Big Bend, California
Encyclopedia
Big Bend is a census-designated place
(CDP) in Shasta County
, California
, United States
. The population was 102 at the 2010 census, down from 149 at the 2000 census.
The community is situated on a long bend in the Pit River
which is tributary to the Sacramento River
. From the community is a view of Chalk Mountain which has a natural exposed slide feature of diatomaceous earth
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the CDP has a total area of 5.8 square miles (15 km²), 98.47% of it land and 1.53% of it water.
was 17.5 people per square mile (6.8/km²). The racial makeup of Big Bend was 85 (83.3%) White, 0 (0.0%) African American, 10 (9.8%) Native American, 0 (0.0%) Asian, 0 (0.0%) Pacific Islander, 1 (1.0%) from other races
, and 6 (5.9%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2 persons (2.0%).
The Census reported that 102 people (100% of the population) lived in households, 0 (0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.
There were 58 households, out of which 8 (13.8%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 15 (25.9%) were opposite-sex married couples
living together, 4 (6.9%) had a female householder with no husband present, 4 (6.9%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 4 (6.9%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships
, and 0 (0%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 34 households (58.6%) were made up of individuals and 11 (19.0%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.76. There were 23 families
(39.7% of all households); the average family size was 2.65.
The population was spread out with 11 people (10.8%) under the age of 18, 13 people (12.7%) aged 18 to 24, 19 people (18.6%) aged 25 to 44, 42 people (41.2%) aged 45 to 64, and 17 people (16.7%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50.3 years. For every 100 females there were 131.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 139.5 males.
There were 90 housing units at an average density of 15.5 per square mile (6.0/km²), of which 33 (56.9%) were owner-occupied, and 25 (43.1%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0%; the rental vacancy rate was 0%. 51 people (50.0% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 51 people (50.0%) lived in rental housing units.
of 2000, there were 149 people, 70 households, and 38 families residing in the CDP. The population density
was 26.1 people per square mile (10.1/km²). There were 106 housing units at an average density of 18.5 per square mile (7.2/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 83.22% White, 8.72% Native American, 1.34% Asian, 3.36% from other races
, and 3.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.36% of the population.
There were 70 households out of which 21.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.9% were married couples
living together, 4.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.7% were non-families. 41.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 23.5% under the age of 18, 4.7% from 18 to 24, 21.5% from 25 to 44, 36.2% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 119.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 128.0 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $23,750, and the median income for a family was $23,000. Males had a median income of $33,750 versus $40,625 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $16,183. There were 50.0% of families and 45.2% of the population living below the poverty line, including 60.0% of under eighteens and 25.0% of those over 64.
Big Bend is located in the 4th Senate
District, represented by Republican
Doug LaMalfa
, and in the 2nd Assembly
District, represented by Republican Jim Nielsen
. Federally, Big Bend is located in California's 2nd congressional district
, which has a Cook PVI
of R +13 and is represented by Republican Wally Herger
.
. There are two publicly-used (but on private land) hot springs just Northeast of downtown Big Bend, called Hunt Hot Springs and Kosk Creek Hot Springs.
Closer to town, are the more developed hot springs, currently known simply as "Big Bend Hot Springs" (formerly "Healing Waters"). These hot springs, along with 140 acre (0.5665604 km²) surrounding them, are privately stewarded by the Big Bend Hot Springs Project, LLC (http://bigbendhotsprings.org/), and are currently closed (since November 2006) for renovations. When open, Big Bend Hot Springs can be visited for a small fee (day use or camping). There are several hot spring sources on the Big Bend Hot Springs property along the Pit River
. Some soaking pools and tubs are developed for visitors (which are next to the campgrounds), and other more natural pools are further downstream in a riverbed boulder field. There are also geothermal wells on the property, used to heat both soaking pools and buildings. Managers are currently working with Shasta County to correct numerous code violations left by previous owners, in order to re-open to the public. No estimate is currently available for the projected re-opening date of Big Bend Hot Springs.
In the town of Big Bend, another hot well is used to heat Indian Springs School (a K-8 public school), the Community swimming pool and the Community Greenhouse.
The Pit River is a free stone river and provides excellent fishing for Pit River Rainbow Trout. Also near Big Bend is Iron Canyon Reservoir, which is the repository for water diverted from the McCloud River and which contains Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout. This reservoir provides an opportunity for canoeing and float tubing. See http://www.ironcanyon.org. This reservoir is in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest and has two campgrounds, one administered by the US Forest Service and one by Pacific Gas and Electric Company.
The Pit River has had occasional white water level releases from the dams to provide white water rafting with Class 4 and Class 5 rapids.
A highly scenic gravel road follows the Pit River upstream from Big Bend to Highway 89 near McArthur-Burney Falls State Park.
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
(CDP) in Shasta County
Shasta County, California
Shasta County is a county located in the northern portion of the U.S. state of California. The county occupies the northern reaches of the Sacramento Valley, with portions extending into the southern reaches of the Cascade Range. As of the 2010 census, the population was 177,223, up from 163,256...
, 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...
. The population was 102 at the 2010 census, down from 149 at the 2000 census.
Geography
Big Bend is located at 41°1′11"N 121°54′28"W (41.019803, -121.907881).The community is situated on a long bend in 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...
which is tributary to the Sacramento River
Sacramento River
The Sacramento River is an important watercourse of Northern and Central California in the United States. The largest river in California, it rises on the eastern slopes of the Klamath Mountains, and after a journey south of over , empties into Suisun Bay, an arm of the San Francisco Bay, and...
. From the community is a view of Chalk Mountain which has a natural exposed slide feature of diatomaceous earth
Diatomaceous earth
Diatomaceous earth also known as diatomite or kieselgur/kieselguhr, is a naturally occurring, soft, siliceous sedimentary rock that is easily crumbled into a fine white to off-white powder. It has a particle size ranging from less than 1 micrometre to more than 1 millimetre, but typically 10 to...
.
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 CDP has a total area of 5.8 square miles (15 km²), 98.47% of it land and 1.53% of it water.
2010
The 2010 United States Census reported that Big Bend had a population of 102. 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 17.5 people per square mile (6.8/km²). The racial makeup of Big Bend was 85 (83.3%) White, 0 (0.0%) African American, 10 (9.8%) Native American, 0 (0.0%) Asian, 0 (0.0%) Pacific Islander, 1 (1.0%) 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 6 (5.9%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2 persons (2.0%).
The Census reported that 102 people (100% of the population) lived in households, 0 (0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.
There were 58 households, out of which 8 (13.8%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 15 (25.9%) 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, 4 (6.9%) had a female householder with no husband present, 4 (6.9%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 4 (6.9%) 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 0 (0%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 34 households (58.6%) were made up of individuals and 11 (19.0%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.76. There were 23 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...
(39.7% of all households); the average family size was 2.65.
The population was spread out with 11 people (10.8%) under the age of 18, 13 people (12.7%) aged 18 to 24, 19 people (18.6%) aged 25 to 44, 42 people (41.2%) aged 45 to 64, and 17 people (16.7%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50.3 years. For every 100 females there were 131.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 139.5 males.
There were 90 housing units at an average density of 15.5 per square mile (6.0/km²), of which 33 (56.9%) were owner-occupied, and 25 (43.1%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0%; the rental vacancy rate was 0%. 51 people (50.0% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 51 people (50.0%) 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 149 people, 70 households, and 38 families residing in the CDP. 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 26.1 people per square mile (10.1/km²). There were 106 housing units at an average density of 18.5 per square mile (7.2/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 83.22% White, 8.72% Native American, 1.34% Asian, 3.36% 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 3.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.36% of the population.
There were 70 households out of which 21.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.9% 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, 4.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.7% were non-families. 41.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 23.5% under the age of 18, 4.7% from 18 to 24, 21.5% from 25 to 44, 36.2% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 119.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 128.0 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $23,750, and the median income for a family was $23,000. Males had a median income of $33,750 versus $40,625 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 CDP was $16,183. There were 50.0% of families and 45.2% of the population living below the poverty line, including 60.0% of under eighteens and 25.0% of those over 64.
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...
Big Bend is located in the 4th 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...
Doug LaMalfa
Doug LaMalfa
Doug LaMalfa is an American politician currently serving in the California State Senate. He is a Republican representing the 4th district, encompassing Del Norte, Siskiyou, Shasta, Trinity, Tehama, Butte, Glenn, Colusa, Sutter, and Yuba counties, as well as parts of Nevada and Placer counties...
, 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, Big Bend is located in California's 2nd congressional district
California's 2nd congressional district
California's 2nd congressional district is a congressional district located in the U.S. state of California. The district contains much of the far northern part of the state, north of Sacramento. It is the largest district by area in California...
, 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 +13 and is represented by Republican Wally Herger
Wally Herger
Walter William "Wally" Herger, Jr. , American politician, has been a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since 1987, representing the California's 2nd congressional district. The second district is physically large...
.
Natural attractions
Big Bend is known in the Northern California area for its local geothermal hot springsHot Springs
Hot Springs may refer to:* Hot Springs, Arkansas** Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas*Hot Springs, California**Hot Springs, Lassen County, California**Hot Springs, Modoc County, California**Hot Springs, Placer County, California...
. There are two publicly-used (but on private land) hot springs just Northeast of downtown Big Bend, called Hunt Hot Springs and Kosk Creek Hot Springs.
Closer to town, are the more developed hot springs, currently known simply as "Big Bend Hot Springs" (formerly "Healing Waters"). These hot springs, along with 140 acre (0.5665604 km²) surrounding them, are privately stewarded by the Big Bend Hot Springs Project, LLC (http://bigbendhotsprings.org/), and are currently closed (since November 2006) for renovations. When open, Big Bend Hot Springs can be visited for a small fee (day use or camping). There are several hot spring sources on the Big Bend Hot Springs property along 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...
. Some soaking pools and tubs are developed for visitors (which are next to the campgrounds), and other more natural pools are further downstream in a riverbed boulder field. There are also geothermal wells on the property, used to heat both soaking pools and buildings. Managers are currently working with Shasta County to correct numerous code violations left by previous owners, in order to re-open to the public. No estimate is currently available for the projected re-opening date of Big Bend Hot Springs.
In the town of Big Bend, another hot well is used to heat Indian Springs School (a K-8 public school), the Community swimming pool and the Community Greenhouse.
The Pit River is a free stone river and provides excellent fishing for Pit River Rainbow Trout. Also near Big Bend is Iron Canyon Reservoir, which is the repository for water diverted from the McCloud River and which contains Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout. This reservoir provides an opportunity for canoeing and float tubing. See http://www.ironcanyon.org. This reservoir is in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest and has two campgrounds, one administered by the US Forest Service and one by Pacific Gas and Electric Company.
The Pit River has had occasional white water level releases from the dams to provide white water rafting with Class 4 and Class 5 rapids.
A highly scenic gravel road follows the Pit River upstream from Big Bend to Highway 89 near McArthur-Burney Falls State Park.