San Bernardino is the county seat of San Bernardino County, California. As of 2005 the California Department of Finance estimates the population at 199,803. Some areas, particularly north of downtown, have a density beyond design capacity, including garage conversions. Although rapid residential development is transforming the city into a bedroom community, manufacturing remains a major industry in San Bernardino and the surrounding cities. It is an anchor city of the Inland Empire.

San Bernardino has gone by many nicknames in its short history. Of these, San Berdoo or Berdoo is the most common but is considered by some derogatory. Others include Gate City (to reflect its proximity to Los Angeles), City on the Move (used in the 1970s), and most recently The Heartbeat of Route 66.

San Bernardino is ranked among Top 25 Most Dangerous cities in the nation. It was #16 most dangerous in 2004 and #18 in 2005. According to FBI data of 2003, its murder rate was 25.9 per pop. 100,000 (secondary source: City-Data.com). In comparison to Los Angeles' rate, 13.9 per pop. 100,000, San Bernardino's murder rate is relatively high.

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