Independence, California
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Independence, California | |
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Inyo |
| Area | |
| - Total | 4 sq mi (10.4 km²) |
| - Land | 4 sq mi (10.4 km²) |
| - Water | 0 sq mi (0 km²) |
| Elevation | 3,930 ft (1,198 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| - Total | 574 |
| - Density | 143.5/sq mi (55.2/km²) |
| Time zone | Pacific (PST) (UTC-8) |
| - Summer (DST) | PDT (UTC-7) |
| ZIP code | 93526 |
| Area code(s) | 760 |
| FIPS code | 06-36350 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1658811 |
Independence is a census-designated place and the county seat of Inyo County, California. The population was 574 at the 2000 census. Independence is home to the Eastern California Museum [1]. The home of author Mary Austin is preserved as a museum located at 235 Market Street in Independence.
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[edit] Geography
It is on U.S. Route 395, the main north-south artery through the Owens Valley, connecting the Inland Empire to Reno, Nevada. US 395 also connects Independence to Los Angeles via State Route 14 through Palmdale.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 4.0 square miles (10.4 km²), all of it land.
The elevation of Independence is 3,925 feet (1,196 m) above sea level.
[edit] History
Independence began as a US Army camp established by Colonel George Evans on July 4, 1862. Col. Evans established the camp at the request of local settlers who feared Indian hostilities. The camp was soon closed, but was re-established as Fort Independence when hostilities resumed in 1865. The fort was finally abandoned in 1877[2].
Independence became the Inyo County seat in the late 19th century when its chief competitor for the site, a camp called Kearsarge, disappeared under an avalanche[3].
[edit] Demographics
As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 574 people, 272 households, and 161 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 143.6 people per square mile (55.4/km²). There were 342 housing units at an average density of 85.6/sq mi (33.0/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 88.85% White, 3.48% Native American, 0.70% Asian, 0.87% Pacific Islander, 3.31% from other races, and 2.79% from two or more races. 7.14% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 272 households out of which 23.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.6% were married couples living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.8% were non-families. 35.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.11 and the average family size was 2.72.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 22.1% under the age of 18, 4.5% from 18 to 24, 20.9% from 25 to 44, 30.8% from 45 to 64, and 21.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females there were 88.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.5 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $37,500, and the median income for a family was $45,781. Males had a median income of $41,736 versus $29,688 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $20,535. About 4.2% of families and 6.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.0% of those under age 18 and 7.4% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Politics
In the state legislature Independence is located in the 18th Senate District, represented by Republican Roy Ashburn, and in the 18th Assembly District, represented by Republican Bill Maze. Federally, Independence is located in California's 25th congressional district, which has a Cook PVI of R +7[5] and is represented by Republican Buck McKeon.
[edit] Popular culture
The city of Independence, CA was the film location for the film Trial and Error staring Michael Richards and Jeff Daniels. It was also the shooting location for a brief scene of Gone in Sixty Seconds. Independence also appeared in Daft Punk's Electroma.
The city of Independence, CA is the home of the hit web show "Indy Boyz" almost all of the show is filmed in the town
[edit] References
- ^ [1] Eastern California Museum. Accessed July 8, 2007.
- ^ California Historical Marker No. 349.
- ^ Inyo County Supervisor Jim Bilyeu quoted in The Los Angeles Times 15 July 2007
- ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ Will Gerrymandered Districts Stem the Wave of Voter Unrest?. Campaign Legal Center Blog. Retrieved on 2007-10-20.
[edit] External links
- Independence, California is at coordinates Coordinates:
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