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Weed is a city located in Siskiyou County, California. As of the 2000 Census, the town had a total population of 2,978. Weed is only about 10 miles (16 km) west-north-west of Mount Shasta, a prominent northern California landmark.
Geography
Weed is located at 41°25'27" North, 122°23'4" West (41.424298, -122.384417). It is located off Interstate 5 just 49 miles south of the California-Oregon border. The next large town to the north on I-5 is Yreka; to the south is City of Mt. Shasta. U.S. 97 heads off to the northeast and Klamath Falls, Oregon.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.6 km² (4.8 mi²). 12.6 km² (4.8 mi²) of it is land and none of it is covered by water.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,978 people, 1,184 households, and 747 families residing in the city. The population density was 237.1/km² (613.4/mi²). There were 1,293 housing units at an average density of 102.9/km² (266.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 73.27% White, 9.27% Black or African American, 1.95% Native American, 4.57% Asian, 0.47% Pacific Islander, 5.51% from other races, and 4.97% from two or more races. 12.76% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 1,184 households out of which 31.2% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.6% are married couples living together, 15.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 36.9% are non-families. 28.9% of all households are made up of individuals and 14.0% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.41 and the average family size is 2.98.
In the city the population is spread out with 25.6% under the age of 18, 14.4% from 18 to 24, 22.6% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 35 years. For every 100 females there are 94.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 93.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $23,333, and the median income for a family is $32,197. Males have a median income of $29,052 versus $21,894 for females. The per capita income for the city is $12,434. 23.9% of the population and 17.2% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 30.9% of those under the age of 18 and 4.9% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Their secondary school is Weed High School.
Other notes
- The town of Weed gets its name from the founder of the local lumber mill, one Abner Weed. In 1897 Abner Weed bought for the sum of $400.00, the Siskiyou Lumber and Mercantile Mill and 280 acres of land in what is now Weed.
- Caltrans, the California Department of Transportation, maintains roads signs in and around Weed. One sign that has historically needed constant attention read 'Weed Right - College Left'. The sign has been stolen so many times that Caltrans had to change it to 'City Center Right - College of the Siskiyous Left'. No surprise, the new sign has not been stolen.
- The band From First To Last recorded their second album Heroine (2006) at Radio Star Studios in Weed.
- The people of Weed have so far been patient with tourists amused by the town's name, due to the fact that "weed" is also slang for marijuana. Presumably, this level of tolerance exists because they will often buy souvenirs bearing the town's name before moving on.
- A highway sign on nearby U.S. Highway 97 reading "SOUTH US 97 Weed, San Francisco" has become somewhat popular as a gag photo-op spot.
- Weed was mentioned in John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men as the place where George and Lennie had run away from.
- Mount Shasta is the second highest peak in the Cascade Range and in California.
- Crystal Geyser Natural Alpine Spring Water is also bottled here at 4 different spring sources below Mt. Shasta
External links
"Weed, California"