Tuolumne County, California
|
|
California_map_showing_Tuolumne_County.png
Tuolumne County is a county located in the U.S. state of California's Sierra Nevada. The northern half of Yosemite National Park is located in the eastern part of the county. As of 2000 the population was 54,501. The county seat is Sonora, the county's only incorporated city.
| Contents |
History
Tuolumne County was one of the original counties of California, created in 1850 at the time of statehood. Parts of the county were given to Stanislaus County in 1854 and to Alpine County in 1864.
The name Tuolumne is of Native American origin and has been given different meanings, such as Many Stone Houses, The Land of Mountain Lions and, Straight Up Steep, the later an interpretation of William Fuller, a native Chief. Mariano Vallejo, in his report to the first California State Legislature, said that the word is "a corruption of the Indian word talmalamne which signifies 'cluster of stone wigwams.'" The name may mean "people who dwell in stone houses," i.e., in caves.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 5,891 km² (2,274 mi²). 5,790 km² (2,235 mi²) of it is land and 101 km² (39 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.71% water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 54,501 people, 21,004 households, and 14,240 families residing in the county. The population density is 9/km² (24/mi²). There are 28,336 housing units at an average density of 5/km² (13/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 89.45% White, 2.10% Black or African American, 1.82% Native American, 0.72% Asian, 0.17% Pacific Islander, 2.89% from other races, and 2.84% from two or more races. 8.16% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 21,004 households out of which 26.10% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.40% are married couples living together, 9.60% have a female householder with no husband present, and 32.20% are non-families. 26.00% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.70% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.36 and the average family size is 2.82.
In the county the population is spread out with 20.70% under the age of 18, 7.60% from 18 to 24, 25.30% from 25 to 44, 27.90% from 45 to 64, and 18.50% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 43 years. For every 100 females there are 111.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 112.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county is $38,725, and the median income for a family is $44,327. Males have a median income of $35,373 versus $25,805 for females. The per capita income for the county is $21,015. 11.40% of the population and 8.10% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 16.20% of those under the age of 18 and 4.00% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Cities and towns
- Chinese Camp
- Columbia
- East Sonora
- Groveland-Big Oak Flat
- Jamestown
- Mi-Wuk Village
- Mono Vista
- Phoenix Lake-Cedar Ridge
- Sonora
- Soulsbyville
- Tuolumne City
- Twain Harte
External link
- Photographic virtual tour of Tuolumne County. (http://www.Untraveledroad.com/USA/California/Tuolumne.htm)
