Ukiah, California

Ukiah is the county seat of Mendocino County, California. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 15,497. It is the governing body and most populated part of Ukiah Valley.

Geography

Location of Ukiah, California

Ukiah is located at 39°8'56" North, 123°12'31" West (39.148761, -123.208612)Template:GR.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.3 km² (4.7 mi²). 12.3 km² (4.7 mi²) of it is land and none of it is covered by water.

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 15,497 people, 5,985 households, and 3,656 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,265.0/km² (3,274.9/mi²). There are 6,137 housing units at an average density of 501.0/km² (1,296.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 79.53% White, 0.96% African American, 3.79% Native American, 1.68% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 9.67% from other races, and 4.27% from two or more races. 19.31% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 5,985 households out of which 33.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.2% are married couples living together, 15.8% have a female householder with no husband present, and 38.9% are non-families. 32.2% of all households are made up of individuals and 14.5% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.47 and the average family size is 3.12.

In the city the population is spread out with 26.5% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 35 years. For every 100 females there are 91.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 88.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $32,707, and the median income for a family is $39,524. Males have a median income of $31,608 versus $24,673 for females. The per capita income for the city is $17,601. 18.1% of the population and 13.2% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 26.4% of those under the age of 18 and 7.8% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Ukiah, with its relatively accessible location on Highway 101, is the city center for the populations of Mendocino County and neighboring Lake County, California.

Exports

Ukiah, like many areas of California, is known for wine production. In 1769, Franciscan missionary Father Junipero Serra planted the first California vineyard at Mission San Diego. Father Serra continued to establish eight more missions and vineyards until his death in 1784 and has been called the "Father of California Wine". However, Charles Krug is credited with establishing Northern California's first commercial winery in 1861 in the Napa Valley, and by 1889 there were more than 140 wineries in operation.

Ukiah is also a major producer of pears. The Alex R. Thomas Company owns hundreds of acres of Bartlett pear orchards on the east side of the Ukiah Valley. Many local residents and migrant workers are employed packing the pears for export around the United States and the world. Other, smaller orchards are owned by local families.

Other important Ukiah products include grapes (wine and non-wine use) and lumber. The Ukiah area is at the headwaters of the Russian River (California) and its rich bottomland supports many small and mostly organic farms that grow fruits, vegetables, sheep and cattle.

and....marijuana.

Ukiah Firsts and Claims to Fame

• Ukiah is the county seat and largest town in Mendocino County, California, which is one of the three counties in the Emerald Triangle, the largest producer of marijuana in the United States. In 2000, Mendocino County led the way for medical marijuana use by being the first place in the United States to legalize it on a local level. Measure G passed with a 51% majority vote, legalizing the use of medical cannabis for the first time since 1937.

• Mendocino County was also the first in the United States to ban the cultivation of genetically modified organisms in 2004.

• The Ukiah Brewing Company is America's first (and only) certified organic brewery, and the nation's second organic restaurant.

• Ukiah is home to the world famous Vichy Springs, known for their champagne baths, the only natural hot spring in North America. Many celebrities have stayed here - historically known as Jack London's 'favorite hot spot'.

• Just east of Ukiah is the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, the largest Buddhist temple in the western hemisphere.

• Ukiah is ranked the #1 best small town to live within California and the sixth best place to live in the United States according to the book The 100 Best Small Towns in America by Norman Crampton.

• Ukiah is the largest producer of Bartlett Pears in the world.

• The Ukiah vicinity is home to some of the most prestigious wine labels including Fetzer, Parducci, Frey, and Bonterra. Ukiah vintners are known for revolutionaizing wine cultivation with organic and sustainable practices.

External links

• Ukiah Chamber of Commerce
• Ukiah Daily Journal
• KZYX & Z Mendocino County Public Broadcasting
• ECOPALOOZA
• Ukiah, CA Travel Information