Oceanside is located in San Diego County, California, where it is the third-largest city. Along with Vista and Carlsbad, Oceanside forms a “Tri-city area” located just south of Camp Pendleton, which is the busiest military base in the United States.
In 2000, Oceanside’s population was 161,029 according to the census. Oceanside’s racial makeup is 53.6% White, 6.3% African American, 0.4% Native American or Alaskan Native, 5.5% Asian, 1.2% Pacific Islander, 0.1% from another race alone, and 3.2% from two races, and 30.2% Hispanic.
The median income for a household in Oceanside is $46,301, and a family’s median income is $52,232. The per capita income for Oceanside is $20,329. In Oceanside, 8.2% of families and 11.6% of the population lives below the poverty line.
Oceanside boasts many attractions for tourists, such as the Oceanside Pier, the longest wooden pier on the western United States coastline. Oceanside is home to one of the Alta California mission, called Mission San Luis Rey de Francia. Mount Ecclesia, nature grounds set up in 1911, is the location of the headquarters of an international fraternal and service organization called the Rosicrucian Fellowship and a spiritual healing temple, “The Ecclesia.” Many scenes from movies, including Top Gun and Bring It On, were filmed in Oceanside. Oceanside also hosts many holiday events, during the fourth of July, Day of the Dean, and Harbor Days in September.