Furnace Creek, California

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Entrance to Furnace Creek Ranch

Furnace Creek is a census-designated place (CDP) in Inyo County, California, United States. The population was 31 at the 2000 census. The elevation of the village is 179 feet below sea level, making it the lowest census-designated place in the United States.

At Furnace Creek is the headquarters of Death Valley National Park, as well as two of its major tourist facilities, the Furnace Creek Inn and Ranch Resort. The golf course attached to the Ranch is the lowest in the world, at 214 feet below sea level. Most lodging is closed in the summer, when temperatures in the vicinity can surpass 125 degrees Fahrenheit (52 degrees Celsius).

Furnace Creek Airport is located about 3/4 mile west of the park headquarters.

Furnace Creek was formerly the base of Death Valley operations for the Pacific Coast Borax Company.

The Timbisha Indians have lived in the area for centuries. They provided much of the labor to construct and maintain the facilities at Furnace Creek, and continue to comprise most of the permanent population.

Springs in the Amargosa Range created a natural oasis at Furnace Creek, which has subsequently dwindled due to diversion of this water to support the village.

[edit] Geography

Furnace Creek is located at 36°27′5″N, 116°51′32″W (36.451434, -116.858843)^GR1. It is located on California State Route 190, at the junction of SR 178, Artist's Drive, which runs south through the valley.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 80.1 km² (30.9 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 31 people, 15 households, and 9 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 0.4/km² (1.0/mi²). There were 18 housing units at an average density of 0.2/km² (0.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 19.35% White and 80.65% Native American.

There were 15 households out of which 26.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.3% were married couples living together, 20.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.0% were non-families. 40.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.07 and the average family size was 2.33.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 19.4% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 22.6% from 25 to 44, 32.3% from 45 to 64, and 19.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females there were 106.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 108.3 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $25,625, and the median income for a family was $32,500. Males had a median income of $21,250 versus $30,000 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $14,929. There were 12.5% of families and 20.8% of the population living below the poverty line, including 100.0% of under eighteens and none of those over 64.