Mendocino County, California

Mendocino County is a county located on the north coast of the U.S. state of California, north of the San Francisco Bay Area and Sonoma County and west of the Central Valley. As of 2000, the population was 86,265. The county seat is Ukiah.

The county is noted for its wild Pacific Ocean coast and the independent nature of its population.

The county is part of the Emerald Triangle and is the location of the Mendocino American Viticultural Area.

History

Mendocino County was one of the original counties of California, created in 1850 at the time of statehood.

The county derives its name from Cape Mendocino, which was probably named in honor of either Antonio de Mendoza, Viceroy of New Spain, 1535–1542 (who sent the Juan Cabrillo Expedition to this coast in 1542), or Lorenzo Suarez de Mendoza, Viceroy from 1580 to 1583. Mendocino is the adjectival form of the family name of Mendoza.

In the 19th century, the county witnessed many of the most serious atrocities in the extermination of the Californian Native American tribes who originally lived in the area, like the Yuki, the Pomo and the Wintun. The systematical occupation of their lands, the reduction of many of their members into slavery and the raids against their settlements led to the Mendocino War in 1859, where hundreds of Indians were killed. Later, the segregation continued well into the 20th century.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 10,044 km² (3,878 mi²). 9,088 km² (3,509 mi²) of it is land and 956 km² (369 mi²) of it (9.52%) is water.

Adjacent Counties

Demographics

As of the census ² of 2000, there were 86,265 people, 33,266 households, and 21,855 families residing in the county. The population density was 9/km² (25/mi²). There were 36,937 housing units at an average density of 4/km² (10/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 80.76% White, 0.62% Black or African American, 4.76% Native American, 1.20% Asian, 0.15% Pacific Islander, 8.61% from other races, and 3.90% from two or more races. 16.48% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 33,266 households out of which 31.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.90% were married couples living together, 11.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.30% were non-families. 27.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the county the population was spread out with 25.50% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 25.60% from 25 to 44, 27.10% from 45 to 64, and 13.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 98.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,996, and the median income for a family was $42,168. Males had a median income of $33,128 versus $23,774 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,443. About 10.90% of families and 15.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.50% of those under age 18 and 7.70% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

Records

In 2000, Measure G was passed in Mendocino County with a 51% majority, making it the first county in the United States to decriminalize medical marijuana.
In 2004, Measure H was passed in Mendocino County with a 57% majority, making it the first county in the United States to ban the production of genetically modified organisms.

Rivers

Beaches

Parks, Reserves and related places

External links

General information

Vineyards

California counties | Mendocino County, California

Мендосино | Mendocino County | Comté de Mendocino | Condado de Mendocino | Mendocino County

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