Madera County, California
Encyclopedia
Madera County is a county
of the U.S. state
of California
, located in the Central Valley
and the Sierra Nevada north of Fresno County
. It comprises the Madera
-Chowchilla
, CA
Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census the population was 150,865. The county seat
is Madera
.
The southernmost part of Yosemite National Park
is located in the county's northeast.
Madera County was formed in 1893, from the southern part of Mariposa County
during a special election held on May 16, 1893. Citizens residing in the area that was to become Madera County voted 1,179 to 358 for establishment of the new county.
Madera is the Spanish term for wood. The county derives its name from the town of Madera, named when the California Lumber Company built a log flume
to carry lumber to the Central Pacific Railroad there in 1876.
, is unconnected to the rest of Madera County by road. This only road into this area is Minaret Summit Road which becomes State Route 203
at the Mono County border, connecting this area to Mammoth Lakes. Red's Meadow Road is a further extension of this route.
The gap between Minaret Road (not to be confused with Minaret Summit Road), which runs northeast into the Sierras from North Fork
, and the end of the Red's Meadow Road is less than 10 miles, and plans for a highway (or tunnel) connecting the Eastern Sierra and the San Joaquin Valley
via Minaret Summit had often been discussed. An area southwest of Minaret Summit was not included in the Wilderness Act of 1964 in order to leave a corridor for this possibility. During his time as Governor of California
, Ronald Reagan
made a horse packing trip into the area. Afterwards he supported conservationist
s' efforts to prevent this highway. Reagan continued his efforts after being elected President
in 1980 and the area was eventually designated wilderness
by the California Wilderness Act of 1984
.
, and 6,300 (4.2%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 80,992 persons (53.7%).
As of the census
of 2000, there are 123,109 people in the county, organized into 36,155 households, and 28,598 families. The population density
is 58 people per square mile (22/km²). There are 40,387 housing units at an average density of 19 per square mile (7/km²). The racial makeup of the county is 62.23% White, 4.12% Black or African American, 2.61% Native American, 1.27% Asian, 0.17% Pacific Islander, 24.35% from other races, and 5.25% from two or more races. 44.28% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race. 8.0% were of German, 5.9% English
, 5.4% American
and 5.3% Irish
ancestry according to Census 2000. 63.6% spoke English
and 33.7% Spanish
as their first language.
There are 36,155 households out of which 40.2% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.9% are married couples
living together, 12.2% have a female householder with no husband present, and 20.9% are non-families. 16.5% of all households are made up of individuals and 7.7% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 3.18 and the average family size is 3.52.
In the county the population is spread out with 29.6% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 33 years. For every 100 females there are 91.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 86.0 males.
The median income for a household in the county is $36,286, and the median income for a family is $39,226. Males have a median income of $33,658 versus $24,415 for females. The per capita income
for the county is $14,682. 21.4% of the population and 15.9% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 28.6% of those under the age of 18 and 9.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Madera is a strongly Republican
county in Presidential
and congressional
elections. The last Democrat to win a majority in the county was Jimmy Carter
in 1976
.
The vast majority of Madera is part of California's 19th congressional district
, which is held by Republican Jeff Denham
; a tiny part of Madera is in the 18th district
, which is held by Democrat Dennis Cardoza
. In the State Assembly, most of Madera is in the 25th district with a small part in the 19th district. Both districts are held by Republicans, Kristin Olsen
and Linda Halderman
respectively. In the State Senate, Madera is part of the 12th and 14th districts, which are held by Republicans Anthony Cannella
and Tom Berryhill
respectively.
On November 4, 2008 Madera County voted 73.4 % for Proposition 8 which amended the California Constitution to ban same-sex marriages.
The county is one of three counties in California to establish a separate department to deal with corrections
pursuant to California Government Code §23013, the Madera County Department of Corrections, along with Napa County and Santa Clara County. The officers receive their powers under 831 and 831.5 of the California Penal Code.
County (United States)
In the United States, a county is a geographic subdivision of a state , usually assigned some governmental authority. The term "county" is used in 48 of the 50 states; Louisiana is divided into parishes and Alaska into boroughs. Parishes and boroughs are called "county-equivalents" by the U.S...
of the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of 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...
, located in the Central Valley
California Central Valley
California's Central Valley is a large, flat valley that dominates the central portion of California. It is home to California's most productive agricultural efforts. The valley stretches approximately from northwest to southeast inland and parallel to the Pacific Ocean coast. Its northern half is...
and the Sierra Nevada north of Fresno County
Fresno County, California
Fresno County is a county located in the Central Valley of the U.S. state of California, south of Stockton and north of Bakersfield. As of the 2010 census, it is the tenth most populous county in California with a population of 930,450, and the sixth largest in size with an area of . The county...
. It comprises the Madera
Madera, California
Madera is a city in and the county seat of Madera County, California, United States. It is a principal city of the Madera–Chowchilla Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Madera County, and Metropolitan Fresno. It is located in California's San Joaquin Valley. As of the 2010...
-Chowchilla
Chowchilla, California
Chowchilla is a city in Madera County, California, United States. Chowchilla is located northwest of Madera, at an elevation of 240 feet . It is a principal city of the Madera–Chowchilla Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 18,720 at the 2010 census, up from 11,127 at the 2000...
, CA
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...
Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census the population was 150,865. The county seat
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....
is Madera
Madera, California
Madera is a city in and the county seat of Madera County, California, United States. It is a principal city of the Madera–Chowchilla Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Madera County, and Metropolitan Fresno. It is located in California's San Joaquin Valley. As of the 2010...
.
The southernmost part of Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is a United States National Park spanning eastern portions of Tuolumne, Mariposa and Madera counties in east central California, United States. The park covers an area of and reaches across the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountain chain...
is located in the county's northeast.
History
Mariposa County, California
Mariposa County is a county in the U.S. state of California, located in the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. It lies north of Fresno, east of Merced, and southeast of Stockton. As of the 2010 census, the population was 18,251 up from 17,130 at the 2000 census...
during a special election held on May 16, 1893. Citizens residing in the area that was to become Madera County voted 1,179 to 358 for establishment of the new county.
Madera is the Spanish term for wood. The county derives its name from the town of Madera, named when the California Lumber Company built a log flume
Log flume
A log flume is a flume specifically constructed to transport lumber and logs down mountainous terrain to a sawmill by using flowing water. These watertight trough-like channels could be built to span a long distance across chasms and down steep mountain slopes...
to carry lumber to the Central Pacific Railroad there in 1876.
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 2153.32 square miles (5,577.1 km²), of which 2135.86 square miles (5,531.9 km²) (or 99.19%) is land and 17.46 square miles (45.2 km²) (or 0.81%) is water. The total area is 0.81% water.Cities and towns
- AhwahneeAhwahnee, CaliforniaAhwahnee is a census-designated place in Madera County, California. It is located west of Yosemite Forks, at an elevation of 2326 feet . The population was 2,246 at the 2010 census....
- Bass LakeBass Lake, CaliforniaBass Lake is a freshwater artificial lake in the Sierra National Forest, of Madera County, California, approximately south of the entrance to Yosemite National Park. The lake is formed by the construction of the Crane Valley Dam across Willow Creek, a tributary to the San Joaquin River, and is...
- Bonadelle Ranchos-Madera RanchosBonadelle Ranchos-Madera Ranchos, CaliforniaBonadelle Ranchos-Madera Ranchos is a census-designated place in Madera County, California, United States. It is part of the Madera–Chowchilla Metropolitan Statistical Area...
- ChowchillaChowchilla, CaliforniaChowchilla is a city in Madera County, California, United States. Chowchilla is located northwest of Madera, at an elevation of 240 feet . It is a principal city of the Madera–Chowchilla Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 18,720 at the 2010 census, up from 11,127 at the 2000...
- CoarsegoldCoarsegold, CaliforniaCoarsegold is a census-designated place in Madera County, California. It is located south-southwest of Yosemite Forks, at an elevation of 2218 feet...
- KnowlesKnowles, CaliforniaKnowles is an unincorporated community in Madera County, California. It is located east of Raymond, at an elevation of 928 feet ....
- MaderaMadera, CaliforniaMadera is a city in and the county seat of Madera County, California, United States. It is a principal city of the Madera–Chowchilla Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Madera County, and Metropolitan Fresno. It is located in California's San Joaquin Valley. As of the 2010...
- Madera AcresMadera Acres, CaliforniaMadera Acres is a census-designated place in Madera County, California, United States. It is part of the Madera–Chowchilla Metropolitan Statistical Area...
- North ForkNorth Fork, CaliforniaNorth Fork is an unincorporated community in Madera County, California. It is located east of Raymond, at an elevation of 2638 feet .It is miles south east of Bass Lake and from Oakhurst. North Fork is also home of the Mono Indian Museum and the starting point of the Sierra scenic byway...
- O'Neals
- OakhurstOakhurst, CaliforniaOakhurst is a census-designated place in Madera County, California, south of the entrance to Yosemite National Park, in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Oakhurst is located on the Fresno River south-southwest of Yosemite Forks, at an elevation of 2274 feet...
- ParksdaleParksdale, CaliforniaParksdale is a census-designated place in Madera County, California, United States. It is part of the Madera–Chowchilla Metropolitan Statistical Area...
- ParkwoodParkwood, CaliforniaParkwood is a census-designated place in Madera County, California, United States. It is part of the Madera–Chowchilla Metropolitan Statistical Area...
- RaymondRaymond, CaliforniaRaymond is an unincorporated community in Madera County, California. It is located north-northeast of Madera, at an elevation of 948 feet ....
- RipperdanRipperdan, CaliforniaRipperdan is an unincorporated community in Madera County, California. It is located south of Madera, at an elevation of 246 feet ....
- Sugar PineSugar Pine, CaliforniaSugar Pine is an unincorporated community in Madera County, California. It is located north of Yosemite Forks, at an elevation of 4236 feet . It is located 1 mile east of California State Route 41, between Oakhurst, California and the South Entrance of Yosemite National Park.Sugar Pine was built...
- Yosemite LakesYosemite Lakes, CaliforniaYosemite Lakes is a census-designated place in Madera County, California, United States. It is part of the Madera–Chowchilla Metropolitan Statistical Area...
Adjacent counties
- Fresno County, CaliforniaFresno County, CaliforniaFresno County is a county located in the Central Valley of the U.S. state of California, south of Stockton and north of Bakersfield. As of the 2010 census, it is the tenth most populous county in California with a population of 930,450, and the sixth largest in size with an area of . The county...
- south, west - Merced County, CaliforniaMerced County, CaliforniaMerced County , is a county located in the Central Valley of the U.S. state of California, north of Fresno and southeast of San Jose. As of the 2010 census, the population was 255,793, up from 210,554 at the 2000 census. The county seat is Merced...
- northwest - Mariposa County, CaliforniaMariposa County, CaliforniaMariposa County is a county in the U.S. state of California, located in the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. It lies north of Fresno, east of Merced, and southeast of Stockton. As of the 2010 census, the population was 18,251 up from 17,130 at the 2000 census...
- north - Tuolumne County, CaliforniaTuolumne County, CaliforniaTuolumne County is a county in the Sierra Nevada of the U.S. state of California. The northern half of Yosemite National Park is located in the eastern part of the county. As of the 2010 census, the population was 55,365, up from 54,501 at the 2000 census...
- northeast - Mono County, CaliforniaMono County, CaliforniaMono County is a county located in the east central portion of the U.S. state of California, to the east of the Sierra Nevada between Yosemite National Park and Nevada. As of the 2010 census, the population was 14,202, up from 12,853 at the 2000 census...
- northeast
National protected areas
- Devils Postpile National MonumentDevils Postpile National MonumentDevils Postpile National Monument is located near Mammoth Mountain in extreme northeastern Madera County in eastern California. It was established in 1911, and protects Devils Postpile, an unusual formation of columnar basalt.-Geography:...
- Inyo National ForestInyo National ForestInyo National Forest is a federally administered forest in the United States. The forest covers parts of the eastern Sierra Nevada of California, and the White Mountains of California and Nevada. It contains two wilderness areas: the John Muir Wilderness and the Ansel Adams Wilderness...
(part) - Sierra National ForestSierra National ForestSierra National Forest is a U.S. National Forest located on the western slope of central Sierra Nevada in the state of California. The forest is known for its mountain scenery and natural resources. Forest headquarters are located in Clovis, California...
(part) - Yosemite National ParkYosemite National ParkYosemite National Park is a United States National Park spanning eastern portions of Tuolumne, Mariposa and Madera counties in east central California, United States. The park covers an area of and reaches across the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountain chain...
(part)
Major highways
- State Route 41
California State Route 41State Route 41 is a state highway in the U.S. state of California, connecting the Cabrillo Highway in Morro Bay with Fresno and Yosemite National Park via the San Joaquin Valley. Except between US 101 in Atascadero and SR 46 near Shandon, SR 41 is part of the California Freeway and Expressway... - State Route 49
California State Route 49State Route 49 is a north–south state highway in the U.S. state of California that passes through many historic mining communities of the 1849 California gold rush. Highway 49 is numbered after the "49ers", the waves of immigrants who swept into the area looking for gold, and a portion of it... - State Route 99
California State Route 99California State Route 99 , commonly known as Highway 99 or, simply, as 99 , is a north–south state highway in the U.S. state of California, stretching almost the entire length of the Central Valley... - State Route 145
California State Route 145State Route 145 is a state highway in California, USA, which runs through the heart of the San Joaquin Valley from Interstate 5 north to Route 41 north of Fresno.-Route description:SR 145 is part of the California Freeway and Expressway System.... - State Route 152
California State Route 152State Route 152 is a state highway that runs near the latitudinal middle of the U.S. state of California from Watsonville to Route 99 southeast of Merced...
Other roads
The eastern side of Madera County, which includes Devil's Postpile National Monument and part of Minaret SummitMinaret Summit
Minaret Summit is a mountain pass on Highway 203 in the central Sierra Nevada. The pass, lying on the Madera-Mono County border, is within the Mammoth Ranger District of the Inyo National Forest and located near Devils Postpile National Monument, Mammoth Lakes, and Mammoth Mountain. The elevation...
, is unconnected to the rest of Madera County by road. This only road into this area is Minaret Summit Road which becomes State Route 203
California State Route 203
State Route 203 is a state highway within Mono County, California, USA. It runs from the Madera-Mono county line to U.S. Route 395 passing through the town of Mammoth Lakes....
at the Mono County border, connecting this area to Mammoth Lakes. Red's Meadow Road is a further extension of this route.
The gap between Minaret Road (not to be confused with Minaret Summit Road), which runs northeast into the Sierras from North Fork
North Fork, California
North Fork is an unincorporated community in Madera County, California. It is located east of Raymond, at an elevation of 2638 feet .It is miles south east of Bass Lake and from Oakhurst. North Fork is also home of the Mono Indian Museum and the starting point of the Sierra scenic byway...
, and the end of the Red's Meadow Road is less than 10 miles, and plans for a highway (or tunnel) connecting the Eastern Sierra and the San Joaquin Valley
San Joaquin Valley
The San Joaquin Valley is the area of the Central Valley of California that lies south of the Sacramento – San Joaquin River Delta in Stockton...
via Minaret Summit had often been discussed. An area southwest of Minaret Summit was not included in the Wilderness Act of 1964 in order to leave a corridor for this possibility. During his time as Governor of California
Governor of California
The Governor of California is the chief executive of the California state government, whose responsibilities include making annual State of the State addresses to the California State Legislature, submitting the budget, and ensuring that state laws are enforced...
, Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
made a horse packing trip into the area. Afterwards he supported conservationist
Conservationist
Conservationists are proponents or advocates of conservation. They advocate for the protection of all the species in an ecosystem with a strong focus on the natural environment...
s' efforts to prevent this highway. Reagan continued his efforts after being elected President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
in 1980 and the area was eventually designated wilderness
Wilderness
Wilderness or wildland is a natural environment on Earth that has not been significantly modified by human activity. It may also be defined as: "The most intact, undisturbed wild natural areas left on our planet—those last truly wild places that humans do not control and have not developed with...
by the California Wilderness Act of 1984
California Wilderness Act of 1984
The California Wilderness Act of 1984 is a federal law , passed by the United States Congress on September 28, 1984, that authorized the addition of over within the state of California to the National Wilderness Preservation System....
.
Public transportation
- Madera County Connection provides service between the cities of Madera and Chowchilla. Routes also run to eastern Madera County. A connection to Fresno can be made at Children's Hospital Central CaliforniaChildren's Hospital Central CaliforniaChildren's Hospital Central California is a 338 bed pediatric hospital located on the San Joaquin River just north of Fresno, California, USA. The hospital has a service area covering most of California's central San Joaquin Valley. There are more than 500 doctors on the medical staff. It is a...
near the county line. - The cities of Madera and Chowchilla also have their own local transit services.
- GreyhoundGreyhound LinesGreyhound Lines, Inc., based in Dallas, Texas, is an intercity common carrier of passengers by bus serving over 3,700 destinations in the United States, Canada and Mexico, operating under the well-known logo of a leaping greyhound. It was founded in Hibbing, Minnesota, USA, in 1914 and...
buses and AmtrakAmtrakThe National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
trains stop in Madera.
Airports
- Madera Municipal AirportMadera Municipal AirportMadera Municipal Airport is a city-owned public-use airport located three nautical miles northwest of the central business district of Madera, a city in Madera County, California, United States...
and Chowchilla AirportChowchilla AirportChowchilla Airport is a public airport located one mile southeast of Chowchilla, serving Madera County, California, USA. The airport is mostly used for general aviation.- Facilities :Chowchilla Airport covers and has one runway:...
are general aviation airports.
Demographics
2010
The 2010 United States Census reported that Madera County had a population of 150,865. The racial makeup of Madera County was 94,456 (62.6%) White, 5,629 (3.7%) African American, 4,136 (2.7%) Native American, 2,802 (1.9%) Asian, 162 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 37,380 (24.8%) from other racesRace (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 6,300 (4.2%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 80,992 persons (53.7%).
| Population reported at 2010 United States Census | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Madera County, California Madera County is a county of the U.S. state of California, located in the Central Valley and the Sierra Nevada north of Fresno County. It comprises the Madera-Chowchilla, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census the population was 150,865... |
Population |
American |
American |
|
Islander |
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... |
more races |
or Latino (of any race) |
|
| Madera County Madera County, California Madera County is a county of the U.S. state of California, located in the Central Valley and the Sierra Nevada north of Fresno County. It comprises the Madera-Chowchilla, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census the population was 150,865... |
150,865 | 94,456 | 5,629 | 4,136 | 2,802 | 162 | 37,380 | 6,300 | 80,992 |
city |
Population |
American |
American |
|
Islander |
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... |
more races |
or Latino (of any race) |
|
| Chowchilla Chowchilla, California Chowchilla is a city in Madera County, California, United States. Chowchilla is located northwest of Madera, at an elevation of 240 feet . It is a principal city of the Madera–Chowchilla Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 18,720 at the 2010 census, up from 11,127 at the 2000... |
18,720 | 11,533 | 2,358 | 376 | 395 | 37 | 3,313 | 708 | 7,073 |
| Madera Madera, California Madera is a city in and the county seat of Madera County, California, United States. It is a principal city of the Madera–Chowchilla Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Madera County, and Metropolitan Fresno. It is located in California's San Joaquin Valley. As of the 2010... |
61,416 | 30,640 | 2,069 | 1,933 | 1,369 | 72 | 22,603 | 2,730 | 47,103 |
place 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... |
Population |
American |
American |
|
Islander |
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... |
more races |
or Latino (of any race) |
|
| Ahwahnee Ahwahnee, California Ahwahnee is a census-designated place in Madera County, California. It is located west of Yosemite Forks, at an elevation of 2326 feet . The population was 2,246 at the 2010 census.... |
2,246 | 2,064 | 6 | 30 | 16 | 0 | 38 | 92 | 196 |
| Bass Lake Bass Lake, California Bass Lake is a freshwater artificial lake in the Sierra National Forest, of Madera County, California, approximately south of the entrance to Yosemite National Park. The lake is formed by the construction of the Crane Valley Dam across Willow Creek, a tributary to the San Joaquin River, and is... |
527 | 503 | 1 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 22 |
| Bonadelle Ranchos-Madera Ranchos Bonadelle Ranchos-Madera Ranchos, California Bonadelle Ranchos-Madera Ranchos is a census-designated place in Madera County, California, United States. It is part of the Madera–Chowchilla Metropolitan Statistical Area... |
8,569 | 7,034 | 114 | 120 | 207 | 4 | 811 | 279 | 2,305 |
| Coarsegold Coarsegold, California Coarsegold is a census-designated place in Madera County, California. It is located south-southwest of Yosemite Forks, at an elevation of 2218 feet... |
1,840 | 1,617 | 11 | 50 | 32 | 6 | 47 | 77 | 156 |
| Fairmead Fairmead, California Fairmead is a census-designated place in Madera County, California. It is located northwest of Madera, at an elevation of 253 feet . The population was 1,447 at the 2010 census.A post office operated at Fairmead from 1913 to 1940.-Demographics:... |
1,447 | 764 | 88 | 23 | 7 | 0 | 497 | 68 | 984 |
| La Vina La Vina, California La Vina is a census-designated place in Madera County, California. It is located south-southwest of Madera, at an elevation of 230 feet... |
279 | 117 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 150 | 9 | 265 |
| Madera Acres Madera Acres, California Madera Acres is a census-designated place in Madera County, California, United States. It is part of the Madera–Chowchilla Metropolitan Statistical Area... |
9,163 | 5,838 | 241 | 161 | 114 | 5 | 2,448 | 356 | 5,985 |
| Nipinnawasee Nipinnawasee, California Nipinnawasee is a census-designated place in Madera County, California. It is located southeast of Miami Mountain in the Sierra Nevada, from Mariposa, at an elevation of 2930 feet . The population was 475 at the 2010 census.-History:The town was named about 1908 by Edgar B... |
475 | 422 | 2 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 39 | 50 |
| Oakhurst Oakhurst, California Oakhurst is a census-designated place in Madera County, California, south of the entrance to Yosemite National Park, in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Oakhurst is located on the Fresno River south-southwest of Yosemite Forks, at an elevation of 2274 feet... |
2,829 | 2,532 | 22 | 61 | 44 | 3 | 66 | 101 | 473 |
| Parksdale Parksdale, California Parksdale is a census-designated place in Madera County, California, United States. It is part of the Madera–Chowchilla Metropolitan Statistical Area... |
2,621 | 1,155 | 56 | 65 | 18 | 3 | 1,231 | 93 | 2,278 |
| Parkwood Parkwood, California Parkwood is a census-designated place in Madera County, California, United States. It is part of the Madera–Chowchilla Metropolitan Statistical Area... |
2,268 | 1,138 | 123 | 48 | 22 | 0 | 814 | 123 | 1,784 |
| Rolling Hills Rolling Hills, Madera County, California Rolling Hills is a census-designated place in Madera County, California. It lies at an elevation of 371 feet . The population was 742 at the 2010 census.-Geography:... |
742 | 642 | 16 | 11 | 25 | 2 | 34 | 12 | 143 |
| Yosemite Lakes Yosemite Lakes, California Yosemite Lakes is a census-designated place in Madera County, California, United States. It is part of the Madera–Chowchilla Metropolitan Statistical Area... |
4,952 | 4,408 | 38 | 91 | 51 | 8 | 131 | 225 | 517 |
communities Unincorporated area In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government... |
Population |
American |
American |
|
Islander |
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... |
more races |
or Latino (of any race) |
|
| All others not CDPs (combined) | 32,771 | 24,049 | 481 | 1,148 | 501 | 22 | 5,192 | 1,378 | 11,658 |
2000
Census
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 are 123,109 people in the county, organized into 36,155 households, and 28,598 families. 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...
is 58 people per square mile (22/km²). There are 40,387 housing units at an average density of 19 per square mile (7/km²). The racial makeup of the county is 62.23% White, 4.12% Black or African American, 2.61% Native American, 1.27% Asian, 0.17% Pacific Islander, 24.35% from other races, and 5.25% from two or more races. 44.28% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race. 8.0% were of German, 5.9% English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
, 5.4% American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and 5.3% Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
ancestry according to Census 2000. 63.6% spoke English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
and 33.7% Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
as their first language.
There are 36,155 households out of which 40.2% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.9% are 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, 12.2% have a female householder with no husband present, and 20.9% are non-families. 16.5% of all households are made up of individuals and 7.7% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 3.18 and the average family size is 3.52.
In the county the population is spread out with 29.6% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 33 years. For every 100 females there are 91.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 86.0 males.
The median income for a household in the county is $36,286, and the median income for a family is $39,226. Males have a median income of $33,658 versus $24,415 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 county is $14,682. 21.4% of the population and 15.9% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 28.6% of those under the age of 18 and 9.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Government and politics
| Year | GOP 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... |
DEM Democratic Party (United States) The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous... |
Others |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 56.4% 20,251 | 41.8% 14,997 | 1.8% 652 |
| 2004 | 64.0% 24,871 | 34.7% 13,481 | 1.3% 498 |
| 2000 | 60.7% 20,283 | 34.9% 11,650 | 4.4% 1,462 |
| 1996 | 53.8% 16,510 | 36.7% 11,254 | 9.5% 2,898 |
| 1992 | 43.2% 13,066 | 35.9% 10,863 | 20.9% 6,316 |
| 1988 | 54.6% 13,255 | 43.8% 10,642 | 1.6% 384 |
| 1984 | 60.0% 13,954 | 38.7% 8,994 | 1.3% 293 |
| 1980 | 53.6% 10,599 | 39.3% 7,783 | 7.1% 1,398 |
| 1976 | 46.0% 6,844 | 51.2% 7,625 | 2.8% 423 |
| 1972 | 52.6% 7,835 | 44.2% 6,580 | 3.2% 477 |
| 1968 | 43.5% 6,229 | 48.5% 6,932 | 8.0% 1,142 |
| 1964 | 32.2% 4,461 | 67.7% 9,391 | 0.1% 10 |
| 1960 | 41.8% 5,869 | 57.8% 8,126 | 0.4% 62 |
Madera is a strongly 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...
county in Presidential
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
and congressional
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
elections. The last Democrat to win a majority in the county was Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter
James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. is an American politician who served as the 39th President of the United States and was the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, the only U.S. President to have received the Prize after leaving office...
in 1976
United States presidential election, 1976
The United States presidential election of 1976 followed the resignation of President Richard Nixon in the wake of the Watergate scandal. It pitted incumbent President Gerald Ford, the Republican candidate, against the relatively unknown former governor of Georgia, Jimmy Carter, the Democratic...
.
The vast majority of Madera is part of California's 19th congressional district
California's 19th congressional district
California's 19th congressional district is a congressional district located in the U.S. state of California that covers parts of Fresno, Madera, Mariposa, Tuolumne, and Stanislaus counties....
, which is held by Republican Jeff Denham
Jeff Denham
Jeffrey John "Jeff" Denham is the U.S. Representative for . He is a member of the Republican Party.He previously served two terms in the California State Senate, representing the 12th District, which includes Madera, Merced, Monterey, San Benito and Stanislaus counties. Denham was the second...
; a tiny part of Madera is in the 18th district
California's 18th congressional district
California's 18th congressional district is a congressional district located in the U.S. state of California. The district is located in the northern San Joaquin Valley and includes the cities of Modesto, Stockton, Ceres, Atwater, Merced and Los Banos...
, which is held by Democrat Dennis Cardoza
Dennis Cardoza
Dennis A. Cardoza is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2003. The district takes in a large swath of the Central Valley, from Stockton to Fresno. He is a member of the Democratic Party...
. In the State Assembly, most of Madera is in the 25th district with a small part in the 19th district. Both districts are held by Republicans, Kristin Olsen
Kristin Olsen
Kristin Olsen is an American politician currently serving in the California State Assembly. She is a Republican representing the 25th district, encompassing Calaveras, Mariposa, Mono, and Tuolumne counties, and parts of Madera and Stanislaus counties...
and Linda Halderman
Linda Halderman
Linda Halderman is an American politician currently serving in the California State Assembly. She is a Republican representing the 29th district, encompassing parts of Fresno and Madera counties. Prior to being elected to the state assembly, she was a general surgeon specializing in breast cancer.-...
respectively. In the State Senate, Madera is part of the 12th and 14th districts, which are held by Republicans Anthony Cannella
Anthony Cannella
Anthony Cannella is an American politician currently serving in the California State Senate. He is a Republican representing the 12th district, encompassing Merced and San Benito counties, as well as parts of Madera, Monterey, and Stanislaus counties...
and Tom Berryhill
Tom Berryhill
Tom Berryhill is a Republican politician in the United States who currently represents the 14th district in the California State Senate...
respectively.
On November 4, 2008 Madera County voted 73.4 % for Proposition 8 which amended the California Constitution to ban same-sex marriages.
The county is one of three counties in California to establish a separate department to deal with corrections
Corrections
In criminal justice, particularly in North America, correction, corrections, and correctional, are umbrella terms describing a variety of functions typically carried out by government agencies and involving the punishment, treatment, and supervision of persons who have been convicted of crimes....
pursuant to California Government Code §23013, the Madera County Department of Corrections, along with Napa County and Santa Clara County. The officers receive their powers under 831 and 831.5 of the California Penal Code.
See also
- Sierra National ForestSierra National ForestSierra National Forest is a U.S. National Forest located on the western slope of central Sierra Nevada in the state of California. The forest is known for its mountain scenery and natural resources. Forest headquarters are located in Clovis, California...
- Nelder GroveNelder GroveNelder Grove is a sequoia grove located in the Sierra National Forest, Madera County, California. It is a 1540 acre tract containing over 100 mature Giant Sequoias. It also contains a number of sequoia stumps, left over from when the area was logged prior to its acquisition by the United States...
- Fresno DomeFresno DomeFresno Dome is a dominant granite dome rising in isolation above the forest of Soquel Meadow in the Sierra National Forest in Madera County, California....
- List of school districts in Madera County, California
- Madera Community HospitalMadera Community HospitalMadera Community Hospital is a not-for-profit community health resource and is not associated with any other hospital or health system. The hospital is locally governed by a Board of Trustees which provides governance and oversight. The board is composed of over a dozen community and business...
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Madera County, California
- USS Madera County (LST-905)USS Madera County (LST-905)USS Madera County was a built for the United States Navy during World War II. Named after Madera County, California, she was the only U.S. Naval vessel to bear the name....
External links
- Madera County GenWeb - Genealogy
- Official Madera County website
- Madera County History -- Transcription of 1933 document on the county's history
- Oakhurst Area Chamber of Commerce
- Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau
- Madera Tribune, newspaper for the county founded March 31, 1892
- Superior Court of Madera County
- Madera County Library
- Madera Community Hospital
- Madera Values Quarterly Magazine