| Coloma | |
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| — census-designated place — | |
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Coloma
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | El Dorado |
| Area[1] | |
| • Total | 3.355 sq mi (8.690 km2) |
| • Land | 3.355 sq mi (8.690 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0 km2) 0% |
| Elevation[2] | 764 ft (233 m) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 529 |
| • Density | 157.7/sq mi (60.9/km2) |
| Time zone | Pacific (PST) (UTC-8) |
| • Summer (DST) | PDT (UTC-7) |
| ZIP Code | |
| GNIS feature ID | 1655915; 2582981 |
| U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Coloma, California; U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Coloma, California | |
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Coloma
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Sutters Mill 1850
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| Nearest city: | Placerville, California[3] |
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| Area: | approx. 200 acres (0.81 km2)[4] |
| Built: | 1848 |
| Governing body: | State |
| NRHP Reference#: | 66000207 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP: | October 15, 1966[5] |
| Designated NHLD: | July 4, 1961[6] |
Coloma (formerly, Colluma and Culloma)[7] is a census-designated place[8] in El Dorado County, California, USA. It is approximately 36 miles (58 km) northeast of Sacramento, California. Coloma is most noted for being the site where James W. Marshall first discovered gold in California, at Sutter's Mill on January 24, 1848,[3] leading to the California Gold Rush. Coloma's population is 529.
Today it a tourist attraction known for its ghost town and the centerpiece of the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park. Coloma was designated a National Historic Landmark District on July 4, 1961[4][6]
It lies at an elevation of 764 feet (233 m).[9]
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Coloma grew around Sutter's Mill following the discovery of gold.[7] A post office was established in 1849 under the name Culloma, changing it to Coloma in 1851.[7]
While some people still live in this unincorporated area, Coloma is considered something of a ghost town, as civic buildings such as the jail have been abandoned and left to decay, and other buildings from its boom era (1847-1852) have been converted into museums and other historical displays. The foundation of Sutters Mill remains, along with a nearby reconstruction.[10]
Currently the town counts approximately 300 inhabitants, mainly consisting of some hopeful modern-day miners who pan the American River and others who run the museums and tours in the area. In fact, Coloma's economy is based on the money generated from its museums and students who take field trips with their schools to learn about the California Gold Rush. The local economy is also supported by various businesses and organizations tied to rafting and kayaking the South Fork American River. While the water sports are a seasonal industry, the class II-III rapids attract tourists from all over the world.
The name comes from the original natives' (Nisenan Native Americans) name for the valley Coloma is in: Cullumah, meaning "beautiful." Coloma is on the South Fork American River that runs through the valley, and was built on an original Native American village of Koloma.[11]
The 2010 United States Census[12] reported that Coloma had a population of 529. The population density was 157.7 people per square mile (60.9/km²). The racial makeup of Coloma was 462 (87.3%) White, 4 (0.8%) African American, 3 (0.6%) Native American, 8 (1.5%) Asian, 0 (0.0%) Pacific Islander, 15 (2.8%) from other races, and 37 (7.0%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 63 persons (11.9%).
The Census reported that 495 people (93.6% of the population) lived in households, 34 (6.4%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.
There were 216 households, out of which 44 (20.4%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 116 (53.7%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 14 (6.5%) had a female householder with no husband present, 10 (4.6%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 22 (10.2%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 2 (0.9%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 51 households (23.6%) were made up of individuals and 20 (9.3%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29. There were 140 families (64.8% of all households); the average family size was 2.64.
The population was spread out with 69 people (13.0%) under the age of 18, 31 people (5.9%) aged 18 to 24, 127 people (24.0%) aged 25 to 44, 200 people (37.8%) aged 45 to 64, and 102 people (19.3%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49.0 years. For every 100 females there were 115.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 120.1 males.
There were 251 housing units at an average density of 74.8 per square mile (28.9/km²), of which 153 (70.8%) were owner-occupied, and 63 (29.2%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.3%; the rental vacancy rate was 12.5%. 355 people (67.1% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 140 people (26.5%) lived in rental housing units.
In the state legislature Coloma is located in the 1st Senate District, represented by Republican Dave Cox, and in the 4th Assembly District, represented by Republican Ted Gaines. Federally, Coloma is located in California's 4th congressional district, which has a Cook PVI of R +11[13] and is represented by Republican Tom McClintock.
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