Mendocino County, California
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Mendocino County is a county located on California's north coast, north of the San Francisco Bay Area and Sonoma County and west of the Central Valley. As of 2000, the population was 86,265. The county seat is Ukiah.
The county is noted for its wild Pacific Ocean coast and the independent nature of its population.
The county is part of the Emerald Triangle.
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History
Mendocino County was one of the original counties of California, created in 1850 at the time of statehood.
The county derives its name from Cape Mendocino, which was probably named in honor of either Antonio de Mendoza, Viceroy of New Spain, 1535-1542 (who sent the Juan Cabrillo Expedition to this coast in 1542), or Lorenzo Suarez de Mendoza, Viceroy from 1580 to 1583. Mendocino is an adjective form of the family name of Mendoza.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 10,044 km² (3,878 mi²). 9,088 km² (3,509 mi²) of it is land and 956 km² (369 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 9.52% water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 86,265 people, 33,266 households, and 21,855 families residing in the county. The population density is 9/km² (25/mi²). There are 36,937 housing units at an average density of 4/km² (10/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 80.76% White, 0.62% Black or African American, 4.76% Native American, 1.20% Asian, 0.15% Pacific Islander, 8.61% from other races, and 3.90% from two or more races. 16.48% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 33,266 households out of which 31.40% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.90% are married couples living together, 11.70% have a female householder with no husband present, and 34.30% are non-families. 27.00% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.40% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.53 and the average family size is 3.04.
In the county the population is spread out with 25.50% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 25.60% from 25 to 44, 27.10% from 45 to 64, and 13.60% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 98.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 97.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county is $35,996, and the median income for a family is $42,168. Males have a median income of $33,128 versus $23,774 for females. The per capita income for the county is $19,443. 15.90% of the population and 10.90% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 21.50% of those under the age of 18 and 7.70% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Cities and towns
- Albion
- Anchor Bay
- Boonville
- Branscomb
- Casper
- Cleone
- Comptche
- Covelo
- Dos Rios
- Elk
- Fort Bragg
- Gualala
- Hopland
- Inglenook
- Little River
- Laytonville
- Longvale
- Manchester
- Mendocino
- Navarro
- Noyo
- Old Hopland
- Philo
- Point Arena
- Potter Valley
- Redwood Valley
- Talmage
- Ukiah
- Willits
- Westport
- Yorkville
Records
- In 2000, Measure G was passed in Mendocino County with a 51% majority, making it the first county in the United States to legalize medical marijuana.
- In 2004, Measure H was passed in Mendocino County with a 57% majority, making it the first county in the United States to ban the production of GMOs.
Rivers
Beaches
- Big River Beach
- Van Damme Beach
- Greenwood State Beach
- Seaside Beach
- Wesport-Union Landing State Beach
- Manchester State Beach
Parks, Reserves and related places
- Henry Woods State Reserve
- Jughandle State Reserve
- Mendocino National Forest
- Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens
See also
External links
General information
- County of Mendocino official website (http://www.co.mendocino.ca.us/)
- Mendocino WineCountry website (http://www.mendocino.winecountry.com/winecountry_publication/archive/2004/09/feature_article/mendo_art2.html)
- Mendocino California Events Network website (http://events.mendocinosites.com)
- Know Your Mendocino (http://www.knowyourusa.com/kyu/knowYourMendo/GeneralInfo.htm)
Vineyards
- Barra of Mendocino (http://www.barraofmendocino.com/)
- Braren Pauli (http://www.brarenpauli.com/)
- Brutocao Cellars & Vineyards (http://www.brutocaocellars.com/)
- Christine Woods Vineyards (http://www.christinewoods.com/christinewoods/html/home.htm)
- Frey Vineyards (http://www.freywine.com/)
- Navarro Vineyards (http://www.navarrowine.com/main.php)
- Parducci (http://www.parducci.com/)
- Roederer Estate Vineyards (http://www.roedererestate.net/estate/contact.html)
- Scharffenberger Cellars (http://www.atlasofwineries.com/wineries/scharffenberger.html)
