California Gets a New City

California’s 483rd city—Mountain House, San Joaquin County—became official on Monday as it swore in its new council.

The city, located about 60 miles east of San Francisco, began as a planned community in 1996 and has seen rapid growth in recent years, as thousands have left the more expensive Bay Area. Mountain House—which has been governed by an independent board of directors since 2008, when it reached 1,000 registered voters—recorded a population of 24,499 in the 2020 census and welcomed its first grocery store in 2022.

In March, the community voted overwhelmingly in favor of incorporating after almost 30 years as a small exurban community. It is California’s first new city since Jurupa Valley incorporated in 2011.

The council and mayor were sworn in at an induction ceremony on July 1. Newly elected Mayor Andy Su acknowledged the hard work that went into developing the community.

“I’m thankful for the help we’ve had over the years and looking forward to the growth of Mountain House,” he told CBS.

Council member Ronna Green told the outlet she felt hopeful for the future.

“The support from the other cities was amazing. So as long as we continue in that vein, there’s no way we can fail,” Green said. “Mountain House feels like a family, and that’s what it felt like tonight, just family coming together to celebrate.”

The city plans to mark its incorporation with an Independence Day parade, live music, and a commemorative ribbon cutting.

Mountain House’s recent growth is particularly impressive against its history. In 2008, it was the most underwater community in the U.S., with almost 90 percent of its homeowners owing more on their mortgage than their house was worth.

The trend of relocation to Mountain House aligns with broader demographic shifts in California. Los Angeles and the Bay Area, characterized by large populations and expensive housing, have seen an exodus. Last year, they were the first and second most common locations Americans moved away from.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the rise of remote working have left workers less tied to cities and inclined to move to more remote communities such as Mountain House, where housing is more affordable and the quality of life may be higher.

According to the council’s website, the name “Mountain House” has its origins in the Gold Rush era, after a famous way station for miners, stockmen, rancheros and immigrants.