Monte Sereno, California

The 2010 United States Census[9] reported that Monte Sereno had a population of 3,341. The population density was 2,068.4 people per square mile (798.6/km²). The racial makeup of Monte Sereno was 2,698 (80.8%) White, 14 (0.4%) African American, 12 (0.4%) Native American, 464 (13.9%) Asian, 0 (0.0%) Pacific Islander, 28 (0.8%) from other races, and 125 (3.7%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 162 persons (4.8%).

The Census reported that 100% of the population lived in households.

There were 1,211 households, out of which 433 (35.8%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 917 (75.7%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 59 (4.9%) had a female householder with no husband present, 26 (2.1%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 14 (1.2%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 8 (0.7%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 178 households (14.7%) were made up of individuals, and 87 (7.2%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76. There were 1,002 families (82.7% of all households); the average family size was 3.05.

The population was spread out, with 816 people (24.4%) under the age of 18, 156 people (4.7%) aged 18 to 24, 487 people (14.6%) aged 25 to 44, 1,235 people (37.0%) aged 45 to 64, and 647 people (19.4%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.2 males. The medi

There were 1,287 housing units at an average density of 796.8 per square mile (307.6/km²), of which 1,090 (90.0%) were owner-occupied, and 121 (10.0%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.3%; the rental vacancy rate was 5.4%. 3,030 people (90.7% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 311 people (9.3%) lived in rental housing units.an age of residents in the city is 51 years of age.

As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 3,483 people, 1,211 households, and 1,024 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,158.7 people per square mile (835.3/km²). There were 1,237 housing units at an average density of 766.7/sq mi (296.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 83.61% White, 0.17% African American, 0.06% Native American, 12.29% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.06% from other races, and 2.78% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.59% of the population. In the city 604 people are foreign born, 6.7% from Asia, 3% from Europe, and 2.7% from other North American countries.[11]

There were 1,211 households, out of which 39.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 78.0% were married couples living together, 4.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 15.4% were non-families. 12.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.88 and the average family size was 3.13.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.8% under the age of 18, 3.7% from 18 to 24, 21.8% from 25 to 44, 32.2% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $154,268, and the median income for a family was $156,706. The unemployment rate in 2015 was 3.7%. Males had a median income of $100,000+ versus $41,875 for females. The per capita income for the city was $76,577. About 3.1% of families and 4.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.9% of those under age 18 and 4.8% of those age 65 or over.

A dispute between two neighbors over extravagant Christmas decorations gained Monte Sereno attention in national news. Bonnie and Alan Aerts of Monte Sereno had for years showcased elaborate holiday displays, costing as much as US$150,000, in their front yard. The displays attracted large masses of visitors, resulting in great traffic around the normally quiet cul-de-sac of four houses. Neighbors Le and Susan Nguyen protested, and, in late 2003, the city council voted 3-2 (Nesbet, Brodsky, Wright for, Garner, Baxter against) to pass an ordinance regarding "regulation of special events" , which would require permits for such displays. On the first Christmas season for which the law was effective (in 2004), the Aertses declined to apply for a permit, which would allow the Aertses' holiday display to be active only for 12 hours in a 72-hour period and would require a 30-day waiting period before a new 72-hour permit could be applied for. Instead, they erected a huge, 10-foot-tall Grinch on their lawn, who swayed from side while singing "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch". The Grinch's outstretched arm pointed conspicuously at the home of the Nguyens.

The spectacle gained mention from the Associated Press and NPR. The Aerts and the Nguyens also appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, a late night talk show, about the situation.

Darla and Joe Padgett and the City of Monte Sereno litigated in various lawsuits stemming out of incidents relating to the Padgett's building of a home which was started in 1999. The City began with allegations of code violations and a too-tall wooden fence, and later the Padgetts claimed, and later proved, that a city employee had written them a threatening letter and that there had been numerous other attempts made to intimidate them. In September 2007, Monte Sereno's city manager, Brian Loventhal, was found to have destroyed evidence. In June 2009 a jury found that Mayor Curtis Wright violated the couple's civil rights and awarded the Padgetts $1 in compensatory damages, $200,000 in punitive damages, and awarded more than $4,000,000 in attorney's fees—more than the city's entire annual budget.

In March, 2019, newly elected Council Member Shawn Leuthold, arguing the City was violating the law in election years by choosing the Mayor for the next year prior to the seating of the newly-elected council members, successfully led an effort to change how Monte Sereno would select its mayor in the future and to remove the then-current mayor, Mayor Curtis Rogers. Vice Mayor Rowena Turner was elected Mayor and Council Member Liz Lawler was elected Vice Mayor, with Council Members Turner, Lawler, and Leuthold voting for these changes and Council Members Javed Ellahie and Rogers voting against. Upon being removed as Mayor, Council Member Rogers resigned. The Council appointed Daniel LaBouve to fill the vacancy. During the course of the remainder of the year, most of the City staff resigned--Finance Officer Sue L’Heureux, City Attorney Kirsten Powell, Building Official Rob Queirolo, and City Manager Terry Blount. The City staff also decided to unionize for the first time in Monte Sereno's 60-year history. In April, 2020, Andrea Chelemengos, City Clerk for the prior two decades, resigned.

In the year 2020, Monte Sereno hired a new City Attorney, City Manager, City Clerk, and Finance/Administrative Officer. Councilmember Daniel LaBouve resigned from the City Council. Councilmember Bryan Mekechuk was elected to City Council on November 3rd. Councilmember Rowena Turner was re-elected to a second term on November 3rd. Monte Sereno adopted a labor agreement with employees, worked extensively on new infrastructure and facility improvements, adopted a new budget format, and adopted finance and pension paydown policies. In addition, Monte Sereno adopted a Telework policy for employees. Monte Sereno granted funding to West Valley Community Services for COVID-19 housing relief, and granted funding for the Disaster Aid Recovery Team (DART). The Monte Sereno Youth Commission began its efforts to establish a Social Justice Award Program. The Monte Sereno Building and Planning Departments began implementation of an online building permitting software application. City Council voted to commit funding for the remodel of the old U.S. Post Office space located at City Hall into a Community Room which will also be used as a Emergency Operations Center and a Community Resource Center. A new Community Newsletter titled "The Peaceful Mountain Monitor" was established as well as a new City website.