Sierra County, California

County of Sierra
County
Images, from top down, left to right: Downieville, Conifer forest in the Sierra National Forest, Stampede Dam
Seal
Location in the state of California
California's location in the United States
Country	United States
State	California
Region	Sierra Nevada
Incorporated	1852
Named for	Sierra Nevada
County seat	Downieville
Largest city	Loyalton
Area
• Total	2,490 km2 (962 sq mi)
• Land	2,470 km2 (953 sq mi)
• Water	20 km2 (9 sq mi)
Population (April 1, 2010)[1]
• Total	3,240
• Estimate (2014)[1]	3,003
• Density	1.3/km2 (3.4/sq mi)
Time zone	Pacific Standard Time (UTC-8)
• Summer (DST)	Pacific Daylight Time (UTC-7)
Website	www.sierracounty.ws Website

Sierra County is a county located in the U.S. state of California. As of the 2010 census, the population was 3,240^[2] making it the second-least populous county in California. The county seat is Downieville,^[3] and the only incorporated city is Loyalton. The county is located in the Sierra Nevada, northeast of Sacramento on the border with Nevada.

History

Sierra County was formed from parts of Yuba County in 1852. The county derives its name from the Sierra Nevada.

Prior to the California Gold Rush, the area was home to both the Maidu and the Washoe peoples. They generally summered in the higher elevations to hunt and fish, and returned to lower elevations for the winter months.^[4] After the discovery of gold in the Sierra foothills sparked the California Gold Rush, more than 16,000 miners settled in Sierra County between 1848-1860. Most mining settlements in the county sprung up along the North and Middle Forks of the Yuba River, both of which had rich deposits of gold. While some of the mining boom towns faded away once gold fever died down, other settlements such as Downieville and Sierra City have remained.^[5][6]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 962 square miles (2,490 km²), of which 953 square miles (2,470 km²) is land and 9.0 square miles (23 km²) (0.9%) is water.^[7]

Adjacent counties

• Nevada County, California - south
• Yuba County, California - west
• Plumas County, California - north
• Lassen County, California - northeast
• Washoe County, Nevada - east

National protected areas

• Plumas National Forest (part)
• Tahoe National Forest (part)
• Toiyabe National Forest (part)

Politics

Voter registration statistics

Population and registered voters
Total population[8]	3,277
Registered voters[9][note 1]	2,223	67.8%
Democratic[9]	631	28.4%
Republican[9]	939	42.2%
Democratic–Republican spread[9]	-308	-13.8%
Independent[9]	126	5.7%
Green[9]	24	1.1%
Libertarian[9]	30	1.3%
Peace and Freedom[9]	4	0.2%
Americans Elect[9]	0	0.0%
Other[9]	42	1.9%
No party preference[9]	427	19.2%

Cities by population and voter registration

Cities by population and voter registration
City	Population[8]	Registered voters[9] [note 1]	Democratic[9]	Republican[9]	D–R spread[9]	Other[9]	No party preference[9]
Loyalton	890	49.1%	32.3%	38.7%	-6.4%	14.6%	19.9%

Overview

Sierra County vote
by party in presidential elections

Year	GOP	DEM	Others
2012	59.4% 1,056	36.7% 652	4.0% 71
2008	58.2% 1,158	37.4% 743	4.9% 97
2004	64.1% 1,249	33.2% 646	2.7% 53
2000	63.5% 1,172	29.2% 540	7.3% 135
1996	51.4% 877	33.6% 573	15.1% 257
1992	36.9% 691	34.8% 653	28.3% 531
1988	50.7% 860	46.6% 791	2.7% 45
1984	56.9% 1,078	41.2% 781	2.0% 37
1980	49.8% 855	37.9% 651	12.3% 212
1976	43.2% 680	53.4% 841	3.5% 55
1972	47.5% 629	49.7% 658	2.8% 37
1968	45.9% 548	46.9% 559	7.2% 86
1964	33.3% 413	66.7% 828	0.0% 0
1960	46.8% 576	52.6% 647	0.7% 8
1956	50.6% 638	49.1% 620	0.3% 4
1952	53.8% 822	45.7% 698	0.6% 9
1948	43.4% 546	52.5% 660	4.1% 52
1944	39.9% 443	59.6% 662	0.5% 5
1940	32.4% 511	67.0% 1,057	0.6% 10
1936	22.6% 340	76.4% 1,152	1.0% 15
1932	25.5% 292	69.4% 796	5.1% 59
1928	51.5% 457	47.4% 420	1.1% 10
1924	38.9% 276	10.3% 73	50.8% 360
1920	72.2% 506	22.5% 158	5.3% 37

Sierra County at one time had favored the Democratic party in Presidential elections and was one of few counties in California to be won by George McGovern. In more recent times it is a strongly Republican county in Presidential and congressional elections. The last Democrat to win a majority in the county was Jimmy Carter in 1976.

Sierra County is in California's 1st congressional district, represented by Republican Doug LaMalfa.^[10]

In the state legislature Sierra is in the 1st Senate District, represented by Republican Ted Gaines,^[11] and the 1st Assembly District, represented by Republican Brian Dahle.^[12]

On November 4, 2008 Sierra County voted 64.2% for Proposition 8, which amended the California Constitution to ban same-sex marriages.

Transportation

Major highways

• U.S. Route 395
• Interstate 80
• State Route 49
• State Route 89

County roads

• County Route A23
• County Route A24
• Henness Pass Road
• Stampede Dam Road
• Gold Lake Road/Highway

Public transportation

Public transportation in Sierra County is limited to vans run by senior citizen agencies in Downieville and Loyalton which the general public may ride on a space-available basis.^[13]

Airport

Sierraville-Dearwater Field Airport is a general aviation airport located near Sierraville.

Crime

The following table includes the number of incidents reported and the rate per 1,000 persons for each type of offense.

Population and crime rates
Population[8]	3,277
Violent crime[14]	13	3.97
Homicide[14]	0	0.00
Forcible rape[14]	0	0.00
Robbery[14]	0	0.00
Aggravated assault[14]	13	3.97
Property crime[14]	33	10.07
Burglary[14]	15	4.58
Larceny-theft[14][note 2]	28	8.54
Motor vehicle theft[14]	0	0.00
Arson[14]	1	0.31

Demographics

2011

Population, race, and income
Total population[8]	3,277
White[8]	3,031	92.5%
Black or African American[8]	38	1.2%
American Indian or Alaska Native[8]	11	0.3%
Asian[8]	3	0.1%
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander[8]	0	0.0%
Some other race[8]	179	5.5%
Two or more races[8]	15	0.5%
Hispanic or Latino (of any race)[15]	247	7.5%
Per capita income[16]	$26,137
Median household income[17]	$50,308
Median family income[18]	$56,469

Places by population, race, and income

Places by population and race
Place	Type[19]	Population[8]	White[8]	Other[8] [note 3]	Asian[8]	Black or African American[8]	Native American[8] [note 4]	Hispanic or Latino (of any race)[15]
Alleghany	CDP	65	100.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Calpine	CDP	194	100.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Downieville	CDP	192	100.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Goodyears Bar	CDP	156	100.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Loyalton	City	890	89.0%	8.1%	0.2%	1.5%	1.2%	12.5%
Pike	CDP	174	88.5%	3.4%	0.0%	8.0%	0.0%	3.4%
Sattley	CDP	28	100.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Sierra Brooks	CDP	237	100.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Sierra City	CDP	279	96.8%	3.2%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Sierraville	CDP	229	49.3%	45.9%	0.0%	4.8%	0.0%	45.9%
Verdi	CDP	158	100.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%

Places by population and income
Place	Type[19]	Population[20]	Per capita income[16]	Median household income[17]	Median family income[18]
Alleghany	CDP	65	$16,843	$30,278	$30,278
Calpine	CDP	194	$16,634	$15,132	[21]
Downieville	CDP	192	$22,868	$2,499	$52,266
Goodyears Bar	CDP	156	$32,788	$72,794	$73,162
Loyalton	City	890	$23,641	$51,756	$51,893
Pike	CDP	174	$24,933	$35,703	$30,938
Sattley	CDP	28	[21]	[21]	[21]
Sierra Brooks	CDP	237	$33,134	$55,547	$55,703
Sierra City	CDP	279	$27,729	$110,938	$113,750
Sierraville	CDP	229	$17,214	$12,120	$11,944
Verdi	CDP	158	$46,291	$76,987	[21]

2010

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1860	11,387		—
1870	5,619		−50.7%
1880	6,623		17.9%
1890	5,051		−23.7%
1900	4,017		−20.5%
1910	4,098		2.0%
1920	1,783		−56.5%
1930	2,422		35.8%
1940	3,025		24.9%
1950	2,410		−20.3%
1960	2,247		−6.8%
1970	2,365		5.3%
1980	3,073		29.9%
1990	3,318		8.0%
2000	3,555		7.1%
2010	3,240		−8.9%
Est. 2013	3,047		−6.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[22] 1790-1960[23] 1900-1990[24] 1990-2000[25] 2010-2013[2]

The 2010 United States Census reported that Sierra County had a population of 3,240. The racial makeup of Sierra County was 3,022 (93.3%) White, 6 (0.2%) African American, 44 (1.4%) Native American, 12 (0.4%) Asian, 2 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 75 (2.3%) from other races, and 79 (2.4%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 269 persons (8.3%).^[26]

Population reported at 2010 United States Census
The County	Total Population	White	African American	Native American	Asian	Pacific Islander	other races	two or more races	Hispanic or Latino (of any race)
Sierra County	3,240	3,022	6	44	12	2	75	79	269
Incorporated cities and towns	Total Population	White	African American	Native American	Asian	Pacific Islander	other races	two or more races	Hispanic or Latino (of any race)
Loyalton	769	701	2	21	0	0	20	25	108
Census-designated places	Total Population	White	African American	Native American	Asian	Pacific Islander	other races	two or more races	Hispanic or Latino (of any race)
Alleghany	58	58	0	0	0	0	0	0	1
Calpine	205	184	0	0	0	1	10	10	26
Downieville	282	269	0	4	2	0	0	7	12
Goodyears Bar	68	64	0	4	0	0	0	0	1
Pike	134	130	0	1	2	0	0	1	2
Sattley	49	48	0	1	0	0	0	0	1
Sierra Brooks	478	466	0	4	1	1	0	6	22
Sierra City	221	200	0	2	3	0	12	4	21
Sierraville	200	187	2	0	0	0	10	1	16
Verdi	162	153	0	0	1	0	5	3	10
Unincorporated communities	Total Population	White	African American	Native American	Asian	Pacific Islander	other races	two or more races	Hispanic or Latino (of any race)
All others not CDPs (combined)	614	562	2	7	3	0	18	22	49

2000

As of the census^[27] of 2000, there were 3,555 people, 1,520 households and 986 families residing in the county. The population density was 4 people per square mile (1/km²). There were 2,202 housing units at an average density of 2 per square mile (1/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 94.2% White, 0.2% Black or African American, 1.9% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.0% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Six percent of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Eighteen percent were of English ancestry, 16% were of Irish, 11% German and 8% Italian ancestry.^[28] Over ninety-five (95.3) percent spoke English and 3.4% Spanish as their first language.

There were 1,520 households out of which 27.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.1% were married couples living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.1% were non-families. 29.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.83.

In the county the population was spread out with 23.3% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 30.2% from 45 to 64, and 17.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 102.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.9 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,827, and the median income for a family was $42,756. Males had a median income of $36,121 versus $30,000 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,815. About 9.0% of families and 11.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.3% of those under age 18 and 2.2% of those age 65 or over.

Education

• Sierra-Plumas Joint Unified School District

Communities

City

• Loyalton

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

• Forest
• Gibsonville

Ghost towns

Trivia

• Because Loyalton is Sierra County's most populous municipality and its only incorporated city, generally half of the meetings of the county's board of supervisors are held in Downieville and the other half are held in Loyalton.^[29]
• There is only one traffic signal (a flashing red light at the intersection of highways 49 and 89) in Sierra County. In the winter of 2007 it was removed after an automobile accident and was replaced in the fall of 2008.
• In the 2009 special statewide election, Sierra County had the highest voter turnout of any county in California, with 53.6% of registered voters participating, according to the Los Angeles Times. The election was nearly double the overall voter turnout in the state, about 23%.^[30]

See also

• Hiking trails in Sierra County
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Sierra County, California

Notes

References

External links

• Official website
• Sierra County Chamber of Commerce
• Sierra County Visitor Guide
• Sierra County Office of Education
• Discover Sierra County

		Plumas County	Lassen County
	Yuba County		Washoe County, Nevada
	Sierra County, California
		Nevada County

Municipalities and communities of Sierra County, California, United States County seat: Downieville City Loyalton CDPs Alleghany Beverly Calpine Downieville Goodyears Bar Pike Sattley Sierra Brooks Sierra City Sierraville Verdi Unincorporated communities Bassetts Brandy City Cal-Ida Campbell Hot Springs Carvin Creek Homesites Forest Gibsonville Grass Flat Haskell Creek Homesites Loganville Plumbago Ghost towns Brandy City Chandlerville Craig's Flat Deadwood Eureka City Hepsidam Howland Flat McMahon Morristown Pine Grove Poker Flat Poverty Hill Port Wine Potosi Queen City Shady Flat Scales St. Louis Whiskey Diggings

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Coordinates: 39°35′N 120°30′W / 39.59°N 120.50°W / 39.59; -120.50