updated 10/18/23
Prayer Podcasts: for the city; for the officials; for churches/ministries
Grand Terrace, the Blue Mountain city, safe and well managed, known for its natural beauty and recreational opportunities; a vibrant and diverse local economy; a place where residents enjoy an outstanding quality of life that fosters pride and an engaged community, encouraging families to come and remain for generations. Became a city in 1978; located off the Interstate 10; south of Loma Linda; Bloomington to the west and Redlands & Mentone to the east; just below Colton. In 2007, voted the top 100 cities to live in according to the Money Magazine.
Demographics: est. population [2022] 13,331; Median age is 36; 2.7 occupancy size per household; 62.6% of housing units are owner-occupied; $65,255 Median Household Income (6th highest of cities in San Bernardino County); $8,204 Annual Retail Sales Per Capita; 26% of residents possess a Bachelor's Degree or higher; 87% of residents have a High School Degree or above; 24.6 minutes for Average Travel Time to Work for Grand Terrace Residents; Ethnic breakdown of Grand Terrace residents include: 46.4% White; 39.1% Hispanic; 6.5% Asian; 5.6% Black; 2.4% All Other
Grand Terrace's roots go back to Mexican land grants dating from the period between 1830 and 1840. Mormon settlers came shortly after, arriving in the San Bernardino Valley, during the 1850s. According to the Riverside Press, in 1876, there were nine buildings in the Terrace-Colton area. Originally, the area was simply referred to as "the Terrace", but the word "Grand" was added around 1898 due to the beautiful views which surround the city. In 1905, Seventh-day Adventists, whose medical university is now located in nearby Loma Linda, settled in the area. Grand Terrace, at the time known as "South Colton", experienced continued growth and development during the Southern California suburbia and sunbelt periods in the late half of the 20th century.
The development of Grand Terrace, or East Riverside, as the Grand Terrace-Highgrove area was called, became a reality with the construction of the Gage Canal. This 22-1/2-mile canal, built at a cost of 2 million dollars, brought water from the Santa Ana River marshlands below The Terrace. With plenty of irrigation water, Grand Terrace rapidly became an agricultural community featuring fine, quality citrus. However, the severe "freeze" of 1913 destroyed many groves. Walnuts, a hardier tree, were planted as replacements along with peaches as a quick-profit crop.
The social activities in the early 1900s centered around the Farm Bureau Extension Service and the Women's Club, followed by the PTA, in the 1930s. Since there were no local churches, people traveled to surrounding communities for worship and other church activities.
In 1962, the Grand Terrace Chamber of Commerce was organized. From the very beginning the Chamber was interested in preserving the local identity of the area, and therefore, was a strong supporter of cityhood. This group did much of the groundwork, which led to the formation of a local governing body in 1976, which was called the Municipal Advisory Council or MAC. After nearly two years of meetings and negotiations with the county, the residents went to the polls to decide the issue of cityhood. The response was an 82% vote for incorporation. On November 30, 1978, the Charter City Council was installed at Terrace Hills Junior High and Grand Terrace officially became the 16th city in San Bernardino County.
“O, Terrace, my Terrace a small town with heart; So lovely, so lively, a city apart. With people who love you, who make up your core, and leaders who guide you, protect you, and more. Blue Mountain looks over neat houses and lawn, And so this sweet haven that's yet in its dawn. Green orchards and farmland still guard us from noise, Our jewel of the Southland, secure in its poise. O, Terrace, my Terrace, I feel so at ease, In comfort and beauty, midst mountain and trees. The city I've wanted now shines in our land; You're my special home place - -- you've earned the name, "Grand". Written by Thomas Federich Teorey"
Location of Grand Terrace
Specific Prayer Points
Governed by: City Council; under District 3 SBC Board
Schools/District: Colton Joint Unified school district; Grand Terrace elementary; Terrace elementary; Terrace Hills Middle; Grand Terrace High
Crime issues: [2022] A crime occurs every 15 hours 24 minutes (on average) in Grand Terrace; overall crime grade is C+; violent crime B; property crime B+; other crime C; top crime issues are vandalism 14%; drugs 6%; burglary and vehicle theft 5%
Poverty rate: 11.7% [<3.3% of CA avg 15%] M:F same; 18-59 yrs 13%
Spiritual needs: Churches unite & experience revival, pastors to pray together; creative ways to reach this area with the Gospel; signs and wonders be done by the name of Jesus that the lost would see God's power at work; laborers for the harvest; more churches to arise; for believers to share their faith, intercessors to arise and claim this area for the Lord; a mighty move of God to sweep through the area and bring people to their knees in prayer and repentance; transformation and reformation