About Grand Terrace

Grand Terrace is a city in San Bernardino County, California, United States. The population was 12,040 at the 2010 census, up from 11,626 at the 2000 census. Grand Terrace is located between the cities of Riverside and San Bernardino along the I-215 and Aqua Mansa Industrial corridors. The city is situated between two mountain ridges, Blue Mountain to the east, and La Loma Hills to the west.

The city was incorporated in 1978. In the early 1900s it was known as East Riverside, then South Colton and later as the community of Grand Terrace. Settlers date back to the 1800s including the Spanish California and Mexican California period, then came Mormon settlers in the 1850s in the San Bernardino Valley and Seventh-day Adventists whose church headquarters are in nearby Loma Linda; and finally, the Southern California suburbia and sunbelt growth periods in the late half of the 20th century.

This 3.6-square-mile (9.3 km2) community has an average elevation of 1,065 feet (325 m). Its motto, inscribed on the city flag, is "The Blue Mountain City" (its official slogan is "A city set upon a mountain cannot be hidden"), and refers to the Blue Lupine flower that used to grow on Blue Mountain in the spring.

According to the city's web site, the 2000 census revealed that Grand Terrace has the highest median income in the Inland Empire region at $61,068. According to an article in The Press Enterprise dated May 31, 2002, "Its clean streets, quiet neighborhoods and no violent crime are big draws for its middle-income population."

In the state legislature Grand Terrace is located in the 32nd Senate District, represented by Democrat Norma J. Torres, and in the 47th Assembly District, represented by Democrat Cheryl Brown. Federally, Grand Terrace is located in California's 31st congressional district, which is represented by Republican Gary Miller.

Currently the city government consists of Mayor Walt Stanckiewitz, Mayor Pro Tem Bernardo Sandoval, Council Member Darcy McNaboe, Council Member Jackie Mitchell, and Council Member Sylvia Robles. The City Manager is Betsy M. Adams.