West Point, California

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

West Point is a census-designated place (CDP) in Calaveras County, California, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the CDP population was 746. The town is registered as California Historical Landmark #268. There is an annual West Point Lumberjack Days festival in the community.

1 History
2 Geography
3 Demographics
4 External links

[edit] History

West Point was named by scout Kit Carson, who was searching for a pass over the Sierra Nevada. One emigrant road forked by Big Meadows — its north branch came directly to West Point, which was a thriving trading post prior to the gold discovery. Author Bret Harte lived here for a time.

[edit] Geography

West Point is located at 38°23′57″N, 120°31′46″W (38.399135, -120.529572)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 9.7 km² (3.7 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 746 people, 305 households, and 203 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 77.0/km² (199.4/mi²). There were 345 housing units at an average density of 35.6/km² (92.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 82.04% White, 1.21% Black or African American, 8.18% Native American, 0.67% Asian, 2.82% from other races, and 5.09% from two or more races. 8.04% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 305 households out of which 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.6% were married couples living together, 14.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.4% were non-families. 26.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 24.4% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 20.0% from 25 to 44, 30.0% from 45 to 64, and 19.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 84.7 males. For every 100 over, there are 85.5 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $25,417, and the median income for a family was $27,794. Males had a median income of $24,028 versus $22,500 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $11,439. About 28.2% of families and 33.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 45.3% of those under age 18 and 15.7% of those age 65 or over.