Chowchilla, California
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Chowchilla is a city located in Madera County, California. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 11,127.
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1976 bus kidnapping
Chowchilla was thrust into national headlines in July 1976 when an entire school bus of children was kidnapped. 26 children and the adult bus driver were taken from the bus, which the kidnappers concealed under brush in a drainage ditch, and driven around in two vans for 11 hours before being forced into a moving van which had been buried in a quarry in Livermore, California. The victims dug their way out after 16 hours underground; all were pronounced to be in good condition. A rough draft of a ransom note was found at the house of the owner of the quarry; the owner's son, Frederick Woods, and two friends, Richard and James Schoenfeld, were found guilty and sentenced to life in prison.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 18.4 km² (7.1 mi²). 18.4 km² (7.1 mi²) of it is land and none of it is covered by water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 11,127 people, 2,562 households, and 1,908 families residing in the city. The population density is 605.1/km² (1,567.4/mi²). There are 2,711 housing units at an average density of 147.4/km² (381.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 63.46% White, 10.26% Black or African American, 2.60% Native American, 1.32% Asian, 0.26% Pacific Islander, 16.16% from other races, and 5.94% from two or more races. 28.20% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 2,562 households out of which 40.2% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.3% are married couples living together, 13.2% have a female householder with no husband present, and 25.5% are non-families. 21.9% of all households are made up of individuals and 12.6% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.94 and the average family size is 3.42.
In the city the population is spread out with 22.2% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 42.8% from 25 to 44, 16.2% from 45 to 64, and 9.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 34 years. For every 100 females there are 51.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 39.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $30,729, and the median income for a family is $35,741. Males have a median income of $32,306 versus $20,538 for females. The per capita income for the city is $11,927. 19.2% of the population and 16.5% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 27.1% of those under the age of 18 and 7.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.