Topaz, California

Topaz
census-designated place
Topaz

Location in California

Coordinates: 38°36′40″N 119°31′08″W / 38.61111°N 119.51889°WCoordinates: 38°36′40″N 119°31′08″W / 38.61111°N 119.51889°W
Country  United States
State  California
County Mono
Area[1]
 • Total 4.368 sq mi (11.314 km2)
 • Land 3.071 sq mi (7.955 km2)
 • Water 1.297 sq mi (3.360 km2)  29.69%
Elevation[2] 5,033 ft (1,534 m)
Population (2010)
 • Total 50
 • Density 11/sq mi (4.4/km2)
Time zone Pacific (PST) (UTC-8)
 • Summer (DST) PDT (UTC-7)
ZIP Code 96133
Area code(s) 760; 442
GNIS feature IDs 1656368; 2583165
U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Topaz, California; U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Topaz, California

Topaz (also, Topaz Post Office) is a census-designated place[3] in Mono County, California.[2] It is located 3 miles (5 km) north of Coleville,[4] at an elevation of 5033 feet (1534 m).[2] Topaz's ZIP Code is 96133.[5] The population was 50 at the 2010 census.

History

The Topaz post office opened in 1885, closed in 1922, and re-opened in 1926.[4] The name was transferred from the an original site of the village, which developed on the ranch of T.B. Rickey. Mrs. Rickey named it based on the color of the local quaking aspen trees.[4] The post office is now located and has been operated by The Robert William Mckay Family Ranch for over 50 years.

Geography

Topaz is one of the three northernmost communities in Mono County.[6] According to the Mono County government, Antelope Valley, including Topaz, is expected to see significant population growth.[6]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP covers an area of 4.4 square miles (11 km2), 70.31% of it land, and 29.69% of it water.

Climate

This region experiences warm (but not hot) and dry summers, with no average monthly temperatures above 71.6 °F (22.0 °C). According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Topaz has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, abbreviated "Csb" on climate maps.[7]

Demographics

The 2010 United States Census[8] reported that Topaz had a population of 50. The population density was 11.4 inhabitants per square mile (4.4/km2). The racial makeup of Topaz was 44 (88.0%) White, 0 (0.0%) African American, 1 (2.0%) Native American, 0 (0.0%) Asian, 0 (0.0%) Pacific Islander, 5 (10.0%) from other races, and 0 (0.0%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 24 persons (48.0%).

The Census reported that 50 people (100% of the population) lived in households, 0 (0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.

There were 21 households, out of which 5 (23.8%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 13 (61.9%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 0 (0%) had a female householder with no husband present, 0 (0%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 0 (0%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 2 (9.5%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 6 households (28.6%) were made up of individuals and 3 (14.3%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38. There were 13 families (61.9% of all households); the average family size was 3.08.

The population was spread out with 11 people (22.0%) under the age of 18, 2 people (4.0%) aged 18 to 24, 10 people (20.0%) aged 25 to 44, 13 people (26.0%) aged 45 to 64, and 14 people (28.0%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45.7 years. For every 100 females there were 78.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 69.6 males.

There were 42 housing units at an average density of 9.6 inhabitants per square mile (3.7/km2), of which 13 (61.9%) were owner-occupied, and 8 (38.1%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 7.1%; the rental vacancy rate was 33.3%. 29 people (58.0% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 21 people (42.0%) lived in rental housing units.

Fire Protection District

Topaz is served by the Antelope Valley Fire Protection District, which was formed in 1947 and covers 33 square miles (85 km2) of the Antelope Valley.[6] The District maintains a fire station in Topaz.[6]

Water District

Topaz is served by the Antelope Valley Water District, which was formed in 1961.[9]

References

  1. ↑ U.S. Census
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Topaz, California
  3. ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Topaz, California
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Durham, David L. (1998). California's Geographic Names: A Gazetteer of Historic and Modern Names of the State. Clovis, Calif.: Word Dancer Press. p. 1209. ISBN 1-884995-14-4.
  5. ↑ USPS ZIP Code look up
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Report of the Mono County Planning Department regarding the Antelope Valley Fire Protection District
  7. ↑ Climate Summary for Topaz, California
  8. ↑ "2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Topaz CDP". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  9. ↑ Report of the Mono County Planning Department regarding the Antelope Valley Water District

See also