Santee is a city in San Diego County, California, United States. The population was 60,037 at the 2020 census. It is a part of the East County region. The city is bisected by the San Diego River, a linear greenbelt that includes parks, trails and more than of natural habitat.
History
The region was the homeland of the Kumeyaay people. These original residents established the village of Sinyeweche on the banks of the San Diego River in the present-day Santee area.
In 1877, George A. Cowles, a pioneer rancher and businessperson, purchased to develop his vineyards. The area became known as Cowlestown and was linked to the Cuyamaca Railroad.
The town was later renamed to Santee in 1893 after Milton Santee, the second husband of Jennie Blodgett, whose first husband was George A. Cowles.
In 1980, residents voted in favor of incorporation after voting against it just three years earlier, giving rise to the city of Santee.