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DAVIS HISTORY

How Davis exploded in size during the 1960s

Davis grew from 8,910 people in 1960 to more than 21,000 by 1969 as UC Davis expanded rapidly, transforming roads, neighborhoods and local politics.

The 1960s changed Davis at extraordinary speed. The City’s local-history project says the population rose from 8,910 in 1960 to 21,750 by 1969, while UC Davis enrollment surged. New neighborhoods pushed outward, Russell Boulevard widened, traffic signals multiplied and residents began arguing seriously about how large Davis should become.

1960Davis population: about 8,910.
1967Russell Boulevard is widened and city leaders debate much larger growth plans.
1969A special census reports about 21,750 residents.
Period1960–1969
EvidenceDocumented
Last checked2026-08-18
SourceCity of Davis — Growing Pains, Chapter 1
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Why Davis became so focused on controlling growthRapid population and university expansion in the 1960s and 1970s fueled a long-running Davis debate over how much the city should grow and where.Why one of early Davis traffic signals was for Emerson studentsAs late as 1965, a rare Davis traffic signal on B Street north of Russell existed so students at the old downtown Emerson campus could cross safely.Why Unitrans has red double-decker busesUnitrans bought two authentic London double-deck buses in 1968 to attract people to the new transit service; the buses became its enduring symbol.Why the Richards underpass was called the Davis SubwayThe Richards Boulevard underpass was built in 1917 and was historically known as the Davis Subway; it carried an early state highway beneath the railroad.What downtown Davis looked like in 1968Downtown in 1968 had two movie theaters, multiple car dealerships, local markets, nightclubs, variety stores and a very different mix of businesses than today.How an old Davis High School became City HallA 1927 school building later served as Davis City Hall after municipal offices moved into the former campus in the early 1980s.