Alturas, California
Encyclopedia
Alturas is the county seat
of Modoc County
, California
, United States
. Alturas is located on the Pit River
, east of the center of Modoc County, at an elevation of 4370 feet (1332 m). As the county seat, the town is a home to regional government offices, including a California Highway Patrol
office and a state Department of Motor Vehicles
office. Modoc Subdivision track of the Union Pacific Railroad
, and the Lake County Railroad
, (of Lake County, Oregon
) serve the area.
The population was 2,827 at the 2010 census, and the ZIP code for the community is 96101.
, near its confluence with the South Fork in the north end of South Fork Valley, in the extreme northeastern corner of California at 41°29′14"N 120°32′33"W. The tall Warner Mountains
lie to the east, the wetlands and wild rice
fields of South Fork Valley to the south, and the extensive Modoc Plateau
to the north.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 2.4 square miles (6.2 km²) and 0.57% of it is covered by water.
Precipitation averages 12.43 inches (315.7 mm) annually. There are an average of 78 days with measurable precipitation. The wettest year was 1998 with 20.89 inches(530.6 mm) and the dryest year was 1976 with 6.54 inches (166.1 mm). The most rainfall in one month was 6.17 inches (156.7 mm) in October 1962. The most rainfall in 24 hours was 3.51 inches (89.2 mm) on December 11, 1937. Snowfall averages 30.9 inches. (78.5 cm) The most snowfall in one year was 85.5 inches (217.2 cm) in 1952.
(Pit River) village known as Kosealekte or Kasalektawi. The city was initially known as Dorris Bridge (or Dorris' Bridge), named after Pressley and James Dorris, who built a bridge across the Pit River at this location.
The Dorris Bridge post office opened in 1871, renamed Dorrisville in 1874, and in 1876, was renamed Alturas, which is Spanish for "heights". The census of 1880 showed a population of 148. However, settlement continued over the next two decades, until the city was officially incorporated on September 16, 1901; the county's only incorporated city. Because of its central location, Dorrisville became the county seat when Modoc County formed in 1874, even though both Adin
and Cedarville
were then larger towns.
was 1,154.5 people per square mile (445.8/km²). The racial makeup of Alturas was 2,430 (86.0%) White, 15 (0.5%) African American, 81 (2.9%) Native American, 45 (1.6%) Asian, 7 (0.2%) Pacific Islander, 118 (4.2%) from other races
, and 131 (4.6%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 347 persons (12.3%).
The Census reported that 2,814 people (99.5% of the population) lived in households, 0 (0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 13 (0.5%) were institutionalized.
There were 1,238 households, out of which 391 (31.6%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 507 (41.0%) were opposite-sex married couples
living together, 181 (14.6%) had a female householder with no husband present, 65 (5.3%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 102 (8.2%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships
, and 9 (0.7%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 403 households (32.6%) were made up of individuals and 160 (12.9%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27. There were 753 families
(60.8% of all households); the average family size was 2.85.
The population was spread out with 702 people (24.8%) under the age of 18, 219 people (7.7%) aged 18 to 24, 672 people (23.8%) aged 25 to 44, 802 people (28.4%) aged 45 to 64, and 432 people (15.3%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.9 years. For every 100 females there were 92.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.6 males.
There were 1,407 housing units at an average density of 574.6 per square mile (221.9/km²), of which 691 (55.8%) were owner-occupied, and 547 (44.2%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.8%; the rental vacancy rate was 7.8%. 1,563 people (55.3% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 1,251 people (44.3%) lived in rental housing units.
of 2000, there were 2,892 people, 1,181 households, and 753 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,316.3 people per square mile (507.5/km²). There were 1,367 housing units at an average density of 622.2 per square mile (239.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 85.9% White
, 0.3% Black
or African American
, 4.4% Native American
, 0.7% Asian
, 0.1% Pacific Islander
, 4.8% from other races
, and 3.7% from two or more races. 11.9% of the population were Hispanic or Latino
of any race.
There were 1,181 households out of which 35.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.6% were married couples
living together, 14.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.2% were non-families. 32.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.7% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 90.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $24,351, and the median income for a family was $31,385. Males had a median income of $36,500 versus $21,750 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $19,281. About 23.0% of families and 27.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 38.3% of those under age 18 and 7.9% of those age 65 or over.
Alturas is located in the 1st Senate
District, represented by Republican
Ted Gaines
, and in the 2nd Assembly
District, represented by Republican Jim Nielsen
. Federally, Alturas is located in California's 4th congressional district
, which has a Cook PVI
of R +11 and is represented by Republican Tom McClintock
.
, the Alturas Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management
, the Modoc National Wildlife Refuge
and other recreation areas, and is the trade center for the agricultural region, which produces beef, sheep, potatoes, alfalfa and lumber. Despite its abundance of wilderness, recreational opportunities, hunting and fishing resources, and resplendent natural beauty, tourism is not a major sector of the local economy—largely due to the city's remote location.
Local, State, Federal, and Tribal governments are the largest employers in Alturas. A vibrant timber industry collapsed in the early 1980s due to increased production costs and low market prices for softwood lumber.
The Modoc Joint Unified School District is headquartered in Alturas.
The Alturas Rancheria
, a band of Pit River Indians, operates a small casino just outside the city limits.
Alturas/Modoc County has a local independent television station KMDC on channel 9.
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Modoc County
Modoc County, California
Modoc County is a county located in the far northeast corner of the U.S. state of California, bounded by the state of Oregon to the north and the state of Nevada to the east. As of the 2010 census, its population was 9,686, up from 9,449 at the 2000 census. The current county seat is Alturas, the...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Alturas is located on the Pit River
Pit River
The Pit River is a major river draining from northeastern California into the state's Central Valley. The Pit, the Klamath and the Columbia are the only three rivers in the U.S...
, east of the center of Modoc County, at an elevation of 4370 feet (1332 m). As the county seat, the town is a home to regional government offices, including a California Highway Patrol
California Highway Patrol
The California Highway Patrol is a law enforcement agency of the U.S. state of California. The CHP has patrol jurisdiction over all California highways and also acts as the state police....
office and a state Department of Motor Vehicles
Department of Motor Vehicles
In the United States of America, a Department of Motor Vehicles is a state-level government agency that administers vehicle registration and driver licensing. Similar departments exist in Canada...
office. Modoc Subdivision track of the Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad
The Union Pacific Railroad , headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, is the largest railroad network in the United States. James R. Young is president, CEO and Chairman....
, and the Lake County Railroad
Lake County Railroad
The Lake County Railroad , based in Lakeview, Oregon, United States, is owned by the Lake County government and operated by the Modoc Northern Railroad. It runs south from Lakeview to Alturas, California, and then back every Thursday...
, (of Lake County, Oregon
Lake County, Oregon
Lake County is a county in the high desert south central region of the U.S. state of Oregon, so named for the many lakes found within its boundaries, including Lake Abert, Hart Lake Reservoir, and Goose Lake. While Lake is among Oregon's largest counties, it is sparsely populated with 7,895...
) serve the area.
The population was 2,827 at the 2010 census, and the ZIP code for the community is 96101.
Geography
Alturas straddles the North Fork of the Pit RiverPit River
The Pit River is a major river draining from northeastern California into the state's Central Valley. The Pit, the Klamath and the Columbia are the only three rivers in the U.S...
, near its confluence with the South Fork in the north end of South Fork Valley, in the extreme northeastern corner of California at 41°29′14"N 120°32′33"W. The tall Warner Mountains
Warner Mountains
The Warner Mountains are an 85-mile-long mountain range running north-south through northeastern California and extending into southern Oregon in the United States...
lie to the east, the wetlands and wild rice
Wild rice
Wild rice is four species of grasses forming the genus Zizania, and the grain which can be harvested from them. The grain was historically gathered and eaten in both North America and China...
fields of South Fork Valley to the south, and the extensive Modoc Plateau
Modoc Plateau
The Modoc Plateau lies in the northeast corner of California as well as parts of Oregon and Nevada. It is a mile-high expanse of lava flows with cinder cones, juniper flats, pine forests, and seasonal lakes. The plateau is thought to have been formed approximately 25 million years ago...
to the north.
According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 2.4 square miles (6.2 km²) and 0.57% of it is covered by water.
Climate
Alturas has wet, cold winters and warm, dry summers. The average January temperatures are a high of 41.6°F (5.3°C) and a low of 16.5°F (-8.6°C). The average July temperatures are a high of 88.2°F (31.2°C) and a low of 44.3°F (6.8°C). There are an average of 36.2 days with highs of 90°F (32°C) or higher and an average of 203.8 days with lows of 32°F (0°C) or lower. The record high was 108°F (42.2°C) on July 8, 2007, and the record low was -34°F (-36.7°C) on December 9, 1972. Freezing temperatures have occurred in every month of the year; cool nights are common even on the warmest summer days.Precipitation averages 12.43 inches (315.7 mm) annually. There are an average of 78 days with measurable precipitation. The wettest year was 1998 with 20.89 inches(530.6 mm) and the dryest year was 1976 with 6.54 inches (166.1 mm). The most rainfall in one month was 6.17 inches (156.7 mm) in October 1962. The most rainfall in 24 hours was 3.51 inches (89.2 mm) on December 11, 1937. Snowfall averages 30.9 inches. (78.5 cm) The most snowfall in one year was 85.5 inches (217.2 cm) in 1952.
History
Alturas now occupies what was initially an AchumawiAchomawi
The Achomawi are one of eleven bands of the Pit River tribe of Native Americans who lived in northeastern California, USA....
(Pit River) village known as Kosealekte or Kasalektawi. The city was initially known as Dorris Bridge (or Dorris' Bridge), named after Pressley and James Dorris, who built a bridge across the Pit River at this location.
The Dorris Bridge post office opened in 1871, renamed Dorrisville in 1874, and in 1876, was renamed Alturas, which is Spanish for "heights". The census of 1880 showed a population of 148. However, settlement continued over the next two decades, until the city was officially incorporated on September 16, 1901; the county's only incorporated city. Because of its central location, Dorrisville became the county seat when Modoc County formed in 1874, even though both Adin
Adin, California
Adin is a census-designated place in Modoc County, California. It is located southwest of Alturas, at an elevation of 4203 feet...
and Cedarville
Cedarville, California
Cedarville is a census-designated place in Modoc County, California. It is located east of Alturas, at an elevation of 4652 feet ....
were then larger towns.
2010
The 2010 United States Census reported that Alturas had a population of 2,827. The population densityPopulation density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,154.5 people per square mile (445.8/km²). The racial makeup of Alturas was 2,430 (86.0%) White, 15 (0.5%) African American, 81 (2.9%) Native American, 45 (1.6%) Asian, 7 (0.2%) Pacific Islander, 118 (4.2%) from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 131 (4.6%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 347 persons (12.3%).
The Census reported that 2,814 people (99.5% of the population) lived in households, 0 (0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 13 (0.5%) were institutionalized.
There were 1,238 households, out of which 391 (31.6%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 507 (41.0%) were opposite-sex married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 181 (14.6%) had a female householder with no husband present, 65 (5.3%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 102 (8.2%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships
POSSLQ
POSSLQ is an abbreviation for "Persons of Opposite Sex Sharing Living Quarters," a term coined in the late 1970s by the United States Census Bureau as part of an effort to more accurately gauge the prevalence of cohabitation in American households....
, and 9 (0.7%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 403 households (32.6%) were made up of individuals and 160 (12.9%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27. There were 753 families
Family (U.S. Census)
A family or family household is defined by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes as "a householder and one or more other people related to the householder by birth, marriage, or adoption. They do not include same-sex married couples even if the marriage was performed in a state...
(60.8% of all households); the average family size was 2.85.
The population was spread out with 702 people (24.8%) under the age of 18, 219 people (7.7%) aged 18 to 24, 672 people (23.8%) aged 25 to 44, 802 people (28.4%) aged 45 to 64, and 432 people (15.3%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.9 years. For every 100 females there were 92.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.6 males.
There were 1,407 housing units at an average density of 574.6 per square mile (221.9/km²), of which 691 (55.8%) were owner-occupied, and 547 (44.2%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.8%; the rental vacancy rate was 7.8%. 1,563 people (55.3% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 1,251 people (44.3%) lived in rental housing units.
2000
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 2,892 people, 1,181 households, and 753 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,316.3 people per square mile (507.5/km²). There were 1,367 housing units at an average density of 622.2 per square mile (239.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 85.9% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.3% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 4.4% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.7% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.1% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 4.8% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 3.7% from two or more races. 11.9% of the population were Hispanic or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
There were 1,181 households out of which 35.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.6% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 14.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.2% were non-families. 32.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.7% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 90.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $24,351, and the median income for a family was $31,385. Males had a median income of $36,500 versus $21,750 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $19,281. About 23.0% of families and 27.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 38.3% of those under age 18 and 7.9% of those age 65 or over.
Politics
In the state legislatureCalifornia State Legislature
The California State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of California. It is a bicameral body consisting of the lower house, the California State Assembly, with 80 members, and the upper house, the California State Senate, with 40 members...
Alturas is located in the 1st Senate
California State Senate
The California State Senate is the upper house of the California State Legislature. There are 40 state senators. The state legislature meets in the California State Capitol in Sacramento. The Lieutenant Governor is the ex officio President of the Senate and may break a tied vote...
District, represented by Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Ted Gaines
Ted Gaines
Edward M. Gaines is a California State Senator, representing the 1st Senate district. He won a January 4, 2011, special election to replace the late Dave Cox and took office two days later...
, and in the 2nd Assembly
California State Assembly
The California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature. There are 80 members in the Assembly, representing an approximately equal number of constituents, with each district having a population of at least 420,000...
District, represented by Republican Jim Nielsen
Jim Nielsen
James Wiley Nielsen is an American politician from California and a member of the Republican party. Nielsen served on the Yolo County Republican Committee before winning election to the California State Senate in 1978...
. Federally, Alturas is located in California's 4th congressional district
California's 4th congressional district
California's 4th congressional district is a congressional district located in the U.S. state of California. It covers the northeastern corner of California along Route 395, encompassing El Dorado, Placer, Nevada, Sierra, Plumas, Lassen, and Modoc counties, as well as parts of Butte County...
, which has a Cook PVI
Cook Partisan Voting Index
The Cook Partisan Voting Index , sometimes referred to as simply the Partisan Voting Index , is a measurement of how strongly an American congressional district or state leans toward one political party compared to the nation as a whole...
of R +11 and is represented by Republican Tom McClintock
Tom McClintock
Thomas Miller McClintock II is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2009. He is a member of the Republican Party. He is a former Assemblyman and state Senator...
.
Economy
Alturas is the headquarters to the Modoc National ForestModoc National Forest
Modoc National Forest is a national forest in northeastern California, covering parts of Modoc , Lassen , and Siskiyou counties. Most of the forest was covered by an immense lava flow millions of years ago. The eastern part of the forest east of Alturas contains a spur of the Cascade Range to...
, the Alturas Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management
Bureau of Land Management
The Bureau of Land Management is an agency within the United States Department of the Interior which administers America's public lands, totaling approximately , or one-eighth of the landmass of the country. The BLM also manages of subsurface mineral estate underlying federal, state and private...
, the Modoc National Wildlife Refuge
Modoc National Wildlife Refuge
Modoc National Wildlife Refuge is home to more than 250 species of birds and a variety of other wildlife. Located in a high-altitude desert valley on the western edge of the Great Basin in Modoc County, California, the refuge is part of a large complex of mid-altitude wetlands and lakes in...
and other recreation areas, and is the trade center for the agricultural region, which produces beef, sheep, potatoes, alfalfa and lumber. Despite its abundance of wilderness, recreational opportunities, hunting and fishing resources, and resplendent natural beauty, tourism is not a major sector of the local economy—largely due to the city's remote location.
Local, State, Federal, and Tribal governments are the largest employers in Alturas. A vibrant timber industry collapsed in the early 1980s due to increased production costs and low market prices for softwood lumber.
The Modoc Joint Unified School District is headquartered in Alturas.
The Alturas Rancheria
Alturas Rancheria
The Alturas Indian Rancheria is a federally recognized tribe of Achomawi Indians in California.The tribe controls reservation near Alturas, California, in Modoc County. Tribal enrollment is estimated at 15. The tribe operates the Desert Rose Casino and the Rose Cafe in Alturas.The Achomawi are...
, a band of Pit River Indians, operates a small casino just outside the city limits.
Alturas/Modoc County has a local independent television station KMDC on channel 9.
Education
- HeadStart (Pre-K)
- Alturas Elementary School (K-5)
- Modoc Middle School (6-8)
- Modoc High School (9-12)
- Warner Continuation High School (Alternative High School, 9-12)
- Alturas Community Day School (Alternative Elementary School, K-6)
- High Desert Community Day School (Alternative School, 7th-Age 16, no upper grade limit)
Notable residents
- Kayte ChristensenKayte ChristensenKayte Lauren Christensen is an American Color commentator and former professional basketball player who has competed internationally and for the Phoenix Mercury,Houston Comets and Chicago Sky in the WNBA....
, WNBA basketball player - Ernest S. BrownErnest S. BrownErnest S. Brown served briefly as a United States Senator from Nevada in 1954.Born in Alturas, California, he moved with his family to Reno, Nevada, in 1906 and attended the public schools. He graduated from the University of Nevada at Reno in 1926, and was admitted to the bar in 1927, commencing...
, former United States Senator from Nevada