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San Bernardino CountyEdit

San Bernardino County sits at the southern edge of California’s vast landscape, straddling the metropolitan core of the Inland Empire and the remote reaches of the Mojave Desert. It is the largest county by area in the contiguous United States, spanning roughly twenty thousand square miles and extending from the eastern fringe of the Los Angeles metropolitan area to the Mojave and the San Bernardino Mountains. Its geography creates a wide spectrum of communities, from dense suburban centers to open desert valleys and high-country resort towns. The county seat is San Bernardino, California, and other major population centers include Fontana, California, Rancho Cucamonga, California, Ontario, California, Victorville, California, Chino, California, Redlands, California, and Chino Hills, California.

San Bernardino County is a critical part of the Southern California economy and national logistics network. Its I-10 and I-15 corridors connect the region to the rest of the state and the nation, supporting a robust distribution and manufacturing sector anchored by warehousing, automotive parts, and regional services. The county’s economic footprint is enhanced by health care, education, and public administration, as well as a strong presence of federal land and military assets. Fort Irwin, located in the northern desert, is a major training installation that shapes regional defense-oriented employment and infrastructure. In addition, Ontario International Airport serves as a regional air hub, linking inland communities to domestic and international destinations. The county’s universities, including the local campus of California State University, San Bernardino and a range of community colleges, support workforce development and the knowledge economy.

Geography and environment

San Bernardino County features three broad physical environments: the arid desert basins in the western and eastern portions, the foothills and climate-diverse microregions of the San Bernardino Mountains, and the expansive desertlands that stretch toward the Mojave. Protected and managed public lands, including San Bernardino National Forest and parts of the desert landscape that extend into nearby counties, preserve natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities such as hiking, camping, and rock climbing. The county’s climate is varied, with hot, dry summers in the desert flats and cooler, snowy winters in the higher elevations.

History and development

Long before European settlement, indigenous groups such as the Serrano, Cahuilla, and Chemehuevi inhabited the region, developing trade networks and cultural traditions that persisted into the modern era. The area became part of Mexican and then American territory, with development accelerating after the mid-19th century as transportation routes expanded. The arrival of railroads and, later, road infrastructure laid the groundwork for the Inland Empire’s growth as a hub of agriculture, manufacturing, and commerce. Postwar population expansion brought suburban growth to cities across the county, intensifying the demand for housing, schools, and public services.

Fort Irwin and other military facilities have contributed to the county’s economy and identity, linking San Bernardino to national security and training missions. The county’s growth has also been tied to a broader pattern in Southern California: a shift toward logistics-driven economic activity and regional integration with the Los Angeles metropolitan area and neighboring counties.

Demographics and communities

San Bernardino County is home to a diverse mix of communities, reflecting broader California demographics. The population includes substantial Latino communities, white residents, and smaller but active black and Asian communities, all contributing to a rich cultural tapestry in cities such as Fontana, California, Rancho Cucamonga, California, Ontario, California, Victorville, California, and San Bernardino, California. The county’s size and variety mean there are strong urban, suburban, and rural subregions with distinct needs and political perspectives.

Economy and infrastructure

The county’s economy is shaped by a blend of distribution and logistics, manufacturing, health care, education, and government services, with the logistics corridor centered on the I-10 and I-15 highways. Large-scale warehousing and e-commerce fulfillment centers are common in Inland Empire suburbs, drawn by access to West Coast markets and southern California consumers. Public-sector employment, health systems, and institutions of higher education provide steady anchor institutions for local economies.

Water, land use, and energy policy play significant roles in growth strategies. The region relies on a mix of imported water, groundwater, and local storage, with state and federal programs governing long-term reliability and environmental stewardship. Debates over water allocations, drought resilience, and land-use planning are common across California, and in San Bernardino County these issues intersect with regional development goals and the need to balance growth with responsible stewardship of public lands and resources. For readers interested in broader policy contexts, see California State Water Project and Colorado River resources and governance.

Governance and policy

The county operates under a five-member Board of Supervisors, which oversees county services, land use planning, public safety, and health and human services across dozens of cities and unincorporated areas. Local governance emphasizes a balance between fiscal discipline and the capacity to deliver essential services—public safety, road maintenance, and social services—within the constraints of state policy and funding. County government frequently engages with city governments in the Inland Empire and coordinates with state authorities on major infrastructure and environmental initiatives. The region’s policy debates often center on how best to maintain safe communities, ensure reliable infrastructure, and foster business-friendly conditions that encourage job creation.

In discussions about regulation, tax policy, and public spending, supporters of local control argue that county and city governments are better positioned than distant state authorities to tailor solutions to neighborhood needs. California-wide policy choices—such as tax regimes and school funding formulas—remain influential but are frequently adapted at the county level through budgeting and prioritization. See Proposition 13 for a representative example of California property tax policy and its implications for local governments.

Education, culture, and life

Education is a central pillar for the county’s long-term success. The presence of California State University, San Bernardino provides cultural and research opportunities, along with workforce development that supports local employers. Community colleges, school districts, and private institutions offer pathways for students to acquire training and skills for the region’s economy. Cultural life in the county is diverse, reflecting its demographic makeup and Western-U.S. heritage, with arts, museums, and outdoor recreation contributing to a high quality of life in many communities. Nearby protected lands, including the desert and mountain regions, offer opportunities for outdoor recreation and tourism that complement urban life in places like Redlands, California and Victorville, California.

Transportation and regional links

San Bernardino County’s transportation network is a backbone for the state’s regional economy. Interstate highways, regional rail services, and local transit systems connect urban centers to each other and to the broader Southern California economy. The Fontana and Ontario regions act as inland hubs for freight and commerce, while desert corridors connect the county with national markets. Proximity to the greater Los Angeles area means that regional growth is closely tied to broader policy decisions about housing, energy, and water in the state.

Notable places and institutions

See also