SPECIAL REPORT: Putting Down Roots : The Times Poll : Nine Cities: Just the Facts

In North County, 23% of residents chose the community where they live because it was closeto where they work; 17% for its open space; 15% for its atmosphere, 13% for its affordablehousing; 12% for closeness to family. Three-quarters say the reason for their initial attraction still holds true.-The Times Poll From the ocean spray of the Pacific to the warm winds of the Anza-Borrego Desert, North County is home to nine incorporated cities and scores of smaller communities. Altogether, the area has a population of about 800,000. Here’s a look at how the nine cities stack up:

CARLSBAD

Population: 63,126

Size: 34.7 square miles

Incorporated: July 16, 1952

Elevation: 175

City Motto: Village by the Sea

Police: 91

Firefighters: 61

Churches: 16

P arks: 10

Points of Interest: Beaches, resorts

DEL MAR

Population: 4,860

Size: 1.8 square miles

Incorporated: July 15, 1959

Elevation: 122 feet

City Motto: Where the Turf Meets the Surf

Police: San Diego County Sheriff’s Department

Firefighters: 9 full-time, 25 on-call

Churches: 1

Parks: 2

Points of interest: Beaches, horse racing, annual Del Mar Fair

ENCINITAS

Population: 55,386

Size: 17.9 square miles

Incorporated: Oct. 1, 1986

Elevation: 92 feet

Police: San Diego County Sheriff’s Department

Firefighters: 63

Hospitals: 0

Churches: 28

Parks: 9

Points of Interest: Beaches, Quail Botanical Gardens, Olivenhain Town Hall

ESCONDIDO

Population: 108,635

Size: 33.4 square miles

Incorporated: Oct. 8, 1888

Elevation: 600 feet

City Motto: The Hidden Valley

Police: 115

Firefighters: 82, including two paramedic units

Hospitals: 1

Churches: 72

Parks: 9

Points of interest: Wineries, Lawrence Welk Resort; North County Fair Shopping Mall; annual Avocado Festival; farmers’ outdoor market every Tuesday.

OCEANSIDE

Population: 128,398

Size: 40.7 square miles

Incorporated: July 12, 1888

Elevation: Sea level

City Motto: Take Pride in Oceanside

Police: 160

Firefighters: 96

Hospitals: 1

Churches: 30

Parks: 21

Points of Interest: Mission San Luis Rey, Oceanside Pier

POWAY

Population: 43,516

Size: 37.1 square miles

Incorporated: Dec. 1, 1980

Elevation: 500 feet

City Motto: The City in the Country

Police: San Diego County Sheriff’s Department

Firefighters: 27

Hospitals: 1

Churches: 23

Parks: 9

Points of Interest: Lake Poway, Poway Center for the Performing Arts, community swimming pool

SAN MARCOS

Population: 38,974

Size: 21 square miles

Incorporated: Jan. 28, 1963

Elevation: 570

City motto: The Valley of Discovery

City flower: Chrysanthemum

City bird: Quail

Police: San Diego County Sheriff’s Department

Firefighters: 15 full-time; 35 reserves

Churches: 27

Parks: 8

Points of interest: Old California Restaurant Row

SOLANA BEACH

Population: 12,962

Size: 3.3 square miles

Incorporated: July 1, 1986

Elevation: 70 feet

Police: San Diego County Sheriff’s Department

Firefighters: 20

Churches: 7

Parks: 1

Points of interest: Beaches, restaurants, shopping

VISTA

Population: 71,872

Size: 17.6 square miles

Incorporated: Jan. 28, 1963

Elevation: 160 to 300 feet

City Motto: City with a View

Police: San Diego County Sheriff’s Department

Firefighters: 52, including paramedics

Churches: 61

Parks: 10 city parks

Points of interest: Moonlight Amphitheatre, Main Street Festival (farmers’ market) every Saturday, historic Rancho Buena Vista.