County of Plumas | |||
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— County — | |||
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Location in the state of California | |||
California's location in the United States | |||
Country | ![]() |
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State | ![]() |
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Region | Sierra Nevada | ||
Incorporated | 1854 | ||
County seat | Quincy | ||
Area | |||
• Total | 2,613 sq mi (6,770 km2) | ||
• Land | 2,554 sq mi (6,610 km2) | ||
• Water | 60 sq mi (200 km2) | ||
Population (2010) | |||
• Total | 20,007 | ||
• Density | 7.7/sq mi (3/km2) | ||
Time zone | Pacific Standard Time (UTC-8) | ||
• Summer (DST) | Pacific Daylight Time (UTC-7) | ||
Website | www.countyofplumas.com |
Plumas County is a county located in the Sierra Nevada of the U.S. state of California. The county gets its name from the Spanish words for the Feather River (Río de las Plumas), which flows through the county. As of the 2010 census, the population 20,007, down from 20,824 at the 2000 census. The county seat is Quincy.
The only incorporated city in the county is Portola, several other populated places are CDPs.
Contents |
History
The Spanish originally called one of the tributaries of the Sacramento River El Rio de las Plumas or the "River of Feathers." The Legislature, in creating this county, gave it the name "Plumas" because all of the numerous branches of the Feather River have their origins in its mountains.
Law and government
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 2,613.48 square miles (6,768.9 km2), of which 2,553.69 square miles (6,614.0 km2) (or 97.71%) is land and 59.78 square miles (154.8 km2) (or 2.29%) is water.[1]
Plumas County has numerous lakes and streams which are renowned for their fishing. Outdoor activities are a major tourist draw. A small part of Lassen Volcanic National Park extends into the northwest corner of the county.
Cities and towns
Designated areas
- Butterfly Valley Botanical Area
- Elephants Playground
- Happy Valley
- Little Last Chance Canyon Special Interest Area
- North Valley
- Valley Creek Special Interest Area
Water areas
Adjacent counties
- Sierra County, California - south
- Yuba County, California - southwest
- Butte County, California - west
- Tehama County, California - northwest
- Shasta County, California - northwest
- Lassen County, California - north, east
National protected areas
- Lassen National Forest (part)
- Lassen Volcanic National Park (part)
- Plumas National Forest (part)
- Tahoe National Forest (part)
Transportation Infrastructure
Major highways
Public Transit
Plumas Transit Systems provides local service in Quincy and routes to Chester and Portola.
Airports
Gansner Field is a general aviation airport located near Quincy. Rogers Field is located near Chester; in addition to its civil-aviation role it also serves as the Chester Air Attack Base, a logistical & coordination facility for the California Department of Forestry's aerial firefighting (both fixed-wing and helicopter). Resources include fueling, retardant loading, communications, and some quartering for aircrew and ground fire-fighting teams. Nervino field is in Beckwourth, east of Portola.
Economy
Politics
Year | GOP | DEM | Others |
---|---|---|---|
2008 | 54.8% 6,035 | 42.8% 4,715 | 3.1% 343 |
2004 | 61.7% 6,905 | 36.9% 4,129 | 1.4% 156 |
2000 | 61.0% 6,343 | 33.3% 3,458 | 5.8% 600 |
1996 | 50.3% 4,905 | 36.3% 3,540 | 13.4% 1,305 |
1992 | 36.2% 3,599 | 37.6% 3,742 | 26.2% 2,608 |
1988 | 51.1% 4,603 | 47.2% 4,251 | 1.8% 161 |
1984 | 56.6% 5,224 | 41.6% 3,837 | 1.8% 167 |
1980 | 51.2% 4,182 | 35.7% 2,911 | 13.1% 1,068 |
1976 | 43.9% 2,884 | 52.3% 3,429 | 3.8% 250 |
1972 | 46.4% 2,952 | 48.1% 3,057 | 5.5% 351 |
1968 | 37.4% 2,097 | 52.8% 2,961 | 9.9% 553 |
1964 | 29.5% 1,686 | 70.4% 4,019 | 0.1% 8 |
1960 | 37.5% 2,015 | 62.0% 3,333 | 0.6% 30 |
1956 | 41.9% 2,267 | 57.8% 3,127 | 0.4% 21 |
1952 | 43.5% 2,687 | 55.6% 3,435 | 1.0% 61 |
1948 | 32.8% 1,657 | 61.8% 3,125 | 5.5% 276 |
1944 | 30.0% 1,126 | 69.8% 2,625 | 0.2% 8 |
1940 | 26.8% 1,270 | 72.1% 3,418 | 1.1% 52 |
1936 | 19.8% 680 | 78.8% 2,707 | 1.4% 48 |
1932 | 21.7% 582 | 75.8% 2,035 | 2.5% 67 |
1928 | 45.6% 947 | 52.0% 1,079 | 2.4% 49 |
1924 | 32.9% 564 | 10.6% 182 | 56.5% 967 |
1920 | 64.0% 999 | 25.8% 403 | 10.2% 160 |
Plumas County is currently a strongly Republican county in Presidential and congressional elections. The last Democrat to win a majority in presidential elections in the county was Jimmy Carter in 1976, although Bill Clinton won with a plurality in 1992.
Plumas County is part of California's 4th congressional district, which is currently held by Republican Tom McClintock, replacing John Doolittle who stepped down from his seat due to the famous political-corruption scandal involving the convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff. In the state legislature, Plumas County is part of the 3rd Assembly district, which is held by Republican Dan Logue, and the 1st Senate District, which is held by Republican Ted Gaines.
On Nov. 4, 2008 Plumas County voted 60.0 % for Proposition 8 which amended the California Constitution to ban same-sex marriages.
Demographics
2010
The 2010 United States Census reported that Plumas County had a population of 20,007. The racial makeup of Plumas County was 17,797 (89.0%) White, 192 (1.0%) African American, 539 (2.7%) Native American, 134 (0.7%) Asian, 18 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 603 (3.0%) from other races, and 724 (3.6%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1,605 persons (8.0%).[2]
Population reported at 2010 United States Census | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Population |
|
American |
American |
|
Islander |
races |
more races |
or Latino (of any race) |
Plumas County | 20,007 | 17,797 | 192 | 539 | 134 | 18 | 603 | 724 | 1,605 |
cities |
Population |
|
American |
American |
|
Islander |
races |
more races |
or Latino (of any race) |
Portola | 2,104 | 1,762 | 13 | 54 | 12 | 1 | 198 | 64 | 342 |
places |
Population |
|
American |
American |
|
Islander |
races |
more races |
or Latino (of any race) |
Almanor | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Beckwourth | 432 | 402 | 0 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 9 | 29 |
Belden | 22 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Blairsden | 39 | 38 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
Bucks Lake | 10 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
C-Road | 31 | 26 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Canyondam | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Caribou | 2,144 | 1,954 | 10 | 46 | 21 | 4 | 37 | 72 | 178 |
Chester | 454 | 418 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 21 | 38 |
Chilcoot-Vinton | 66 | 64 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Clio | 196 | 172 | 1 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 26 |
Crescent Mills | 150 | 140 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 9 |
Cromberg | 261 | 239 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 18 |
Delleker | 705 | 503 | 7 | 23 | 3 | 0 | 133 | 36 | 186 |
East Quincy | 2,489 | 2,174 | 79 | 43 | 15 | 0 | 32 | 146 | 161 |
East Shore | 156 | 143 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 7 |
Gold Mountain | 80 | 78 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Graeagle | 737 | 718 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 27 |
Greenhorn | 236 | 213 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 7 | 22 |
Greenville | 1,129 | 897 | 1 | 133 | 11 | 0 | 17 | 70 | 109 |
Hamilton Branch | 537 | 514 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 15 | 20 |
Indian Falls | 54 | 50 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
Iron Horse | 297 | 276 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 8 | 17 |
Johnsville | 20 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Keddie | 66 | 62 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
La Porte | 26 | 24 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Lake Almanor Country Club | 419 | 406 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 8 |
Lake Almanor Peninsula | 356 | 337 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 22 |
Lake Almanor West | 270 | 259 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 11 |
Lake Davis | 45 | 45 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Little Grass Valley | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Mabie | 161 | 150 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 4 |
Meadow Valley | 464 | 435 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 12 | 21 |
Mohawk Vista | 159 | 146 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 |
Paxton | 14 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
Plumas Eureka | 339 | 326 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 17 |
Prattville | 33 | 33 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Quincy | 1,728 | 1,500 | 37 | 29 | 19 | 2 | 66 | 75 | 132 |
Spring Garden | 16 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Storrie | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Taylorsville | 140 | 131 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 |
Tobin | 12 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Twain | 82 | 75 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 14 |
Valley Ranch | 109 | 107 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Warner Valley | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Whitehawk | 113 | 107 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 |
communities |
Population |
|
American |
American |
|
Islander |
races |
more races |
or Latino (of any race) |
All others not CDPs (combined) | 3,098 | 2,777 | 33 | 120 | 17 | 8 | 46 | 97 | 160 |
2000
As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 20,824 people, 9,000 households, and 6,047 families residing in the county. The population density was 8 people per square mile (3/km²). There were 13,386 housing units at an average density of 5 per square mile (2/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 91.78% White, 0.62% Black or African American, 2.55% Native American, 0.53% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 1.81% from other races, and 2.61% from two or more races. 5.65% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 16.1% were of German, 15.0% English, 10.1% Irish and 8.0% American ancestry according to Census 2000. 95.4% spoke English and 3.6% Spanish as their first language.
There were 9,000 households out of which 26.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.40% were married couples living together, 8.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.80% were non-families. 27.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.77.
In the county the population was spread out with 22.70% under the age of 18, 6.00% from 18 to 24, 22.60% from 25 to 44, 30.80% from 45 to 64, and 17.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 99.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $36,351, and the median income for a family was $46,119. Males had a median income of $38,742 versus $25,734 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,391. About 9.00% of families and 13.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.70% of those under age 18 and 6.40% of those age 65 or over.
Media
The primary local news source since 1866 is Feather Publishing Co., Inc. at plumasnews.com. Four Plumas County newspapers are published every Wednesday, except for certain holidays.
Colleges and universities
Miscellaneous topics (Sports teams and similar lists)
- The Feather River College Golden Eagle football team is one of the top-ranked junior college teams in Northern California.
- The town of Portola is home to the Western Pacific Railroad Museum, one of the largest railroad museums in North America. The WPRM is one of the major tourist draws in the county.
- The town of Chester is home to the Collins Pine Museum, a museum completed in 2007 and dedicated to educating the public about the history of the Collins Pine Company's (a division of The Collins Companies) logging operations in the Chester region.
See also
- Hiking trails in Plumas County
- List of school districts in Plumas County, California
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Plumas County, California
References
- ^ "Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Counties". United States Census. http://www.census.gov/tiger/tms/gazetteer/county2k.txt. Retrieved 2011-02-13.
- ^ "2010 Census P.L. 94-171 Summary File Data". United States Census Bureau. http://www2.census.gov/census_2010/01-Redistricting_File--PL_94-171/California/.
- ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
External links
- Official County of Plumas website
- Plumas County News
- Discover Plumas County
- Plumas political entities
Coordinates: 40°01′N 120°50′W / 40.01°N 120.83°W
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Tehama County and Shasta County | Lassen County | ![]() |
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Butte County | ![]() |
Lassen County | ||
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Yuba County | Sierra County |
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