Johannesburg, California

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Johannesburg is a census-designated place (CDP) in Kern County, California, in a mining district of the Rand Mountains. The terminus of the Randsburg Railway was here from 1897 to 1933. The population was 176 at the 2000 census. Johannesburg is divided from the neighboring community of Randsburg by a ridge. The town is frequently referred to as "Jo-burg" by locals and frequent visitors to the northwest Mojave.

1 History
2 Geography
3 Demographics
4 External links
5 References

[edit] History

Johannesburg was founded to support mining operation at Randsburg. In addition to providing rail access, the region's first wells were operated by companies located in Johannesburg. During the first half of the 20th Century, the Rand Mining District was the principle gold producing region of California. Activity centered around the Yellow Aster Mine, discovered in 1894. In 1919, the Rand Silver Mine was discovered east of town on Red Mountain. The Rand Mine produced more silver than any mine in California.

Johannesburg was named by miners who had previously worked in the gold-producing region of South Africa. Containing the city of Johannesburg, South Africa, this region is in the Witwatersrand Mountains, and is frequently referred to as "the Rand."

[edit] Geography

Johannesburg is located at 35°22′10″N, 117°38′20″W (35.369564, -117.638983)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 6.3 km² (2.5 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 176 people, 85 households, and 45 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 27.7/km² (72.0/mi²). There were 133 housing units at an average density of 21.0/km² (54.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 91.48% White, 0.57% Black or African American, 1.14% Native American and 2.84% from other races, and 3.98% from two or more races. 5.68% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 85 households out of which 21.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.5% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.9% were non-families. 35.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 21.2% 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 2.70.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 20.5% under the age of 18, 4.0% from 18 to 24, 22.2% from 25 to 44, 31.8% from 45 to 64, and 21.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females there were 95.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.2 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $63,611, and the median income for a family was $72,222. Males had a median income of $51,250 versus $31,250 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $21,478. None of the families and 7.6% of the population were below the poverty line. none are under the age of 18 or over 65.