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Mendocino County, California

Coordinates: 39°26′N 123°26′W / 39.43°N 123.43°W / 39.43; -123.43
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Mendocino County, California
County
County of Mendocino
Official seal of Mendocino County, California
Seal
Nickname: 
"Mendo"
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
RegionCalifornia North Coast
IncorporatedFebruary 18, 1850[1]
County seatUkiah
Largest cityUkiah
Government
 • BodyMendocino County Board of Supervisors
Area
 • Total
3,878 sq mi (10,040 km2)
 • Land3,506 sq mi (9,080 km2)
 • Water372 sq mi (960 km2)
Highest elevation
[2]
6,958 ft (2,121 m)
Population
 (April 1, 2010)[3]
 • Total
87,841
 • Estimate 
(2015)[3]
87,649
 • Density23/sq mi (8.7/km2)
Time zoneUTC-8 (Pacific Time Zone)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-7 (Pacific Daylight Time)
Area code707
Websitewww.co.mendocino.ca.us

Mendocino County is a county located on the north coast of the U.S. state of California. As of the 2010 census, the population was 87,841.[4] The county seat is Ukiah.[5]

Mendocino County comprises the Ukiah, CA Micropolitan Statistical Area. It is located north of the San Francisco Bay Area and west of the Central Valley.

The county is noted for its distinctive Pacific Ocean coastline, Redwood forests, wine production, microbrews, and liberal views about the use of cannabis and support for its legalization. It is estimated that roughly one-third of the economy is based on the cultivation of marijuana.[6]

The notable historic and recreational attraction of the "Skunk Train" connects Fort Bragg with Willits in Mendocino County via a steam-locomotive engine, along with other vehicles.

History

Mendocino County was one of the original counties of California, created in 1850 at the time of statehood. Due to an initially minor white American population, it did not have a separate government until 1859 and was under the administration of Sonoma County prior to that.[7] Some of the county's land was given to Sonoma County between 1850 and 1860.

The county derives its name from Cape Mendocino (most of which is actually located in adjacent Humboldt County), which was probably named in honor of either Antonio de Mendoza, Viceroy of New Spain, 1535–1542 (who sent the Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo Expedition to this coast in 1542), or Lorenzo Suárez de Mendoza, Viceroy from 1580 to 1583. Mendocino is the adjectival form of the family name of Mendoza.[7]

Neither Spanish nor Mexican influence extended into Mendocino County beyond establishing two Mexican land grants in southern Mendocino County: Rancho Sanel in Hopland, in 1844 and Rancho Yokaya that forms the majority of the Ukiah Valley, in 1845.[7]

In the 19th century, despite the establishment of the Mendocino Indian Reservation and Nome Cult Farm in 1856, the county witnessed many of the most serious atrocities in the extermination of the Californian Native American tribes who originally lived in the area, like the Yuki, the Pomo, the Cahto, and the Wintun. The systematic occupation of their lands, the reduction of many of their members into slavery and the raids against their settlements led to the Mendocino War in 1859, where hundreds of Indians were killed. Establishment of the Round Valley Indian Reservation in March 30, 1870, did not prevent the segregation that continued well into the 20th century. Other tribes from the Sierra Nevada mountains were also located to the Round Valley Indian Reservation during the "California Trail Of Tears", where the Natives were forced to march in bad conditions to their new home in Round Valley.[8] Many of these tribes thrown together were not friends with the other tribes they were forced to live with on the reservation, resulting in tensions still evident today.

Geography

A vineyard in Mendocino County

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 3,878 square miles (10,040 km2), of which 3,506 square miles (9,080 km2) is land and 372 square miles (960 km2) (9.6%) is water.[9]

Rivers

Aerial view of the mouth of the Noyo River on the Pacific Ocean at Fort Bragg

Beaches

A beach near Elk

National and state protected areas

Demographics

2011

Places by population, race, and income

2010

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
185055—
18603,9677,112.7%
18707,54590.2%
188012,80069.6%
189017,61237.6%
190020,46516.2%
191023,92916.9%
192024,1160.8%
193023,505−2.5%
194027,86418.5%
195040,85446.6%
196051,05925.0%
197051,1010.1%
198066,73830.6%
199080,34520.4%
200086,2657.4%
201087,8411.8%
2015 (est.)87,649[17]−0.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[18]
1790–1960[19] 1900–1990[20]
1990–2000[21] 2010–2015[4]

The 2010 United States Census reported that Mendocino County had a population of 87,841. The racial makeup of Mendocino County was 67,218 (76.5%) White, 622 (0.7%) African American, 4,277 (4.9%) Native American, 1,450 (1.7%) Asian, 119 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 10,185 (11.6%) from other races, and 3,970 (4.5%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 19,505 persons (22.2%).[22]

2000

As of the census[23] of 2000, there were 86,265 people, 33,266 households, and 21,855 families residing in the county. The population density was 25 people per square mile (9/km²). There were 36,937 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 80.8% White, 0.6% Black or African American, 4.8% Native American, 1.2% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 8.6% from other races, and 3.9% from two or more races. 16.5% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 12.2% were of German, 10.8% English, 8.6% Irish, 6.1% Italian and 5.6% American ancestry according to Census 2000. 84.4% spoke English and 13.2% Spanish as their first language.

There were 33,266 households out of which 31.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.9% were married couples living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.3% were non-families. 27.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the county the population was spread out with 25.5% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 25.6% from 25 to 44, 27.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 98.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.1 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,996, and the median income for a family was $42,168. Males had a median income of $33,128 versus $23,774 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,443. About 10.9% of families and 15.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.5% of those under age 18 and 7.7% of those age 65 or over.

Government

As of 2015, the district attorney of Mendocino County is C. David Eyster,[24] the elected sheriff-coroner is Thomas D. Allman,[25] and the chief executive officer is Carmel J. Angelo.[26]

Mendocino County is legislatively governed by a board of five supervisors, each with a separate district.[27] The first district is represented by Carre Brown,[28] and serves the central-eastern region of the county, including Potter Valley, Redwood Valley, Calpella, and Talmage. The second district, represented by John McCowen,[28] serves Ukiah. The third district, in the northeastern quadrant of the county from Willits north to Laytonville and Covelo, is represented by Tom Woodhouse.[28] The fourth district covers the northwestern quadrant of the county, including the coast from Caspar northwards through Fort Bragg; its supervisor is Dan Gjerde,[28] who previously served on the Fort Bragg City Council. The supervisor for the fifth district is Dan Hamburg;[28] his district covers the southern portion of the county, including the coast from Mendocino to Gualala, the Anderson Valley, the western outskirts of Ukiah, and portions of the Russian River valley near Hopland. Hamburg also previously served as a county supervisor, and also served one term as a Congressman in Washington, D.C.

Politics

Voter registration statistics

Cities by population and voter registration

Overview

Mendocino County vote
by party in presidential elections[30]
Year GOP Dem Others
2016 29.5% 10,888 59.8% 22,079 10.7% 3,942
2012 27.5% 9,658 66.0% 23,193 6.5% 2,286
2008 26.7% 10,721 69.3% 27,843 4.0% 1,620
2004 33.7% 12,955 63.5% 24,385 2.8% 1,089
2000 35.7% 12,272 48.3% 16,634 16.0% 5,504
1996 29.9% 9,765 45.7% 14,952 24.4% 7,975
1992 21.8% 7,958 50.2% 18,344 28.0% 10,236
1988 41.9% 12,979 55.4% 17,152 2.6% 816
1984 52.1% 16,369 45.9% 14,407 2.1% 646
1980 44.1% 12,432 38.2% 10,784 17.7% 5,008
1976 45.5 9,784 49.5% 10,653 5.0% 1,072
1972 51.0% 11,128 43.3% 9,435 5.7% 1,251
1968 46.4% 8,305 44.3% 7,935 9.3% 1,664
1964 34.7% 6,322 65.1% 11,869 0.2% 36
1960 49.3% 9,301 50.2% 9,476 0.5% 94
1956 56.9% 10,327 42.8% 7,767 0.2% 43
1952 60.9% 10,897 38.1% 6,813 1.1% 191
1948 50.5% 6,368 44.1% 5,553 5.4% 682
1944 45.9% 4,655 53.8% 5,452 0.4% 36
1940 42.5% 5,345 56.1% 7,055 1.3% 169
1936 35.8% 3,670 62.7% 6,432 1.6% 164
1932 35.2% 3,365 61.4% 5,867 3.3% 319
1928 63.4% 4,810 34.6% 2,628 2.0% 150
1924 56.5% 3,465 12.0% 739 31.5% 1,933
1920 65.8% 4,443 26.5% 1,789 7.7% 517

Mendocino is a strongly Democratic county in Presidential and congressional elections.[31] The last Republican to win a majority in the county was Ronald Reagan in 1980 and 1984.

Federally, Mendocino County is in California's 2nd congressional district, represented by Democrat Jared Huffman.[32]

In the state legislature Mendocino is in the 2nd Senate District, represented by Democrat Mike McGuire,[33] and the 2nd Assembly District, represented by Democrat Jim Wood.[34]

As of April 2008, the California Secretary of State reports that Mendocino County has 47,168 registered voters. Of those, 22,264 (47.2%) are registered Democratic; 11,422 (24.2%) are registered Republican; 4,179 (8.9%) are registered with other political parties, and 9,303 (19.7%) declined to state a political party.

In 2000, Mendocino County voters approved Measure G, which calls for the decriminalization of marijuana when used and cultivated for personal use.[35] Measure G passed with a 58% majority vote, making it the first county in the United States to declare prosecution of small-scale marijuana offenses the "lowest priority" for local law enforcement. Measure G does not protect individuals who cultivate, transport or possess marijuana for sale. However, Measure G was passed at the local government level affecting only Mendocino County, and therefore does not affect existing state or federal laws. The city of Berkeley has had a similar law (known as the Berkeley Marijuana Initiative II) since 1979 which has generally been found to be unenforceable.[36]

In 2008, the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors placed Measure B on the June 3 county-wide ballot. After three months of hard-fought campaigning and national attention, voters narrowly approved "B", which repealed the provisions of 2000's Measure G.[37][38] However, opponents of Measure B intend to continue the challenge in court, as the wording of Measure B relies heavily on S.B. 420's state limitations which were recently ruled unconstitutional by the California supreme court. On July 3, the Sheriff and District Attorneys offices announced that they would not be enforcing the new regulations for the time being, citing pending legal challenges and conflicts with existing state law.[39]

In April, 2009, Sheriff Tom Allman issued his department's medical marijuana enforcement policy, which includes the provisions of Measure B and also cites the California Supreme Court Ruling narrowly defining "caregiver" in the state's medical marijuana law.[40]

In 2004, Measure H was passed in Mendocino County with a 57% majority, making it the first county in the United States to ban the production and cultivation of genetically modified organisms.

On Nov. 4, 2008 Mendocino County voted 63.2% against Proposition 8 which amended the California Constitution to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman.

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

Education

See also: List of school districts in Mendocino County, California

Community Colleges

Universities

Transportation

US 101 in Mendocino County

Major highways

Public transportation

Bus

The Mendocino Transit Authority provides local and intercity bus service within Mendocino County. Limited service also connects with transit in Sonoma County. Greyhound Bus Lines currently serves Ukiah.

Amtrak's operates connecting bus service to Ukiah, Willits and Laytonville.[43]

The historic Skunk Train is a heritage railway that connects Fort Bragg, California with Willits using steam locomotives.

Airports

  • Ukiah Municipal Airport is a general aviation airport owned by the City of Ukiah. It is located south of downtown Ukiah.
  • Little River Airport is a general aviation airport serving the Mendocino coast.
  • Willits Municipal Airport is a general aviation airport serving the Willits / Little Lake Valley area. Located in the Brooktrails subdivision area west of Willits.
  • Round Valley Airport is a general aviation airport serving the Covelo / Round Valley area.

For commercial service, passengers in Mendocino County need to go to Eureka, one county to the north in Humboldt County, or to Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, one county to the south. More comprehensive service is available from Sacramento to the east or San Francisco, well to the south.

Emergency services for the largely unincorporated county are coordinated through Howard Forest Station, a local Cal Fire station just south of Willits.

Communities

Ecological staircase trail in Jug Handle State Nature Reserve
Islands off the Mendocino coast

Cities

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Indian reservations

Mendocino County has nine Indian reservations lying within its borders, the fourth most of any county in the United States (after San Diego County, California; Sandoval County, New Mexico; and Riverside County, California).

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Mendocino County.[44]

† county seat

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

1 † Ukiah City 16,075
2 Fort Bragg City 7,273
3 Willits City 4,888
4 Brooktrails CDP 3,235
5 Redwood Valley CDP 1,729
6 Covelo CDP 1,255
7 Laytonville CDP 1,227
8 Talmage CDP 1,130
9 Boonville CDP 1,035
10 Mendocino CDP 894
11 Hopland CDP 756
12 Calpella CDP 679
13 Potter Valley CDP 646
14 Cleone CDP 618
15 Caspar CDP 509
16 Point Arena City 449
17 Round Valley Reservation[45] (partially in Trinity County) AIAN 401
18 Philo CDP 349
19 Anchor Bay CDP 340
20 Redwood Valley Rancheria[46] AIAN 238
t-21 Laytonville Rancheria[47] AIAN 212
t-21 Manchester-Point Arena Rancheria[48] AIAN 212
22 Manchester CDP 195
t-23 Albion CDP 168
t-23 Sherwood Valley Rancheria[49] AIAN 168
24 Comptche CDP 159
25 Coyote Valley Reservation[50] AIAN 144
26 Pinoleville Rancheria[51] AIAN 129
27 Leggett CDP 122
28 Little River CDP 117
29 Guidiville Rancheria[52] AIAN 52
30 Hopland Rancheria (Pomo Indians)[53] AIAN 38

Kate McGarrigle's song "(Talk to Me of) Mendocino," is one of the songs on the McGarrigles' 1975 debut album; it has been covered by Linda Ronstadt on her 1982 album Get Closer, and by the English singer-songwriter John Howard on his 2007 E.P., and also by Bette Midler on her 2014 album It's The Girls.

A song written by Matt Serletic and Bernie Taupin, Mendocino County Line released in 2002, is about a love that could not last and cites the 'Mendocino County Line' in the chorus.

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.

Footnotes

  1. ^ "Chronology". California State Association of Counties. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
  2. ^ "Anthony Peak". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  3. ^ a b "American Fact Finder - Results". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 4, 2016.
  4. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 4, 2016.
  5. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  6. ^ Regan, Trish (2009-01-23). Marijuana Inc., Inside America's Pot Industry (televised documentary). Mendocino County, California, USA: CNBC, Incorporated. Retrieved 2009-03-15.
  7. ^ a b c "History of Mendocino County". County of Mendocino. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  8. ^ Aanestad, Christina (September 19, 2007). "Native Americans walk the California Trail of Tears". indybay.org. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
  9. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved September 28, 2015.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ a b U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B03003. American FactFinder. Retrieved 2013-10-26.
  12. ^ a b U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B19301. American FactFinder. Retrieved 2013-10-21.
  13. ^ a b U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B19013. American FactFinder. Retrieved 2013-10-21.
  14. ^ a b U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B19113. American FactFinder. Retrieved 2013-10-21.
  15. ^ a b U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. American FactFinder. Retrieved 2013-10-21.
  16. ^ U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B01003. American FactFinder. Retrieved 2013-10-21.
  17. ^ "County Totals Dataset: Population, Population Change and Estimated Components of Population Change: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  18. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 28, 2015.
  19. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 28, 2015.
  20. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 28, 2015.
  21. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved September 28, 2015.
  22. ^ "2010 Census P.L. 94-171 Summary File Data". United States Census Bureau.
  23. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
  24. ^ "District Attorney". The County of Mendocino. Retrieved March 20, 2015.
  25. ^ "Mendocino County Sheriff's Office". Retrieved March 20, 2015.
  26. ^ "Executive Office : Welcome". The County of Mendocino. Retrieved March 20, 2015.
  27. ^ "Mendocino County district boundaries". Mendocino County Government. Retrieved 21 August 2010.
  28. ^ a b c d e "Board of Supervisors - Board Members". Mendocino County. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  29. ^ 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.
  30. ^ http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/
  31. ^ "Mendocino County, California". political info. epodunk.com. Retrieved 2009-09-23.
  32. ^ "California's 2nd Congressional District - Representatives & District Map". Civic Impulse, LLC. Retrieved March 1, 2013.
  33. ^ "Senators". State of California. Retrieved March 10, 2013.
  34. ^ "Members Assembly". State of California. Retrieved March 2, 2013.
  35. ^ "Mendocino County Personal Use of Marijuana Initiative". CA NORML News. California National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. November 8, 2000. Retrieved 2009-09-23.
  36. ^ La Barre, Suzanne (March 31, 2006). "Legal Limbo for Pot Users?". Berkeley Daily Planet. Retrieved 2009-09-23.
  37. ^ "Measure B on the June 3 ballot". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 5 August 2013.
  38. ^ Burgess, Rob (21 June 2008). "It's official: Marijuana reform effort passes". Ukiah Daily Journal. Retrieved 5 August 2013.
  39. ^ Geniella, Mike (July 3, 2008). "Mendocino County won't enforce pot measure". The Press Democrat. Santa Rosa, CA. Archived from the original on March 3, 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-23.
  40. ^ "Directive on Medical Marijuana 2009-04-03-NO.1" (PDF). Mendocino County Sheriff's Office. April 3, 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-23.
  41. ^ 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.
  42. ^ 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.
  43. ^ amtrak.com Thruway map
  44. ^ http://www.census.gov/2010census/
  45. ^ http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=3250
  46. ^ http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=3115
  47. ^ http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=1925
  48. ^ http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=2100
  49. ^ http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=3735
  50. ^ http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=0825
  51. ^ http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=2820
  52. ^ http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=1400
  53. ^ http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=1515

Further reading

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mendocino County, California.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Mendocino County.

39°26′N 123°26′W / 39.43°N 123.43°W / 39.43; -123.43

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