updated 4/1/24
Located east of and adjoining to the neighboring cities of Victorville and Hesperia, 35 miles south of Barstow, and 49 miles north of San Bernardino through the Cajon Pass. Became incorporated on November 14, 1988.
DEMOGRAPHICS: population est. 75,860 [2023]; 49/51 M/F; 45% white; 39% Hispanic; 8% African American; Asian 3%; American Indian .5%; Average person per household 3; 14% less than HS; 29% HS grad; 37% some college; 19% bachelors or more; median income $63K; 67% own; 33% rent; 76% speak English; 19% Spanish.
Mission Statement: To provide a better way of life through local control of public safety, development, services and amenities; enhancing our residents’ lives and providing for our community’s future. Vision Statement: A premier community, full of first-class amenities, events, and employment opportunities, Apple Valley will lead the High Desert in public safety and environmental stewardship defining “A Better Way of Life.”
Incorporated in 1988, signs of Serrano Indian camps along the Mojave River in Apple Valley; l late 1800s, the Paiute Indians also migrated to this area. The Mojave River Trail hosted trappers, gold prospectors, pack mules and Mormon wagon trains; in 1860 that the first cabin was built; city name came from all the apple orchards; some say the name “Apple Valley” originated from The Appleton Land Company; By 1920, apples were being grown by the ton at award-winning orchards; orchards died off in the 1930s' ranches were built in the area for those needing the dry desert air as a cure for ailments of all sorts, including tuberculosis and asthma; some provided a place for victims of World War I; people would come to enjoy the western lifestyle where they could ride horses, attend rodeos, and just get away from the big city.
Modern founders were Newton T. Bass and B.J. “Bud” Westlund, partners in oil and gas industry; they marketed the area as a resort and quality residential community; built an Inn and Hilltop House for celebrities; soon after there were banks, churches, and a school, along with a golf course, hospital and 180 businesses.
“A premier community, full of first-class amenities, events, and employment opportunities, Apple Valley will lead the High Desert in public safety and environmental stewardship defining “A Better Way of Life.”"
Location of Apple Valley in SBC
Specific Prayer Points
Environment: current air quality; under severe drought conditions, current fire outlook, heavy winds erosion potential, recent earthquakes
Government: Town Council in County District 1
Schools: Apple Valley Unified school district: 5 elementary schools pre-K to 6th; 5 pre-school to 8th grade; 2 high schools; adult school; academy for 7-12th; center for innovation
Christian schools: Apple Valley Christian Academy, Apple Valley Christian school, St. Timothy's prep school, Valley Christian Fellowship elementary, Mojave Christian, ABC 123 Christian Academy, Oxford prep
Crime: [2022] overall crime grade is B+; violent C+; property crime B-; other crime is B+; A crime occurs every 3 hours 20 minutes (on average) in Apple Valley; top issues are vandalism 7%; burglary 6% and drug crimes 5%.
Poverty rate: 17.02% [CA avg. 15%] The race most likely to be in poverty in Apple Valley is Islander, with 79.09% below the poverty level. The race least likely to be in poverty in Apple Valley is Native, with 4.83% below the poverty level. The poverty rate among those that worked full-time for the past 12 months was 5.39%. Among those working part-time, it was 15.83%, and for those that did not work, the poverty rate was 20.41%.
Business list [not exhaustive]
Spiritual: laborers for the harvest; people emboldened to share their faith including the children; prayer groups attract more people and see results in their services, growth in the churches; intercessors rise up and pray for an awakening and revival until it happens; more people share in the work of the ministry; united prayers for the city and its needs; people's lives transformed by the Gospel and their testimonies ignite others; changes happen in those who are committing the crimes; ways to overcome financial hardships; churches help the poor
Churches & Ministries [not exhaustive]
Church of the Valley Presbyterian
Apple Valley Baptist Church
Apple Valley Church Of Christ
Apple Valley Church Of God
Apple Valley Seventh Day Adventist Fellowship
Ascension Lutheran Church
Assemblies of God
Christ The Solid Rock Missionary Baptist Church
Christian and Missionary Alliance
Church Of Christ, High Desert
Church of God in Christ
Desert Love Church Of God In Christ
Evangelica Emmanuel
Faith Ministries Church Inc
Full Gospel Church
High Desert Chinese Church
Holy Apostolic Church of God Pentecostal
IB Eben-ezer del Desierto Alto
Jess Ranch Community Church
Living Waters Chapel
Lutheran Church of Missouri Synod
New Vision Community Church
Our Lady of the Desert Church
Pentecostal Church of God
Presbyterian Church Of The Valley
River Of Life Christian Church
Seventh Day Adventist
St Timothy's Church
The Garden Chapel
The Gift Of God
Valley Christian Fellowship
Victory In Jesus Bible Faith Center
Vietnamese Alliance Church of Apple Valley