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Lassen County, California

Coordinates: 40°39′N 120°35′W / 40.65°N 120.58°W / 40.65; -120.58
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Lassen County, California
County
Lassen County
Lassen County Courthouse
Lassen County Courthouse
Official seal of Lassen County, California
Seal
Location in the state of California
Location in the state of California
California's location in the United States
California's location in the United States
Country United States
State California
RegionNortheast California
Incorporated1864
County seatSusanville
Area
 • Total4,720 sq mi (12,200 km2)
 • Land4,541 sq mi (11,760 km2)
 • Water179 sq mi (460 km2)
Highest elevation
[1]
8,741 ft (2,664 m)
Population
 (April 1, 2010)[2]
 • Total34,895
 • Estimate 
(2015)[2]
31,345
 • Density7.4/sq mi (2.9/km2)
Time zoneUTC-8 (Pacific Time Zone)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-7 (Pacific Daylight Time)
Websitewww.co.lassen.ca.us

Lassen County is a county located in the northeastern portion of the U.S. state of California. As of the 2010 census, the population was 34,895.[3] The county seat and only incorporated city is Susanville.[4]

Lassen County comprises the Susanville, California micropolitan statistical area. A former farming, mining and lumber area, it has an economy today dependent on employment at two state and one federal prison; the former two in Susanville and the latter in Herlong. In 2007 half the adults in Susanville worked in one of the facilities.[5]

History

Lassen County was formed on April 1, 1864 from parts of Plumas and Shasta counties following the two-day conflict known as the "Sagebrush War", also called the Roop County War,[6] that started on February 15, 1863. Due to uncertainties over the California border, the area that is now Lassen County was part of the unofficial Nataqua Territory and Roop County, Nevada during the late 1850s and early 1860s.

The county was named by European Americans after Peter Lassen,[7] along with Lassen Peak, which is in adjoining Shasta County.[8] Lassen was one of General John C. Fremont's guides, and a famous trapper, frontiersman and Indian fighter. He was murdered under mysterious circumstances near the Black Rock Desert in 1859, and his murder was never solved.

By the 1880s small towns began to spring up all over Lassen County. Bieber developed at the north end of the county, in rich farm land. Gold was discovered at Hayden Hill, and the small town developed to support the miners. Hayden Hill no longer exists: when the mining stopped, the townspeople left for other communities. Madeline was formed at the north end of another rich farming valley, and along the railroad tracks heading north to Alturas, California. This community still has about 50 people living in and around the town.

A narrow gauge railroad, the Nevada-California-Oregon Railway, ran through Lassen County from 1880 to 1927. The NCOR was the longest small gauge of the century. It was intended to connect Reno, Nevada to the Columbia River, but only 238 miles (383 km) of track were laid, from Reno to Lakeview, Oregon.

In 1913 the Fernley & Lassen Railroad was built and it was used to export timber from the large forests of Lassen County. As this railroad was completed, the Red River Lumber Company set up shop,[7] building the town of Westwood, California to support its massive logging operation. Two other lumber mills followed the Red River Lumber Co. They built their mills in the county seat of Susanville. The Lassen Lumber and Box Company and the Fruit Growers Company both operated mills in Susanville for several decades.

In 2003, Redding-based Sierra Pacific Industries, announced plans to relocate or lay off 150 workers as they closed the last lumber mill in Susanville, due to the lack of large timber for the mill.[9] Sierra Pacific chose to close the mill permanently rather than spend the several million dollars required to convert the mill from large to small timber.

Since the late 20th century, three prisons have been opened in and near Susanville: California Correctional Center (minimum security, 1963) and High Desert State Prison (California) (maximum security, 1985), both in the city; and the nearby Federal Correctional Institution, Herlong (opened 2007). In 2007, half the adults in Susanville worked in one of the three prisons.[5] In "job-starved rural America, ... residents see them [prisons] as the last and only chance for employment after work at the lumber mill or the dairy dries up."[5]

Geography

Hog Flat Reservoir covered in snow during early April

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 4,720 square miles (12,200 km2), of which 4,541 square miles (11,760 km2) is land and 179 square miles (460 km2) (3.8%) is water.[10] Part of Lassen Volcanic National Park extends onto a western corner of the county.

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Demographics

2011

Places by population, race, and income

2010

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18701,327—
18803,340151.7%
18904,23926.9%
19004,5116.4%
19104,8026.5%
19208,50777.2%
193012,58948.0%
194014,47915.0%
195018,47427.6%
196013,597−26.4%
197014,96010.0%
198021,66144.8%
199027,59827.4%
200033,82822.6%
201034,8953.2%
2015 (est.)31,345[19]−10.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[20]
1790–1960[21] 1900–1990[22]
1990–2000[23] 2010–2015[3]

The 2010 United States Census reported that Lassen County had a population of 34,895. The racial makeup of Lassen County was 25,532 (73.2%) White, 2,834 (8.1%) African American, 1,234 (3.5%) Native American, 356 (1.0%) Asian, 165 (0.5%) Pacific Islander, 3,562 (10.2%) from other races, and 1,212 (3.5%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6,117 persons (17.5%).[24]

2000

As of the census[25] of 2000, there were 33,828 people, 9,625 households, and 6,776 families residing in the county. The population density was 7 people per square mile (3/km²). There were 12,000 housing units at an average density of 3 per square mile (1/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 80.8% White, 8.8% Black or African American, 3.3% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.4% Pacific Islander, 3.2% from other races, and 2.7% from two or more races. 13.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 13.8% were of German, 12.1% Irish, 10.5% English, 8.7% American and 5.0% Italian ancestry according to Census 2000. 88.2% spoke English and 10.3% Spanish as their first language.

There were 9,625 households out of which 35.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.8% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.6% were non-families. 24.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.08.

In the county the population was spread out with 21.8% under the age of 18, 10.8% from 18 to 24, 36.9% from 25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 9.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 168.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 192.2 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,310, and the median income for a family was $43,398. Males had a median income of $37,333 versus $26,561 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,749. About 11.1% of families and 14.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.1% of those under age 18 and 7.8% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

Voter registration

Cities by population and voter registration

Overview

Lassen County vote
by party in presidential elections
Year GOP DEM Others
2012 68.0% 7,296 28.5% 3,053 3.5% 376
2008 65.5% 7,483 31.4% 3,586 3.2% 364
2004 71.0% 8,126 27.6% 3,158 1.5% 166
2000 66.9% 7,080 28.2% 2,982 5.0% 524
1996 52.6% 5,194 33.6% 3,318 13.8% 1,363
1992 37.2% 3,836 32.7% 3,388 30.3% 3,004
1988 58.6% 5,157 39.2% 3,446 2.3% 199
1984 61.1% 5,352 37.1% 3,254 1.8% 155
1980 54.5% 4,464 35.9% 2,941 9.7% 793
1976 43.0% 3,007 54.3% 3,801 2.7% 190
1972 50.8% 3,618 44.0% 3,134 5.2% 370
1968 41.1% 2,553 47.1% 2,930 11.8% 735
1964 34.3% 2,124 65.7% 4,072 0.1% 5
1960 40.2% 2,365 59.1% 3,472 0.7% 40
1956 42.5% 2,533 57.2% 3,412 0.3% 18
1952 43.7% 3,313 55.8% 4,237 0.5% 39
1948 34.0% 1,960 62.9% 3,632 3.1% 181
1944 33.9% 1,896 65.8% 3,678 0.3% 15
1940 30.1% 1,902 69.2% 4,367 0.7% 44
1936 19.6% 1,035 79.5% 4,193 0.9% 48
1932 26.9% 1,167 70.4% 3,056 2.7% 117
1928 56.7% 2,111 42.9% 1,597 0.4% 13
1924 40.8% 1,072 13.5% 356 45.7% 1,201
1920 66.2% 1,582 26.9% 643 6.9% 164

Lassen is a mainly Republican county in presidential and congressional elections. The last Democrat to win a majority in the county was Jimmy Carter in 1976.

Lassen County is in California's 1st congressional district, represented by Republican Doug LaMalfa.[27] is in the 1st Senate District, represented by Republican Ted Gaines,[28] and the 1st Assembly District, represented by Republican Megan Dahle.[29]

Federally, Lassen County is in California's 1st congressional district, represented by Republican Doug LaMalfa.[30]

Crime

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

Cities by population and crime rates

Transportation

Major highways

Public transportation

Lassen Rural Bus (LRB) runs a local service in Susanville, and longer distance routes to Westwood and Doyle.

Airports

Susanville Municipal Airport, Herlong Airport and Westwood Airport are all general aviation airports. The Westwood Airport is no longer maintained. Use at your own risk.

Communities

City

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Lassen County.[33]

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2010 Census)

1 † Susanville City 17,947
2 Westwood CDP 1,647
3 Janesville CDP 1,408
4 Johnstonville CDP 1,024
5 Patton Village CDP 702
6 Doyle CDP 678
7 Susanville Indian Rancheria[34] AIAN 549
8 Bieber CDP 312
9 Herlong CDP 298
10 Litchfield CDP 195
11 Spaulding CDP 178
12 Clear Creek CDP 169
13 Milford CDP 167
14 Nubieber CDP 50

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Other = Some other race + Two or more races
  2. ^ Native American = Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander + American Indian or Alaska Native
  3. ^ a b Percentage of registered voters with respect to total population. Percentages of party members with respect to registered voters follow.
  4. ^ Only larceny-theft cases involving property over $400 in value are reported as property crimes.

References

  1. ^ "Hat Mountain". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved May 27, 2015.
  2. ^ a b "American Fact Finder - Results". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 6, 2015.
  3. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 4, 2016.
  4. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  5. ^ a b c Taylor, Robert. "'Prison Town' a view from outside," Contra Costa Times, 28 July 2007; hosted at Mercury News.
  6. ^ The Roop County War
  7. ^ a b Lassen County History, Lassen County, California Genweb Project, 2006, accessed January 14, 2014
  8. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 182.
  9. ^ "Town's Last Mill to Be Shut Down", Los Angeles Times, 18 December 2003
  10. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved September 26, 2015.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B02001. American FactFinder. Retrieved 2013-10-26.
  12. ^ a b U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B03003. American FactFinder. Retrieved 2013-10-26.
  13. ^ a b U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B19301. American FactFinder. Retrieved 2013-10-21.
  14. ^ a b U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B19013. American FactFinder. Retrieved 2013-10-21.
  15. ^ a b U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B19113. American FactFinder. Retrieved 2013-10-21.
  16. ^ a b U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. American FactFinder. Retrieved 2013-10-21.
  17. ^ U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B01003. American FactFinder. Retrieved 2013-10-21.
  18. ^ Data unavailable
  19. ^ "County Totals Dataset: Population, Population Change and Estimated Components of Population Change: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  20. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 26, 2015.
  21. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 26, 2015.
  22. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 26, 2015.
  23. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved September 26, 2015.
  24. ^ "2010 Census P.L. 94-171 Summary File Data". United States Census Bureau.
  25. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
  26. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q California Secretary of State. February 10, 2013 - Report of Registration. Retrieved 2013-10-31.
  27. ^ "California's 1st Congressional District - Representatives & District Map". Civic Impulse, LLC. Retrieved March 1, 2013.
  28. ^ "Senators". State of California. Retrieved March 10, 2013.
  29. ^ "Members Assembly". State of California. Retrieved March 2, 2013.
  30. ^ "California's 1st Congressional District - Representatives & District Map". Civic Impulse, LLC. Retrieved March 2, 2013.
  31. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Office of the Attorney General, Department of Justice, State of California. Table 11: Crimes – 2009. Retrieved 2013-11-14.
  32. ^ a b c United States Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation. Crime in the United States, 2012, Table 8 (California). Retrieved 2013-11-14.
  33. ^ http://www.census.gov/2010census/
  34. ^ http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=4060
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