Inland Empire

The Inland Empire (often called the IE) is a big area in Southern California, just away from the coast and close to Greater Los Angeles. It mainly includes parts of Riverside County and San Bernardino County, with nearby Los Angeles County and Orange County to the west. Some people also think the Inland Empire includes desert areas like the Coachella and Victor Valleys.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Inland Empire covers more than 27,000 square miles and had around 4.6 million people in 2020. In the late 1800s, this area was known for its farming, growing fruits, dairy products, and making wine. Over time, farming became less common, and more people moved there looking for cheaper homes. This growth led to lots of new houses, factories, and businesses, especially since the 1970s.

Etymology

The name "Inland Empire" was first used by the Riverside Enterprise newspaper (now The Press-Enterprise) in April 1914. Developers likely chose this name to attract attention and show off the area's special qualities. The word "Inland" describes how the region is about 60 miles (97 km) away from Los Angeles and the Pacific Ocean.

Before this, the area was known as the "Orange Empire" because of the many orange farms from Pasadena to Redlands. The exact borders of the Inland Empire are not fixed, but it mainly includes cities in western Riverside County and southwestern San Bernardino County, close to the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Some wider definitions also include Palm Springs and nearby desert towns, or even all of San Bernardino County and Riverside County.

History

See also: History of Riverside, California and History of San Bernardino, California

Long ago, Native American groups like the Tongva, Taaqtam, Ivilyuqaletem, and Payómkawichum lived in what we now call the Inland Empire. In 1851, American settlers, including a group of Mormon pioneers, arrived and brought changes to the land.

Over time, the area grew with the help of railroads and the planting of orange trees, becoming a center for growing citrus fruits. New communities formed, and the region became a busy place with many farms and businesses. Today, the Inland Empire continues to grow and change.

Geography

The Inland Empire is a region just inland from coastal Southern California, near Los Angeles. It is mostly made up of Riverside and San Bernardino counties. The area is bordered by the San Jose Hills, Santa Ana Mountains, and Santa Rosa Mountains. These natural features separate the Inland Empire from nearby areas like the San Gabriel Valley, Orange County, and San Diego County.

Unlike many areas that grow around one main city, the Inland Empire has two important cities: Riverside and San Bernardino. Other big cities in the region include Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, and Corona. The area is connected to Los Angeles by many freeways, making travel easy. The Inland Empire also includes desert areas far from the main cities, such as Palm Springs. These desert areas are sometimes thought of as a separate part of the region.

There is no single agreement on exactly where the borders of the Inland Empire are. Some people think it includes all of Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Others believe it also includes parts of Los Angeles County and even Kern County. Some residents in places like Twentynine Palms or the Coachella Valley may not consider themselves part of the Inland Empire. Different groups, like the California Travel and Tourism Commission, have their own maps and ideas about the region’s boundaries.

Economy

The Inland Empire has inexpensive land compared to nearby areas, and many highways and railroads cross here. This makes it a major place for shipping goods. Big companies, like Toyota and Amazon, have large centers and warehouses here. These help move products from ports in Los Angeles and Long Beach to places farther north and east, like Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Denver. Most of the state’s imported goods pass through this area.

Like many industrial places, the Inland Empire can suffer when the economy is bad. During a tough time in 2008–2009, many factories and stores had empty space. The area also has lower wages and education levels than many other parts of the state. Even so, its cheap land has attracted small businesses and new technology companies. The region still grows crops, bringing in over $1.6 billion in 2006, though some farmland has been lost to development.

Since the 1950s, the Inland Empire has changed from a rural area to a place with many suburbs. Cities here are often called “bedroom communities” because many people live here but work in Los Angeles, Orange, or San Diego. Homes are cheaper here than in those areas, which is why many people move in. But as more people come, homes are being built farther apart, leading to spread-out development. During the housing crisis in the late 2000s, many homes were left empty, and some cities tried to make them look better.

Big shopping places have grown to serve the larger population. Some well-known malls include the Promenade Shops at Dos Lagos and the Crossings in Corona; Ontario Mills in Ontario; Promenade Mall in Temecula; Galleria at Tyler, Riverside Plaza, and Canyon Crossings in Riverside; The Shoppes at Chino Hills in Chino Hills; Moreno Valley Mall in Moreno Valley; Victoria Gardens in Rancho Cucamonga; Montclair Place in Montclair; and the Inland Center mall in San Bernardino. In 2006, shopping sales grew a lot in both Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

Environmental quality

The Inland Empire often has smog because of its location and weather. Sometimes, strong winds called Santa Ana Winds clear the air and make the sky look better.

The area has a lot of traffic because many people need to drive to nearby cities for work. This traffic makes the air quality worse. Solving these problems is difficult because different cities have different ideas about what to do. It may take many years to improve the situation with new roads or cleaner ways to travel.

Air pollution

The Inland Empire has some of the worst air quality in the United States. Pollution mainly comes from vehicles, construction equipment, and other sources. Efforts are being made to use more vehicles that don’t pollute the air.

Water pollution

Water pollution has been found in rivers and washes in the area. Some places have had chemicals get into the groundwater, which is the water under the ground that people use for drinking and other needs.

Transportation

Main article: Transportation in the Inland Empire

Traffic congestion is a big problem in the Inland Empire. Many freeways were finished in the late 1970s, but some parts, like the Foothill Freeway, State Route 210 between San Dimas and San Bernardino, were not done until 2007. New freeways or improvements are being built or planned, such as the Mid County Parkway between Perris and San Jacinto, and adding toll lanes on I-15 and I-10 in busy parts of Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

Public transportation

The Inland Empire does not have a strong public transportation system. Because the area is large and spread out, most people drive cars. Less than five percent of working-age people use public transportation to get to work.

Omnitrans is the main bus service in San Bernardino County, and the Riverside Transit Agency (RTA) is the main service in Riverside County. Some bus routes have long wait times or stop running early in the evening or on weekends. SunLine Transit Agency serves the Coachella Valley, and the Victor Valley Transit Authority (VVTA) serves the High Desert, including Barstow.

Some projects started in the 2010s to improve public transportation, like the Perris Valley part of the Metrolink 91/Perris Valley Line, the San Bernardino Transit Center, and the Omnitrans sbX Green Line connecting Loma Linda and San Bernardino. The region is also part of the Metrolink commuter rail system, which has several lines serving the Inland Empire.

Future projects

Plans are underway to improve transit in the future. Projects include the sbX West Valley Connector, Arrow, extending the L Line to Montclair, and daily train service to the Coachella Valley. The Inland Empire is also planned to be part of the California High-Speed Rail route to San Diego, with possible stops in several cities.

Airports

Several airports are in the Inland Empire, including San Bernardino International Airport, Ontario International Airport, and Palm Springs International Airport. There are also many smaller airports for private planes.

Active transportation

The region is working on building more bike and walking trails. The largest is the Santa Ana River bicycle path, which now connects Corona to Huntington Beach and will eventually stretch to Redlands. Other trails are being built along old railway paths and waterways.

Demographics

The Inland Empire has many people who moved there from other countries. Most come from Mexico, the Philippines, El Salvador, Vietnam and Guatemala.

The Greater Los Angeles area, which includes the Inland Empire, has about 18 million people. The Inland Empire itself has more than 4.2 million people, making it the 12th largest area in the United States. Many people live in Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Between 1990 and 2020, the population grew a lot, adding hundreds of thousands of people.

Most people in the Inland Empire consider their homes good places to live, especially because of the nice weather and affordable housing. However, some worry about air pollution and traffic.

Politics

For a long time, the Inland Empire leaned more toward one political party than the rest of California. But newer people are less likely to support that party. In recent elections, the area has voted for different candidates, sometimes supporting each major party.

People from different backgrounds take part in politics at different rates. Recent events have encouraged more Latino people to get involved.

Religion

The Inland Empire has many different religions. There are groups like the Roman Catholic Church, Seventh-day Adventists, Jewish communities, and Muslim groups. These communities help bring people together in the area.

Crime

Some parts of the Inland Empire have higher rates of crime than average. While crime has gone down in some places, challenges remain. Gangs and certain types of illegal activities have been issues in the past.

Education

Education levels in the Inland Empire are lower than in many other parts of the state. Fewer children go to preschool, and many students do not finish high school. College attendance and graduation rates are also lower. However, some groups, like Asians, have higher education levels.

Employment

The Inland Empire has created many jobs, but most are in lower-tech fields like services, manufacturing, and warehousing. Many people work in food and administrative services. Because wages are often lower and jobs are far apart, many people drive long distances to work, leading to heavy traffic. Unemployment has gone up and down over the years, reaching high levels during tough economic times.

Culture

The Inland Empire is next to the San Bernardino Mountains. Popular spots there include Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear. Lake Arrowhead is a favorite in summer, while Big Bear is great for winter skiing and snowboarding. The area has many places for shows and entertainment. The Victoria Gardens Cultural Center in Rancho Cucamonga opened in 2006 and offers theater, concerts, and family fun. The San Manuel Amphitheater in San Bernardino is one of the largest outdoor music venues in the country.

Music

Many well-known bands started in the Inland Empire, such as Alien Ant Farm, The Mountain Goats, and Cracker. House music artist DJ Lynnwood began his career young on KUOR-FM in Redlands. The area also has a growing hip-hop scene with artists like Suga Free and J.J. Fad. The Jerkin' dance style came from local hip-hop groups New Boyz and Audio Push. Famous musicians like Frank Zappa performed and recorded in the region, and many acts like Rage Against the Machine and Blink-182 got their start playing in Inland Empire venues.

Performing arts

The Inland Empire has many orchestras, like the Redlands Symphony and the San Bernardino Symphony. Theatrical Arts International at the California Theatre puts on big shows such as Cats and Mamma Mia. The Riverside Fox Theater, built in 1929, was restored and reopened in 2010. Many schools also have strong theater programs.

Sports

The Inland Empire does not have a major professional sports team but is part of the Greater Los Angeles area. It has many minor league teams, with the Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino being the most successful. The Auto Club Speedway in Fontana hosts car races, and the area has several colleges with NCAA sports teams.

Media

Newspapers

The Inland Empire has several local newspapers, including the San Bernardino County Sun, the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, and the Riverside-based Press-Enterprise. The Los Angeles Times also has an Inland Empire edition.

Radio

The Inland Empire is a significant radio market on its own and part of the larger Los Angeles market. Mountain ranges can make it hard to get clear radio signals across the whole area.

Television

PBS member station KVCR-TV serves the Inland Empire from San Bernardino Valley College. It broadcasts PBS shows and local content, along with its sister station First Nations Experience (FNX), which focuses on indigenous peoples.

Film

Although no major film studios are based here, many movies have been filmed in the Inland Empire, such as Erin Brockovich and The Fast and the Furious. The region provided $65.2 million in economic impact from film production in 2006.

Incorporated cities

Riverside County

San Bernardino County