| Tecopa | |
|---|---|
| — census-designated place — | |
| Location in Inyo County and the state of California | |
| Coordinates: | |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Inyo |
| Area[1] | |
| • Total | 18.657 sq mi (48.323 km2) |
| • Land | 18.589 sq mi (48.146 km2) |
| • Water | 0.068 sq mi (0.177 km2) 0.37% |
| Elevation[2] | 1,339 ft (408 m) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 150 |
| • Density | 8/sq mi (3.1/km2) |
| Time zone | Pacific (PST) (UTC-8) |
| • Summer (DST) | PDT (UTC-7) |
| ZIP code | 92389 |
| Area code(s) | 760 |
| FIPS code | 06-78050 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0250293 |
Tecopa (formerly, Brownsville)[3] is a census-designated place in the Mojave Desert, in Inyo County, California, United States. Tecopa is located 9 miles (14 km) south-southeast of Shoshone,[3] at an elevation of 1,339 feet (408 m).[2] The population was 150 at the 2010 census, up from 99 at the 2000 census.
One of Tecopa's popular features is its natural hot springs. Adjacent to the campground are gender-segregated, no-clothing-mandatory, indoor hot pools for soaking. Access is included in camping fees. Tecopa was named after the Piaute leader Chief Tecopa. There is also a natural hotspring located on BLM land just outside of town.
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According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 18.7 square miles (48 km2), of which, 18.6 square miles (48 km2) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2) of it (0.37%) is water.
William D. and Robert D. Brown, brothers, founded the town in 1875, and named it Brownsville.[3] When Jonas Osborne bought out the Browns, he renamed the town Tecopa.[3] Mines developed nearby in the 1860s and Tecopa served as the settlement.[3] The town's original site was 5 miles (8 km) southeast of Resting Springs.[3] Kasson, California was nearby. The present location was developed along the Tonopah and Tidewater Railroad, which reached the site in 1907.[3]
A post office operated at the original site of Tecopa from 1877 to 1881.[3] A post office opened at the new site in 1907, was closed in 1931, and reopened in 1932.[3]
The 2010 United States Census[4] reported that Tecopa had a population of 150. The population density was 8.0 people per square mile (3.1/km²). The racial makeup of Tecopa was 119 (79.3%) White, 1 (0.7%) African American, 8 (5.3%) Native American, 2 (1.3%) Asian, 0 (0.0%) Pacific Islander, 1 (0.7%) from other races, and 19 (12.7%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8 persons (5.3%).
The Census reported that 150 people (100% of the population) lived in households, 0 (0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.
There were 92 households, out of which 13 (14.1%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 22 (23.9%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 2 (2.2%) had a female householder with no husband present, 6 (6.5%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 6 (6.5%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 2 (2.2%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 56 households (60.9%) were made up of individuals and 28 (30.4%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.63. There were 30 families (32.6% of all households); the average family size was 2.60.
The population was spread out with 19 people (12.7%) under the age of 18, 5 people (3.3%) aged 18 to 24, 17 people (11.3%) aged 25 to 44, 59 people (39.3%) aged 45 to 64, and 50 people (33.3%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 57.5 years. For every 100 females there were 138.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 133.9 males.
There were 159 housing units at an average density of 8.5 per square mile (3.3/km²), of which 57 (62.0%) were owner-occupied, and 35 (38.0%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 6.6%; the rental vacancy rate was 10.3%. 96 people (64.0% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 54 people (36.0%) lived in rental housing units.
As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 99 people, 60 households, and 22 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 5.3 people per square mile (2.1/km²). There were 133 housing units at an average density of 7.2 per square mile (2.8/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 88.89% White, 1.01% Black or African American, 7.07% Native American, and 3.03% from two or more races. 4.04% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 60 households out of which 10.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 28.3% were married couples living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 63.3% were non-families. 55.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 30.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.65 and the average family size was 2.50.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 10.1% under the age of 18, 4.0% from 18 to 24, 14.1% from 25 to 44, 28.3% from 45 to 64, and 43.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 63 years. For every 100 females there were 80.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.0 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $12,344, and the median income for a family was $16,250. Males had a median income of $0 versus $31,250 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $10,395. There were 30.8% of families and 38.6% of the population living below the poverty line, including 100.0% of under eighteens and 27.0% of those over 64.
In the state legislature Tecopa is located in the 18th Senate District, represented by Republican Roy Ashburn, and in the 18th Assembly District, represented by Republican Bill Maze. Federally, Tecopa is located in California's 25th congressional district, which has a Cook PVI of R +7[6] and is represented by Republican Buck McKeon.