| Caspar | |
|---|---|
| — census-designated place — | |
| Former mill site in Caspar, California | |
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Caspar
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Mendocino |
| Area[1] | |
| • Total | 2.992 sq mi (7.749 km2) |
| • Land | 2.992 sq mi (7.749 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0 km2) 0% |
| Elevation[2] | 82 ft (25 m) |
| Time zone | PST (UTC-8) |
| • Summer (DST) | PDT (UTC-7) |
| ZIP code | 95420 |
| Area code(s) | 707 |
| GNIS feature IDs | 1658232; 2628717 |
| U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Caspar, California; U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Caspar, California | |
Caspar is a census-designated place[3] in Mendocino County, California.[2] It is located 4 miles (6.4 km) north of Mendocino,[4] at an elevation of 82 feet (25 m).[2] Caspar is located on the Pacific Ocean. In the Caspar area is the historic Point Cabrillo Light Station, which was built in 1909. The population was 509 at the 2010 census.
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Caspar was first settled in 1857 by Siegfried Caspar, who later sold the land to Jacob Green Jackson, one of the founders of the Caspar Lumber Company, which turned Caspar into a significant logging town in Northern California from 1864 to 1955.[5] Pilings from the mill can be seen on Caspar Beach, located south of the community.
The first post office at Caspar opened in 1874.[4]
Oscar Smith, owner of the Caspar Cattle Company, recently put much of Caspar's land up for sale, sparking debate and discussion in the sometimes divided community. In 2000, a large chunk of the Caspar headlands was purchased by the Mendocino Land Trust, forming Caspar Headlands State Reserve. However, a large portion of the area is still for sale, and the fate of the area remains in question.
Caspar is located at 42 00 00 North, 123 37 30 West.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP covers an area of 3.0 square miles (7.7 km²), all of it land.
Caspar now boasts a community center, church and a thriving nightclub. [The Caspar Inn] has existed continuously as a roadhouse since 1906, when Caspar was a booming logging town with a population of around 800.
The 2010 United States Census[6] reported that Caspar had a population of 509. The population density was 170.1 people per square mile (65.7/km²). The racial makeup of Caspar was 474 (93.1%) White, 3 (0.6%) African American, 0 (0.0%) Native American, 8 (1.6%) Asian, 0 (0.0%) Pacific Islander, 3 (0.6%) from other races, and 21 (4.1%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 15 persons (2.9%).
The Census reported that 507 people (99.6% of the population) lived in households, 2 (0.4%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.
There were 252 households, out of which 33 (13.1%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 109 (43.3%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 15 (6.0%) had a female householder with no husband present, 7 (2.8%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 28 (11.1%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 5 (2.0%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 88 households (34.9%) were made up of individuals and 38 (15.1%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.01. There were 131 families (52.0% of all households); the average family size was 2.47.
The population was spread out with 51 people (10.0%) under the age of 18, 15 people (2.9%) aged 18 to 24, 96 people (18.9%) aged 25 to 44, 199 people (39.1%) aged 45 to 64, and 148 people (29.1%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 57.1 years. For every 100 females there were 90.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.8 males.
There were 336 housing units at an average density of 112.3 per square mile (43.4/km²), of which 164 (65.1%) were owner-occupied, and 88 (34.9%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 4.0%; the rental vacancy rate was 7.4%. 345 people (67.8% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 162 people (31.8%) lived in rental housing units.
As of the census of 2000, there are 317 people, 145 households, and 77 in the ZCTA 95420. The population density is 41/sq mi. There are 204 housing units, of which 20.3% are vacant, with 12.1% reserved for vacation/recreational use. The racial makeup of the ZCTA is 88% White, .6% Black or African American, .6% Native American, .6% Asian, 4.7% from other races, and 5.4% from two or more races. 3.5% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 145 households out of which 19.3% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 42% are married couples living together, 8.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 46.9% are non-families. 37.2% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.7% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.14 and the average family size is 2.77.
In the ZCTA the population is spread out with 17% under the age of 18, 3.5% from 18 to 24, 23.6% from 25 to 44, 39.7% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 47 years. 47.6% of the population is male, 52.4 female.
The median income for a household in the ZCTA is $37,813, and the median income for a family is $47,639. Males have a median income of $55,357 versus $27,841 for females. The per capita income for the ZCTA is $26,191. 22% of the population and 42.4% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 43.6% of those under the age of 18 are living below the poverty line.
In the state legislature Caspar is located in the 2nd Senate District, represented by Democrat Noreen Evans, and in the 1st Assembly District, represented by Democrat Wesley Chesbro. Federally, Caspar is located in California's 1st congressional district, which has a Cook PVI of D +10[7] and is represented by Democrat Mike Thompson.