Clara County, California. |pushpin_map = United States San Jose |pushpin_label_position = |pushpin_map_caption = Location within San Jose |pushpin_mapsize =  |subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = United States |subdivision_type1 = State |subdivision_name1 = California |subdivision_type2 = County |subdivision_name2 = Santa Clara  |government_footnotes = |government_type = |leader_title = |leader_name = |leader_title1 = |leader_name1 = |established_date =  |area_magnitude = |unit_pref = Imperial |area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_06.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 30, 2021}}</ref> |area_total_sq_mi = 0.61 |area_land_sq_mi = 0.61 |area_water_sq_mi = 0.00 |area_total_km2 = 1.58 |area_land_km2 = 1.58 |area_water_km2 = 0.00 |area_water_percent = 0 |area_note =  |elevation_footnotes = <ref>{{gnis|2407942}}</ref> |elevation_m = |elevation_ft = 236 |elevation_max_m = |elevation_max_ft = |elevation_min_m = |elevation_min_ft =  |population_as_of = 2020 |population_footnotes = |population_note = |population_total = 3719 |population_density_sq_mi = 6096.72  |timezone = Pacific (PST) |utc_offset = -8 |timezone_DST = PDT |utc_offset_DST = -7 |coordinates = {{coord|37|15|20|N|121|55|44|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}} |postal_code_type = ZIP code |postal_code = 95124<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.zipdatamaps.com/95124|title=Cambrian Park CA ZIP Code|publisher=zipdatamaps.com|year=2023|access-date=January 26, 2023}}</ref> |area_code = 408 |website = |footnotes = |blank_name = FIPS code |blank_info = 06-10088 |pop_est_as_of = |pop_est_footnotes = |population_est = |population_density_km2 = 2353.42 }} '''Cambrian''' is a neighborhood of San Jose, California, located in South San Jose.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Neighborhoods |url=https://www.sanjose.org/neighborhoods |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=San Jose |language=en}}</ref> Though most of the neighborhood is incorporated as part of San Jose, a small portion exists as an unincorporated census-designated place called '''Cambrian Park'''.

==History== [[File:Los Gatos Memorial Park 3712 (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|Est. 1889, Los Gatos Memorial Park is located in San Jose's Cambrian neighborhood and not in Los Gatos.]] [[File:Good Samaritan Hospital (San José) 3659 (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|Good Samaritan Hospital, est. 1965.]] The name "Cambrian Park" was used regularly since the 1950s by the then San Jose Mercury and San Jose News newspapers (now ''The San Jose Mercury News'') to refer to a portion of the Union school and Cambrian school areas, the latter school named in the 1870s by ranch hand David Lewis of the Jeremiah D. Casey Ranch for Cambria, the is the Latin name for Wales (Welsh, ''Cymru''), the country of Lewis's birth. Due to the relative isolation of adjacent population centers within then rural Santa Clara County, place names and later, municipalities, were often defined by their public school service boundaries. These indistinct boundaries persisted until WWII, after which a rapidly expanding population and demand for municipal services resulted in more precise boundaries being established. The Cambrian Park area continues to be recognized as a distinct, partly unincorporated neighborhood bordering the cities of San Jose and Campbell and the town of Los Gatos.<ref>{{cite web |title = History of Cambrian Area |website = cambriancommunitycouncil.com |publisher = Cambrian Community Council |date = 2009 |url = http://cambriancommunitycouncil.com/10212.html |accessdate = August 12, 2015 |url-status = dead |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304041921/http://cambriancommunitycouncil.com/10212.html |archivedate = March 4, 2016}}</ref>

We and Our Neighbors Clubhouse was established in the adjacent Union School District area in 1892, "...to promote social ties, intellectual and cultural pursuits, charitable deeds, and recreation for the farm families of the neighborhood." Their clubhouse, built in 1910, is a San Jose Historic Landmark and appears in the National Register of Historic Places.<ref>{{cite web |title =History of We and Our Neighbors |website =weandourneighbors.org |publisher = We and Our Neighbors |date = 2015 |url = http://weandourneighbors.org/wordpress/?page_id=23 |accessdate = August 12, 2015 }}</ref>

The commerce center for the Cambrian Park area has always been the Cambrian Park Plaza. Located at the crossroads of Camden and Union Avenues, the center was originally built in 1953. Today the center maintains the country charm and construction style, across over 170,000 square feet of stores. Through the years, the center has housed a mix of local shops and national brands. The iconic colorful carousel atop the center sign is a historical landmark. This is of particular interest in the community as the center was sold for the first time ever in 2015, to Texas-based Weingarten Realty.<ref>{{cite web |title =1950s Cambrian Park Plaza sold |website =mercurynews.com |publisher = Mercury News |date = 2015 |url = http://www.mercurynews.com/san-jose-neighborhoods/ci_27640823/cambrian-1950s-shopping-plaza-sold-texas-based-weingarten |accessdate = June 15, 2016 }}</ref>

==Geography== [[File:Stanford Cancer Center - South Bay 3716 (cropped).jpg|left|thumb|Stanford Cancer Center.]] Cambrian Park is located at {{coord|37|15|20|N|121|55|44|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline}} (37.255593, −121.928915).<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=2011-04-23|date=2011-02-12|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref>

Cambrian is located in the South San Jose region of the city. Willow Glen is to its north, Los Gatos is to its south and west, Campbell is to its northwest, and Almaden is to its east.

Most of Cambrian lies within San Jose's city limits, though a small portion is an unincorporated county pocket. A large swath of the pocket was annexed by the City of Campbell in 2012, under an agreement with the City of San Jose, while the rest will eventually be annexed by San Jose.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kqed.org/news/10953849/whats-it-like-to-live-in-an-urban-island|title=Why Does San Jose Have So Many Urban Islands?|date=2017-02-02|website=KQED|language=en-us|access-date=2019-08-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2012/10/04/its-official-campbell-council-unanimously-approves-annexation-of-cambrian-36/|title=It's official: Campbell council unanimously approves annexation of Cambrian 36|date=2012-10-04|website=The Mercury News|language=en-US|access-date=2019-08-30}}</ref> According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP had a total area of {{convert|0.6|sqmi|km2}}, all of it land.

==Demographics== {{US Census population |1990= 2998 |2000= 3258 |2010= 3282 |2020= 3719 |align-fn=center |footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade.html|title=Decennial Census by Decade|website=United States Census Bureau|access-date=}}</ref> 1850–1870<ref name=1870CensusCA1>{{Cite web|title= 1870 Census of Population - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties - California - Almeda County to Sutter County |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1870/population/1870a-12.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref><ref name=1870CensusCA2>{{Cite web|title= 1870 Census of Population - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties - California - Tehama County to Yuba County |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1870/population/1870a-13.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 1880-1890<ref name=1890CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1890 Census of Population - Population of California by Minor Civil Divisions |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1890/bulletins/demographics/134-population-of-ca.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 1900<ref name=1900CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1900 Census of Population - Population of California by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1900/bulletins/demographic/10-population-ca.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 1910<ref name=1910CensusCA>{{Cite web|title=1910 Census of Population - Supplement for California|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1910/abstract/supplement-ca.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 13, 2024|archive-date=August 23, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240823050629/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1910/abstract/supplement-ca.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> 1920<ref name=1920CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1920 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1920/bulletins/demographics/population-ca-number-of-inhabitants.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 1930<ref name=1930CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1930 Census of Population - Number and Distribution of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1930/population-volume-1/03815512v1ch03.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 1940<ref name=1940CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1940 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1940/population-volume-1/33973538v1ch03.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 1950<ref name=1950CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1950 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1950/population-volume-1/vol-01-08.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 1960<ref name=1960CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1960 Census of Population - General population Characteristics - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1960/population-volume-1/vol-01-06-d.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 1970<ref name=1970CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1970 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1970a_ca1-01.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 1980<ref name=1980CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1980a_caAB-01.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 1990<ref name=1990CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1990 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/cen1990/cph2/cph-2-6.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 2000<ref name=2000CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/2003/dec/phc-3-6.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 2010<ref name=2010CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 2010 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/2010/cph-2/cph-2-6.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> }}

These figures do not include any part of Cambrian Park which has been incorporated into San Jose at the time of the census.

===2020=== [[File:St. Frances Cabrini Church (San Jose, California) 1956.jpg|thumb|left|St. Frances Cabrini Church, built in 1963 in a Mission Revival style.]] The 2020 United States census reported that Cambrian Park had a population of 3,719. The population density was {{convert|6,096.7|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of Cambrian Park was 57.5% White, 1.5% African American, 0.9% Native American, 20.5% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 6.1% from other races, and 13.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 16.8% of the population.<ref name=DP1>{{cite web |title=Cambrian Park CDP, California; DP1: Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics - 2020 Census of Population and Housing |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALDP2020.DP1?g=1600000US0610088 |website=US Census Bureau |access-date=June 9, 2025}}</ref>

The census reported that 98.7% of the population lived in households, 0.9% lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0.4% were institutionalized.<ref name=DP1/>

There were 1,180 households, out of which 40.9% included children under the age of 18, 67.2% were married-couple households, 4.9% were cohabiting couple households, 15.3% had a female householder with no partner present, and 12.5% had a male householder with no partner present. 12.4% of households were one person, and 6.8% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 3.11.<ref name=DP1/> There were 963 families (81.6% of all households).<ref>{{cite web |title=Cambrian Park CDP, California; P16: Household Type - 2020 Census of Population and Housing |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALDHC2020.P16?g=1600000US0610088 |website=US Census Bureau |access-date=June 9, 2025}}</ref>

The age distribution was 24.9% under the age of 18, 7.0% aged 18 to 24, 22.3% aged 25 to 44, 30.2% aged 45 to 64, and 15.6% who were 65{{nbsp}}years of age or older. The median age was 42.4{{nbsp}}years. For every 100 females, there were 96.3 males.<ref name=DP1/>

There were 1,209 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,982.0|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units |units|}}, of which 1,180 (97.6%) were occupied. Of these, 80.2% were owner-occupied, and 19.8% were occupied by renters.<ref name=DP1/>

In 2023, the US Census Bureau estimated that the median household income was $89,049, and the per capita income was $53,560. About 9.6% of families and 9.8% of the population were below the poverty line.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cambria CDP, California; DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics - 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates Comparison Profiles |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSDP5Y2023.DP03?g=1600000US0610074 |website=US Census Bureau |access-date=June 9, 2025}}</ref>

===2010=== [[File:Cambrian Branch (51142880281) (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Cambrian Branch Library of the San José Public Library]] thumb|right|Townhomes in Cambrian. The 2010 United States census<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0610088|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140715023853/http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0610088|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 15, 2014|title=2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Cambrian Park CDP|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|accessdate=July 12, 2014}}</ref> reported that Cambrian Park had a population of 3,282. The population density was {{convert|5,503.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of Cambrian Park was 2,598 (79.2%) White, 26 (0.8%) African American, 29 (0.9%) Native American, 221 (6.7%) Asian, 19 (0.6%) Pacific Islander, 190 (5.8%) from other races, and 199 (6.1%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 591 persons (18.0%).

The Census reported that 3,268 people (99.6% of the population) lived in households, 3 (0.1%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 11 (0.3%) were institutionalized.

There were 1,141 households, out of which 439 (38.5%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 670 (58.7%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 122 (10.7%) had a female householder with no husband present, 67 (5.9%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 57 (5.0%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 10 (0.9%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 206 households (18.1%) were made up of individuals, and 88 (7.7%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.86. There were 859 families (75.3% of all households); the average family size was 3.25.

The population was spread out, with 789 people (24.0%) under the age of 18, 231 people (7.0%) aged 18 to 24, 775 people (23.6%) aged 25 to 44, 1,080 people (32.9%) aged 45 to 64, and 407 people (12.4%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.4 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.2 males.

There were 1,179 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,977.1|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}, of which 909 (79.7%) were owner-occupied, and 232 (20.3%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.8%; the rental vacancy rate was 4.1%. 2,621 people (79.9% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 647 people (19.7%) lived in rental housing units.

There have been plans made in 2018 to remodel and modernize the Cambrian Park Plaza. Hundreds of townhouses and apartments, a couple of hotels, a convalescent home, a town square and a small park would mix with stores and shops at the renovated Cambrian Park Plaza shopping center, according to recently unveiled preliminary design plans.<ref>{{cite web |title=Developer plans to transform Cambrian Park Plaza into modern urban village |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/10/12/developer-plans-to-transform-cambrian-park-plaza-into-modern-urban-village/ |accessdate=8 December 2018}}</ref>

==Education== A portion of Cambrian Park census-designated place is in the Cambrian School District, while another portion is in the Union School District.<ref name=CensusSDMap2020>{{cite map|author=Geography Division|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st06_ca/schooldistrict_maps/c06085_santa_clara/DC20SD_C06085.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Santa Clara County, CA|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|date=January 6, 2021|page=1 (PDF p. 2/5)|accessdate=July 20, 2022}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st06_ca/schooldistrict_maps/c06085_santa_clara/DC20SD_C06085_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref> Both operate elementary and middle schools.

For high school, all of Cambrian Park is in the Campbell Union High School District.<ref name=CensusSDMap2020/>

Schools in Cambrian include: * Leigh High School * Branham High School * The former Camden High School was located in the neighborhood but was closed and the property sold in 1980.

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{commons category}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20081006162120/http://www.sjlibrary.org/about/locations/cambrian/ Cambrian Park branch of the San Jose Public Library system] *[http://www.mercurynews.com/cambrian ''Cambrian Resident'' – weekly free community newspaper]

Category:Census-designated places in Santa Clara County, California Category:Neighborhoods in San Jose, California Category:Census-designated places in California

Cambrian, San Jose

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