Mariposa, California

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Mariposa is an unincorporated community and census-designated place that serves as the county seat of Mariposa County, California. The population was 1,373 at the 2000 census. Its name is Spanish for "butterfly," after the flocks seen there by early explorers.

[edit] Geography

Mariposa is located at 37°29′15″N, 119°58′6″W (37.487379, -119.968460)^GR1, at 2,000 feet in elevation. It lies in the rugged foothills of the Sierra Nevadas. Mariposa Creek flows through the town.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the community has a total area of 8.3 km² (3.2 mi²), all land.

Mariposa County is home to much of Yosemite National Park, and a good deal of the local economy is related to the Park and to tourism. The county courthouse, constructed in 1854, is the oldest in continuous use in California. Tours are available.

The county lies at the southern end of the Mother Lode, and Europeans were attracted to Mariposa by gold. During the 19th century California Gold Rush, its streams were panned and deep mines worked the underground veins. At one time John C. Frémont lived here and owned claims to much of the mineral wealth of Mariposa. He later was the first US Senator from the state, and the first Republican candidate for President.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 1,373 people, 676 households, and 327 families residing in the community. The population density was 164.6/km² (426.4/mi²). There were 754 housing units at an average density of 90.4/km² (234.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the community was 86.82% White, 0.58% African American, 6.34% Native American, 0.87% Asian, 1.82% from other races, and 3.57% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.83% of the population.

There were 676 households out of which 21.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 31.4% were married couples living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 51.5% were non-families. 47.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 27.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.94 and the average family size was 2.77.

In the community the population was spread out with 20.6% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 23.2% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 27.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 80.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.7 males.

The median income for a household in the community was $18,144, and the median income for a family was $27,344. Males had a median income of $26,771 versus $26,635 for females. The per capita income for the community was $22,436. About 28.0% of families and 24.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.5% of those under age 18 and 5.5% of those age 65 or over.