California welcomed its 483rd city on July 1. Mountain House is a former community services district in San Joaquin County, which gained cityhood after the March 2024 election. It’s the first town to incorporate since 2011.
Mountain House is an old gold rush stopover located west of Tracy. Its population is 27,923. As of 2022, the demographic breakdown was:
50.1% Asian
25.7% White
6.29% Hispanic
6.15% Black
5.46% two or more races
The median age is 34.3 years. Around 48.3% of Mountain House residents have a bachelor's degree or higher. The median household income was $166,821 in 2022. The homeownership rate was 69.8% and the median property value was $737,200.
Mountain House’s story is one of resilience. The town suffered tremendously after the Great Recession. It had the highest percentage of underwater mortgages in the country in 2008. It was also “one of the biggest black holes in CalPERS’ investment portfolio,” according to the Sacramento Bee. The pension fund had invested over $1 billion in the town starting in 2005.
CalPERS held onto its investment, believing Mountain House would ultimately rebound. It was right. Things began turning around in 2011 and by 2013, the town was booming.
That resilience was celebrated last Monday at the first of two public meetings. Carolyn Coleman, Executive Director of Cal Cities, offered her congratulations.
“Today I’m proud to say that we represent the interests of 483 cities in the state of California. Congratulations first to the residents of this incredible community,” said Coleman.
“I know there are 482 cities and thousands of local city officials rooting for your success and willing to be of help to you and of guidance to you as you move forward.”
Other attendees included Fifth District County Supervisor Robert Rickman, who represents Mountain House, Tracy Mayor Pro Tempore Eleassia Davis, and Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln.
A council/city manager form of government was formally established at the second meeting. Mountain House has a four-member city council consisting of Bernice King Tingle, Matt Disko, Daniel Harrison and Ronna Green. All of them previously served on the governing board of the Community Services District (CSD).
Andy Su, the mayor, had served on the board since its inception. So had Tingle, who is now Mayor Pro Tempore.
Former CSD General Manager Steven Pinkerton is the City Manager. District Counsel John Bakker has been appointed City Attorney.
The council has approved a nearly $66.8-million budget for 2024-25.