Big Bend, California

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Big Bend, California
Location in Shasta County and the state of California
Location in Shasta County and the state of California
Coordinates: 41°1′11″N 121°54′28″W / 41.01972, -121.90778
Country United States
State California
County Shasta
Area
 - Total 5.7 sq mi (14.8 km²)
 - Land 5.7 sq mi (14.8 km²)
 - Water 0 sq mi (0 km²)
Elevation 1,701 ft (514 m)
Population (2000)
 - Total 149
 - Density 26.1/sq mi (10.1/km²)
Time zone Pacific (PST) (UTC-8)
 - Summer (DST) PDT (UTC-7)
ZIP code 96011
Area code(s) 530
FIPS code 06-06475
GNIS feature ID 0256886

Big Bend is a census-designated place (CDP) in Shasta County, California, United States. The population was 149 at the 2000 census.

Contents

[edit] Geography

Big Bend is located at 41°1′11″N, 121°54′28″W (41.019803, -121.907881)[1].

The community is situated on a long bend in the Pit River which is tributary to the Sacramento river. From the community is a view of Chalk Mountain which has a natural exposed slide feature of diatomaceous earth.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 5.7 square miles (14.8 km²), all of it land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 149 people, 70 households, and 38 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 26.1 people per square mile (10.1/km²). There were 106 housing units at an average density of 18.5/sq mi (7.2/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 83.22% White, 8.72% Native American, 1.34% Asian, 3.36% from other races, and 3.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.36% of the population.

There were 70 households out of which 21.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.9% were married couples living together, 4.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.7% were non-families. 41.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 23.5% under the age of 18, 4.7% from 18 to 24, 21.5% from 25 to 44, 36.2% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 119.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 128.0 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $23,750, and the median income for a family was $23,000. Males had a median income of $33,750 versus $40,625 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $16,183. There were 50.0% of families and 45.2% of the population living below the poverty line, including 60.0% of under eighteens and 25.0% of those over 64.

[edit] Politics

In the state legislature Big Bend is located in the 4th Senate District, represented by Republican Sam Aanestad, and in the 2nd Assembly District, represented by Republican Doug LaMalfa. Federally, Big Bend is located in California's 2nd congressional district, which has a Cook PVI of R +13[3] and is represented by Republican Wally Herger.

[edit] Natural attractions

Big Bend is known in the Northern California area for its local hot springs. They are privately stewarded by the Big Bend Hot Springs Project, LLC (http://bigbendhotsprings.org/), and are currently closed (since December 2006) for renovations. When open, Big Bend Hot Springs can be visited for a small fee (day use or camping). There are five springs in the area: two of which are developed for tourists (which are next to the campgrounds), and one which is further down the river and consists of a number of small pools on the bank of the Pit River. There are also Geothermal Wells on the property, used to heat both pools and buildings. Managers estimate the hot springs might re-open to the public by Fall 2008.

In the town of Big Bend, another hot well is used to heat Indian Springs School (a K-8 public school), the Community swimming pool and the Community Greenhouse.

The Pit River is a free stone river and provides excellent fishing for Pit River Rainbow Trout. Iron Canyon Reservoir is the repository for the water diverted from the McCloud River and contains Rainbow and Brown Trout. This reservoir provides an opportunity for canoing and float tubing. See http://www.ironcanyon.org. This reservoir is in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest and has two campgrounds, one administered by the US Forest Service and one by Pacific Gas and Electric Company.

Soon the Pit River will have white water level releases from the dams to provide white water rafting with Class 4 and Class 5 rapids.

[edit] References

  1. ^ US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  2. ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  3. ^ Will Gerrymandered Districts Stem the Wave of Voter Unrest?. Campaign Legal Center Blog. Retrieved on 2007-10-20.

[edit] External links