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Mariposa County, California

Coordinates: 37°35′N 119°55′W / 37.58°N 119.91°W / 37.58; -119.91
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Not to be confused with Maricopa County, Arizona.

Mariposa County
County
The Mariposa County Courthouse (top) and Yosemite Valley from Tunnel View (bottom)
Flag of Mariposa County
Flag
Official seal of Mariposa County
Seal
Map
Interactive map of Mariposa County
Location in the state of California
Location in the state of California
CountryUnited States
StateCalifornia
RegionSierra Nevada
IncorporatedFebruary 18, 1850[1]
Named forSpanish word for "butterfly" and Mariposa Creek
County seatMariposa
Largest communityMariposa (population)
Greeley Hill (area)
Government
 • TypeCouncil–CAO
 • BodyBoard of Supervisors[2]
 • ChairRosemarie Smallcombe [3]
 • Vice ChairMiles Menetrey
 • Board of Supervisors
Supervisors
  • Rosemarie Smallcombe
  • Shannon Poe
  • Danette Toso
  • Wayne Forsythe
  • Miles Menetrey
 • County Administrative OfficerDallin Kimble
Area
 • Total
1,463 sq mi (3,790 km2)
 • Land1,449 sq mi (3,750 km2)
 • Water14 sq mi (40 km2)
Highest elevation
12,040 ft (3,670 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
17,131
 • Density12/sq mi (4.5/km2)
GDP
[4]
 • Total$0.849 billion (2022)
Time zoneUTC-8 (Pacific Standard Time)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-7 (Pacific Daylight Time)
Congressional district5th
Websitemariposacounty.org

Mariposa County (/ˌmærɪˈpoʊzə, -sə/ ⓘ)[5] is a county located in the U.S. state of California. As of the 2020 U.S. Census, the population was 17,131.[6] The county seat is Mariposa.[7] It is located in the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, north of Fresno, east of Merced, and southeast of Stockton.

The county's eastern section is the central portion of Yosemite National Park.

Mariposa County is one of only three counties in California that does not include any incorporated cities (with Alpine and Trinity counties being the other two). The county does include, however, 17 communities that are recognized as census-designated places for statistical purposes. It also has the distinction of not having any permanent traffic signals anywhere in the county.

History

[edit]

Mariposa County was one of the original 27 counties of California, created at the time of statehood in 1850. While it began as the state's largest county, territory that was once part of Mariposa was ceded over time to form all or part of twelve other counties, including all of Merced, Madera, Fresno, Tulare, Kings, and Kern; and parts of San Benito, Mono, Inyo, San Bernardino, and Los Angeles. Thus, Mariposa County is known as the "Mother of Counties".[8]

Mariposa County's original seat was a now-nonexistent hamlet known as Agua Fria (Spanish for "cold water"), about 3 miles directly west of Mariposa proper on Agua Fria Road, which runs from Highway 140 to the south, to the community of Mt. Bullion to the northwest. Charles Fremont moved the county seat to Mariposa in 1854, resulting in the construction of the Mariposa County Courthouse, whose grounds occupies an entire block. The historic structure is fronted by Bullion Street; Jones Street is to the rear, with 9th and 10th Streets on either side. The courthouse's likeness is on the Mariposa County Seal.

The county took its name from Mariposa Creek, which was so named by Spanish explorers in 1806, when they discovered a great cluster of butterflies ("mariposas" in Spanish and Portuguese) in the foothills of the Sierra. Each year, the first weekend in May, residents mark the annual arrival of migrating monarch butterflies with a "Butterfly Days" festival and parade.

Gold Rush

[edit]
Specimen gold from the Mockingbird mine

Mariposa County is located at the southern end of California's Mother Lode region. During the California Gold Rush, great quantities of the prized mineral were found and extracted, first in local stream-beds and later in hard rock mines. One of the most notable beneficiaries of this wealth was the famed explorer and 1856 Republican presidential candidate, John Charles Frémont, for whom the local hospital and Charles Street (more commonly known as "Highway 140") are named. Jessie Street, in the town of Mariposa, is named for Fremont's wife, Jessie Benton Frémont, who came to Mariposa with her husband on many extended visits although they never took up permanent residence within the county.

Many aspects of the area's mining history are depicted in exhibits at two local museums: the Mariposa History Museum, located in the town of Mariposa; and the California Mining and Mineral Museum, located at the Mariposa Fairgrounds (2 miles southeast of Mariposa on Highway 49).

Two small gold mines in Mariposa County, the Mockingbird mine and the Colorado Quartz mine, intermittently produce world-class (and very expensive) specimens of crystalline gold for mineral collectors. "Specimens from these occurrences commonly have bright luster and rich color, with well-developed crystals in unusual and attractive arrangements."[9] The best-known example is "The Dragon", now on display at the Houston Museum of Natural Science.[10]

Geography

[edit]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,463 square miles (3,790 km2), of which 1,449 square miles (3,750 km2) is land and 14 square miles (36 km2) (1.0%) is water.[11] The county extends:

Water

[edit]

A significant portion of the Merced River's course is within the county including its white water runs through Yosemite and the Merced River Canyon. Its run through the Merced River Canyon contains the sole habitat for the limestone salamander, a rare species endemic to Mariposa County.

There are a number of lakes within the county including: Lake McClure, Lake McSwain, Merced Lake, and Tenaya Lake.

Adjacent counties

[edit]

National protected areas

[edit]

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18504,379—
18606,24342.6%
18704,572−26.8%
18804,339−5.1%
18903,787−12.7%
19004,72024.6%
19103,956−16.2%
19202,775−29.9%
19303,23316.5%
19405,60573.4%
19505,145−8.2%
19605,064−1.6%
19706,01518.8%
198011,10884.7%
199014,30228.8%
200017,13019.8%
201018,2516.5%
202017,131−6.1%
2023 (est.)16,919[12]−1.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[13]
1790–1960[14] 1900–1990[15]
1990–2000[16] 2010[17] 2020[18]

2020 census

[edit]
Mariposa County, California – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2000[19] Pop 2010[17] Pop 2020[18] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 14,539 15,192 12,838 87.87% 83.24% 74.94%
Black or African American alone (NH) 111 129 105 0.65% 0.71% 0.61%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 530 459 410 3.09% 2.51% 2.39%
Asian alone (NH) 120 201 287 0.70% 1.10% 1.68%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 17 26 15 0.10% 0.14% 0.09%
Other Race alone (NH) 21 22 114 0.12% 0.12% 0.67%
Mixed Race or Multi-Racial (NH) 463 546 1,222 2.70% 2.99% 7.13%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1,329 1,676 2,140 7.76% 9.18% 12.49%
Total 17,130 18,251 17,131 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

2014

[edit]

The largest self-reported ancestry groups in Mariposa County were English (14.5%), German (13.7%), Irish (13.1%), Italian (4.1%), "American" (3.8%), Scottish (3.2%) and Portuguese (3.0%).[20]

2011

[edit]

Places by population, race, and income

[edit]

2010 Census

[edit]

The 2010 United States census reported that Mariposa County had a population of 18,251. The racial makeup of Mariposa County was 16,103 (88.2%) White, 138 (0.8%) African American, 527 (2.9%) Native American, 204 (1.1%) Asian, 26 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 508 (2.8%) from other races, and 745 (4.1%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1,676 persons (9.2%).[29]

2000

[edit]

As of the census[30] of 2000, there were 17,130 people, 6,613 households, and 4,490 families residing in the county. The population density was 12 people per square mile (4.6 people/km2). There were 8,826 housing units at an average density of 6 units per square mile (2.3 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 88.9% White, 0.7% Black or African American, 3.5% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 2.7% from other races, and 3.4% from two or more races. 7.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 17.8% were of German, 13.4% English, 12.7% Irish and 6.7% American ancestry according to Census 2000. 96.0% spoke English and 3.5% Spanish as their first language.

There were 6,613 households, out of which 25.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.8% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.1% were non-families. 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.6% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 29.2% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 104.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.4 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,626, and the median income for a family was $42,655. Males had a median income of $31,194 versus $25,440 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,190. About 10.5% of families and 14.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.5% of those under age 18 and 9.0% of those age 65 or over.

Government

[edit]
Historic Spanish Colonial Revival style Mariposa County High School, built in 1914.

The Government of Mariposa County is defined and authorized under the California Constitution and law as a general law county. The County government is composed of the Board of Supervisors, which has legislative and executive power. It is composed of five members elected from the five separate districts of the county, on a non-partisan basis, to serve four-year staggered terms.

State and federal representation

[edit]

In the California State Legislature, Mariposa is in the 4th Senate District, represented by Republican Marie Alvarado-Gil, and in the 5th Assembly District, represented by Republican Joe Patterson.

In the United States House of Representatives, Mariposa County is in California's 5th congressional district, represented by Republican Tom McClintock.[31]

Politics

[edit]

In its early history Mariposa was one of the most reliable Democratic counties in California. Along with Colusa County, it was one of only two counties in the Pacific States to support Alton B. Parker in 1904.[32] Over time, however, the county has steadily moved away from its Democratic roots, seen demonstrably in 1948 when Thomas E. Dewey won Mariposa without carrying California, as part of a trend turning the Great Basin into a rock-solid Republican stronghold.[33] Currently Mariposa is a strongly Republican county in Presidential and congressional elections. The last Democrat to win a majority in the county was Lyndon Johnson in 1964 but the last Democrat to win Mariposa was Bill Clinton in 1992 who won a plurality of forty-one votes.

United States presidential election results for Mariposa County, California[34]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 5,625 59.15% 3,622 38.09% 262 2.76%
2020 5,950 57.88% 4,088 39.77% 242 2.35%
2016 5,185 58.41% 3,122 35.17% 570 6.42%
2012 5,140 56.87% 3,498 38.70% 400 4.43%
2008 5,298 54.75% 4,100 42.37% 279 2.88%
2004 5,215 60.23% 3,251 37.55% 192 2.22%
2000 4,727 58.55% 2,816 34.88% 531 6.58%
1996 3,976 50.02% 2,920 36.73% 1,053 13.25%
1992 2,982 35.98% 3,023 36.48% 2,282 27.54%
1988 3,768 54.53% 2,998 43.39% 144 2.08%
1984 3,989 61.20% 2,399 36.81% 130 1.99%
1980 3,082 54.96% 1,889 33.68% 637 11.36%
1976 2,012 46.61% 2,093 48.48% 212 4.91%
1972 2,122 56.15% 1,487 39.35% 170 4.50%
1968 1,496 49.92% 1,187 39.61% 314 10.48%
1964 1,264 42.59% 1,704 57.41% 0 0.00%
1960 1,599 53.97% 1,338 45.16% 26 0.88%
1956 1,577 60.31% 1,031 39.43% 7 0.27%
1952 2,214 65.91% 1,102 32.81% 43 1.28%
1948 1,378 55.86% 983 39.85% 106 4.30%
1944 965 44.16% 1,203 55.06% 17 0.78%
1940 1,035 34.47% 1,935 64.44% 33 1.10%
1936 621 24.23% 1,907 74.40% 35 1.37%
1932 560 27.48% 1,386 68.01% 92 4.51%
1928 656 55.03% 517 43.37% 19 1.59%
1924 344 40.23% 168 19.65% 343 40.12%
1920 484 55.38% 320 36.61% 70 8.01%
1916 451 32.75% 802 58.24% 124 9.01%
1912 20 1.71% 689 58.89% 461 39.40%
1908 352 36.86% 480 50.26% 123 12.88%
1904 461 42.88% 486 45.21% 128 11.91%
1900 505 40.79% 717 57.92% 16 1.29%
1896 563 39.68% 829 58.42% 27 1.90%
1892 404 39.92% 526 51.98% 82 8.10%

On November 4, 2008, Mariposa County voted 62.1% for Proposition 8 which amended the California Constitution to ban same-sex marriages.[35]

Voter registration

[edit]

Crime

[edit]

The following table includes the number of incidents reported and the rate per 1,000 persons for each type of offense.

Healthcare

[edit]

Mariposa County has one hospital, John C. Fremont Hospital.[39]

According to a 2013 study, Mariposa County had the highest rate of child abuse and neglect,[40] and as recently as 2014, had the second highest of rate of unvaccinated children[41] in the state of California.

Media

[edit]

Mariposa County primarily receives the major Fresno TV and radio stations.

The county also has media outlets that serve the local community. These include:

Transportation

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Major highways

[edit]

Public transportation

[edit]

Airports

[edit]

Mariposa-Yosemite Airport is a general aviation airport. The nearest airports with scheduled flights are Fresno and Merced.

Communities

[edit]
The historic Wawona Hotel, built in 1876

Census-designated places

[edit]

★ Formerly known as the Crane Creek CDP; renamed in 2022

Unincorporated communities

[edit]

Population ranking

[edit]

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Mariposa County.[43]

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2010 Census)
1 † Mariposa CDP 2,173
2 Midpines CDP 1,204
3 Lake Don Pedro CDP 1,077
4 Yosemite Valley CDP 1,035
5 Bootjack CDP 960
6 Greeley Hill CDP 915
7 Catheys Valley CDP 825
8 El Portal CDP 474
9 Coulterville CDP 201
10 Wawona CDP 169
11 Bear Valley CDP 125
12 Hornitos CDP 75
13 Fish Camp CDP 59
14 Buck Meadows CDP 31

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Other = Some other race + Two or more races
  2. ^ Native American = Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander + American Indian or Alaska Native
  3. ^ Percentage of registered voters with respect to total population. Percentages of party members with respect to registered voters follow.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Chronology". California State Association of Counties. Archived from the original on January 29, 2016. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
  2. ^ "Staff Directory • Mariposa County • CivicEngage".
  3. ^ "FAQs • Mariposa County • CivicEngage".
  4. ^ "Gross Domestic Product: All Industries in Mariposa County, CA". Federal Reserve Economic Data. Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
  5. ^ "mariposa". Dictionary.com Unabridged (Online). n.d.
  6. ^ "Mariposa County, California". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  7. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  8. ^ "Mariposa: Mother Of Counties". Superior Court of California, County of Mariposa. Archived from the original on June 11, 2009. Retrieved May 17, 2009.
  9. ^ The Colorado Quartz Gold Mine, Rocks and Minerals, Sept-Oct 2009.
  10. ^ "Gold". mindat.org.
  11. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved September 28, 2015.
  12. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  13. ^ "Census of Population and Housing from 1790-2000". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  14. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 28, 2015.
  15. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 28, 2015.
  16. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved September 28, 2015.
  17. ^ a b "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Mariposa County, California". United States Census Bureau.
  18. ^ a b "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Mariposa County, California". United States Census Bureau.
  19. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Mariposa County, California". United States Census Bureau.
  20. ^ "American FactFinder - Results". factfinder.census.gov. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B02001. U.S. Census website. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  22. ^ a b U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B03003. U.S. Census website. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  23. ^ a b U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B19301. U.S. Census website. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
  24. ^ a b U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B19013. U.S. Census website. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
  25. ^ a b U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B19113. U.S. Census website. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
  26. ^ a b U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. U.S. Census website. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
  27. ^ U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B01003. U.S. Census website. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
  28. ^ a b c d e f g h Data unavailable
  29. ^ "2010 Census P.L. 94-171 Summary File Data". United States Census Bureau.
  30. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  31. ^ "California's 5th Congressional District - Representatives & District Map". Civic Impulse, LLC. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  32. ^ Menendez, Albert J.; The Geography of Presidential Elections in the United States, 1868-2004, pp. 153-155 ISBN 0786422173
  33. ^ Mendendez; The Geography of Presidential Elections in the United States, p. 74
  34. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
  35. ^ Bowen, Debra. "Statement of Vote November 4, 2008 General Election" (PDF). California Secretary of State. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
  36. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k California Secretary of State. February 10, 2013 - Report of Registration Archived July 27, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 31, 2013.
  37. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Office of the Attorney General, Department of Justice, State of California. Table 11: Crimes – 2009 Archived December 2, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 14, 2013.
  38. ^ Only larceny-theft cases involving property over $400 in value are reported as property crimes.
  39. ^ O'Neill, Michael. "John C Fremont Healthcare District in California". gis.oshpd.ca.gov. Retrieved August 29, 2017.[permanent dead link‍]
  40. ^ "Mariposa Gazette". Mariposa Gazette.
  41. ^ "Mariposa Gazette". Mariposa Gazette.
  42. ^ "Route 15A".
  43. ^ CNMP. "This site has been redesigned and relocated. - U.S. Census Bureau Bureau". www.census.gov.

Further reading

[edit]
  • A Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties of Merced, Stanislaus, Calaveras, Tuolumne and Mariposa, California. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1892.
[edit]

37°35′N 119°55′W / 37.58°N 119.91°W / 37.58; -119.91

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