West Point, California
Encyclopedia
West Point is a census-designated place
(CDP) in Calaveras County
, California
, in the United States
. As of the 2010 United States Census, West Point's population was 674, down from 746 as of the 2000 census
. The town is registered as California Historical Landmark
#268. There is an annual West Point Lumberjack Days festival in the community. Walton's Mountain Winery & Vineyard is West Point's First Winery that opened in 2006.
, who was searching for a pass over the Sierra Nevada. The town was originally named Indian Gulch when founded in 1852; the name was changed to West Point in 1854. The first post office was opened in 1856, the name changed to Westpoint in 1895 and changed back to West Point in 1947.
One emigrant road forked by Big Meadows — its north branch came directly to West Point, which was a thriving trading post prior to the gold discovery. Author Bret Harte
lived there for a time.
, the CDP has a total area of 3.7 square miles (9.6 km²), all land.
was 181.2 people per square mile (70.0/km²). The racial makeup of West Point was 563 (83.5%) White, 0 (0.0%) African American, 43 (6.4%) Native American, 2 (0.3%) Asian, 7 (1.0%) Pacific Islander, 29 (4.3%) from other races
, and 30 (4.5%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 67 persons (9.9%).
The Census reported that 673 people (99.9% of the population) lived in households, 1 (0.1%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.
There were 308 households, out of which 70 (22.7%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 125 (40.6%) were opposite-sex married couples
living together, 39 (12.7%) had a female householder with no husband present, 18 (5.8%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 18 (5.8%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships
, and 0 (0%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 109 households (35.4%) were made up of individuals and 48 (15.6%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19. There were 182 families
(59.1% of all households); the average family size was 2.81.
The population was spread out with 133 people (19.7%) under the age of 18, 36 people (5.3%) aged 18 to 24, 119 people (17.7%) aged 25 to 44, 223 people (33.1%) aged 45 to 64, and 163 people (24.2%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50.0 years. For every 100 females there were 94.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.9 males.
There were 378 housing units at an average density of 101.6 per square mile (39.2/km²), of which 213 (69.2%) were owner-occupied, and 95 (30.8%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.3%; the rental vacancy rate was 6.9%. 434 people (64.4% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 239 people (35.5%) lived in rental housing units.
of 2000, there were 746 people, 305 households, and 203 families residing in the CDP. The population density
was 199.4 people per square mile (77.0/km²). There were 345 housing units at an average density of 92.2 per square mile (35.6/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 82.04% White
, 1.21% Black
or African American
, 8.18% Native American
, 0.67% Asian
, 2.82% from other races
, and 5.09% from two or more races. 8.04% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 305 households out of which 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.6% were married couples
living together, 14.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.4% were non-families. 26.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.86.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 24.4% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 20.0% from 25 to 44, 30.0% from 45 to 64, and 19.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 84.7 males. For every 100 over, there are 85.5 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $25,417, and the median income for a family was $27,794. Males had a median income of $24,028 versus $22,500 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $11,439. About 28.2% of families and 33.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 45.3% of those under age 18 and 15.7% of those age 65 or over.
Much of the population of the West Point CDP lives in outlying areas surrounded by extremely rural countryside with a large percentage living in substandard housing units . Methamphetamine manufacture and use is above average in the CDP due to the extreme rural nature of the area . For that reason, the census data is highly suspect as regards under-reporting of the population which also skews the average income toward a higher than actual amount . Census workers are warned to not enter some backwoods areas for fear of both methamphetamine lab and/or marijuana growing operations encroachments.
Many of the marijuana growing operations are staffed by Mexican Drug Cartel personnel.
West Point is located in the 1st Senate
District, represented by Republican
Dave Cox
, and in the 25th Assembly
District, represented by Republican Kristin Olsen
. Federally, West Point is located in California's 3rd congressional district
, which has a Cook PVI
of R +7 and is represented by Republican Dan Lungren
.
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 Calaveras County
Calaveras County, California
Calaveras County is a county located in the Gold Country of the U.S. state of California. Calaveras is the Spanish word for skulls; the county was reportedly named for the remains of Native Americans discovered by the Spanish explorer Captain Gabriel Moraga. As of the 2010 census, the county had a...
, 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...
, in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. As of the 2010 United States Census, West Point's population was 674, down from 746 as of the 2000 census
United States Census, 2000
The Twenty-second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons enumerated during the 1990 Census...
. The town is registered as California Historical Landmark
California Historical Landmark
California Historical Landmarks are buildings, structures, sites, or places in the state of California that have been determined to have statewide historical significance by meeting at least one of the criteria listed below:...
#268. There is an annual West Point Lumberjack Days festival in the community. Walton's Mountain Winery & Vineyard is West Point's First Winery that opened in 2006.
History
West Point was originally the name of a camp established here by scout Kit CarsonKit Carson
Christopher Houston "Kit" Carson was an American frontiersman and Indian fighter. Carson left home in rural present-day Missouri at age 16 and became a Mountain man and trapper in the West. Carson explored the west to California, and north through the Rocky Mountains. He lived among and married...
, who was searching for a pass over the Sierra Nevada. The town was originally named Indian Gulch when founded in 1852; the name was changed to West Point in 1854. The first post office was opened in 1856, the name changed to Westpoint in 1895 and changed back to West Point in 1947.
One emigrant road forked by Big Meadows — its north branch came directly to West Point, which was a thriving trading post prior to the gold discovery. Author Bret Harte
Bret Harte
Francis Bret Harte was an American author and poet, best remembered for his accounts of pioneering life in California.- Life and career :...
lived there for a time.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited 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 3.7 square miles (9.6 km²), all land.
2010
The 2010 United States Census reported that West Point had a population of 674. 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 181.2 people per square mile (70.0/km²). The racial makeup of West Point was 563 (83.5%) White, 0 (0.0%) African American, 43 (6.4%) Native American, 2 (0.3%) Asian, 7 (1.0%) Pacific Islander, 29 (4.3%) 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 30 (4.5%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 67 persons (9.9%).
The Census reported that 673 people (99.9% of the population) lived in households, 1 (0.1%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.
There were 308 households, out of which 70 (22.7%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 125 (40.6%) 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, 39 (12.7%) had a female householder with no husband present, 18 (5.8%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 18 (5.8%) 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. 109 households (35.4%) were made up of individuals and 48 (15.6%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19. There were 182 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...
(59.1% of all households); the average family size was 2.81.
The population was spread out with 133 people (19.7%) under the age of 18, 36 people (5.3%) aged 18 to 24, 119 people (17.7%) aged 25 to 44, 223 people (33.1%) aged 45 to 64, and 163 people (24.2%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50.0 years. For every 100 females there were 94.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.9 males.
There were 378 housing units at an average density of 101.6 per square mile (39.2/km²), of which 213 (69.2%) were owner-occupied, and 95 (30.8%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.3%; the rental vacancy rate was 6.9%. 434 people (64.4% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 239 people (35.5%) 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 746 people, 305 households, and 203 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 199.4 people per square mile (77.0/km²). There were 345 housing units at an average density of 92.2 per square mile (35.6/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 82.04% 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...
, 1.21% 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...
, 8.18% 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...
, 0.67% 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...
, 2.82% 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 5.09% from two or more races. 8.04% of the population were Hispanic
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 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 305 households out of which 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.6% 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, 14.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.4% were non-families. 26.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.86.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 24.4% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 20.0% from 25 to 44, 30.0% from 45 to 64, and 19.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 84.7 males. For every 100 over, there are 85.5 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $25,417, and the median income for a family was $27,794. Males had a median income of $24,028 versus $22,500 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 $11,439. About 28.2% of families and 33.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 45.3% of those under age 18 and 15.7% of those age 65 or over.
Much of the population of the West Point CDP lives in outlying areas surrounded by extremely rural countryside with a large percentage living in substandard housing units . Methamphetamine manufacture and use is above average in the CDP due to the extreme rural nature of the area . For that reason, the census data is highly suspect as regards under-reporting of the population which also skews the average income toward a higher than actual amount . Census workers are warned to not enter some backwoods areas for fear of both methamphetamine lab and/or marijuana growing operations encroachments.
Many of the marijuana growing operations are staffed by Mexican Drug Cartel personnel.
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...
West Point 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...
Dave Cox
Dave Cox
David E. Cox was an American politician from Holdenville, Oklahoma. A Republican, he served as a California State Senator, representing the 1st district from December 2004 until his death in July 2010, and also served as an California State Assemblyman for the six years immediately before his...
, and in the 25th 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 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...
. Federally, West Point is located in California's 3rd congressional district
California's 3rd congressional district
California's 3rd congressional district is a congressional district located in the U.S. state of California. It covers most of Sacramento County and part of Solano County, as well as all of Alpine, Amador and Calaveras counties...
, 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 +7 and is represented by Republican Dan Lungren
Dan Lungren
Daniel Edward "Dan" Lungren is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2005. The district covers most of Sacramento County and part of Solano County, as well as all of Alpine, Amador and Calaveras counties...
.