Butte County, California
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Butte County is a county located in California's Central Valley, north of Sacramento. As of the 2000 census, it had a population of 203,171. 2003 figures place this at 210,400. The county seat is Oroville.
Butte County is watered by the Feather River and the Sacramento River. It is the site of Feather Falls, the sixth largest waterfall in the United States. The county is the home of California State University, Chico.
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History
Butte County was one of California's first counties, created in 1850 at time of statehood. Part of the county's territory was given to Plumas County in 1854 and to Tehama County in 1856.
Its name is derived from the Marysville or Sutter Buttes, which lay within the boundaries when it was created. The word butte is derived from the Teutonic word meaning "a blunt extension or elevation." In the French language, it signifies "a small hill or mound of earth detached from any mountain range."
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 4,344 km² (1,677 mi²). 4,246 km² (1,639 mi²) of it is land and 97 km² (38 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 2.24% water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 203,171 people, 79,566 households, and 49,410 families residing in the county. The population density is 48/km² (124/mi²). There are 85,523 housing units at an average density of 20/km² (52/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 84.52% White, 1.39% Black or African American, 1.90% Native American, 3.32% Asian, 0.15% Pacific Islander, 4.82% from other races, and 3.90% from two or more races. 10.50% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 79,566 households out of which 28.40% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.70% are married couples living together, 11.20% have a female householder with no husband present, and 37.90% are non-families. 27.20% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.10% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.48 and the average family size is 3.02.
In the county the population is spread out with 24.00% under the age of 18, 13.60% from 18 to 24, 24.80% from 25 to 44, 21.80% from 45 to 64, and 15.80% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 96.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 92.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county is $31,924, and the median income for a family is $41,010. Males have a median income of $34,137 versus $25,393 for females. The per capita income for the county is $17,517. 19.80% of the population and 12.20% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 23.80% of those under the age of 18 and 7.30% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Cities and towns
- Biggs
- Chico
- Concow
- Durham
- Gridley
- Magalia
- Oroville
- Oroville East
- Palermo
- Paradise
- Richvale
- South Oroville
- Thermalito
Several movies have been filmed in Butte County, including Gone With the Wind, Friendly Persuasion, Magic Town, The Klansmen, Ruby Ridge: An American Tragedy and The Adventures of Robin Hood.
Educational Institutions
See Also
External links
- Butte County local government (http://www.buttecounty.net/)
- Butte County Search and Rescue (http://www.buttesar.org/)
- Butte County Fire/Rescue (http://www.buttefire.com/)
- CSU Chico (Chico State) (http://www.csuchico.edu/)
- Butte College (http://www.butte.cc.ca.us/)
Template:Cities of Butte County, California
