FMMP - Chino area time series

Changes in this area are predominantly conversions from Prime Farmland (dark green), grasslands/grazing land (brown), and 'Other Land' (grey) to urban (red). Dairy facilities make up the majority of the Other Land in the area. Information on these changes was gathered from air photos, local comments, and field reconnaissance. Area shown is approximately 13 miles east-west and 8 miles north-south.

The Inland Empire counties of Riverside and San Bernardino have been among the top urbanizing counties since FMMP began mapping in 1984. San Bernardino County has averaged over 4,400 new urban acres per year during the 18 year period.

A brief history of Chino

Chino is located east of Los Angeles, in the San Gabriel Valley. It’s agricultural history dates back to the Spanish land grant forming Rancho Santa Ana del Chino. The prime soils in the valley supported orchard and row crops, and it became the number one dairy area in the United States. The city’s motto, “Where Everything Grows” referred to this agricultural beginning. The city incorporated in 1910. Adjacent Chino Hills, incorporated in 1991, occupies the western portion of the image.

Starting in the 1970's, its location on Route 60 made Chino one of the first places to feel the impact of the outward migration of families and businesses from Southern California’s coastal counties. As a result, the city's population tripled from 1970 to 1990, using up most of its existing residential land. From 1990-2001, lack of lots caused the city’s growth to slow. Meanwhile, Chino’s industrial areas grew dramatically. Jobs within the city rose 73% during the 1990's, primarily in manufacturing, distribution, and retail power stores.

Most of the irrigated farmland remaining in the area is related to dairy operations, or nurseries. The migration of the dairy industry from Chino to the San Joaquin Valley has been accelerating with urban encroachment.

Division of Land Resource Protection