Hollister is the largest community in San Benito County, and the county seat. Located 95 miles southeast of San Francisco and 45 miles east of Monterey, Hollister has a population of 36,000 residents and covers approximately 6.6 square miles. The area is between the Gavilan Diablo Ranges of the Santa Cruz Mountains. This idyllic...
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Hollister is the largest community in San Benito County, and the county seat. Located 95 miles southeast of San Francisco and 45 miles east of Monterey, Hollister has a population of 36,000 residents and covers approximately 6.6 square miles. The area is between the Gavilan Diablo Ranges of the Santa Cruz Mountains. This idyllic location allows Hollister to enjoy a temperate climate, lending to warm summers and mild winters.
The town was established in 1868 and incorporated as a city in 1872 by ranchers and farmers of the San Justo Homestead Association. After a dispute over the town name, the founders chose to name the town after the man who sold them the land, Colonel William Welles Hollister. The land was abundant in wild oat hay--prime nutrition for flock and livestock. The hay industry brought growth and prosperity to the city, and the coming of the railroad brought communication with the rest of the world. Hollister became known as "Hay City."
Today, Hollister has been one of the fastest growing communities in California over the past decade. The town is true to its agricultural heritage, but has also encouraged a business-friendly community.
Students are served by the excellent elementary and middle schools of the Hollister School District. High School students are served by San Benito High School District where more than 96% of high school seniors graduate, with more than 76% going on to pursue advanced education opportunities. Real estate varies within this small community, with a blend of older and newer homes and tree lined streets.
While many of the downtown buildings in the business district represent styles of architecture prior to WWII, most single family homes in Hollister were built in the last two decades. More than sixty percent of residents are home owners. Recent double-digit home appreciation rates have made the area attractive to buyers, as Hollister is located far enough away from the hectic cities to offer undeveloped property at competitive prices.
In February 2010, the average home sales price for a single family home or condo in Hollister, CA was $292,044. While this data is collected from the MLS and deemed reliable, it is not guaranteed.
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