Mendocino County, California
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Mendocino County, California | |
| Map | |
 Location in the state of California |
|
 California's location in the USA |
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| Statistics | |
| Founded | 1850 |
|---|---|
| Seat | Ukiah |
| Largest City | Ukiah 15497 |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
10,044 km² (3,878 mi²) 9,088 km² (3,509 mi²) 956 km² (369 mi²), 9.52% |
| Population - (2000) - Density |
86,265 9/km² |
| Website: www.co.mendocino.ca.us | |
Mendocino County is a county located on the north coast of the U.S. state of California, north of the San Francisco Bay Area and Sonoma County and west of the Central Valley. As of 2000, the population was 86,265. The county seat is Ukiah.
The county is noted for its distinctive Pacific Ocean coastline and is the location of the Mendocino American Viticultural Area.
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[edit] History
Mendocino County was one of the original counties of California, created in 1850 at the time of statehood.
The county derives its name from Cape Mendocino, which was probably named in honor of either Antonio de Mendoza, Viceroy of New Spain, 1535–1542 (who sent the Juan Cabrillo Expedition to this coast in 1542), or Lorenzo Suárez de Mendoza, Viceroy from 1580 to 1583. Mendocino is the adjectival form of the family name of Mendoza.
In the nineteenth century, the county witnessed many of the most serious atrocities in the extermination of the Californian Native American tribes who originally lived in the area, like the Yuki, the Pomo and the Wintun. The systematical occupation of their lands, the reduction of many of their members into slavery and the raids against their settlements led to the Mendocino War in 1859, where hundreds of Indians were killed. Later, the segregation continued well into the 20th century.
[edit] Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 10,044 km² (3,878 mi²). 9,088 km² (3,509 mi²) of it is land and 956 km² (369 mi²) of it (9.52%) is water.
[edit] Cities and towns
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[edit] Adjacent Counties
- Sonoma County, California - south
- Lake County, California - east
- Glenn County, California - east
- Tehama County, California - northeast
- Trinity County, California - north
- Humboldt County, California - north
[edit] Transportation Infrastructure
[edit] Major Highways
[edit] Public Transportation
The Mendocino Transit Authority provides local and intercity bus service within Mendocino County. Limited service also connects with transit in Sonoma County
[edit] Airports
- Ukiah Regional Airport is a general aviation airport owned by the City of Ukiah. It is located south of downtown Ukiah.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there were 86,265 people, 33,266 households, and 21,855 families residing in the county. The population density was 9/km² (25/mi²). There were 36,937 housing units at an average density of 4/km² (10/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 80.76% White, 0.62% Black or African American, 4.76% Native American, 1.20% Asian, 0.15% Pacific Islander, 8.61% from other races, and 3.90% from two or more races. 16.48% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 33,266 households out of which 31.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.90% were married couples living together, 11.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.30% were non-families. 27.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the county the population was spread out with 25.50% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 25.60% from 25 to 44, 27.10% from 45 to 64, and 13.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 98.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $35,996, and the median income for a family was $42,168. Males had a median income of $33,128 versus $23,774 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,443. About 10.90% of families and 15.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.50% of those under age 18 and 7.70% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Politics
In 2000, Mendocino County approved de-facto legalization for marijuana cultivation and possession for personal use. Measure G passed with a 58% majority vote, making it the first county in the United States to declare prosecution of small-scale marijuana offenses the "lowest priority" for local law enforcement. [1] (The city of Berkeley has had a similar law since 1979 which has generally been found to be unenforceable [2])
In 2004, Measure H was passed in Mendocino County with a 57% majority, making it the first county in the United States to ban the production and cultivation of genetically modified organisms.
[edit] Rivers
[edit] Beaches
- Big River Beach
- Van Damme Beach
- Greenwood State Beach
- Seaside Beach
- Wesport-Union Landing State Beach
- Manchester State Beach
- Navarro Beach
- Portuguese Beach
- Long Valley Creek
- 10 Mile Creek
[edit] Parks, Reserves and related places
- Henry Woods State Reserve
- Jughandle State Reserve
- Mendocino National Forest
- Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens
- Montgomery Woods State Reserve
- Round Valley Indian Reservation
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
[edit] General information
- County of Mendocino official website
- Mendocino WineCountry website
- Mendocino California Events Network website
- Know Your Mendocino
- Mendocino County Travel Information
[edit] Vineyards
- Barra of Mendocino
- Braren Pauli
- Brutocao Cellars & Vineyards
- Christine Woods Vineyards
- Frey Vineyards
- Navarro Vineyards
- Parducci
- Roederer Estate Vineyards
- Scharffenberger Cellars
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Mendocino County, California County Seat: Ukiah |
|---|---|
| Incorporated places |
Fort Bragg • Point Arena • Ukiah • Willits |
| CDPs |
Covelo • Laytonville • Mendocino • Talmage |
| Other unincorporated communities |
Albion • Boonville • Calpella • Caspar • Elk • Gualala • Hopland • Little River • Philo • Redwood Valley • Potter Valley |
| State parks |
Caspar Headlands • Greenwood Beach • Hendy Woods • Jug Handle • MacKerricher • Maillard Redwoods • Manchester • Mendocino Headlands • Mendocino Woodlands • Montgomory Woods • Navarro River Redwoods • Point Cabrillo • Russian Gulch • Schooner Gulch • Sinkyone Wilderness • Smithe Redwoods • Standish-Hickey • Standley • Van Damme • Westport Union Landing |
