Willits, California
|
|
Willits is a city located in Mendocino County, California. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 5,073.
The city is the eastern terminus of the California Western Railroad (otherwise known as the "Skunk Train"), running through the Coast Redwood forests to coastal Fort Bragg. Willits is at the center of Mendocino County and its redwood forests, calling itself " the "Heart of Mendocino County and Gateway to the Redwoods."
Willits is the home of the Frontier Days & Rodeo, the oldest continuous rodeo in California (held every July) and the Mendocino County Museum. Willits was the final home of the racehorse Seabiscuit: Ridgewood Ranch, where Seabiscuit trained, recuperated, and lived out his retirement, is located a few miles south of the city.
The city is also the birthplace of Tré Cool, drummer for the band Green Day.
Geography
CAMap-doton-Willits.png
Location of Willits, California
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.3 km² (2.8 mi²). 7.3 km² (2.8 mi²) of it is land and none of it is covered by water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 5,073 people, 1,935 households, and 1,230 families residing in the city. The population density is 699.5/km² (1,813.7/mi²). There are 2,013 housing units at an average density of 277.6/km² (719.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 83.72% White, 0.63% African American, 3.53% Native American, 1.16% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 7.08% from other races, and 3.84% from two or more races. 14.69% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 1,935 households out of which 35.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.2% are married couples living together, 17.4% have a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4% are non-families. 30.2% of all households are made up of individuals and 14.6% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.56 and the average family size is 3.15.
In the city the population is spread out with 29.2% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 90.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 86.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $26,283, and the median income for a family is $36,193. Males have a median income of $30,983 versus $22,089 for females. The per capita income for the city is $16,642. 14.5% of the population and 11.6% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 18.0% of those under the age of 18 and 4.3% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
External links
- Willits Chamber of Commerce (http://www.willits.org/)
- California Western Railroad - "The Skunk Train" (http://www.skunktrain.com/)
- Mendocino County Museum (http://www.co.mendocino.ca.us/museum)
- Seabiscuit Heritage Foundation - tours of Ridgewood Ranch (http://www.seabiscuitheritage.com/)