Fortuna, California

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Fortuna is a city in Humboldt County, California, United States. The population was 10,497 at the 2000 census.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 Festivals and Events
4 External links

[edit] Geography

Fortuna is located at 40°35′12″N, 124°8′46″W (40.586742, -124.146101)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.5 km² (4.8 mi²), all land.

Fortuna is located seven miles from the Pacific coast and is the gateway to the Sequoia Giant Redwood forests of Northern California. Sequoia sempervirens grow as high as a 30-story building and live to be 2,500 years old. It is humbling to stand in a redwood grove cathedral and realize these trees were alive when the Romans ruled the world.

Fortuna is surrounded by National, State and County Redwood parks. The 33-mile Avenue of the Giants drive offers one of the most spectacular views of the Redwoods as it brings visitors through grove after grove. Stops include Founders Grove, the Visitor Center near Weott and several places that provide trail access.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 10,497 people, 4,185 households, and 2,778 families residing in the city. The population density was 840.9/km² (2,179.9/mi²). There were 4,414 housing units at an average density of 353.6/km² (916.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 88.39% White, 0.45% Black or African American, 2.91% Native American, 0.97% Asian, 0.17% Pacific Islander, 3.95% from other races, and 3.16% from two or more races. 10.45% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,185 households out of which 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.6% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.6% were non-families. 28.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the city the population was spread out with 26.0% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 17.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 91.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,129, and the median income for a family was $38,867. Males had a median income of $32,414 versus $23,327 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,574. About 12.1% of families and 17.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.8% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Festivals and Events

Along with being known as "The Friendly City," Fortuna is also famous for its events and festivals. The local citizenry and visitors to Fortuna enjoy a large number of outdoor festivals including the Annual Fortuna Rodeo, Redwood AutoXpo, Paddle to the Headwaters canoe race, Logging Competition, Civil War Days, Apple Harvest and others; in fact, bring up a subject and someone will probably think up a way to make a festival of it. Spring brings the Daffodil Festival; Art & Wine in the Park happens in early summer. The Hops in Humboldt festival rounds out August, just in time for the start of the Fortuna Concert Series, an eight-performance event that continues through the winter and spring. Christmas events in Fortuna are not a slouch either- concerts and parades fill the bill.