Nevada City, California
Encyclopedia
2010
The 2010 United States Census reported that Nevada City had a population of 3,068. 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 1,399.7 people per square mile (540.4/km²). The racial makeup of Nevada City was 2,837 (92.5%) White, 26 (0.8%) African American, 28 (0.9%) Native American, 46 (1.5%) Asian, 0 (0.0%) Pacific Islander, 40 (1.3%) 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 91 (3.0%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 205 persons (6.7%).
The Census reported that 2,829 people (92.2% of the population) lived in households, 56 (1.8%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 183 (6.0%) were institutionalized.
There were 1,356 households, out of which 317 (23.4%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 510 (37.6%) 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, 155 (11.4%) had a female householder with no husband present, 79 (5.8%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 97 (7.2%) 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 15 (1.1%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 488 households (36.0%) were made up of individuals and 168 (12.4%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.09. There were 744 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...
(54.9% of all households); the average family size was 2.67.
The population was spread out with 517 people (16.9%) under the age of 18, 199 people (6.5%) aged 18 to 24, 720 people (23.5%) aged 25 to 44, 1,075 people (35.0%) aged 45 to 64, and 557 people (18.2%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47.5 years. For every 100 females there were 100.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.8 males.
There were 1,510 housing units at an average density of 688.9 per square mile (266.0/km²), of which 786 (58.0%) were owner-occupied, and 570 (42.0%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.8%; the rental vacancy rate was 4.8%. 1,678 people (54.7% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 1,151 people (37.5%) 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 3,001 people, 1,313 households, and 740 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 1,425.0 people per square mile (549.1/km²). There were 1,415 housing units at an average density of 671.9 per square mile (258.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.3% White, 0.4% African American, 1.4% Native American, 0.7% Asian, <0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.7% 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 2.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.5% of the population.
There were 1,313 households out of which 25.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.1% 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, 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.6% were non-families. 35.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.71.
In the city, the population was spread out with 19.7% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 32.2% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.4 males.
The median income
Income
Income is the consumption and savings opportunity gained by an entity within a specified time frame, which is generally expressed in monetary terms. However, for households and individuals, "income is the sum of all the wages, salaries, profits, interests payments, rents and other forms of earnings...
for a household in the city was $36,667, and the median income for a family was $46,149. Males had a median income of $32,070 versus $29,183 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 $22,399. About 1.7% of families and 7.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.5% of those under age 18 and 3.8% 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...
, Nevada City 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 3rd 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 Dan Louge. Federally, Nevada City 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...
.
Tourism
Tourists visit Nevada City not only for its historic appeal, but for special events as well.- Beginning in 1960, the Nevada City ClassicNevada City ClassicThe Nevada City Classic , one of the most historic and challenging professional cycling races in the US, is held in Nevada City, California. Established in 1960, the Nevada City Classic commonly occurs on Father's Day and brings in thousands of visitors to Nevada County...
has been a challenging professional cycling race, commonly held on Father's Day, that brings in thousands of visitors. In June 2009, Lance ArmstrongLance ArmstrongLance Edward Armstrong is an American former professional road racing cyclist who won the Tour de France a record seven consecutive times, after having survived testicular cancer. He is also the founder and chairman of the Lance Armstrong Foundation for cancer research and support...
was the winner. - Beginning in 1967, the Constitution Day Parade includes the Ophir Prison Marching Kazoo Band and, since 1987, the Famous Marching Presidents (and their First Ladies). Held the second Sunday of September, it is one of the oldest and largest ConstitutionUnited States ConstitutionThe Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. It is the framework for the organization of the United States government and for the relationship of the federal government with the states, citizens, and all people within the United States.The first three...
observances in the western United States.
Town twinning/Sister City
Nevada City is twinned with PenzancePenzance
Penzance is a town, civil parish, and port in Cornwall, England, in the United Kingdom. It is the most westerly major town in Cornwall and is approximately 75 miles west of Plymouth and 300 miles west-southwest of London...
, a seaside town in Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
, UK and the nearby tin and copper mining town of St Just in Penwith
St Just in Penwith
St Just is a town and civil parish in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. The parish encompasses the town of St Just and the nearby settlements of Trewellard, Pendeen and Kelynack: it is bounded by the parishes of Morvah to the north-east, Sancreed and Madron to the east, St Buryan and Sennen to...
, Cornwall, UK. The twinning is a result of Cornish
Cornish people
The Cornish are a people associated with Cornwall, a county and Duchy in the south-west of the United Kingdom that is seen in some respects as distinct from England, having more in common with the other Celtic parts of the United Kingdom such as Wales, as well as with other Celtic nations in Europe...
migration during the Californian gold rush in which Cornish mining expertise was exported to the area. In the City Hall of Nevada City there is a room dedicated to the twinning and houses Cornish memorabilia and items donated on various exchanges. Penzance Youth Wind Band under the direction of Paul Carter have joined forces with Nevada Union High School instrumental music department on two occasions.
Film and the arts
Beginning in 1985, the Sierra Storytelling Festival has brought together storytellers. The event takes place each July in a pine-shaded amphitheater built specifically for storytelling.Beginning in 2003, the Wild & Scenic Film Festival has showcased films on a full range of environmental issues and includes many films emphasizing outdoor adventure and extreme sports. The event takes place in January and occupies multiple venues in downtown Nevada City. It has become one of the largest film festivals of its kind in the United States.
Modern day Nevada City was the setting for the 2006 Hallmark Channel
Hallmark Channel
The Hallmark Channel is a cable television network that broadcasts across the United States. Their programming includes a mix of television movies/miniseries, syndicated series, and lifestyle shows that are appropriate for the whole family...
original movie, The Christmas Card
The Christmas Card
The Christmas Card is a Hallmark Channel original movie produced by RHI Entertainment. It was released December 2, 2006, and was written by Joany Kane and directed by Stephen Bridgewater...
.
Notable residents
- Tina BasichTina BasichTina Basich is an American snowboarder, originally from Sacramento, California.- Career :Basich began snowboarding in 1986, when the sport was still new...
(resident), professional snowboarder - Donald J. ButzDonald J. ButzDonald J. Butz is a retired Major General in the United States Air Force.-Biography:Butz was born in Nevada City, California in 1933. He graduated from Christian Brothers High School in Sacramento, California before attending Yuba College, Chico State College, the University of California, Berkeley...
, U.S. Air Force Major General - Joseph CornellJoseph Bharat CornellJoseph Bharat Cornell is a famous nature educationalist in United States. He wrote the book "Sharing Nature with Children" in the early 1970s to promote outdoor learning. His book has caused a big impact to the education authorities in USA...
resident, naturalist and author - Alela DianeAlela DianeAlela Diane Menig is an American singer and songwriter living in Portland, Oregon.-Life and career:Alela Diane Menig, she grew up singing with her musician parents and performing in the school choir...
(resident), singer/songwriter - Alasdair FraserAlasdair FraserAlasdair Fraser is a Scottish fiddler.Fraser operates Culburnie Records, and is a leading artist on the label. He has founded three summer fiddling programs: the fiddle camp in California , a week-long course on the Isle of Skye and the more recent in California...
, Scottish fiddler and owner of Culburnie RecordsCulburnie RecordsCulburnie Records is a California based record label specializing in Scottish traditional music, operated by Alasdair Fraser. Fraser, a Scottish fiddler, is also the most famous of their artists.... - Noah GeorgesonNoah GeorgesonNoah Georgeson is a musician, producer, and solo recording artist. Georgeson's debut album Find Shelter was released through Plain Recordings on November 28, 2006. He is credited as having "written, scored, arranged, recorded, and produced" the entirety of Find Shelter, according to a press...
, musician, producer - Mary K. GreerMary K. GreerMary K. Greer is the author of numerous books on tarot divination which focus on self-exploration and transformation. She has also presented at a number of conferences and run Tarot workshops in various parts of the world....
internationally renowned tarot scholar and practitioner - Roger HodgsonRoger HodgsonCharles Roger Pomfret Hodgson is a British musician and songwriter, best known as the former co-frontman, and founding member, of progressive rock band Supertramp....
(resident), singer/songwriter and ex-SupertrampSupertrampSupertramp are a British rock band formed in 1969 under the name Daddy before renaming to Supertramp in early 1970. Though their music was initially categorised as progressive rock, they have since incorporated a combination of traditional rock and art rock into their music...
member - Dan KempDan KempDaniel "Dan" Kemp was an American actor best known for his guest-starring roles in several television westerns between 1969 and 1971....
, actor who died in Nevada City in 2000 - Rob Kieswetter, aka Bobby BirdmanBobby BirdmanBobby Birdman is musician Rob Kieswetter's stage name. Kieswetter is originally from Nevada City, California, and currently lives in Los Angeles, California. He has released albums on Hush Records, Not Not Fun, Fryk Beat, States Rights Records...
, musician - Stephen McNallenStephen McNallenStephen A. McNallen is an influential Germanic Neopagan leader and writer. Born in Breckenridge, Texas, McNallen has been heavily involved in Ásatrú since the 1970s.-Life:...
an influential Germanic Neopagan leader and writer - Joanna NewsomJoanna NewsomJoanna Newsom is an American harpist, pianist and singer-songwriter from Nevada City, California.- Early life :Newsom grew up in the small town of Nevada City, California...
, harpist and singer/songwriter - John OlmstedJohn OlmstedJohn Olmsted was a California naturalist and conservationist most famous for creating the Independence Trail state park in Nevada City, California, as well as helping to save numerous other parcels from Jug Handle State Reserve near Mendocino, to Bridgeport covered bridge...
, California Naturalist, and co-creator of The Independence Trail State Park - Utah PhillipsUtah PhillipsBruce Duncan "Utah" Phillips was a labor organizer, folk singer, storyteller, poet and the "Golden Voice of the Great Southwest". He described the struggles of labor unions and the power of direct action, self-identifying as an anarchist...
(deceased), folk singer - Ed ReimersEd ReimersEdwin W. Reimers , known as Ed Reimers, was an American actor active during the 1950s and 1960s, who also served as the stentorian-voiced announcer for such early Warner Brothers television series as Cheyenne and Maverick: "From the entertainment capital of the world, this is a Warner Brothers...
, actor and television announcer - Terry RileyTerry RileyTerrence Mitchell Riley, is an American composer intrinsically associated with the minimalist school of Western classical music and was a pioneer of the movement...
, renowned minimalist composer - Alexander RossiAlexander RossiAlexander Mark Rossi was a successful British artist specializing in genre works who flourished in the late 19th century....
, professional race car driver - Aaron Augustus SargentAaron Augustus SargentAaron Augustus Sargent was an American journalist, lawyer, politician and diplomat. He was sometimes called the "Senator for the Southern Pacific Railroad".-Biography:...
, U.S. SenatorUnited States SenateThe United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
from California - Niles SearlsNiles SearlsNiles Searls was an attorney, politician, and the Chief Justice of California.-Early years:Searls, whose last name is also sometimes spelled as Searles, was born in Coeymans, New York. His father, Abraham Searls , of English descent, worked as a farmer. His mother, Lydia Niles, was of Scottish...
, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of California - Mariee SiouxMariee SiouxMariee Sioux is an American folk singer-songwriter. Her father Gary Sobonya is a mandolin player of Polish and Hungarian descent, and her mother Felicia is of Spanish, Paiute, and Indigenous Mexican descent.-Biography:...
, folk singer - Gary SnyderGary SnyderGary Snyder is an American poet , as well as an essayist, lecturer, and environmental activist . Snyder is a winner of a Pulitzer Prize for Poetry...
(resident), poet associated with the Beat generationBeat generationThe Beat Generation refers to a group of American post-WWII writers who came to prominence in the 1950s, as well as the cultural phenomena that they both documented and inspired... - Heinrich Sylvester Theodor TilingHeinrich Sylvester Theodor TilingHeinrich Sylvester Theodor Tiling was a German–Russian physician and naturalist. During his later years he became an American citizen.- Early years :...
former resident, physician and botanist
| Commercial Street | Old Fire House on Broad Street | The Chamber of Commerce on Union Alley |
See also
- Scotts Flat LakeScotts Flat Lake, CaliforniaScotts Flat Reservoir is an artificial lake in the Tahoe National Forest of Nevada County, California, east of Nevada City. The lake is at an elevation of and has a surface area of , with of shoreline lined with pine trees. Amenities consist of two launch ramps, a marina, campsites, a picnic...
- Tahoe National ForestTahoe National ForestTahoe National Forest is a U.S. National Forest located in the state of California, northwest of Lake Tahoe. It includes the peak of Sierra Buttes, near Sierra City, which has views of Mount Lassen and Mount Shasta. It is located in parts of six counties. In descending order of forestland area...
- Yuba RiverYuba RiverThe Yuba River is a tributary of the Feather River in the Sacramento Valley of the U.S. state of California. It is one of the Feather's most important branches, providing about a third of its flow. The main stem of the river is about long, and its headwaters are split into North, Middle and South...
Further reading
- Davis, H. P. (1940). National hotel and coffee shop, Nevada City, California.
- Hagaman, W. R. (2001). A short history of the Chinese cemetery at Nevada City, California: and Chinese burial customs during the Gold Rush. Nevada City, CA: Cowboy Press.
- Hattich, L. (1969). Feasibility study on Nevada City Theater, Nevada City, California. Boulder, Colo: Economic Development Internship Program, Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education.
- Hidden Nugget Placer Mining Co. (1910). Hidden Nugget Placer Mining Company, Nevada City, California. Nevada City, CAlif: The Company.
- Mann, R. (1982). After the Gold Rush: society in Grass Valley and Nevada City, California, 1849-1870. Stanford, Calif: Stanford University Press.
- Nevada City Chamber of Commerce. (1932). Homes among the hills: Nevada City, California : gold, health, happiness. Nevada City, Calif.?: Nevada City Chamber of Commerce?.